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Miniatures Adventure => Fantasy Adventures => Topic started by: Shaved Dwarf on 21 February 2016, 08:33:04 PM

Title: Shaved Dwarf's Conversion Adventure
Post by: Shaved Dwarf on 21 February 2016, 08:33:04 PM
The objective is to build an army of orcs in 28mm. Nothing exciting, I know, but I have some constraints that make this enterprise a challenge. Well, at least for me.


These three poses are an orc with a blade, one with a spear and one with a bow. That's it.

I have a sack of them in the cellar. They have been waiting for a couple of years by now. Waiting in the darkness to be summoned to the field of battle. And their time has come.
(Err... got a little carried away...)

I bought them dirt cheap in 2009 from em4. They were sold singly for 20 Pence and as a sack of 50 for 7,50 £ (that's 15 pence a piece). And a bag of 50 shields (from 3 different) was sold for 1 £.
But there's a catch, of course, ... they aren't quite what I'd call a miniature. The sculpts are rather simple, most details are somehow blurry. They're made from plastic that's inferiour to that I know from GW or Gripping Beast (but this may be subjective). They have massive mould lines and these go all around the whole casting. And they have integral bases and these are thick. And these are broad, so have to be cut to get enough minis on a base (if we assume that every model should get an area of 20mm in square, as this is a very common dimension for 28mm infantry models).
All in all, I'd say they resemble more pieces from a board game than wargaming miniatures.
Don't get me wrong, I don't hate them. They have restrictions, yes, but also have some kind of down-to-earth oldschool charm that appealed to me. And they stimulated what I'd call some sporty spirit within me, something that made me want to try to build an army from three poses.

Um... did I mention they were dirt cheap? :)

(http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm41/fuzzytheshort/Orks%20fuer%20HotT/DSCI0006_zpsf8f5f538.jpg)

(http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm41/fuzzytheshort/Orks%20fuer%20HotT/DSCI0005_zpsec1431b9.jpg)

(http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm41/fuzzytheshort/Orks%20fuer%20HotT/DSCI0022_zpsd6d2a17f.jpg)

Every model has a cylindrical extension on its back that can be seen on the first image on the left one. A similar, but shorter is on the inside of most of the shields.

Title: Re: Shaved Dwarf's Conversion Adventure
Post by: Reed on 22 February 2016, 12:27:55 AM
If you search for "em4 orcs challenge" on this forum you can see the wonders that can be made with these monopose figs.
Title: Re: Shaved Dwarf's Conversion Adventure
Post by: Shaved Dwarf on 22 February 2016, 12:50:09 AM
I started with the archers:

(http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm41/fuzzytheshort/Orks%20fuer%20HotT/eins_zpsafff5762.jpg)

In the beginning I took a leisurely pace: On the left an unchanged model with a shield attached to its back, in the middle I've simply added a shield boss, and on the right I've added some buttons or rivets to the bracer, the scabbard and the quiver. And I cut the cylinder off the last one's back. Doing this I discovered, to my amazement, hollow spaces in the torso. :?

On the next one I removed the neckline that shows a chain mail on the chest and on the back (to be seen best on the right one of the previous image):

(http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm41/fuzzytheshort/Orks%20fuer%20HotT/zwei_zps207aff56.jpg)

Unfortunately I was so smart to attach a shield on the model's back so the removed chain mail can't be seen. ::)

(http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm41/fuzzytheshort/Orks%20fuer%20HotT/drei_zpsb05c69ad.jpg)

