Greetings
I have been only a lurker in these forums so I will start with a quick introduction. My wargaming "career" started when I cracked open the third edition "Warhammer Fantasy Battle" book in the late 80s. Over the course of the 90s I got to know the entire Games Workshop Pantheon of games as they were released (40k, Man-o-War, Mordheim, Necromunda, BFG, Blood Bowl, Warmaster, Gorka Morka, Inquisitor, Warhammer Quest). During the 90s I played fairly competitively across Europe, mostly in the "core systems (including Epic back then

). Driven by tournament score pressure I improved my 28mm painting skills but my Epic collection remained the all-too-common hodge-podge of multi-coloured (including such colours as "sprayed white" and "shining lead"), multi-based piles of 6mm models. When Epic became just another specialist game the number of games declined to the point that I made my one major mistake in my gaming collection strategy and sold everything Epic. Life continud in 28mm across multiple continents.
Later, in the early years of the new century I branched into the third dimension of wargaming (e.g. historical as opposed to fantasy/scifi): Flames of War, Ancient DBA/DBM and a budding effort in the Napoleonic period. When its time came, I even dabbled in Lord of the Rings. Painting 15mm models re-kindled my enthusiasm for the smaller scales so the "small scale renaissance" project was born in 2008. I re-bought all available armies for Epic (painful given that I had sold everything at penny prices), Warmaster, Man-o-War (extremely painful, possibly the highest $/metal ratio short of precious metals) and BFG.
The smaller systems (i.e. all but Epic) were quickly painted up and I am slowly painting Epic now. My firm objective is to create visually attractive 6mm forces (no hodge podge no more). Each force should include all available options in each army list with multiples were needed (e.g. core troop units, etc). So far I have completed the SM (Salamanders), IG and Ork force. Chaos is half-way done. Nids are assembled and going through paint scheme experimentation. Eldar is assembled but not undercoated yet (deciding on paint scheme to know whether white or black is appropriate). Here is an older shot of the "epic section" of the display wall. The IG has since then filled out the second display tray. I will take close up shots when the nice camera returns (presently at the Olympics with my better half). Note that the display trays are supposed to have landscape in them (not yet built for the epic armies). That's why the current miniatures look "recessed" in the photos (a 1/2" foam layer as terrain base withe magnetic slots for models will fix this).
If you made it this far in the post then I can kick off my actual questions. I am looking for proxy options for some the missing formations in my collection. I was hoping that the crowd on this forum might have some ideas or could point me to vendors. I have also posted a corresponding trade request in the appropriate section. This is more about ideas for models, though feel free to PM me if you actually have physical models for sale.
Keep in mind that I haven't played a single game of Epic since the mid 90s so be kind if my gaming related questions are dumb. I would love to get a game locally if anybody is in the area (Montreal, Canada).
Space Marines:
Drop Pods: I need plenty of these and the GW option seems absurdly expensive. Also, in gaming terms, how many do I need per formation? One for every squad (2 bases of 5 ea) a la 40k? One per detachment of six bases?
Chaos:
Dreadclaw Pods: Same gaming questions as above: How many per unit? What do you use to proxy these?
Flyers: Swiftdeath, Helltalon: Any proxies or is FW the only option?
Rhinos: Any "Nashorns" still around?
Forlorn Hope: How do you distinguish these from regular retinues? My chaos army is old style with each of the four gods represented. The four-god retinues are made up of a mix of old style "four-god" marines (with a few appropriate daemons thrown in to add more chaotic variety). Undivided retinues are new style chaos marines. I am tempted to convert SM scouts for Forlorn Hope. Any other ideas?
Raptors: Any other options other than converted SM assault marines?
LotD Chaos Hounds: Does anybody know 6mm dog models? Any other suitable proxies? I am considering DRM "Critters/Defender" from their Skyth line.
LotD Rough Rider: Any good proxies other than IG Rough Rider? I am looking for something more "chaotic". I am considering DRM Torakk Rider though I am not sure how large these are. They look like 6mm cavalry size but the price tag seems uncharacteristically high (4 models for 3.5 sterling ~ $5). Maybe they are bigger?
LotD War Altar: I am thinking old style metal chaos hounds (Khorne) pulling a Warmaster Empire War Altar with some conversions. Any other ideas/options?
Tyranids:
Harridan: I guess I can convert this one from 40k Gargoyles. Any other ideas?
Vituperator: I saw this in some of the list. What the hell is it? How does it look?
Hierodules: I have a bunch of bio titans (called Heirodules in the mid 90s) but I think the current list "Hierodules" are more of a super heavy sized creation like the Trygon. Is this correct? I am assuming this is based on the FW 40k Hierodule model (I won one of those at a tournament many years ago and it is still lying around - I guess it would make one kick ass Epic Tyranid monster...).
I appreciate the help.
cheers
Helge