"Our Plague Marines are Different" -- a heavily converted warband grows...

Here is the core of a "Plague Marine" warband -- just some of the Chaos forces I've been working on lately for games in the 40k setting. EVERYTHING you see here is the result of significant conversion/kitbashing -- or even outright scratchbuilding. This has allowed me to save a huge amount of cash, push my technical modeling skills, and joyously engage in some riotous, experimental creativity. That last element, in particular, was a welcome balm during a challenging personal season this Fall. 

So, what are we looking at here? 

The big boy in the back is the finished result of the crab walker engine I showed as a WIP in a recent post. As you see here, I challenged myself by giving the central chest-panel a sullen glow, as if lit from within by chaotic fires ... and I think I pulled off a successful OSL effect (finally!). This model combines bits harvested from a local thrift store with various greeblies and craft supplies from my bits-box. I think there may be two small GW parts on the whole thing ... the 'official' model that this proxies would have cost me over a hundred bucks locally, but parts for this probably ran to about $5. 

Holding down the flank is the oh-so-toothsome and also scratchbuilt vehicle that "counts-as" a Myphitic Blight-hauler, a heavy-weapons-support munchy monster for plague forces. This, too, is a conglomerate built on chunks of old toys and craft bits from around the house, resting on a dinosaur-head truck toy from the thrift store -- and a LOT of hot glue. The gaping mouth and flickering, blood-drenched tongue are made from hot glue by yours truly, with the ends of toothpicks for fangs. 

And then we have the crowd-pleasing frontmen of our little boy band. From the left:

Fishy-face started life as a hard-working, innocent Reaper Bones Deep One, but then I converted him into a deep sea-themed chosen Plague Marine champion, replete with weapon-arms from the Chaos Terminator Lord kit and a variety of tentacles made from Green Stuff/Kneadatite. 

I felt that he wanted a cape for a touch more distinction, so I got his back tangled up in the remains of a weighted fishing net. Let's not ask what happened to the fisherman. 

Front and center we have something like a Blightlord Terminator, perhaps even something akin to a "Lord of Virulence," though I've kept firmly with a Lovecraftian, deep-abyssal theme over the typical oh-crap-where-can-I-get-vaccinated pox theme. This fella staunchly believes there's no point having a big mouth in your belly when you can keep an entire other fella in your belly! I made this rather elaborate conversion by bashing together a Reaper Bones Stitch Golem with a Cthulhu-esque head from a "Bonesylvanian Lou" model, along with much Green Stuff, various bits from the bits box, and a massive plaguecannon/implausible arm artillery piece that was entirely scratchbuilt, save for some bits of bling on the side. 

I quite like this next recruit. I painted him last night, and haven't done anything to his base yet. 

The Christmas season brought a nice batch of pre-owned Poxwalker models, and I decided to convert one or two into Plague Marines in their own right. This gives a result that fits thematically, even though the figure's profile doesn't at all match the bloated, heavy look common to 40k's Death Guard minis. But I like the way this guy looks; I imagine his flesh and armor have been worn down together over the long ages of his regrettable service. (Perhaps his slight frame and less 'invasive' mutations -- so far -- hint at a more grudging attitude to his chaotic employment ... was he one of those Astartes who fell to Chaos only because the Imperium's unjust madness forced his hand?). 

Well, at least he's thought of something to smile about.