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Conversion Corner: Seeing is Believing, WMG

By Rob Baer | February 8th, 2012 | Categories: Conversion Corner, Conversions, Warhammer 40k, WMG

Lately I’ve discovered a ton of great hobby work going on out there, besides what’s on just the “bigger blogs”.

Let’s face it with the proliferation of the Internet it has become much easier to learn and promote your own hobby in just a few clicks.

Also chances are that any conversion or idea you want to actually “see” can just be looked up in less that a second or two on the ‘net.

That’s how I found White Metal Games (WMG).  I don’t remember exactly what I was looking for, but I ended up there somehow. As it turns out Caleb, does some amazing work and he is also more than willing do it for others as well.

Below is a brief summary of who is behind WMG and what they do exactly.

Caleb from WMG:
“I started playing Tyranids back in 2nd edition. In those days there was a model for every unit in the codex and my conversion skills amounted to bending an arm or swapping out a venom cannon for a barbed strangler!

Then came the latest edition of the Tyranid codex and with it a slue of new units without representation on the table.

They say necessity is the mother of all great invention, and such was certainly the case here.

My first few attempts were . . . . marginally successful. With each new attempt to build a harpy, tyrannofex, or tervigon I got a little more bold. To fund my research, I eventually started selling some of these on ebay. I couldn’t believe how fast I sold them! Apparently there was a demand for tyranid models and in the vacuum left by GW, I was able to step in and fill that gap with my own conversions.

Over time, I began to notice a trend . . . most of my clients wanted tournament friendly models, and by that I mean over 50% GW bits. Even if they weren’t competing, and most weren’t, everyone wants the opportunity to compete. So I started building models that were a bit more conducive to the tournament circuit. I still occasionally branched out and built something off the grid, just to fun, but most of the time these days I try to stick to the kits when and where it’s practical to do so.

As such, my most recent incantations of the tervigon and tyrannofex were largely developed so that wargamers would be able to play in any setting, be it friendly or competitive play. These are largely built from a combination of Warhammer Arachnarok bits and Tyranid Carnifex bits, with a few trygon bits sprinkled in their for good measure. The exception to this system is the tyrannofex cannon, which comes from a Alien Space Jockey Vinyl model kit. I was using these for another project at the time and so had a bunch of them in my bits box.
Both of these models are sold on ebay. Just search for Tervigon or Tyrannofex and you’ll find them (while supplies last).

For those of you who have never seen my work before, check out my blog at http://whitemetalgames.blogspot.com. I am a conversion artist for hire and I am always happy to provide a free quote to potential client.

I can be reached at caleb@whitemetalgames.com. Until next time, happy converting!”
Pretty good stuff. His use of non-standard Games Workshop components is outstanding, along with his ability to make difficult organic based conversions look amazing as well.

Be sure to check him out, as he’s very easy to deal with! -MBG

About the Author: Rob Baer

rob avatar face

Rob Baer

Job Title: Managing Editor

Founded Spikey Bits in 2009

Socials: Rob Baer on Facebook and @catdaddymbg on X

About Rob Baer: Founder, Publisher, & Managing Editor of Spikey Bits, the leading tabletop gaming news website focused on the hobby side of wargaming and miniatures.

Rob also co-founded and currently hosts the Long War Podcast, which has over 350 episodes and focuses on tabletop miniatures gaming, specializing in Warhammer 40k. and spent six years writing for Bell of Lost Souls. 

Every year, along with his co-hosts, he helps host the Long War 40k Doubles Tournament at Adepticon and the Long War 40k Doubles at Las Vegas Open, which attracts over 350 players from around the world.

Rob has won many Warhammer 40k Tournaments over the years, including multiple first-place finishes in Warhammer 40k Grand Tournaments over the years and even winning 1st place at the Adepticon 40k Team Tournament.

With over 30 years of experience in retail and distribution, Rob knows all the products and exactly which ones are the best. As a member of GAMA (Game Manufacturers Association), he advocates for gaming stores and manufacturers in these difficult times, always looking for the next big thing to feature for the miniatures hobby, helping everyone to provide the value consumers want.

While he’s played every edition of Warhammer 40k and Warhammer Fantasy (since 5th Edition) and has been hobbying on miniatures since the 1980s, Titans of all sizes will always be his favorite! It’s even rumored that his hobby vault rivals the Solemnance Galleries, containing rulebooks filled with lore from editions long past, ancient packs of black-bordered Magic Cards, and models made of both pewter and resin.

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