Tuesday 13 August 2013

Dark Angel Bitz and another call for help from you guys. [or not?]

'The best laid plans... etc.' Originally I wanted some advice, again, but since I wrote this piece I've actually been working on the model I wanted advice on, so you'll actually get an update at the end of the redundant request for help, so don't feel cheated. Anyway, I somehow shoe-horned some time into getting it done while my Mycetic Spore Milliput dried and was able to see quite clearly the solution to my problem [or not, I'm not sure]. But here's the original post:

Right, when I was juggling three [or four] projects - Dark Angels, Inquisitorial Vault and the Tyranid Bastion I ordered some extra bits for my Unforgiven from www.modelbits.co.uk [they run a decent service, although I did need to chase up delivery] and all the bits below came. A couple of Forgeworld original Missile Launchers for my Devastator squad - I've 4 of these babies now. Some flat bases that I can put slate on so my original metal Devastators can stand a little taller given their lack of stature.


Additionally some missiles, and servo-skulls just to add yet more character. And some replacement heads and a Watcher with Perfidious Relic because I have a plan. Back when Dark Vengeance came out I was able to purchase a second set of the Limited Edition box at a silly price from my local Independent Game Store. I managed to sell everything except the blast templates and the Dark Angel Chapter Master making a £20+ profit. 

Anyway, I didn't think much of the Master. I'm not a huge fan of his pose, it looks like a kendo stance - hasso-no-kamae but his feet, hands and arms are wrong. It's a small thing but when you've been telling beginners how to get it right for years it's painful to see a so-called master of all things 'martial' making noob errors. I mean seriously what's with that elbow sticking out and why is his left hand on top of his right? 


Anyway, he'd make a nice Azreal who is frankly awesome for all the bonuses he brings but I didn't want to do a straight figure swap when I can do a little kit-bash. The Chapter Master helmet comes separately, I can easily add it to the watcher once I remove the Perfidious Relic. Then all I need to do is swap his helm for a cool bare head and these are the ones I picked up and what I'd like you advice on. First choice -  a Ravenwing Command head that isn't overtly Ravenwing



Another Ravenwing Command head, slightly more classical although I've not had much success painting bionic eyes.


The classic Dark Angel Veteran Command head. I'm not a huge fan, the first two options are much better sculpts but as I say it's a classic and deserves a shot.


Lastly a generic Space Marine Command head - he's got four studs! He's still cool and I'm not that bothered he doesn't have any Dark Angel motifs, I think there's enough on the model already but I'll leave the choice up to you guys.

  1. Ravenwing Command head 1
  2. Ravenwing Command head 2
  3. Dark Angel Veteran Command head
  4. Space Marine Command Head

So which do you think I went for in the end? Well good question because it seemed obvious when I dry fit them but then I added a super back-pack from the Dark Angel Veteran upgrade sprue and a banner and having said I didn't need help at the beginning I may have reconsidered. Anyway I think I'm 75% convinced that option 1 above is the best option [top right in the picture below], but what do you think when you see it in context?


Here's the 'preferred' choice, am I right? And this will be the base he's on - head and shoulders above a normal company Master and the Watcher, carrying the Lion Helm, is complete and will be on the 'biggest piece of slate ever' to emphasis his small stature and the base is unimportant as he never gets assaulted anyway!







5 comments:

  1. I dig it - I agree that the head you've chosen in the final pic is the way to go. Awesome update to the watcher as well. Great ideas, man!

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  2. Awesome kit bash, and, I totally agree about the Master's pose. I really hope you write to GW and share your insight.

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  3. I like the bionic DA head the most, though its pretty close, they all look pretty great on that body.

    This is a great idea, I actually have the Azrael model, but I don't really fancy having to use a metal model for my HQ, and I've got 21 Dark Vengeance bikers, so it would be cool to build a separate Supreme Grand Master for my Angels of Vengeance since they are a successor. Same reason I don't take Sammael's Jetbike even though its vastly better than the Land Speeder, lol

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  4. I like the standard captain head the best. That dark angel head looks too much like a reject from the Herculoids.

    I like the custom watcher, but I think I prefer the official GW model, with the helmet perfectly errect. While it's normal to slouch, I would expect this particular model to treat his task with more reverence.


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  5. It looks like the watcher is cuddling with the helmet. I kind of like it.

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