I made some Squats!
Iron Breaker bodies combined with Space Marine Scout hands and weapons
Simple,easy and effective!!!
If this got you interested, please follow this link to my blog Spiky Rat Pack
to read the full story with more pictures!

- Mikko

Very nice.

Smart use of those kits, too - I never would have thought of combining Dwarves with SM Scouts!

Thanks! Super excited about these fellas! so many cool ideas for them in my head at the moment!!!

The paintjob is well executed but doesn't excite me. However, the converting is elegant and looks really natural. I look forward to seeing more of these! Now the question is how you'll make Squat bikers using the Dwarf plastics

Hahaa! now there's a slight challenge for me

That, my friend, is Heresy.

But also some of the best squat conversions ive ever seen!
I might steal your idea to convert a squat of veteran guardsmen, if you don't mind!

A few years ago I saw a Squat army here with regular Dwarves and Cadian lasgun arms, along with some heavily converted vehicles. It was a nice little counts-as IG force. If you get these guys off the ground (I'm assuming they're Space Marines) that'd be a fun allied detachment as well! And if you're going super Squatty with these dudes, you've gotta get some Thudd Guns to count as Thunderfire Cannons!

Now if you'll excuse me, I'll be over here getting excited for you

Thudd guns as Thunderfire cannons, that's a brilliant idea!!!
And thank you all for your support!

Really nice conversion work, they look great.

These squats are god tier, but honestly I thought they might be unfinished because the armor is all one color. Just adding some color to the armor trim would really help them stand out IMO, but what do I know, I can't even paint this well. They do look amazing though, probably my favorite Squats conversions I've seen on dakka, and as mentioned the use of scout bits mixed with dwarves is pretty cool.

Agree, they are begging color ehehe

Great combination of kits, definitely could use some colour to give them some oomf !

Maybe even just gold trimmings on the armour, or different coloured cloth ?

Beautiful, just beautiful. When I saw the new Dwarf kits I thought they looked fantastic but I didn't even imagine using them for 40k; They look great!

I like the color scheme, it looks like the dwarves have armors made of stone, and heck, considering they are dwarves, that's awesome!

By not painting the ornaments & trimmings in their armour
I tried to steer away from that FB-look that it would have created.
Instead I wanted to emphasize the "scifi" type of feel.
Also by keeping the core units in simple colour schemes will help me to make the characters, dreadnoughts etc. To stand out even more
But I understand that this is not the style that everyone likes

I love it! Ironbreakers make awesome squats!

Get cracking brotha, I wanna see more!

These are great !!!
I must confess that I bought the new dwarfs too to convert them into squats but I didn't thought of using the scouts arms.
Very good idea.
I might steal it or get inspired by it.
Love the minimalist paint job. Especially cause it is different from what you produce.

Squat revival !! Beard implant powaa !

Thanks!
And please, feel free to get inspired!
Tommorrow I go and get myself new kits for another tactical squad, devastator squad and a command squad!!

Squat revival indeed!!!

Nice start!

I feel like they could use a little more definition. Maybe one more stronger color for markings and weapon casings? With army painting, you want to appear striking for greater range of distances and one off minis. Was also hoping for more industrial feeling basing. Somewhat rusted hues could work fantastic with the scheme.

Thanks!
Always nice to hear some critique from the master!
Ok they might look bit pale from the distance..
Should I really go true Old School and bring back the once loathed red bolter casings (2.edition Ultramarines anyone?)
Would look cool with the blue armour I guess??
I think I'll be bringing more detail to the bases with the larger models like the Ancestor(dreadnought) or Termite(drop pod)

Warning chevrons even?

I used to do everything really muted and tasteful, but things only took off when I added enough contrast and markings and made sure the army looks stunning from a distance too.

Yes the Squats do need a bit more color. Have to be seen from 3ft away. Some clan markings or as Migsula said chevrons?

I RARELY post, but I just had to. My first army in RT days was squats. These are the best squats I've ever seen. I'm on ebay right now buying parts to make my own. I love the paint job too, don't change a thing.

