Topic: Imperial Engineer - search for a miniature

[Greymane]

Hello everyone!
I am looking for engineers miniatures aside from the GW's ones to represent an Imperial Engineer in the field: I currently own the model with the Hochland musket (https://www.picclickimg.com/d/w1600/pict/123680098825_/Engineer-with-Hochland-Rifle-Empire-Pewter-OOP-Warhammer.jpg), but I am not really satisfied with it, since I would prefer to have a more "academic/tinkerer" model than the shooter. I searched a lot for a valide alternative, but I find it hard to find Renaissance human engineers like the imperial ones - a very nice one is the Avatars of War one (https://www.avatars-of-war.com/eng/web/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&prodcode=108&prodname=Empire+Artificer+Engineer&id=118&Itemid=53), but I wanted to evaluate other options too! I would be very grateful if you could give me a hand!

[Zygmund]

The old Master Gunner from the Helblaster set, with balding head and paper for measurements makes a great academic Engineer. He is often sold asia 'Leonardo', and these days costs alot separately. But look for the classic helblasters/volley guns, and get him as a part of the set.

The newer metal Helblaster Set also has a nice Master Gunner, and the modern plastic set has good options to build an Engineer.

Even the plastic Steam Tank kit has an OK Engineer, although in a stiff standing pose.

You should find these models and bits individually from eBay.

-Z

[The Black Knight]

The blackchapel miniatures has two models that would fit the bill, an engineer: https://blackchapelminiatures.com/en/altreich/12-engineer-altreich.html



and an alchemist:

https://blackchapelminiatures.com/en/altreich/40-alchemist.html



There is also the empire hero from Gamezone, I always wanted to get him:

http://www.gamezoneminiatures.com/tienda/en/empire/57-heroe-del-imperio.html



not sure about ordering from the second one though, I've heard Gamezone is having some serious trouble.

[Midaski]

I think you could be a bit more specific.

Are you fully aware of all the GW models past and present - that covers actual character engineers, and old artillery crew members like Leonardo mentioned earlier?

Have you looked at the plastic artillery sets where there are lots of bits that could be used for an engineer build or conversion?

Will you be looking to use the figure(s) in a game, and want it/them to be WYSIWYG for battle purposes - mainly thinking of engineer weapon here?

Greatsword plastic bodies have armour and frills to make a good base for a build - add bits to suit.

[Greymane]

Thanks for your kind replies - I'll try to answer each one of those.

@Zygmund, the "Leonardo" model is a beautiful one, but it is kinda "oldhammer" for me: I began collecting my Empire Army during the 6th edition, so I'd prefer to maintain the newer style - however I'll look for him! I already have a metal Hellblaster from the 6th ed., but the plastic one (even an Hellstorm Rocket Battery) may satisfy me in terms of kit bashing, the same as the plastic Steam Tank (my engineer commander is a bit stiff).

@The Black Knight, I bought from them the "ulrican" captain and I was satisfied, but their engineers, while they can be a fine addition to my army, do not express the "steam-punk-ness" that I'm looking for. Concerning Gamezone, their minis are spectacular, but I prefer their halberdiers or captains.

@Midaski, you are right. Owning an Empire Collector's Edition (pdf, sadly), I was able to search for a suitable model, but I wasn't so much fascinated - the metal ones are fine, the plastic ones are very customisable (I kinda assembled a Master Gunner for my Cannon Crew), but I was looking mainly for a miniature following the principles of WYSIWYG (in my armies, the engineer is required to man the Hellblaster, so no weapon required). I was awestruck by the artwork depiction of the 8th edition Army Book Engineer (https://i.pinimg.com/originals/d6/61/e5/d661e533298e2e0c3861ce697822ce0a.png) and its richness in details: I saw that newer Sigmarines (Lord Ordinators - https://www.games-workshop.com/en-GB/Stormcast-Eternals-Lord-ordinator-2018, Celestar Ballistas - https://www.games-workshop.com/en-GB/Etb-Stormcast-Eternals-Celestar-Ballista-2018, etc.) are covered in details, so maybe kitbashing is the way, but they are often composed by a small number of bits, too bulky to be simply put on the table. The same applies to Karadron Overlords models (from the Aether-Khemist https://www.games-workshop.com/en-GB/Kharadron-Overlords-Aether-Khemist-2017#utm_source=Warhammer%20Community&utm_medium=Post&utm_content=AdepticonReveals28032019 to the Aethiric-Navigator https://www.games-workshop.com/en-GB/Kharadron-Overlords-Aetheric-navigator-2017, even the main Lord https://www.games-workshop.com/en-GB/Brokk-Grungsson-Lord-Magnate-Barak-nar-2017 is full of trinkets and assembling possibilities).
I also visited Privateer's Press, Mom, Norba, and so on, but the perfect engineer keeps evading me.
I'll continue looking - thank you for your great ideas!

[Von Trinkenessen]

The original Marco Colombo might fit the bill, also artizan landsknecht looters http://www.artizandesigns.com/prod.php?prod=1827 the man with the chest is rather nice.

[GamesPoet]

Ha!  Landsknecht looters, what a hoot!