Challenge Complete - #JusticeforGary

Over on the Oldhammer Facebook page they are holding a challenge called #JusticeforGary. It's simply a challenge to paint up a model sculpted by Gary Morley himself! A cool concept, and there is a prize, but I just like joining in to paint something new and different. So here's what I came up with:

Two Elder runners secure the objective

These are two old Dark Eldar Mandrake models, now re-purposed to be Stargrave Runners for my growing Alai Mercenary Corps. More details on them after the jump. Also, keep reading and you'll see I didn't stop at two models...

I'm always up for a good challenge, as it gets you looking at things you would haven't thought of otherwise. So I started looking around for a Morley model that could fit one of my current projects. Eventually I ran into the old Mandrakes from the Dark Eldar line. I knew they would make good runners for my Eldar with their pose and light armaments'. 

I like what Gary did for the models, giving them a sort of bondage look as though they've been tortured and brainwashed into service. However that Dark Eldar theme really didn't the mercenary look. I don't see them as completely evil, just more morally neutral. So I did some slight conversion work.

Less S&M and more weird scifi. 

The model on the left simply had his gun knife cut off, some neck details removed, and a visor added instead of an eyeless mask. The model on the right was much more extensive. I removed the gun blade (why do Dark Eldar need so many blades?), and a lot of the straps running down the stomach and leg. Just too many for my liking. I finished him up with a little green stuff to fill some damage, and a face mask and new eye to make the face match a bit more. 

It wasn't a perfect conversion process, as some of the details were rather small. So I tried to hide some of my more questionable spots with paint. In the end I'm really happy with how they came out! The more maroon/purple is what I'm using as a leather. I went with this since technically runners have no armor. I figure the only real armor is the turquoise colors that blend them in with the other Alai. 

I win my hair back and forth...

Along with the Mandrakes, I got this wych I planed to make a stargrave recruit. I didn't like her hair as it was blocking her face. So I carefully cut it off, and spun it around. In the process the end broke off so I just sculpted one back in with green stuff. I also cut off the gun blade like her companions. 

While I was painting the others I also completed a Rogue Trader Space Elf with some sort of cannon, and a Ghost Warrior. They were already on the list to expand my Alai forces as they are some of my favorite models from the time. I really wish the Eldar still looked like these guys... I guess I'll have to keep collecting oldhammer stuff. 

Two of my favorites from the original line

So I'm at a full roster of 10 for the Alai... they were supposed to be an optional backup for another Stargrave captain I'm modeling up. Perhaps it's time they get a captain of their own...