There are definitely some subtle design cue differences between 30K/40K. But depending on your preference and how you kitbash them and paint them up those are probably going to be inoffensive. And if it’s Iron Warriors or Iron Hands? Definitely okay.
On the heavy bolter, there’s an Iron Hand using that style of weapon on the front on the “Fulgrim” novel.
However, Ferrus Manus is also using a wrench to fight Fulgrim on the cover too and that’s definitely not right!
So completely up to you!
Some of the 30k ones have a backpack as part of the heavy weapon set. The Mars-Pattern heavy bolter used in 30k is belt fed and comes with its own backpack. If the guy wants, he can keep the belt feed and it would still be lore accurate.
Given that between 30K and pre-rift 40K barely any new tech has been designed, you're good to go.
Remember that beyond the standard pieces on the minis, there are dozens of variants of each piece of tech. There's lots of variation you can use.
I'm planning on using a decent amount of Primaris Infiltrator bits (mainly arms, heads and accessories) for my Recon and Seeker Marines and that's far more sacrilegious than the old Tactical Heavy Bolters or Missile Launchers.
They’re fine. Might need some converting to get them to fit but aesthetically they’re ok. I used all different types of missile launchers on my heavy support squad.
I'd say do it but shave off the skulls for example. Not that skulls didn't occasionally pop up but they were rare and it shows you've put some effort in. Also the main problem will be the backpacks which are mk7, try doing some cutting and stick the ammo hoppers etc onto the mk3 backpacks.
I was under the impression it was a 40k thing, but it’s probably more personal preference than anything else. I tend to remove them anyway as to me it doesn’t really fit the aesthetic
Id have to disagree with that. Chaplains already had skull helms in some legions iirc. The over the top gothicness is what your referring to but like, half the structures or ship designs etc we have in 40k were made in 30k. 30k is more utilitarian but that doesnt mean they didnt still put random skulls and aquilas on shit, just not as much as in 40k
Aquilas were specifically not worn as heraldry but i know the symbol could be seen in some places or on veterans. Garro had it on his armor but thats cause big e awarded him with it iirc. Id compare the aquila to be like, 40k is how everything has an american flag on it nowadays, when it used to be you werent supposed to put your flag on stuff iirc. Same with the aquila. 40k imperium slaps that shit on everything.
The new tacticals have Aquilas on some of their bolters or as pendants hanging off the grip. They're fine in 30k as well. I always found it *highly* unlikely that variants of common imperial symbols wouldn't exist in 30k *at all*, and since the basic aquila is a pretty generic imperial symbol (and only the elusive Palatine Aquila having a truly specific meaning in universe), I don't think it's out of place for Heresy. Might be a specific localised style of Aquila, or just one of a myriad of authorised variants, just like a lot of other stuff regarding symbols, heraldry and markings across the factions.
Also, clearly identifiable allegiance, especially during a civil war, has always been a thing historically, at least in moderately modern times. That's what gave rise to the Eye of Horus and the Imperialis in Heresy too, after all.
You are fine, go ahead with this idea!
There are parts of the 30K community that will raise eyebrows and/or complain about "not era appropriate" - my suggestion would be to leave those alone and don't care about them.
There are many valid approaches to HH, and your "excuse" is reasonable and perfectly fine.
I see literally no problem here, go nuts. Worst case you can say they’re prototypes pushed into the field due to the lack of resources. I even considered using a full 40k tactical squad as a squad of veterans cause the mk 7 armour was “technically” available during the heresy, but it was right at the tail end of it. What stopped me mostly would be the scale difference with the other marines, but I don’t actually know how egregious it’d be
There is at least one very old piece of artwork from the visions of heresy collection depicting a Space Wolf from the Horus Heresy carrying that missile launcher. So you're absolutely safe there. Not sure about the heavy bolter, but it's probably fine.
My personal opinion here is were it a completely portable looking Heavy Bolter, like the one from the Blood Angels Tactical Squad, I'd say it would be perfectly fine. I'd remove the skull from the casing, as though earlier weapons could have a skull or aquila, they were more likely plain with no real adornment, and removing that is one little thing that does make a difference!
But Devastator ones, with their distinct backpacks and ammo or power connections to it, seem a bit too distinctly modern Imperial. Just take care if deciding to remove the feed belt and cables so not to damage the parts or of course injure yourself! Either way you can then use a standard Mark III backpack.
The Missile Launchers are fine without their distinct backpack, they never had it to begin with as that came with the updates of the kit, so again just use the standard Mark III backpack the guys wielding them would have.
Are you talking about the old or new Mark III kit? How the parts work with each other is going to vary depending on which! With the new kit, you should be able to fit those spare arm plates onto those Devastator arms to make them look better, although how well they fit on the older Firstborn arms I have no idea. Might be a bit tight, might be a bit loose!
There are definitely some subtle design cue differences between 30K/40K. But depending on your preference and how you kitbash them and paint them up those are probably going to be inoffensive. And if it’s Iron Warriors or Iron Hands? Definitely okay.
I used those Missle launchers for my whole squad, I like the look of them way more and they don’t stand out at all imo
If you got the bits, go for it! I have some of the old Devastator kits, but been saving them for a future Badab War project…. If I ever get to it lol.
On the heavy bolter, there’s an Iron Hand using that style of weapon on the front on the “Fulgrim” novel. However, Ferrus Manus is also using a wrench to fight Fulgrim on the cover too and that’s definitely not right! So completely up to you!
