My first attempt was based on an old Robogear model, but it just wasn't hefty enough in my opinion. As such I trawled the internet for some inspiration and picked up a Defiler model to see what I could come up with.
I spent a bit of time over the weekend cutting and sawing and gluing and generally making a huge mess and came up with what I think is a passable first step. I liked the general look of my first attempt and I decided that I wanted to mimic the basic layout (under-slung Autocannons, one close combat arm and one heavy weapon).
The Myrmidon is allowed one of three options for a heavy weapon system - The ever-popular Graviton Cannon, a Conversion Beamer, or a Shockwave Cannon. Ultimately I decided on the Shockwave Cannon, as I have examples of the other two weapons on other models in my Ad Mech Army.
While the Defiler has a Daemon bound into it and is totally sealed, the Myrmidon is described as having a servitor (or Skitarii) crew, and as such I wanted to show a crew member poking his head out of a hatch.
It turns out the cupola ring from the Chaos tank upgrade sprue fits perfectly on the top of the Defiler (there's even gaps in the ring that match up exactly with one of the two cupolas), though I had to do some cutting and scraping to make non-chaos hatches fit on the other openings. Overall I tried to de-chaos-ify the Myrmidon, though there's still a lot of work to do on it (filling in gaps, maybe shaving down all the pointy bits on the trim which is going to be a major pain).
It ended up being a bit bigger than my fist attempt which I think is more appropriate. It certainly looks more menacing, and I'm sure that (like the Defiler) it will draw an inordinate amount of fire. On the other hand, any shots taken at the Myrmidon are shots that aren't going into other, more fragile, units! Still a lot of work to do, but it's definitely taking shape!
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woooa!!! This is really inspiring work. Tremendous. I'd really like to give this a try some time. Beautiful.
ReplyDeleteGreat work Mordian! After building my own (stock) defiler I've been looking for better looking alternatives, yours has now been added to the list!
ReplyDeleteExcellent conversion matey, although Robogear conversions always hold a special place in my heart. Good old airfix, shame they dropped it.
ReplyDeleteThanks folks!
ReplyDelete@b.smoove & D'nyarak - it actually went together quite easily, I'll try to get some more walkaround pictures to show how it's built. with the exception of the Shockwave cannon and the underslung Autocannons, it's entirely made from the Defiler kit, just assembled in a different way.
@Col. Corbane - There's a seller on eBay called "plasticmodelkits" that sells the old Robogear models for rather reasonable prices, I've ordered from him a half dozen times and he's been a pleasure to do business with. Great conversion fodder in the kits!
excellent work. I recently sold my AM and I miss them already =)
ReplyDeleteVery nice work!
ReplyDeleteAw, I liked your old Robogear conversion. I though tthe appeal lay in that it wasn't just another Defiler, but smaller and, well, weirder.
ReplyDeleteThat said, the new monster's pretty badass too, especially the head . Ditto the retro-looking dish on the Shockwave cannon.
Sweet conversion, mate!
ReplyDeleteI may have to pick up that old robogear kit for some sort of nasty chaos techmarine.
ReplyDeleteThe myrmidon itself is a very nice take on the Amaximus pattern defiler. The crew gives it a totally different feel.
Thanks folks!
ReplyDelete@#2501 - I'm still planning on using the Robogear models as the basis for my Praetorians, I think. I'll likely swap out the weapons loadout, but I think having the two units thematically linked will end up looking pretty neat.
@Rabidchild - Thanks, I couldn't remember the name of the blogger who had done this style of Defiler, thanks for pointing it out - I went with a slightly different way of arming it, but the seed of the conversion idea is definitely from the KMB blog! I've added a link to the original post where I found the pics, it's definitely worth checking out!
LOOKS GREAT!!!
ReplyDeleteMan, I really like this. I can't wait to see it painted!
ReplyDeletemade of awesome!
ReplyDeleteAmazing conversion! What did you use to make the head? Thats my only point of confusion. Im currently in the process of my own AM army to add to my IG. ANy tips wou;ld be much appreciated!
ReplyDeleteThanks! The head is all bits from the defiler kit itself - the neck is made from a section of the close combat tentacles, and the head itself is simply the head that comes with the defiler with the bottom portion (which would ordinarily socket into the upper hull) trimmed off. A couple lengths of guitar wire here and there and voila!
ReplyDelete