OK added some colour to the bolter casings.
Not huge difference at all but better than the black ones I guess?

These are brilliant

I'm surprised at how good these simple conversions xame out. These squats look great!

Great concept! I do think a little brass on the masks would ice the cake however.

Could've sworn I'd already commented on this, but apparently not. Great stuff all round, love the style and execution, and the paint scheme is nice and clean. I actually liked the greyed-out look a lot.

These look damn good. The way everything matches up just clicks really well.

I do have to second everyone else's sentiments on the armor. There is just a bit of something lacking to it. The colors work well, but there could be some more contrast there. Either a blue/black wash to darken up the recesses some, or maybe some extra colors on the helmets.

But yeah, having an army of these guys would look great on the table. Looking forward to any vehicle conversions you might do as well.

What can we expect next?

briliant work sir. the painting if ok too, if i were to give you any advice it would be to have your bases a diffrent colour set to your models then you will get a realy nice contrast, perhaps a vibrant green

Best squat conversions I've seen. Please make an army out of this.

The army is on it's way alright!

Very nice looking Squats. I will echo, however, that more color would be nice. They don't have to be super colorful, but just some accenting colors like a red or a gold would offset the stone look and make them pop.

Duh! Since GW won't listen you have rightly taken matters into your own hands. These look awesome. Can't wait to see them all finished up.

I never saw squats for real (before my time I'm afraid) but if someone put those in front of me I'd sure be convinced, and impressed. Have an Exalt sir, and best of luck!

The troop choices are now ready and painted

Tactical Squad #2
[missile launcher, plasma, sergeant with storm bolter]



Devastator Squad
[4x heavy bolters]



Next I really need to take a little break and start on defining the background story for these guys…

Please read more about this project at Spiky Rat Pack

Awesome stuff!

Such, suchclever use of bits. A thought: there's going to be a lot of Taurox tracks on the bits market, and I reckon there's potential for a great land train.

Oh wow man, these Squats look brilliant. Really a great re-imagining. I'm looking forward to vehicles as well. ^_^

Love the new batch of guys. You've captured a nice balance between fantasy and scifi.

Cheers guys!
More Squat madness coming really soon

I like the use of the ork banana magazine on the far left heavy bolter. Also them targeting mechadendrites are pretty sweet.

I think the layer of detail and effort to make them a bit more unique as individuals paid off handsomely. I still think they are slightly on the dull side, but with vehicles and heroes hopefully having some more flair, the army should look stunning.

BTW - you should check out the Scout Lanspeeder kit for bits! I used them to make my henchmen more individual. Left handed bolter arms and other gems.

My aim is to make the heroes & vehicles stand out while the core remains faceless mass...
Migs - Why'o why I did'nt remembered that awesome scout landspeeder kit!! Better right the wrong and get one immediately

And thank you all for your support!

Here Comes the revered force commander Thorwarg Ironmane







Please read the full story and see more pictures at Spikyratpack

I just love these. They are spot on I do still think there needs to be a bit more variation in the greys, but awesome regardless.

Awesome stuff!

Cheers guys!

Man this is awesome! Some of the best conversions I've ever see, it just all works. Love the force commander.

For some reason I feel like they need golden eyebrows.

These are amazing, I hadnt even thought of using the SM Scout hands. I am working on some Stunties of my own, but using the Avatars of War dwarves as a base due to their multi partedness.

Consider some of your ideas blatantly ripped off sir!! And keep it up.

This is just awesome. Keep up the good work.

Looking super awesome I really hope you do some tanks as I'd love to see what you did for them

Young Logan

Thanks for the support guys!
There will be plenty of vehicles in the future that's for sure

These are AMAZING! Genius idea!!

subed, and stolen!

WIP...

ooh man, thats looking good so far!!!