Then I accelerated the pace a little. On the left one I cut the arm off and attached it again in a raised position. Freed the back from the cylinder and that's it.
The orc in the middle is no archer but one of the spearmen. I cut off his left hand and replaced it with an archer's hand I cut off, too. His right arm I cut through the elbow and did the same to one of the swordmen. Removed the sword and glued the forearm to the archer's elbow in a position as if he just took an arrow from the quiver at his back. Because a swordman's torso isn't equipped with a quiver I had to build one myself. As I hadn't the confidence to try a quiver filled with arrows in modelling putty I carved it from a GW plastic sprue. A button/rivet to each of the quiver's side and we're finished. At least that's what I thought... of course I forgot to give him the arrow in his right hand that he just took from his quiver before taking the picture.
The right orc is made from a swordman. Cut off the right arm above the elbow and attached it again (after removing the sword) so that it doesn't point to the side but to the front. The left forearm I exchanged with that of an archer and carved a quiver like I did on the model in the middle.
Title: Re: Shaved Dwarf's Conversion Adventure
Post by: Shaved Dwarf on 22 February 2016, 01:05:29 AM
Hey, Reed, just noticed that you've written a posting while I was writing (yes, I'm a slow writer).
Did what you suggested... :o ... and was - I have to confess - displeased by what I saw. :'(
Someone did it before, I could have done something more wise in the last 2 hours, for example sleeping. Everything would have been better than writing about something nobody is interested in, because someone told the story already. What a waste of time... :(
Title: Re: Shaved Dwarf's Conversion Adventure
Post by: Reed on 22 February 2016, 11:44:31 AM
Quote from: Shaved Dwarf on 22 February 2016, 01:05:29 AM
Hey, Reed, just noticed that you've written a posting while I was writing (yes, I'm a slow writer).
Did what you suggested... :o ... and was - I have to confess - displeased by what I saw. :'(
Someone did it before, I could have done something more wise in the last 2 hours, for example sleeping. Everything would have been better than writing about something nobody is interested in, because someone told the story already. What a waste of time... :(

Don't be disappointed, I would like to do a similar project for Kings of War. Making an affordable yet still special army sounds too good to me.
Title: Re: Shaved Dwarf's Conversion Adventure
Post by: white knight on 22 February 2016, 04:19:26 PM
Those conversions look very good. I wouldn't say no one is interested, I will be checking back regularly for updates on this. :)
Title: Re: Shaved Dwarf's Conversion Adventure
Post by: Hobgoblin on 22 February 2016, 05:16:56 PM
This is an interesting project - and these are great conversions.

As I understand it, these models weren't actually sculpted by Nick Lund, but by a colleague consciously imitating his style. One thing that strikes me about them is that the tusks are in a strange position - too close together and too inward-pointing. I'd be tempted to reposition at least some of them further out (like those on genuine Lund orcs). Removing some altogether might be another way to add variety.
Title: Re: Shaved Dwarf's Conversion Adventure
Post by: Tactalvanic on 22 February 2016, 07:41:23 PM
Yup - using those is always a great idea,  and useful to see someone else's take on how to modify those classic cheap orcs  :)
Title: Re: Shaved Dwarf's Conversion Adventure
Post by: Shaved Dwarf on 24 February 2016, 02:10:46 PM
Well, I think you're right, guys.
After all, surrendering is no option for a self-respecting orc! :)

@Hobgoblin:
Yes, the tusks bugged me a little, too. But I didn't dare to try face conversions. Maybe I change my mind in the course of time as I (hopefully) gain experience with converting.


Title: Re: Shaved Dwarf's Conversion Adventure
Post by: Tactalvanic on 24 February 2016, 02:23:46 PM
They are a pretty solid choice for learning/practicing conversion techniques, and cheap!

Do more and show us.

I have a pile of them myself, along with the Dwarves of course, waiting for their moment in the light of the workbench.

They are in the queue. it's a long queue, but they are working their way up!
Title: Re: Shaved Dwarf's Conversion Adventure
Post by: DeafNala on 24 February 2016, 02:34:02 PM
EXCELLENT WORK! Your deft conversion work is yielding some subtly different minis from the same casting. GREAT STUFF!
Title: Re: Shaved Dwarf's Conversion Adventure
Post by: jon_1066 on 24 February 2016, 03:20:56 PM
I like the quivers - good idea there.

The other guy never posted up his finished painted offering so you can still get there first!
Title: Re: Shaved Dwarf's Conversion Adventure
Post by: Shaved Dwarf on 24 February 2016, 09:47:37 PM
Thank you for the kind words.

Well, then:

(http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm41/fuzzytheshort/Orks%20fuer%20HotT/warband_4_zpsd646e5f9.jpg)

This one got a fancy loincloth and a belt buckle. As you can see, I'm using up the remains of putty I have, so some of the conversions might look a little patchy... BTW, meanwhile I cut off the bases.

(http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm41/fuzzytheshort/Orks%20fuer%20HotT/warband_3_zps10838b98.jpg)

This one is a spearman with the spear replaced by a blade I carved myself from plasticard. I'm not really satisfied with the blade, but as it is my first one, I guess it'll suffice... Removed the belt pouch from his right thigh and the gaiters (or whatelse these things on the boots are supposed to be). Glued a shield to the hand and that's it.


