Mystery raider pics- What is this?

Just was looking through the new codex and noticed some peculiar statue/cauldron on a raider in not just some art-


But also noticed it on a model in the codex as well-


At first I believed it to be a conversion from a WHFB dark elves chariot, but upon closer inspection they only share a few similarities. (Also, since when has GW been putting converted models in their codex images, especially in this 'conversions are the devil' era GW has ushered in?)


So my question is; what do you guys (and ladies) think of this? Simply some conversion that made its way into the codex, past GW's eagle-eyed editors, is this a glimpse into some supplement on its way, or some remnants of a vehicle upgrade that got nixed late in the codex development and just was overlooked?

Honestly looks like a conversion for the sake of having a cooler Raider (and a cool one at that)
If you look at the rest of that army on that page and those that follow you see a few kitbashed models (I refuse to call gluing a part from one kit straight onto another a "conversion" ) GW doesn't do this as much as they should considering that all of their kits are designed to be interchangeable in a a very easy and obvious way. The Iyanden codex had a Spiritseer with a Wyche head that looked supercool.

I like it, totally missed it (on account of that unfavorable paint scheme that I didn't want to spend a lot of time on), and am really glad you pointed it out!

Wait, GW has a problem with conversions now?

Excellent point, ESE, it just seemed odd to me that this replaced the bow gun mount, and had art for it to boot, I personally haven't seen something similar from GW. Likely nothing more than a kitbash, just wished I stumbled upon an easter egg foreshadowing some future development for us.

Calyptra wrote:

Wait, GW has a problem with conversions now?

I only really say that due to GW pulling our special characters for not having models, and pulling weapon options for them not being on the sprue, nothing more. Still a little peeved that I now have somewhat carefully crafted Baron and Duke conversions that are now simply stand-ins.

Looks like it is the statue part from the Dark Elves Khaine thingy plus this Skaven bit from the Screaming Bell:

http://bitzbarn.com/oscommerce/catalog/images/IMG_7548.JPG

Personally, I love it, and as I have both bits, I will look into doing the same thing. The vampire counts also have a very nice bit in their Coven Throne:

http://buypainted.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/coven-8.jpg

Then again, to me, Dark Eldar and Vampire Counts have the best looking miniature range for their respective systems.

It's not so much that conversions are the devil, it's that due to the Chapterhouse battle they have to stock a model for every option, or risk a third party being able to make them and "steal" sales. Once that's done, people can convert to their hearts content. Even the White Dwarf points out that the Archon can fit other weapon arms if you want, etc.
And yes, it's definitely the statue from the Cauldron of Blood.

Quote :

or risk a third party being able to make them and "steal" sales.

Hard to steal a sale when there is no sale in the first place.
According to this you could argue Hordes is stealing sales because their Warspears make way better and cheaper Grotesques than GW.
Even if CHS would have brought a "Dark Executioner Kit" it would have exactly the same impact on GW sales as me digging up my bits box for a few spare parts and getting it togetwer with my non-gw sculpting mass.