Porky models - Ork (10) - Body 2

The next part of the series. This time it's the body of the current 28mm Ork, still without the arms. The torso is part boiler and one leg is a peg, which follows the bionik theme of the other elements - the piston on the shoota arm, the toof-like plates bolted directly into the choppa arm and the antenna on the head. Pics first, then the write-up area by area.

Porky models - Ork (9) - Head 2

It's been a while, but here's the next part of the series. I'm converting a group of 28mm GW Orks for the blog, with alternative ideas for elements like weapons and greenstuff detail, to show how easy conversions and minor sculpting can be for anyone unsure.

Porky models - Ork (8) - Shoota 2

A new Ork shoota for the second heavily-modified Ork, a minor celebration of the new orc and goblin releases for Warhammer. I'm excited - those plastic savage orcs will be invaluable in making feral Orks and yoofs, and as help with Ork musculature and feet.

Here's the finished arm.

Porky models - Ork (7) - Choppa 1

After all the weighty subjects of the past few days, down to earth with an Ork arm.

Part of the answer to the puzzle first. Here are the specific pieces I used. 

The axe has had the blade removed and the forearm has been separated from the hand. The pointed metal plates are the 'teef' from the boss pole. How will they be used? The actual Ork toof for the base of the axe haft was also taken from the pole. Don't get too attached to that - why not? The spiked pauldron will help make the new axe head.

Here's how they went together.

Porky models - Ork (6) - Choppa 1 & Shoota 2 (components)

I've started work on the next Ork in the sequence. For newcomers, the thinking behind the series is introduced here and here and the first completed build is here.

As with the first, I'll show the components I'm going to use for the arms as a visual puzzle. The question: how might these pieces be cut up and various parts combined to produce a big, shooty shoota and a slightly unusual, more clubby choppa?

As a clue, I'll remind you I want to start playing up the idea that Ork physiology has no real trouble accepting primitive 'bioniks', and I want more of a sense of their alien nature to come through in their equipment; it's too recognisably human. This explains why there are more elements being used than might be expected. One is the arm left over from the last Ork build, and this build will leave two. I'll also mention there's nothing here not on the Ork boyz sprues, though I will of course be adding plenty of greenstuff.

Porky models - Ork (5) - Ork 1

Here at last, the complete model, with all of the parts combined into one. A list of the parts first, with the links to the making.

Shoota 1

Stikkbomb 1

Body 1

Head 1

Pics next, and quite a few.

Porky models - Ork (4) - Head 1

Finally getting back to this guy. If you have no idea who it is, you can find the mission here, thoughts on Orks and conversion here, and every part using the 'modelling' tag.

The head has been ready for some time, but the original picture I took was so poor I'd been waiting to photograph it again with the finished model. I'm posting the head here alone to keep to a separate post for each element, in case anyone does one day want to find it again for reference. The rest of the pictures of the finished model I'll post as soon as I finish the write-up on how I got the various effects, hopefully this weekend.

With the head I had a chance to play up two of my favourite Ork elements - 'teef' and fungus. Teef function as currency, and Ork mouths and faces are very much defined by them. I love the ways the sculptors have played with them over the years and this is an homage. As for the fungus, it's always been in the background as food and drink, and since the late '90s and Gorkamorka the Orks have grown from it. Ork spores drift, Orks and their ecosystem grow in cool places and worlds are infested. I like the idea of fungus sprouting on an Ork as moles might on us, and a bare head is a good space.

The first of the two pics then.

Porky models - Ork (3) - Body 1

Here then are the torso and legs of the first Ork, more than planned. I decided to keep it simple and avoid any cutting and repositioning for this first model, only adding elements. One of them, the extra armour plate, needed the torso and legs to be connected.

The pics first.

Porky models - Ork (2) - Stikkbomb 1

Determined Dave from Roll With It got the right end of the stick.

Here are the parts for an extra stikkbomb we saw hidden in the three arms.

They are - from top to bottom - the ring from the base of the slugga, a section of the axe haft, the barrel of the shoota and the remainder of the axe-wielding arm itself.

Here's how they went together.

The edges of the can are a little sharp so I finished the binding with some greenstuff. I also tinkered a bit, extending the apparently superfluous strap on the upper arm and adding a bracelet with an Ork tooth emerging from the glove.

A view from the bottom up.

And top down.

The strap extension is just a short length of greenstuff worked onto and over the plastic of the strap, shaped and folded over as if hanging stiffly. The tooth was made by playing with a bulb of wet greenstuff and carefully working opposite sides out into tip and root. The bracelet was a length of greenstuff broken down into short strands, which were then stretched out thinner and carefully twisted together.

Having done this, I would repeat the advice given in the tutorial at From the Warp - the greenstuff should be kept wet. I simply submerged the amount I was working with in a saucer of water. The one downside of it being wet is that it will also not so easily stick to the surface of the model, so when working on the strap and bracelet I had to be sure I had a secure connection at the first fixing point before I could continue shaping.

Monstrous teeth, bracelets and straps have their place in all kinds of games in which miniatures are or can be used. I hope the imagination has been stirred.

Next up, a torso for this growing Ork boy.

Shots of the shoota

I've added a few minor elements to the shoota and put up a handful of new pics at the original post.

This is an oblique view of the shoulder strap, the shot most notably absent the first time round.

Porky models - Ork (1) - Shoota 1

So you've had plenty of time to think about that puzzle.

Here's the pic again - last chance.

So where could they be cut and how could the pieces be used?

This is how I chose to do it.

Porky's new Orks

That's right, I have before me a new box of plastic Ork boyz from Games Workshop.

As most 40K players would no doubt admit, the Orks have a great model range. It's been developed over more than two decades and has really matured. For me the current style is the best it's ever been so working with these models is a little piece of hobby heaven. That said, I know some players prefer a classic look. If you do, there are plenty of old Citadel catalogue pages at The Stuff of Legends (listed also in memory banks on the right), though sadly a lot of the models shown are probably not produced any more.

While GW has given us a lot to work with I think more can always be done. There's so just so much background and so many cool ideas. John Blanche once admitted he can't sit down to paint a model without first changing it in some way. I like this approach. For me the basic kit is a starting point. Take something amazing and make it more true to your own vision, more personal. We're all the richer for it. After all, 40K is a hobby of imagination and conversions have always been encouraged. Remember that legendary Grav-Attack Vehicle?