(http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm41/fuzzytheshort/Orks%20fuer%20HotT/warband_2_zps39310c9a.jpg)

A spearman again, with the stockings removed from his lower legs. Cut off the left arm and positioned it in front of the body to hold a shield. Hid the joint at the shoulder with an epaulette. Provided the shield with a spike.
Title: Re: Shaved Dwarf's Conversion Adventure
Post by: Sunjester on 25 February 2016, 12:09:56 AM
As already said, it is interesting to see the potential of these cheap figures. You are doing an very nice job on the conversions, I can't wait to see some painted.
Title: Re: Shaved Dwarf's Conversion Adventure
Post by: Shaved Dwarf on 27 February 2016, 08:36:28 PM
Thank you.

I'm afraid it'll take some time until I start painting. I usually wait until I have a dozen or so miniatures.
Title: Re: Shaved Dwarf's Conversion Adventure
Post by: Shaved Dwarf on 04 March 2016, 03:45:27 PM
Let's continue:


(http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm41/fuzzytheshort/Orks%20fuer%20HotT/warband_1_zps315e68bc.jpg)

After the last looting this one was able to afford some new teeth. And a fancy ornamental plate to fix on his belt buckle.
In addition I removed the gaiters and gave him a belt pouch and two square rivets on the shoulders.

(http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm41/fuzzytheshort/Orks%20fuer%20HotT/warband_5_zps8ec697ea.jpg)

I removed this one's sword and replaced it with a DIY axe. Unfortunately the handle is too thin to be in line with the thick spear shafts. But a thicker metal rod would mean to have to drill a bigger hole in the plastic card the blade is made from... hopefully I have an idea before I make the next axe.
I thought a knapsack would suit someone who leaves home for battle (and for a little looting) so I made one. But this meant I had to face sculpting belts. Until now I always got around this; actually every orc who has a shield on his back should wear a belt around his shoulder, too. I simply hoped that nobody would notice. But with a knapsack there is no way to fudge this time.

Title: Re: Shaved Dwarf's Conversion Adventure
Post by: Mason on 04 March 2016, 03:49:21 PM
I like the conversions that you have got going here.
They really are becoming individuals.
Cheap plastics turned into something personal to your army.
Great!
 8) 8)

Title: Re: Shaved Dwarf's Conversion Adventure
Post by: roadskare63 on 05 March 2016, 12:09:32 AM
ya just GOTTA love an greenskin man!!  lol lol lol...nice conversions!!
Cheers,
Carl
Title: Re: Shaved Dwarf's Conversion Adventure
Post by: DeafNala on 05 March 2016, 12:06:32 PM
LOOKIN' GOOD! Your conversion work ia creating a FINE Band of personable individuals. GREAT WORK
You could either green stuff the axe haft or put a plastic tube over it for thickness.
Title: Re: Shaved Dwarf's Conversion Adventure
Post by: jon_1066 on 05 March 2016, 12:27:23 PM
I love to go a pillaging along the mountain track
I love to go a pillaging my napsack on my back
Title: Re: Shaved Dwarf's Conversion Adventure
Post by: Golgotha on 05 March 2016, 12:52:39 PM
 I am very happy to see your conversion work here and eagerly look forward to more... there is something really edifying about converting these particular miniatures.

To this day these and the other old Grenadier EM4 Orcs are still my favourite and I strongly believe they best encapsulate and or capture (my view at least) of what an Orc 'should' look like. I also think it admirable that you are committed to converting and painting up old miniatures in your toy box - when many others would simply denigrate and or replace them. 

I have always found of the three that the hardest one to convert is the archer, that is if one wishes to keep him as such... so like to see more options... Certainly many plastic GW Empire and Goblin bits and arms can work well when converting these. At any rate eagerly look forward to seeing more.

Any one else liking what they see here should know these minis are still available and who would not want a great looking and also cheap Orc army.
Title: Re: Shaved Dwarf's Conversion Adventure
Post by: LordOdo on 05 March 2016, 07:05:16 PM
Im curious to see what other things you'll come up with to give them all their very own identity!  Maybe even some hair.  Will you make commanders too?
Title: Re: Shaved Dwarf's Conversion Adventure
Post by: Shaved Dwarf on 05 March 2016, 11:39:30 PM
Thank you, guys.

