Topic: Lord-Vigilant on Morrgryph x Empire General on Imperial Griffon

[Count James]

My fellow Elector Counts - I have a question

So I kind of want a bigger Griffon for my General but I've never liked the 'pigeon' pose of the plastic one. I've already got the older metal models to be my non-Imperial Griffons (and want another to be a Captain BSB one day but... that's an aside). I really like the Lord-Vigilant model from AoS, BUT the hindquarters are the wrong animal (and I'd need to change the rider).

So the idea is to scour eBay for some badly painted/built models and use the front end and wings of the Morrgryph with the hindquarters and rider of the Imperial Griffon...

Any thoughts? Has anyone tried this?

And the ultimate question, does anyone have both models to compare whether it would all fit together?

[Sigur]

I just did that AoS model earlier this year, and say what you will about that Stormcast Eternals range (including that Star Drake) - they do have a mighty good griffon. I woudn't worry too much about the wrong hind legs to be honest. You should rather worry about making these bloody reins fit the rider!

Alternatively, when it comes to monsters, I usually go to Mierce Miniatures first. They have some mighty fine monsters, like this specimen here: https://mierce-miniatures.com/products/mierce-banelegions-mmbo-eratheaux-guillaumes-hippogryf

Okay, the price is a bit steep, but they have rather frequent sales on monsters and in my experience their figures are of top notch quality. (my review of one of my favourites here: https://www.battlebrushstudios.com/2019/11/review-mierce-miniatures-ophios.html). Granted, I only did hand-sculpted figures by them so far, and this one seems to be digitally designed, but it looks pretty impressive.


Alternatively, and for a proper Warhammery look, you could try Trish Carden's lovely griffon by HarrowHyrst minis: https://footsoreminiatures.co.uk/collections/harrowhyrst/products/mockmoon-the-griffin

Or maybe you can get the old Blood Island griffon from somewhere. I assume most empire generals of the past 20 years fly around on that.

[Victor]

I can not answer your questions, but I have another recommendation:

https://reptilianoverlords.com/product/mounted-general-on-griffin/

I quite like it and think it looks better than the GW one, even though the pose is very similar.
(One of the problems I have with the GW one is the size difference between the claws and the rear legs.)

[Count James]

Good answers and I was very interested to see what else is out there...

However... I scored a cheap General on Griffon on eBay, so I've ordered a Morrgryph (and some Green stuff....) from Wayland.

I'll keep you posted...!

[Sigur]

That's a good Griffon. You'll be happy with it, I'm sure.

[Count James]

Sooo an update.

After ordering and opening up the Morrgryph, it became obvious that the front claws are also not "Griffon-like". Hmm. Then, when the eBayed General on Griffon (complete with superglued cork and some sandy substance all over the base) arrived, it became obvious that the back end of the Imperial Griffon is one chonky rear, especially compared to the fairly slender Morrgryph.

It was at this point I considered just selling it all and giving up on my idea.

But... Good news everyone! I am stupid and stubborn and decided to try anyway... so I started gluing the front of the AoS model together. Once that was done I roughly lined up the Griffon next to it, and sawed off it's rear end. Cue lots of clipping, sawing, swearing, chopping and changing, polyfilla, green stuff - for which my skills are limited at best - and at least one "Oh God oh God I've made an expensive mistake" moment... I think it's actually working. And amusingly half of my efforts are going to be hidden under the folded wings! Hopefully the paint job (which I'm at least passable at) will cover up some sins!

And so I present for your amusement: The front half of the AoS Lord-Vigilant on Morrgryph and the back end plus front claws of the Imperial Griffon, ridden by the Lord-Vigilant's legs, with the Karl Franz body and the Empire General's head and arms...

(Wing and the reins not pictured)







EDIT: I hate close-up photos, so just went and sorted out that uneven green stuff on the rear harness...