Anvil Industries: Another Chapter House Studios?

It is really quite nice, every now and again, to find a "company" who produce conversion packs and custom components for modifying and personalising your wargames miniatures. Granted, these are becoming rarer and rarer, with GW pursuing the "protection of their Intellectual Property" like a dog pursuing hot chips.

But, I did come across a real gem of a place last week, who make some of the best Space Marine customisation pieces I have ever seen. Not only are they fantastically detailed, out of this world cool, and stupidly cheap, but they are - as of yet - GW lawsuit-free... See, the mistake Anvil Industry has managed to avoid, and Chapter House really didn't, was the fact they have gone to great lengths to distance the products they produce, from GW's poster-children; Space Marines. The models are unmistakable, and the purpose of the components is obvious to all, but they have not only called them something different (Exo-Lords), but they have even gone as far as to create stand alone background material for them, in a universe that isn't that of the 41st Millenium.

I have big plans for orders from these guys in the coming months, with some of the components really catching my eye, and piquing my hobby interest.

The lower weapon is my kinda weapon.

The snub-nosed Autocannon is one of the best heavy weapons I have ever seen. Not only will it be making an appearance as "counts-as" Heavy Bolters across my Astral Claws Marine army, but will probably be sprinkled across my 18,000pt of Imperial Guard. Just gotta wait for it to be released now, and at £1.80 per unit, who can complain!?

And, then, of course there is these guys...

Black Ops anyone?

These are designed as a sort of "Special Ops" Space Marines squad, a bit like Scouts, but just so much more badass! You get 10 in the set, including options for a Sergeant, and loads of Special and Heavy weapons options. For £35, I may add two of them, as suitable alternatives to Deathwatch Marines.

Then, there are these guys. I really ain't too sure what I can use them for, but they are fantastic, and would be such a joy to paint.

A truly motley crew.

I may just grab these as a sideline project... I really like the Space Pirate Captain (top left), and may use him as the starting point for a conversion of Sir Hammerlock from the Borderlands 2 game system.

They also make some really great models that could be used as alterantives, or to boost current numbers, in a Death Korps of Krieg Imperial Guard army... 

DKK Alternatives?

I have a huge number of the Forgeworld models at home, but am seriously tempted by these guys, to add a few more squads, at an infinitely more affordable price tag.

It really is a shame there aren't more of these sorts of companies out there, offering us hobbyists the greatest possible variety when it comes to personalising our armies, and bringing the models we visualise, into reality. For now though, I am more than happy with Anvils' offerings, and I highly recommend them to any and all!

JJ