Converting Hydrissian Models This section deals with converting a few of the Hydrissian models from Alpha Forge Games. In the first batch of the Hydrissian models for No Limits, where three with Thump Guns and three with the Skywhale Harpoons. Not being able to leave anything alone, I decided to modify a couple to vary the pose a bit, and maybe even convert one into an army leader, a Noble in Cyclone armour! Cyclone With Skywhale Harpoon The first modification was to change a Cyclone with a Skywhale Harpoon so the weapon is being held nearly vertical. The right hand of the model was removed from the Harpoon. A new shaft was cut to length from a bit of alluminium tube. The hand was drilled and a pin used to affix the hand to the shalf. The hook end of the old shaft was cut down and fixed to the other end of the new shaft. Skywhale Harpoon (models © Alpha Forge Games) The new Harpoon was then fixed to the main model but the length of the Harpoon meant that it sat on the very edge of the models base, not a major problem. Skywhale Harpoon (models © Alpha Forge Games) Cyclone with Thump Gun This one was a simple conversion just to vary the pose of the Thump Gun model a bit. Using a left hand from a Skywhale Harpoon model, the left hand built into the Thump Gun component was cut off and cleaned up. Then it was a case of bending the Thump Gun arm out a bit to have it point in a more forward direction. Cyclone With Thump Gun (model © Alpha Forge Games) Cyclone With Close Combat Weapons Having nicked a hand for the above Thump Gun conversion, this model was not going to have a Skywhale Harpoon! The plan here was to give the model a different weapon alltogether. There were several choices, an even heavier weapon than the Thump Gun, a Sentinel Shield along with a single handed weapon of some sort, or two close combat weapons. Not having a spare Sentinel shield, as well as wondering how to make one fit, it was decided to skip that option. A larger ranged weapon would be easier to graft on, but the Thump Guns are already hard hitting, so perhaps another close combat model would be more useful. A weapon was required for each arm, the first selcted was an Axe, possibly from an old GW Ork model. Using some of the Skywhale Harpoon shaft, pins were located to take the axe head and the hook end of the Harpoon. The arm was also cut at the elbow to allow it to be repositioned with more of a twist away from the chest of the model. Building The Axe Arm The second weapon selected was a chainsaw arm mechanism from an old epic titan, the Reaver I think, but it was a long time ago...this was to be designated the Whalesaw. The eagle emblem was removed from the weapon as it did not fit the Hydrissian style, a bit like having skulls over everything... As the left hand had been pinched for the Thump Gun model (above), the weapon used here would have to appear as if the hand was inside the weapon itself, in much the same way as the Thump Gun has an opening for the left hand. The Whalesaw was wide enough to fit the need. The elbow of this arm was also cut and repositioned away from the models chest. Building The Whalesaw Arm The finished arms then needed at bit of filling and filing to smooth over any nasty joins. Completed Arms The next stage is to fix the arms to the model and see if it looks any good. If it does, this model will be a Noble in Cyclone armour! The Hydrissians are © copyright Alpha Forge Games and are used with kind permission. Many thanks to Rod Tyson for supplying the No Limits Hydrissian army.