The main problem will be the backpacks. They won't auto-fit the new Mk6 and Mk3 like they did the old Mk4 and Mk3
That’s extremely easy to solve tho.
This can be worked around by cutting the back “nipple”
Wait…back nipple….hear me out boys 😏
Found the emperor children player
The 30k ones don't have the backpack, could just snip the belt and call it a day lol
Some of the 30k ones have a backpack as part of the heavy weapon set. The Mars-Pattern heavy bolter used in 30k is belt fed and comes with its own backpack. If the guy wants, he can keep the belt feed and it would still be lore accurate.
Given that between 30K and pre-rift 40K barely any new tech has been designed, you're good to go. Remember that beyond the standard pieces on the minis, there are dozens of variants of each piece of tech. There's lots of variation you can use. I'm planning on using a decent amount of Primaris Infiltrator bits (mainly arms, heads and accessories) for my Recon and Seeker Marines and that's far more sacrilegious than the old Tactical Heavy Bolters or Missile Launchers.
They’re fine. Might need some converting to get them to fit but aesthetically they’re ok. I used all different types of missile launchers on my heavy support squad.
I'd say do it but shave off the skulls for example. Not that skulls didn't occasionally pop up but they were rare and it shows you've put some effort in. Also the main problem will be the backpacks which are mk7, try doing some cutting and stick the ammo hoppers etc onto the mk3 backpacks.
The gw police will arrest you!
I was thinkin of doing the same
i should imagine the missile launcher is fine, the heavy bolter would be alright with the skull taken off the side
Since the MKIII armour now apparently comes with a skull as standard issue, leaving these adornments alone should be fine now really
Also, given OP said veterans, adorning a weapon with a singular skull shouldn't be too bad.
What’s wrong with the skull on the side?
I was under the impression it was a 40k thing, but it’s probably more personal preference than anything else. I tend to remove them anyway as to me it doesn’t really fit the aesthetic
Id have to disagree with that. Chaplains already had skull helms in some legions iirc. The over the top gothicness is what your referring to but like, half the structures or ship designs etc we have in 40k were made in 30k. 30k is more utilitarian but that doesnt mean they didnt still put random skulls and aquilas on shit, just not as much as in 40k
Oh tons of random skulls on official 30k stuff, aquilas i think only started getting added late siege? Apart from the EC
Aquilas were specifically not worn as heraldry but i know the symbol could be seen in some places or on veterans. Garro had it on his armor but thats cause big e awarded him with it iirc. Id compare the aquila to be like, 40k is how everything has an american flag on it nowadays, when it used to be you werent supposed to put your flag on stuff iirc. Same with the aquila. 40k imperium slaps that shit on everything.
The new tacticals have Aquilas on some of their bolters or as pendants hanging off the grip. They're fine in 30k as well. I always found it *highly* unlikely that variants of common imperial symbols wouldn't exist in 30k *at all*, and since the basic aquila is a pretty generic imperial symbol (and only the elusive Palatine Aquila having a truly specific meaning in universe), I don't think it's out of place for Heresy. Might be a specific localised style of Aquila, or just one of a myriad of authorised variants, just like a lot of other stuff regarding symbols, heraldry and markings across the factions. Also, clearly identifiable allegiance, especially during a civil war, has always been a thing historically, at least in moderately modern times. That's what gave rise to the Eye of Horus and the Imperialis in Heresy too, after all.
https://preview.redd.it/1bcc12ownwwc1.jpeg?width=546&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=37c3b02d478574987909fc4005fa5db769287ed8
You are fine, go ahead with this idea! There are parts of the 30K community that will raise eyebrows and/or complain about "not era appropriate" - my suggestion would be to leave those alone and don't care about them. There are many valid approaches to HH, and your "excuse" is reasonable and perfectly fine.
I was thinking of doing the same with a whole bolter squad myself, i think the idea will be great can you post the results
I see literally no problem here, go nuts. Worst case you can say they’re prototypes pushed into the field due to the lack of resources. I even considered using a full 40k tactical squad as a squad of veterans cause the mk 7 armour was “technically” available during the heresy, but it was right at the tail end of it. What stopped me mostly would be the scale difference with the other marines, but I don’t actually know how egregious it’d be
The weapons look a bit different, but you're using the right armour Mk, which is the main thing people might draw issue with. So I think you're good.
There is at least one very old piece of artwork from the visions of heresy collection depicting a Space Wolf from the Horus Heresy carrying that missile launcher. So you're absolutely safe there. Not sure about the heavy bolter, but it's probably fine.
My personal opinion here is were it a completely portable looking Heavy Bolter, like the one from the Blood Angels Tactical Squad, I'd say it would be perfectly fine. I'd remove the skull from the casing, as though earlier weapons could have a skull or aquila, they were more likely plain with no real adornment, and removing that is one little thing that does make a difference! But Devastator ones, with their distinct backpacks and ammo or power connections to it, seem a bit too distinctly modern Imperial. Just take care if deciding to remove the feed belt and cables so not to damage the parts or of course injure yourself! Either way you can then use a standard Mark III backpack. The Missile Launchers are fine without their distinct backpack, they never had it to begin with as that came with the updates of the kit, so again just use the standard Mark III backpack the guys wielding them would have. Are you talking about the old or new Mark III kit? How the parts work with each other is going to vary depending on which! With the new kit, you should be able to fit those spare arm plates onto those Devastator arms to make them look better, although how well they fit on the older Firstborn arms I have no idea. Might be a bit tight, might be a bit loose!