Now this is a cool idea! love the work so far you've done, and I echo everyone's sentiment about how well the scout arms fit and work with those dwarf bodies it's very clever and still retains that grim dark 40k vibe, my only crit is colour, personally I think they would pop a bit more if you did some metals for their face plates? either a burnished gold or an iron? only to give them a stronger focal point for the faces! and that's not discrediting your paint at all, I love the chosen colours and weathering, all that works nicely!

looking forward to whatever the dwarf is wired into! :-)

Great work - very evocative and great to see it evolving

Lovely stuff so far - can't wait to see where you're going with that latest conversion.

As a lot of other people so far have said, though, a little more work on the main armor could make a big difference. Have you thought about at least picking out some details on the armor and masks in a dark metal color?

Great idea and stunning execution. More please!

More please, you just resurrected a long dead race in a amazing conversion.

Love the stone armour and a great way to convert these miniatures to 40k. Now pondering how to take a squad or two... Hmmm Jokero weaponsmiths perhaps?

definitely subbed!

I love everything you are doing, just wanted to say that and keep up the great work!

These guys are looking great! Long live the long beards! I'd like to second what jhe90 said. Conversion and paint job are fantastic.

I feel like they could have a bit more bejeweling, tho. The bands on the beards are the only place I can see for it. Just a little precious gem color on the "dots" on the bands around their beards. I'm also surprised how few beards there are (visible beards, anyhow) but I don't know the dwarf models that well.

I'm so happy to see the squats again. Thanks for sharing this project with us.

It's a Squatnaught! AWESOME!

I wrote up a 500 point list of stunties using the Inquistion dex this weekend. Started building them and completely ripping this idea off. So much awesome here.

WIP...

you... you amazing person you!! i will definitely be ripping this off, at least make a kill team out of them!

Bringing in the heavy support!





As always, LOTS of pictures in spikyratpack

Great stuff as ever, that's some real Heavy Support!

Hell yeah, more Stunties!!

That looks amazing.

beautiful! I love the weathering and paint chipping.

Wow! Fantastic, you nailed a great look! Paint job is outstanding, as always. The photoshoped group shot on your blog rocks.

Easily the coolest looking Squats I've seen.

Really very cool

I love them, the infantry looks very nice and the Boss looks amazing, what mini did you use for that one?

I'm genuinely liking these guys. Most of the time when I see squats mentioned I roll my eyes just because I've seen so many meh versions. But i think this is an awesome job. What's next? A land train (land raider), trike (attack bike)?

Thanks guys, I really appreciate your support!
The force commander was based on plastic Dwarf lord mini...
Future additions for the army will include a squadron of attack buggies (attack bike equivalents)
Perhaps scouts and a terminator squad of some sort...

Well, when the new Dwarves got released, I just told myself we'd see a lot converted as Squats...

And I'm glad to behold I was right, but what I hadn't foreseen was that it could look so great !!

Congrats, I'll definitely be following this

Wow, great squats! I really like the heavy support. Whats up next on the WIP? The bikes and buggies? How do you plan on doing the terminator squad?

Either way, I'm excited to see whats next. I'm with Red_starrise too, I'd LOVE to see a land train.

Realy love this stuff and will have to give this a try, just went through my bits box and although I have a fair armout of scout right arms I haven't got a single left one... :( boooo.

This stuff is great!

 GrimDork wrote:
This stuff is great!

Told you!

Indeed you did! I'm hoping mantic steps up their game with the next warpath forge father hard plastics... these iron/scouts are putting my old steel warriors to shame.

Squat Engineer WIP

Nice work as always. This is one of the best conversion armies I've seen!

OMG that latest one is particularly inspired ! What did you use as the robes ? Is that some kind of "Grey" Stuff ?

Wow. I miss stomping stunties,

Seriously these are fantastic. If they were released like this from GW, I'm sure many people would be building them. Honesty those look dead hard.

If you want suggestions for what to add next, no Squat army would be complete without a Thudd gun and a Mole Mortar!

Subbed!

