Back in 2012, I was cutting up some bits, and a sweet conversion idea hit me outta the blue. Check out my now reto Custodes conversion that appeared out of thin air.
At the time I was working with the Dark Angel Veterans, and Blood Angels Sanguinary Guard kits, and had them arranged in piles in front of me.
As I sorted them, the Sanguinary Guard torsos happen to be in a pile on top of the Robed Dark Angels Tosos, and the light bulb went off in my head, Custodes! Weird musing sure, but it just kinda just goes to show that you never know when you can be inspired to do some modeling.
Anyways I messed around a little with all the bits I could scrap up, and made what I think is a pretty sweet Adeptus Custodes conversion. I really like it, and it seems easy to make too- which is a bonus!
It’s kinda funny because it seems like you really can make almost anything out of bits these days. I mean with the variety of kits available now, compared to even a few years ago, it just seems like there is sooooo much potential out there for awesome conversions. Now pair some of these ideas with the current Custode kits, and the possibilities are endless!
So here he is. Obviously, this guy is still a little rough, but I think from the artwork above it’s pretty spot on “theme” wise. I’m going to still be working on him more in the future, he’s still a long way from being “done”.
Bits List
- Dark Angels Robed Torso
- Blood Angels Sanguinary Guard front plate
- Grey Knights Force Halberd (Power Armor)
- Blood Angels Sanguinary Guard Angelus Bolter
- High Elf White Lion Helm
- Dark Angels Mechanicus Shoulder Plates
- Assault Terminator Icons
- Grey Knights Backpack
- Blood Angels Accessory Pack
Here is what I used for parts, and really it doesn’t seem like it ended up being too ridiculous either (another plus). If you know what the bits are already, even better. You’re ahead of the curve on this one (which is understandable as some of these kits have been out for awhile).
So here’s how I made the model:
First I added the Sanguinary Guard Torso to the Dark Angel Legs, in the relative pose I was looking for. I dry-fitted the Halberd arms first to see how it would all look- I didn’t want this venerable warrior to be all wonky.
Next I cut the Halberd blade off, flush to its mount. Then I added the cut-down Angelus bolter so it sat flush to the halberd shaft. After gluing the blade back on so it didn’t obscure the firing path of the bolter itself, I cut off the Stormbolter from the left halberd arm. Then I attached the weapon and arms to the body.
Be warned this step sucks, a lot. I used plastic glue and got it to work with some elbow grease, but it was not fun. These arms are not meant for the body I was mounting them to.
After the halberd, I just added the head (looking in the direction he would be swinging the blade), and attached the shoulders. I cut down the extra bits you see on the pads and glued them on as well. Last was the backpack, and viola Conversion a’la Custode!
Check out the three-sixty below for all the details, and post your comments!
What do you think? Can you make some conversions using these ideas for your Custodians? Maybe a vexilla or two? -Rob Baer
About the Author: Rob Baer
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 the Las Vegas Open, each of which attracts thousands of 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 2011 Adepticon 40k Team Tournament. He was even featured for his painting in issue #304 of Games Workshop’s White Dwarf Magazine.
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.
