Michael Jespersen’s Adeptus Mechanicus army is so stunning that we just had to share it. Although it might seem difficult to believe once you see his models, this is Michael’s first time kitbashing kits – here’s what he had to say about how this incredible force came together.
Michael: I was inspired by the idea of Explorator fleets from Mars, full of Tech-Priests that embody the combination of highly advanced technology with primitive gothic practices like incense burners, purity seals, and candles. Since the Adeptus Mechanicus has thousands of individual Tech-Priest commanders, I think they are a perfect faction for kitbashing my ideas.
Skitarii
I started out combining the Skitarii Rangers kit with the Cawdor Gang kit to blur the line between Skitarii troops and Tech-Priests. The result was this more ragged, veteran look, so I began thinking about a backstory.
I chose to paint them red like standard Mars Skitarii, but with black as a secondary colour and some different markings. Then I began making specialised roles for some of them, like sniper, comms, and heavy weapons specialists. I liked my three-armed gunslinger – who looks straight out of a futuristic cowboy shootout.
Tech-Priest Procession
When I saw the Triumph of Saint Katherine, I knew I had to convert it into a procession of Tech-Priests to show the more religious side of the Martian priesthood. I made an icon bearer using the Adeptus Mechanicus symbol from the Imperial Knight kit and gave him a beard of cables, so he really is an Ancient. There’s a servo-skull taskmaster who stands and commands the servo-skulls around her. I made the servo-skull banner bearers from the Citadel Skulls kit, along with some random tech parts and sculpted cables.
Sicarian Ruststalkers
I really liked the Sicarian Ruststalker squad leader’s robed look, so I gave them some Skitarii robes as a tabard.
Armiger Knight
The Armiger is mostly painted to match the rest of the force, but I made the head look more like the Adeptus Mechanicus symbol.
Kataphron Heavy Destroyer
I wanted a more industrial and heavily armoured look, so I combined the Kataphron Destroyer tracks with the body of an Ambot, which is nicely industrial with the winches in front.
I am currently working on a Skitarii Marshal and a Tech-Priest based on the Necron Chronomancer. But I'm also working on a heavily kitbashed Imperial Knight, which is going to be my biggest project yet!
Thanks, Michael! If that’s inspired you to join the priesthood of Mars, grab yourself the Adeptus Mechanicus Combat Patrol.