Let me introduce you to one of the veteran brothers of the company.
Brother Thorsten Järnkall
Thorsten has fought long wars beside Thorwarg and never failed serving the Brotherhood. With nerves of steel he has led his fellow brethen to many victories in countles war zones around the galaxy.
Now as a senior member of the company Thorsten has been granted the with the greatest honor to carry the company standard.







WIP

Oh man, I thought the Spiky Rat Pack had quit or something! Good to see you back at modeling!

Hurrah for the stunties!

Just gets cooler and cooler!

Whoa, he's awesome!

Is that cunning use tomato paste tube I spy? Great job!

WIP fresh outta paint cabinet!!!

Thorsten Järnkall
Company Standard Bearer









Squat Engineer Tech Smith

Nice tech smith! I really like that ax!

Simply fantastic looking squats! I've always wanted to convert that box of dwarves into squats myself but it's rather expensive. You have done it wonders though!

One of the best project blogs i have seen in a long time. These are awesome in every way. They don't look like conversions they look like squat kits. Hats off to you

Thanks guys for your support & comments!
Already started to convert the APCs!!!!
WIP coming soon(ish)

Amazing stuff to see, makes me grin from ear to ear.

I have been wanting to do a Squat army ever since I first started this hobby. This has got to be the coolest and hands down, best Squat army I have seen yet! Brilliant work!

Built an APC for my troops out of SW Stormfang + Rhino kits.
Read more about my thoughts on this project @ my blog - http://spikyratpack.blogspot.fi/2014/09/adding-mobility-apc.html
but now some photos I took yesterday

Hehehe, nice one! That looks massive.

Hmm, you do know that this means you're gonna have to post a tutorial of this! I mean, it looks a lot more interesting than the official models out there!

These are amazing! I want! Love the dreadnought! And the APC/flyer. Landraider next? Or terminator types?

Maybe some Terminators or should I build some Scouts instead? =)

The APC is pure genius! And so nicely painted.

It even looks a lot like a freight train, which nicely suggests the old epic-scale squat land train, without being quite so silly.

I'd love to see your take on terminators. Tartaros bodies are already a bit egg-shaped like the old exo-armor ...

Scouts could be interesting, but I wonder how you'd make them stand out. Perhaps they'd be akin to the Dwarf Slayers, sort of an elite unit deep in enemy territory? Or perhaps more as infiltrators and give them some sort of underground vehicle (nice nod to the old epic models) that could count as a Land Speeder Storm?

Amazing!

That APC is awesome can I have one please on a serious note it looks like a weapon in its own right as it could probably squish anything in its path (looks like an old diesel locomotive).
Can't wait to see other vehicles in the army if this is what their APCs look like

Young Logan

Now imagine a Land Raider, or even a Fell Blade in that style!

Thank you for your kind words!
@Malika2 "Scouts could be interesting, but I wonder how you'd make them stand out. Perhaps they'd be akin to the Dwarf Slayers, sort of an elite unit deep in enemy territory?"
YES! that is exactly what I have planned them to be=) Tough veterans - slayer style mohawks, bare arms, extra kits of equipment & stuff. Would also like to create Terminator style warriors out of SM Centurions...

The Centurions would make great Exo Armour of a sorts!

Do give the Scouts a some sort of funky transport vehicle (count as Land Speeder Storm), you know it's just too cool of an opportunity to pass.

The Scouts themselves could have all sorts of extra equipment, pouches and such. For some reason I can't help but think of the Ratling Snipers...

That APC looks great!

The orangey red door looks a little out of place on the rear view on your blog.

Looks amazing tho!

Yup, Ratlings are cool

Nice transport - looks suitably bulky and no-nonsense practical.

Looking to make some Terminator "Exo-Armour" Squats for my army, so I'd love to see your take on them!

Subbed! Mate I think this stuff is awesome, best capture of squats ive seen.

Cheers!

I love the very serious take on these guys. Grimdark Space Dwarves should grim, not silly. This is really inspiring stuff. Did you kitbash that transport out of the Stormwolf model or is that scratchbuilt? It's really cool - literally turning 40k on it's head.

