Bobby Wong won the 2001 Golden Demon awards Slayer Sword at the US games day with his magnificent Bloodquest squad. We invited him to tell us how he went about producing these amazing models and the article he produced proved highly popular. Now Bobby brings us his guide to converting Uriel Ventris, Ultramarine champion.
Boltgun - Marines from the 4th company appear to carry an older pattern Boltgun with integrated targeters. I used a 2nd edition plastic Boltgun, and filed off all the details on the left side, and top of the weapon. I carefully cut off the Imperial Eagle decoration on the right side of the Bolter, and glued it to the left side. A tiny Ultramarines symbol was sculpted on the Bolter as well. I then removed the magazine and replaced it with a more detailed version taken from a plastic Chaos Marine Boltgun. I cut a length of plastic rod and glued it to the top of the Bolter to simulate the integrated targeter. Tiny pieces of plasticard details the weapon sights.
Left Arm - I chose to use the 2nd edition left arm because it is slightly longer, and will not obscure Uriel's face when the miniature is assembled. I cut the hand off and replaced it with a smaller one taken from a 3rd edition plastic Assault Marine Bolt Pistol arm. I then cut the arm below the shoulder and rotated the arm inward, pinning it in place. Finally a metal Ultramarines Standard Shoulder Pad was glued to it.
Sword of Ideaus - I shortened a sheathed Mordheim sword by removing the bottom 3mm, and reshaping it to a point. A ball of Greenstuff was flattened at the tip on both sides of the sheath to simulate gems. I then glued skull decorations taken from a spare bolt pistol to the front and back of the pommel. You can sculpt the retaining chain or use a length of model chain purchased in a model train shop.
To sculpt the chain:
1) Flatten a ball of Greenstuff and roll into a thin sausage
2) With a pair of moistened tweezers, pinch the putty at regular intervals, forming chain segments
3) With a moistened pin, poke a small hole into each chain segment
Technique courtesy of sculptor and artist, Luis Vasquez