@LordOdo:
Yes, I want to make commanders, too.
Title: Re: Shaved Dwarf's Conversion Adventure
Post by: 6mmfan on 08 March 2016, 08:14:09 AM
These are some very cool conversions. Its great to see these transformed from some rather basic figures.
Title: Re: Shaved Dwarf's Conversion Adventure
Post by: tomrommel1 on 08 March 2016, 09:54:05 AM
Does EM4 still trade ? Couldn't find anything on the net!
Title: Re: Shaved Dwarf's Conversion Adventure
Post by: tomrommel1 on 08 March 2016, 09:56:48 AM
sorry forget my post found them!!! Still dead cheap
Title: Re: Shaved Dwarf's Conversion Adventure
Post by: Shaved Dwarf on 09 March 2016, 03:22:43 PM
I have some new pictures for you:

(http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm41/fuzzytheshort/Orks%20fuer%20HotT/warband_7_zpse630c38b.jpg)

Simply a swordsman with a shield attached to his back and the sword's blade replaced with one I made myself.

(http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm41/fuzzytheshort/Orks%20fuer%20HotT/warband_6_zpsdbde9b42.jpg)

A part of the blade left from the previous mini I attached to the spear. On the other side a piece of wire gives a thorn, so that the weapon resembles some kind of halberd. Made a boss on the shield and a little battle damage and glued it to the left hand.

(http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm41/fuzzytheshort/Orks%20fuer%20HotT/warband_8_zpsf262993e.jpg)

Cut the right arm at the shoulder and fixed it in a more dynamic pose. Hid the joint with a green stuff sleeve. For symmetry I would have liked to sculpt a sleeve to the left shoulder, too, but unfortunately I glued the shield to the hand before. It was hard to get in between with a sculpting tool so I didn't dare to try.
BTW removed the gaiters from all three minis; I don't like them.



Title: Re: Shaved Dwarf's Conversion Adventure
Post by: Shaved Dwarf on 11 March 2016, 12:32:42 PM
(http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm41/fuzzytheshort/Orks%20fuer%20HotT/ork_muetze_1_zpsff229561.jpg)

(http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm41/fuzzytheshort/Orks%20fuer%20HotT/ork_muetze_2_zpsf838180e.jpg)

(http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm41/fuzzytheshort/Orks%20fuer%20HotT/ork_muetze_3_zpsf60abaaf.jpg)

These three have a woolen cap in common. Apart from that the changes are minor: a loincloth, an ornamented belt buckle and an eye patch, a changed shield boss.

Title: Re: Shaved Dwarf's Conversion Adventure
Post by: DeafNala on 11 March 2016, 12:54:45 PM
The NEW & IMPROVED Orcs look SPLENDIDLY unique. GREAT WORK!
They also have better posture & lack the bowlegs of their G.W. counterparts.
Title: Re: Shaved Dwarf's Conversion Adventure
Post by: Shaved Dwarf on 22 March 2016, 03:03:32 PM
Thanks.

(http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm41/fuzzytheshort/Orks%20fuer%20HotT/warband_trinkflasche_zps2a668b69.jpg)

This one I equipped with a bottle made from some dried and carved out fruit, like those pumpkins we have in our world. And a belt around the shoulder to carry it.

(http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm41/fuzzytheshort/Orks%20fuer%20HotT/warband_deckenrolle_zps0d3e75ae.jpg)

Because his mum always said "beware of the cold nights" this one carries a nice cosy blanket.
Title: Re: Shaved Dwarf's Conversion Adventure
Post by: DivisMal on 23 March 2016, 07:29:18 AM
Awesome! I had some of those, when I was a kid. Grenadier hat like 102 orcs and dwarfs (of this type) within their Fantasy Warriors boxed set.

