Combining Catachans and Cadians

[Deleted]

I'm new to the board and working on my first IG army. I'm trying to come up with ideas to make my force unique. I also play Empire so I thought about using Empire heads on Cadian bodies. I've also thought about combining the Catachans and Cadians together to make a "rough" looking army. My heavy weapon bases are made to look like old Imperial ruins (assembled) with a proposed color of tan stonework with old moss. I haven't painted anything yet, just partially assembled.

I'm sure people have done this, and I would like to see some pictures if you have them. I'd like to know what worked and what didn't and if you have any suggestions.

Thanks!

[Deleted]

Well I picked up a box of Catachans on my lunch break. The guy at the GW store thought they'd go together nicely. I'm going to work on them this Sunday afternoon and try to post some picks of a couple of assembled models.

[Turtleboy(AWOL)]

sweet! I'd be interested in seeing how they turned out - seems like they'll go nicely together.

[Commissar]

The catachan legs with the cadian body looks great.

[syphon]

Be aware though, the Catachan waist is bigger than your average Cadian waist.
So when you put the Cadian torso on Catachan waists, you might be in for a slight misfit.

[Deleted]

I'm curious to see what doctrines you take.

[Commissar]

Well it isnt really that noticable.
I mean, if you give em backpacks and alot of accesories then it might not be too noticable.

[9th Company]

I think this type of conversion would be perfect for Hardened Veterans since the Catatchans are a LOT more muscular than the standard cadians. Catachan uniforms also look less standard and more personal so, you could probably make some great conversions combining the two sets.

[Commissar]

Yeah, completely.
Especially if you use some of the catachan heads on cadian bodies, maybe with the forgeworld upgrade packs for veterans?

[Deleted]

This is one tough looking Cadian.

It has a Cadian head and torso. The rest is Catachan. They seem to go together fairly well. I trim the barrels straight to make them look a bit more like an autogun or a variant lasgun.



Here is another with Catachan head and torso, but the rest is Cadian.

[Deleted]

Sweet. They look like beefy Cadians (suprise). Yeah, they'd make good hardened vets.

[9th Company]

These conversions look great! My army is painted in desert camo so the no sleeves or helmet look would fit in perfectly. They also look a lot meaner as well which can only be a good thing.

[fatuous]

Hiya, welcome.

I have done this quite a bit, and have found a few things out. Will try to take some pic tonight and post em for you to see.

Mixing catachan and cadian bits works really well. the heads look great, altho it is sometimes needed to trim the neck a little so that they don'T stick out too far, catachans seem to have longer necks lol, so can look a bit like turtles on cadian torsos. But other wise, the head swop is really easy, and looks really cool. If you have any spare helmets from the HWeapon boxed sets, then u may want to add one to ur guys webbing or something (I like all my guys to at least own a helmet, even if not wearing it).

Arms. Again, very easy and don't take any real modification.

Bodies. If you plan to mix cadian and catachan bodies, then I would strongly recomend some minor modificiations before you do so. Basically, the cadian torso has a belt, and the catachan legs have a belt. So if you mix catachan body, with cadian legs, you will be missing the belt section so ur guard will appear a little short. Alternatively, if you mix cadian torso with catachan legs, then you will have a guys with 2 belts, and hence will be a bit tall.

So you may need to build or remove the belt depending on which way you are going.

I focused totally on using cadian bodies, etc.... with catachan heads and arms where appriopriate. they make some great vets.

If you have any empire pistoliers on horses, the the bodies can work very well with the cadian legs, I have used one to make a new SHO (I can only comment on that particular box set, as it is the only 1 I have bought). Heads can be used too if you want, but I would prob add IG helmets, unless u intend to change all ur helmets, but down to personal preference.

Will get some pics taken to night to show u what I mean. But yes, it works, and it looks wicked .

[Deleted]

Thanks for the input guys. I discovered the issue with the belts as well. I ended up shaving down the torsos a bit so they wouldn't stick up so much higher. I don't think I will make belts for everyone as it would take too long.

I thought about just making them vets, but I'm doing it for my whole army. The theme is going to about a completely war torn world which lacks consistent support from the Imperium. What used to be vast, thriving cities is now mostly ruins in which tough as nails guardsmen live and fight. It explains why the equipment isn't standard and inconsistent. They just have to make due with what they have. When called to other worlds, their rag tag appearance becomes a point of pride much to the chagrin of the Commisars, but their loyalty is without question.

[Deleted]

Nice fluff, I was thinking to do something like that.