WH40k - Mortifactors - Terminators WIP

"The Mortifactors are a Space Marine Chapter recruited from the feral world Posul, which is shrouded in almost perpetual darkness. The population of the planet is broken down into tribes, the mightiest of which is ideal for recruitment into the Mortifactors. They are a successor chapter of the Ultramarines..." [source: Lexicanum]

The Mortifactors have all the makings of a Marine Chapter begging to make it onto the table top. This has clearly struck a chord with several other hobby gurus who have posted their take on Posul's finest for all to enjoy:

Their take. Smexy.

But I suspect like anyone inspired to develop the Mortifactors into table top reality, these hobby gurus all started in the same place as I - Graham McNeill's 'Warriors of Ultramar'

Mortifactors: Start Here.

Apart from being a great read, 'Warriors of Ultramar' is probably the most informative source of  Mortifactors fluff available - Primarily thanks to the part played by Chaplain Astador, who accompanies the Ultramarine Uriel Ventris in battling the Tyranid menace of Hive Fleet Leviathan. The Mortifactors are also note worthy for their role in the 3rd War for Armageddon and for Captain Artemis' shenanigans as part of his role in serving with the Deathwatch.

So, with some tantilising and inspiring background to wet the appetite, I started in the best place possible: a solid 'Troops' choice.........Yeah right! Bring on the Terminators!

'Yeah??!...

You...

...And...

...Who's...

...Army?!!'

These guys are fairly straightforward builds - You'll note the use of Warhammer Chaos Warrior heads which help give the suits a darker, more archaic feel. Alongside this, the odd skull has been added to re-affirm the Mortifactors tradition of taking the skulls of the defeated as trophies - That'll be anyone who gets in their way then...

I also wanted to mark the Terminators out from the rest of the units in the force with the addition of a 1st Company honour badge. Positioned on the right shoulder guard, the skull and wing motif was created by cutting away and filing off the left wing from the space marine banner top.

The guys have been based using cork tiling to simulate the rocky elements and have been given a primer of Chaos Black undercoat.

You may have noticed that the 5 man squad's twin assault cannons render it void from a list building perspective. But fear not good friends! here's the rest of the guys below who will eventually round the unit up to 10...

This one needs his nails filing...

'What you lookin' at?!...'

While I was on a roll, I created a further heavy weapons alternative for the squad should they need to fire off something a little more, explosive... a set of Cyclone Missile Launchers:

There's still a fair bit of work to be done, but the foundations have been laid for a squad that will hopefully do the Mortifactors 1st Company proud...

Next time we go back to the workbench to take a look at some further Mortifactors reinforcements - The Land Speeder Tornado!