Great to see them making it back on the big screen, and your conversion make these rusty old chaps look young again. Keep posting!
Title: Re: Shaved Dwarf's Conversion Adventure
Post by: nic-e on 23 March 2016, 03:50:36 PM
I'm doing the same thing at the moment,although I'll admit, you're alot further along than I am! I got a little burned out after the tenth greenstuff orc hat!  Still,I think these figures brush up pretty good with some love!:)
(http://i1350.photobucket.com/albums/p771/Nic-e2/IMG_20160323_154711_zpszovjvvj7.jpg)
Title: Re: Shaved Dwarf's Conversion Adventure
Post by: Shaved Dwarf on 23 March 2016, 10:33:29 PM
Thank you.

nic-e, I agree, a little love is necessary, but if they get it, they can really shine.
Great custom standard you've made for them. 8)
Title: Re: Shaved Dwarf's Conversion Adventure
Post by: Shaved Dwarf on 17 April 2016, 11:57:14 AM
Started to build some light cavalry. The two without shields will have some, I simply  have taken the photographs before fixing them.

Sitting the orcs on the wolves' backs proved to be tricky. The infantry models stand with legs apart one would consider to be enough for a slender wolf back to fit in. No matter how much plastic I removed from the orcs' loinclothes and inner sides of legs, they did not fit well. In the end I cut off all the left legs, and pinned them and the orcs on the wolves, filling the gaps with putty. Now the orcs sat on the wolf backs, but it still didn't look right.
I figured that, though the orc bottoms now were touching the wolf backs, the orcs didn't really rest on them. The orcs looked like they didn't have weight, like they'd magically hover over the wolves. So I decided to give them a loincloth to link the two models. Looks better now.

(http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm41/fuzzytheshort/Orks%20fuer%20HotT/orks_reiter_1_zpsc29b8aad.jpg)      (http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm41/fuzzytheshort/Orks%20fuer%20HotT/orks_reiter_2_zpsc10d064c.jpg)

(http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm41/fuzzytheshort/Orks%20fuer%20HotT/21bfe6ba-c324-4e83-a486-00387aad45c5_zpsf9bd2f26.jpg)      (http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm41/fuzzytheshort/Orks%20fuer%20HotT/57e8f960-ec4b-49a4-8ccd-7d220e419896_zps2b36ecf8.jpg)
Title: Re: Shaved Dwarf's Conversion Adventure
Post by: DeafNala on 17 April 2016, 12:17:00 PM
You certainly have come up with a horde of SPLENDIDLY IMAGINATIVE variations on a limited number of minis. OUTSTANDING WORK!
Title: Re: Shaved Dwarf's Conversion Adventure
Post by: Roddy on 17 April 2016, 12:35:30 PM
Quote
So I decided to give them a loincloth to link the two models. Looks better now.

That worked really well, they look pretty spiffy.

Where are the wolves from?
Title: Re: Shaved Dwarf's Conversion Adventure
Post by: Brandlin on 17 April 2016, 01:38:13 PM
I have a hundred of these figures too.

They are indeed nick lund sculpts. first manufactured by grenadier in 1990 as part of their orc vs dwarfs starter box for the excellent Fantasy Warriors ruleset.

I use mine to bulk out some orc units in amongst the metal lund sculpts. It helps to add variety and to hide the more static poses.

really loving what you're doing here. you can come and do mine afterwards :-)
Title: Re: Shaved Dwarf's Conversion Adventure
Post by: white knight on 17 April 2016, 02:09:29 PM
Actually, the plastic ones were sculpted by someone else, in a style to match the metal Nick Lund sculpts.

The mounted orcs look great, very effective conversions.
Title: Re: Shaved Dwarf's Conversion Adventure
Post by: Tactalvanic on 17 April 2016, 08:49:10 PM
Really well mounted orcs.

cracking conversions.

Well beyond my abilities.

We want more  :)
Title: Re: Shaved Dwarf's Conversion Adventure
Post by: djbii on 18 April 2016, 09:06:28 AM
They remind me of the brutes in Zardoz :-)
Title: Re: Shaved Dwarf's Conversion Adventure
Post by: sukhe_bator on 18 April 2016, 03:00:34 PM
Lovely mounted orc conversions :-* :-* :-*
Title: Re: Shaved Dwarf's Conversion Adventure
Post by: Shaved Dwarf on 18 April 2016, 04:24:54 PM
Thank you, guys!

Quote from: Roddy on 17 April 2016, 12:35:30 PM
Where are the wolves from?

They're from Vendel Miniatures. It's a pity they've ceased business. :'(  They had some very beautiful fantasy minis. And cheap, too: I remember that I've paid 4 £ for a blister of four.
One can still get them, though, as the ranges were sold to Sgt. Majors in the US, but postal charges and customs fees spoiled it... at least for me.