The APC brings tears to my eyes, it is exactly how a Squat transport should be:
Tough as nails and better tech than the imperium any day.
Flying in the face of STC builds to get the Mechanicus knickers in a knot.

Yup, Stormwolf with selected bitz from Rhino kit.
100% GW stuff...just like the rest of the army. Looks nothing like GW has ever done AND I could still use it in a tournament

Great. Now I've got to start looking for WFB Dwarves.

What codex do you use for it?

Continues to be one of the best, most innovative P&M out there. Cracking.

When it comes to rules - they are Space Marines
+ thanks for your encouraging words

Veteran Squat Warrior in Exo Armour.
1/5 eventually they will form classic termie squad with sergeant and assault cannon.
Parts used?
the picture speaks for itself really=) they are all there, just use your eyes, it's part of the fun

Wow, now that looks like a real fun model!

Have you also considered giving one of them a bolter/boltpistol on each fist, but still counting it as a stormbolter? I would imagine that the Exo Armour would be a very honoured piece of equipment, very archaic and individualized. Maybe also some cool engravings or something might not be that farfetched.

Wow, that's really cool! What are the various bits?

 inmygravenimage wrote:
Wow, that's really cool! What are the various bits?

Psst:

Parts used?
the picture speaks for itself really=) they are all there, just use your eyes, it's part of the fun

Hah! Yeah!
OK hint: look for Roman commanders and tough as nails stunties

Beautiful......I want one now.

Good lord, this is all so awesome. I LOVE squats, it still makes me want to cry that GW killed them off as an official race/faction all those years ago. As basically everyone has said, this is one of the best conversion armies I've ever seen and each new thing you create is better than the last. Can't wait to see your whole squad of terminators!

Those are brilliant, amazing and cool looking...

Im trully inspired and envy (in a good way).

Congratulations...

Thanks guys! =)

@OKKIW - gotcha, see it now

These guys are amazing, I love the troop transport. I've been watching the project unfold on your blog and I missed your most recent updates!

Way to go, this is an amazing, and evocative army!

Thanks for your support guys!
Trying shouder mounted stormbolter at the moment,,, looks very promising

Shoulder mounted weapons huh? Curious to see you then do a Squat 'count-as Centurion', something between the Exo-Suit and the 'Exo-Armour dreadnought'.

The last one is early blue tagged WIP for new Squat Rangers i working at the moment=)

Those are some serious Terminators! Mine are going to look like skinny little flunkies compared to those monsters! Awesome work.

That's a wholly unique conversion for those Termies, and I really like them. Can't wait to see some paint on them!

What head did you use for the ranger?

I love the exo-suits. The cut down clunky feet work really well.

This army is incredible. The callbacks to RT Squats are in perfect balance with the modernisations & kitbashes. All of this could pass for a brand new range. I only wish I could play against this army sometime!

 Malika2 wrote:
What head did you use for the ranger?

dwarf ironbreaker and irondrake heads

Man, that is THE best use of that dodgy Centurion kit I have ever seen. The look so incredibly menacing.

Such an original idea... just amazing! The Exo suits look the bomb!!

So excited for the next update!!

Very cool!

Awesome job.

Finally!!!
New painted miniatures for my army!!!


I now have new blog with my friends, so please follow this link to see more photos

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-xNBczKvEuk0/VKxIMiBCu1I/AAAAAAAABiI/ZpsUCpae2Xs/s579-no/exo-group.jpg

This is, truly, stunning. I really appreciate the ideas, and the fact that you're re-purposing/designing GW kits. Please, continue to post your efforts!

--Brian

Incredible work my friend!! Incredible!

New army update on Iron Sleet!

http://ironsleet.com/2015/01/17/the-brotherhood-of-steel-story-so-far/

Those guys look tough! Very nice work. Keep the faith my Squat brother!

I really love the work you've done so far. I'm looking forward to seeing more. I really hope you convert some Iron Eagles to count as Stormtalons.