Simple conversion, building up a Gnoll hunting party

[Metalchaos]

Hi everyone, I recently had the pleasure of realizing that I inadvertently bought the same Gnoll model twice. So, I decided to convert two of them to create a little variety in my hunting party. Read the text under each picture to have more detail. This post was purposely written as a guide for any who would like to try their hands at converting Reaper Bones model or any other models.

 

 

I used two 77236 Bloodmane the Gnoll Warrior sculpted by Tre Manor, 77235 Toghra the Gnoll Leader sculpted by Jason Wiebe and 14056 Weapon Pack 1 sculpted by Tim Kaufman.

 

 

 

I first separated the dagger handle from the body. Just a simple notch did the trick.

 

 

 

I then cut the trunk along the belt.

 

 

 

Again, on the other side of the model, I cut the body following the belt as a guide.

 

 

 

I have this hollow feeling in my stomach...

 

 

 

Same thing for Toghra, cut the body along the belt line.

 

 

 

I drilled a hole in Toghra’s lower section and cut a small nail to pin the two parts together.

 

 

 

I drilled a hole in Bloodmane’s upper body section and tested the pin in.

 

 

 

I glued the pin in the leg part. I’m using Gorilla Super Glue.

 

 

 

I then removed the handaxe cutting the handle just above the fist. I keep it for later use.

 

 

 

The tricky part is to drill a hole in straight line through the fist. I had to use a small drill bit, smaller than the new weapon handle not to tear the plastic.

 

 

 

I used a slightly bigger drill bit to get the hole a little larger.

 

 

 

After cleaning the mold line on the new weapon, I cut the handle in halves in order to keep the pommel intact.

 

 

 

I had to use a file to reduce the diameter of the handle.

 

 

 

Also, I removed two spikes from the shield to alter its aspect from the one the other Gnoll Worrior is wearing.

 

 

 

Finally, I’m using a piece of wooden stick to adjust the posture of the model on its base.

 

 

 

I often use this simple trick to level my models. I use super glue to fix the parts together.

 

 

 

I’m using 40mm round base for the Gnoll. These models are large and even if there in game space size is 25mm, I personally prefer larger base to have more room for decoration.

 

 

 

That’s it, I’ll need to fill the gap above the belt and along the shoulder.

 

 

 

I’ll also be using Greenstuff to fill the gap and complete the base before cleaning everything with soft soap and water prior to painting.

 

 

 

I added some notches on the cutting edge of the original Gnoll’s plastic axe. I’ll be using it as a battlefield wreck weapon to decorate the base.

 

 

Edited June 24, 2019 by Metalchaos

[Cicciopiu]

Great tutorial so far! Thank you for sharing 

[Glitterwolf]

Very cool!

Thx for sharing!

[Metalchaos]

Thanks, I’m glad you like it and hope it will inspire some people to convert their models.

 

Continuing Toghra’s conversion, I drilled holes in both parts of the body and cut a nail the length I needed.

 

 

 

I cut off the flail from its right hand.

 

 

 

And, the staff for its left hand.

 

 

 

I was going to put a dagger in its right hand. I changed my mind after considering all the option I had.

 

 

 

I glued the nail in the lower body part.

 

 

 

Then stated working on the upper body. I drilled a hole through its right fist.

 

 

 

And, used an unfolded paperclip to create a stiff spear.

 

 

 

The spear head is the remaining blade I kept after converting 02757, Gastaroth the Vampire some time ago, it was almost 10 years ago. I glued the lower part of 77061 Kord the Destroyer axe handle at the other end of the shaft. I had also kept this piece of the handle after conveting Kord.

 

 

 

I glued a new staff in Toghra’s left hand. It’s a staff that comes from 14056 Weapon Pack 1 sculpted by Tim Kaufman.

 

 

 

Here’s another view from a different angle. This model promises to take a lot of space on the gaming board.

 

 

I glued Toghra’s upper body to its new legs. Notice I deliberately left a gap between the two body parts. Other ways, the model looked a little strange. I will later fill the gap with Greenstuff.

 

 

 

So, here we are. Here are the two converted models.

 

 

 

Here they are with the unconverted version of 77236 Bloodmane the Gnoll Warrior on the left.

 

 

 

I also converted the remining model. I swapped the axe head with the one I kept after converting 77061 Kord the Destroyer.

 

 

 

It’s a simple conversion that will add a personal touch and create a unique model. Note that I also removed a spike from the Gnoll’s shield.

 

 

 

The paperclip pin also helps to get a stiffer weapon.

 

 

 

Toghra’s original staff was made of bones. I separated and cleaned them for later use.

 

 

 

I glued the three spikes I saved from the 77236 Bloodmane Gnolls and glued them on 77234 Boneflail the Gnoll Cleric shield.

 

 

 

Here’s a group picture before starting the Greenstuff.

 

 

 

I’m using the tip of a broken wooden stick to texture the Greenstuff. Here, I’m working on 77104 Blacktongue the Gnoll Archer.

 

 

Edited July 4, 2019 by Metalchaos

[malefactus]

VERY NICELY DONE! Since you were doing all the cutting work, removing the bases might be/would have been an idea as well.

[Metalchaos]

On 6/25/2019 at 9:55 AM, malefactus said:

VERY NICELY DONE! Since you were doing all the cutting work, removing the bases might be/would have been an idea as well.

Thanks for your comment @malefactus. You're right, I could have removed them from their base. I didn't even think about it. My plan is to glue sand on some part of the bases to blend in the original plastic base and the sculpted Greenstuff and stones. I may also use crackle paste to create a dry desert scenery on some bases. I may even build a display base when I'm done painting the models.

 

As of now, here are some more picture of the project.

 

I filled the gap on Bloodmane’s shoulder.

 

 

 

Same thing along the belt, I filled the narrow gap that was left after gluing the parts together.

 

 

 

And I used the its original axe to decorate its base.

 

 

 

I added Greenstuff on Toghra’s spear and textured it a little.

 

 

 

I glued a bone from its original staff on its base.

 

 

 

I filled the gap between the two body parts and waited the Greenstuff to be hard before working on the final layer.

 

 

 

I started to carve its coat following the existing folds the best I could.

 

 

 

The result is simple. We’ll see how it looks when it’s painted.

 

 

 

Same thing at the back, I carved folds on the coat to cover the space as best as I could. The result seems rudimentary for now. We’ll see what can be done with paint.

 

 

I hope you will enjoy and that some of you will find valuable information to help converting your models.

Edited July 4, 2019 by Metalchaos

[Glitterwolf]

Great conversions!

 

[Metalchaos]

I made feathers with Green Stuff

 

 

And, glued them on Toghra’s spear.

 

 

 

These makes a nice ornaments for a cold iron magical barbed spear.

 

Edited July 4, 2019 by Metalchaos

[Darcstaar]

Awesome!

[Glitterwolf]

Very cool!