Quote from: Brandlin on 17 April 2016, 01:38:13 PM
you can come and do mine afterwards :-)

Err...
 ;)

Quote from: Tactalvanic on 17 April 2016, 08:49:10 PM
We want more  :)

And you'll get them!
Title: Re: Shaved Dwarf's Conversion Adventure
Post by: tomrommel1 on 27 April 2016, 08:21:26 AM
I got some of the figures ,too . Will start converting them when time allows !
Title: Re: Shaved Dwarf's Conversion Adventure
Post by: Shaved Dwarf on 01 May 2016, 09:03:29 PM
Meanwhile, I started to paint. The first four bases are finished:

(http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm41/fuzzytheshort/Orks%20fuer%20HotT/orcs_warband_new_1_zpscuusjogr.jpg~original)

(http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm41/fuzzytheshort/Orks%20fuer%20HotT/orcs_warband_new_2_zpshd9xplau.jpg~original)

After painting I noticed that I missed to photograph and show three of my orcs after converting them. They can be seen on the second image: the one with the lowered spear and the two with helmets.



Title: Re: Shaved Dwarf's Conversion Adventure
Post by: Reed on 01 May 2016, 09:38:01 PM
The guys with helms look cool. All the conversions made on the head give a lot of personality to the figure, aside from the also much needed reposing.
Title: Re: Shaved Dwarf's Conversion Adventure
Post by: Tactalvanic on 02 May 2016, 07:26:50 AM
+1 on the helmet conversions, they really work well with the overall style of the minis

Great stuff
Title: Re: Shaved Dwarf's Conversion Adventure
Post by: Tordenskjold on 02 May 2016, 08:19:38 AM
I was expecting some conversions of shaved dwarfs. Boy was I disappointed  ;)

Other than that, great minis! I like how you can change the whole look of a figure with some relatively simple reposing, tweaking and green stuff details. specially the wolf-riders are impressive IMO.
Title: Re: Shaved Dwarf's Conversion Adventure
Post by: Shaved Dwarf on 06 May 2016, 01:06:14 PM
Thank you, guys.

I spotted a fourth missed to photograph mini... ::) the rightmost in the first image. Guess I have to be more thoughtful...

The next batch is in production. I want to have some orcs that are not part of a simple warband, but of a trained and disciplined rank & file unit, the guard of the orc boss'. Therefore, I have to see that I can limit the space one orc occupies to a square of 20mm edge length. Yes, that's the usual WH and WAB basing, nothing fancy... the problem is, that the models are much to broad for this. Now I have to cut both arms of every model and reposition them to the front. Fortunately, the feet fit exactly within the 20mm, so no need to alter them. To enhance the impression of professional soldiers, all are made from the same miniature, the spearman, and will have the same clothing and armament, and will be painted in the same way. Here's a WIP, next to an unaltered specimen:

(http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm41/fuzzytheshort/Orks%20fuer%20HotT/orks_garde_wip_zpsd7dmmtlg.jpg)

By now, I'm planing to build 18 of them, so there's a lot of work to do and this will become rather.... dull.
Title: Re: Shaved Dwarf's Conversion Adventure
Post by: Brandlin on 06 May 2016, 07:47:26 PM
Good conversions as always and I agree with your view of getting away from orcs as an undisciplined rabble.

However isn't WHFB frontage for an Orc 25mm?
Title: Re: Shaved Dwarf's Conversion Adventure
Post by: Shaved Dwarf on 07 May 2016, 12:00:43 AM
Thanks.

Quote from: Brandlin on 06 May 2016, 07:47:26 PM
However isn't WHFB frontage for an Orc 25mm?

Frankly, I don't know how orcs are based for WH. The reason I ended up with a 20mm square per figure is not WH. I don't think I'm going to play WH in the next couple of years.
The reason is another: I have three figures on every warband base. The base's width is 60 mm and the depth is 30mm. I can't place 3 figures in a rank next to each other, I have to place them somewhat shifted. Thanks to the depth of 30mm I have enough space to do that. That's why the middle figure on the images is displaced to the rear. This also suits the unordered way of a warband better. But to depict a rank & file unit, I need to place all of them in one line and that means with a width of 60mm I have no mroe than 20mm for a single 28mm figure.

edit:
I noticed that I had not stated that the images of the painted and based orcs show bases of the kind "warband". Should have mentioned that... ::)
Title: Re: Shaved Dwarf's Conversion Adventure
Post by: Reed on 07 May 2016, 12:07:29 AM
Will they receive some special looking armor and/or weapons?
Title: Re: Shaved Dwarf's Conversion Adventure
Post by: Brandlin on 07 May 2016, 12:12:21 AM
I haven't played WH since... Hmmm ... 1986 ish...

