Shrike conversion, the helmet and legs


Image from Games Workshop

Before I started any construction, I went looking for reference. Like the latest Space Marines Codex. And then I realized I should just get to work. After seeing the picture in there, I was disappointed.

It's going to be lots of work on sub-assemblies and then putting the whole thing together. There is so much detail I need to add to each part that I could never do it once I had the model "assembled."


I started with the head. Using a regular "beakie" helmet, I shaved the little sensor off the top. Then I sculpted a vertical helmet vent like the newer helmets have. Next was the new nose that is more curved like a hawk's bill and the eagle that is sculpted on top of his helmet.


And the finished helmet next to the metal version. I was fortunate that the eagle sculpt came out on the first attempt. It can be difficult working greenstuff on top of greenstuff sometimes. It has a tendency to want to stick more than usual. I realize the pic above shows the new helmet straight on so you can't see the curve to the nosepiece.


Between the stages of the head, I worked on the legs. Regular Assault Marine legs were used for this guy. I took the pair I thought would work best and cut the right leg off completely. I trimmed out all the flex-fitting stuff and did some slight trimming to the armour (like removing the right kneepad).


Once I had the legs glued back together with a pin at the hip for stability, I started greenstuffing the hip joint back. I had to resculpt part of his hip armour too since I cut part of it away in the beginning.


Then it was onto the front and the right knee joint. This is the "fill in" sculpt if you will. I wanted to get as much of it there as I could in one pass and then build up later on as needed.


And the final pass. I went back in and added some length to the armour plates and hid a little bit more of the flex fitting. It looked too much like an accordion in the first pass. I also went back in and added the icon to his knee and cleaned up the points on his boots.


I'm learning there's a real art to sculpting these icons at such a small scale. It really is a matter of suggestion and letting the viewer fill in the rest with their mind.


And even though I'm nowhere near ready to begin work on his arms, I started getting the bits ready. His left arm is from the Commander sprue. His right arm is one of the Space Wolf lightning claws. I had planned to use the Wolf claws for both arms, but the iconography on the left one was too much to work with so I swapped it out for one of my own bits.
The end result is the same, a pair of lightning claws that match.

My Project Link: Shrike Conversion


Ron, From the WarpIf you've got any questions about something in this post, shoot me a comment and I'll be glad to answer. Make sure to share your hobby tips and thoughts in the comments below!