First conversion idea: Errand-rider of Minas Tirith

Colosseum · **Joined:** Sun Aug 07, 2011 1:38 am **Posts:** 54

Have since started re-reading Return of the King, and noticed a few references to errand-riders sent from Minas Tirith outward in times of need, and I came to wonder what one of these errand-riders might look like. I then got the idea to make a mini out of some Gondor units, but I have no idea where to start! I have the vague idea that he should have a breastplate with the White Tree, a sword, and possibly a bow. He would obviously be mounted. I don't want to just paint a KoMT so I figured someone wanting speed would ditch the helmet, pauldrons, and vambraces in favor of a shirt or something similar. At any rate, the vitals are covered by the breastplate. I have a feeling the cuisses (thigh plates) would be gotten rid of as well. I imagine the entirety would be covered by a cloak of some sort, with no headwear.

Any thoughts?

draked · **Joined:** Sat Aug 13, 2011 3:17 am **Posts:** 266

Yes a flowing cloak, maybe not even a breastplate?
Give him a horn at his side to announce his arrival?
A bag on his saddle or on a strap over his shoulder to carry messages would seem appropriate as well.
Updates expected on your WIP thread!

Sir Richard · **Posted:** Sat Aug 27, 2011 12:48 pm

Possibly more like a ranger on a horse than a KoMT. But without the bow. That seems the best way to me, along with all the suggestions made by draked.

Colosseum · **Joined:** Sun Aug 07, 2011 1:38 am **Posts:** 54

Right. So here's the idea I've got:

Mounted Ranger (more or less), on a KoMT horse. Definitely armed with at least a sword, but probably not a bow (he's not Aragorn after all). I might take the two halves of the Horn of Gondor that came with my dying Boromir and glue them together, then cut it down reasonably so that it resembles any standard horn and not Boromir's horn.

Not sure what model to use as the base where the legs meet the saddle and horse, though. The KoMT have lower leg armor that would be a real pain to remove. Thoughts?

draked · **Joined:** Sat Aug 13, 2011 3:17 am **Posts:** 266

I believe the Riders of Rohan have boots on, I could be very wrong having only seen photos.

Gondors Finest · **Joined:** Tue Jun 21, 2011 9:50 am **Posts:** 74

Riders of Rohan are most often used for converting foot-models into horseback. I've seen elves of the 2nd age to haradrim be converted that way. So i think that's the way to go. I'm currently also busy on a kind of similar idea only mine involved a Ranger of Middle Earth to be horseback.

Two tips for converting Riders of Rohan to other models, be aware which rider you choose (always pick the one with cloth-legs in stead of the one with plated armour. And also be aware that you cut your top-half model good to size. Because otherwise the horsebacked will look like a Middle-Earth giant!

Goodluck and I hope to see pictures soon!

FireKnife · **Posted:** Tue Aug 30, 2011 9:29 pm

Sounds good but i would have thought that if going for the Ranger option then keep it on foot and add it among other Rangers. If it was a lightly armoured model, say one of the old Numenoar models then that would look better on horseback.

Just a personal observation but Rangers look good on foot, crouched and bow ready

'FireKnife'

draked · **Joined:** Sat Aug 13, 2011 3:17 am **Posts:** 266

FireKnife wrote:

Sounds good but i would have thought that if going for the Ranger option then keep it on foot and add it among other Rangers. If it was a lightly armoured model, say one of the old Numenoar models then that would look better on horseback.

Just a personal observation but Rangers look good on foot, crouched and bow ready

'FireKnife'

I think he wants him mounted so he can deliver messages quickly.

FireKnife · **Posted:** Thu Sep 01, 2011 11:34 am

I would say perhaps a RoR but with his regular shield replaced by a WoMT one and perhaps a head swap would be a nice conversion for such a model. The Ranger idea sounds good but a bit like it should be a fighting model than a courier.

But again up to what the OP settles on.

'FireKnife'

draked · **Joined:** Sat Aug 13, 2011 3:17 am **Posts:** 266

FireKnife wrote:

I would say perhaps a RoR but with his regular shield replaced by a WoMT one and perhaps a head swap would be a nice conversion for such a model. The Ranger idea sounds good but a bit like it should be a fighting model than a courier.

But again up to what the OP settles on.

'FireKnife'

That sounds pretty good, the WoMT shield would defiantly make clear his allegiance to Gondor! Good idea FireKnife but as you say it's up to Ian to make the final choices.

Colosseum · **Joined:** Sun Aug 07, 2011 1:38 am **Posts:** 54

I might even sacrifice one of the plastic Minas Tirith shields from my KoMT plastic box set and just mount it on his back, with a greenstuff strap modeled onto his torso holding it in place.

draked · **Joined:** Sat Aug 13, 2011 3:17 am **Posts:** 266

I think that would look good, but would the shield be too large?

Colosseum · **Joined:** Sun Aug 07, 2011 1:38 am **Posts:** 54

Why would it be? I believe one of the MT commanders (WOTR) has a shield on his back (the hornblower I believe).

draked · **Joined:** Sat Aug 13, 2011 3:17 am **Posts:** 266

Just wondering, would it stick above his shoulders? I'm not near my models so can't compare...

Colosseum · **Joined:** Sun Aug 07, 2011 1:38 am **Posts:** 54

I don't think so. If anything I can always mount it sideways.

Heading home this weekend and will pick up my greenstuff and see if I can get a first draft done!

draked · **Joined:** Sat Aug 13, 2011 3:17 am **Posts:** 266

Can't wait!

FireKnife · **Posted:** Thu Sep 01, 2011 9:05 pm

Sounds good, in fact this reminds me to make a Hornblower after downloading the Reinforcements piece in WD.

'FireKnife'

Hashut's Blessing · **Joined:** Fri Jan 15, 2010 8:41 pm **Posts:** 1279

Easiest way to me sounds like a Rider of Rohan with a Warrior of Minas Tirith breastplate glued over his own.

I'd recommend a sheathed sword, keep the bow (for hunting if he has to travel far) and the rolled up pack on his back (sleeping bag

), add a satchel as said, add the horn (don't think it would need any modifying) and paint in appropriate colours. If you want the head bare, do a head swap with a ranger of Gondor.

First conversion idea: Errand-rider of Minas Tirith

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