And mostly our figures were preslotta then... I vaguely remember my dwarfs on 20mm squares of curly edged cardboard.
Title: Re: Shaved Dwarf's Conversion Adventure
Post by: Shaved Dwarf on 07 May 2016, 12:15:33 AM
@Reed:
They will receive another spear than that they come with. The WIP image already shows one (ignore the nail's head, this will be cut off in the final version). And they will get their own shield, a rectangular one.

@Brandlin:
Oh, that's 20 years by now... quite some time. My only WH experience is with the 8th edition.
edit:
Oh no, it's not 20, it's 30 years! (Time to go to bed, I guess... :` )
Title: Re: Shaved Dwarf's Conversion Adventure
Post by: Shaved Dwarf on 12 May 2016, 07:35:25 PM
With 18 minis in the same clothes and with the same weapons that are all made from the same pose, there's little room to bring some variety to the unit. So I decided to try to do more modifications on the faces. I think with faces and heads, relatively small changes suffice to enhance variety. Of course, this theory of mine has to be tested, so here we go:

(http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm41/fuzzytheshort/Orks%20fuer%20HotT/orks_garde_wip_2_zps2xanexg4.jpg~original)

Frist, I removed the tusks from all of them. The guy on the right got an old injury from a fight in the face. The one left of him got a new tusk in IMO a more plausible position than the original. The other tusk he obviously lost in a bar brawl, I'd say. ;)
With the two on the left I tried for the first time to do open mouthes. And the leftmost even got a turned head.

Title: Re: Shaved Dwarf's Conversion Adventure
Post by: Shaved Dwarf on 16 May 2016, 03:35:22 PM
The archers are painted:

(http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm41/fuzzytheshort/Orks%20fuer%20HotT/orcs_archers_new_zps7eunhugy.jpg~original)

But I'm going to prepare some more in the future...
Title: Re: Shaved Dwarf's Conversion Adventure
Post by: jon_1066 on 17 May 2016, 11:05:47 AM
Great stuff!
Title: Re: Shaved Dwarf's Conversion Adventure
Post by: Shaved Dwarf on 28 May 2016, 09:55:47 PM
Thanks!

I have to admit I fail to get on with the guard. If I sit down to continue on my orcs, I usually take one of the others, not-guard minis, in the hand. Seems like working on them appeals more to me than working on 18 similar guards...
Well, here is one of the others, as from time to time one of them gets finished:

(http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm41/fuzzytheshort/Orks%20fuer%20HotT/ork_washer_plastic_combi_shield_zpsa6ncyc1d.jpg~original)

This is a swordman, with his right arm replaced with that of a spearman. Removed both tusks and placed another farther to the side. And tested a  new self-made shield on him. Doesn't look bad, I think.
Title: Re: Shaved Dwarf's Conversion Adventure
Post by: Shaved Dwarf on 06 August 2016, 11:11:33 PM
In the last months I didn't get ahead with my orcs (and with none of my other wargaming projects, too).  :(  At long last, I managed to get two of them finished...

(http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm41/fuzzytheshort/Orks%20fuer%20HotT/schwert_m_buckelwaermer_zpsrvezqoce.jpg)

This swordsman wears an additional cloth around his shoulders, connected by a cord holding an amulet. He also wields a rather rough DIY-blade.

(http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm41/fuzzytheshort/Orks%20fuer%20HotT/bogner_zu_keule_zpsahnjwrae.jpg)

For some time now I thought that I need some maces. Maces are quite simple weapons compared to spears, axes and swords, so an orc warband should carry a number of them. That's why I took this archers bow from him, cut his arm at the elbow and glued it on in a position that looked suitable for a mace. Removed the quiver on his back and replaced the cord around his waist by a proper belt with buckle.
Title: Re: Shaved Dwarf's Conversion Adventure
Post by: tomrommel1 on 31 August 2016, 07:34:01 AM
nice progress