Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

I have been slowly gathering together a bunch of original plastic Squats. I now have about 120 of them so I have drawn a line under gathering them together and have now started to put one or two together.

This is where things went wrong.

I tried gluing on the arms that come with the Squats and I really didn't like them. I also didn't like the shoulder mounted heavy bolter because it sits so high on the shoulder... So I had a look around and thought about things and the obvious answer was to sculpt my own arms. It will take a while but I will be able to pose and position the weapons better. Speaking of weapons, I have decided to go with the original lasguns but have shortened the barrels by about 3-4mm and they actually look much better. I haven'started sculpting the arms yet, but I have assembled the first ten heads on bodies and have drilled and fitted wire for the arms. I have also given all of the plastic heads a bit of a makeover... here's the first WIP (I have pinned a shortened lasgun in place so you can see the size of it):



I will be building two standard platoons with mostly helmets on (command squad of five with two squads of ten troops). The non-helmetted heads will be wearing berets instead of the cap/nothing... that way, they will be able to salute their officers.

In addition I thought that a few characters would be in order, so here's Mad Jack and his throwing Mastiff:



I haven't thought too much about vehicles or equipment yet because I just want to get some troops finished first.

I'd be happy to play against those awesome models. nice greenstuff work, what colours are you thinking of using?

Cheers

I want to use realistic, military colours (greens and browns with black/grey in the mix) but haven't decided on a scheme yet... I want to get a few built and converted fully before I start thinking about a scheme

This is so exciting! Can't wait to see more!

I love OG Squats. I have a small collection of unassembled plastics too that are waiting for when I have the motivation to do them right.

They actually look vey good with those bare catachan arms - maybe easier than sculpting everything??

This project has the potential for greatness !!

I love what you done.

Based on the Las guns, I take it you intend on fielding them as counts as AM ?

I am building them as an Imperial Guard army but they are just for show (so I can be a little bit flexible).

I have around 120 of them and they will be split up into 3 platoons of 25. I want to try and keep the ones with helmets together and the others together as well (they'll all get berets).

The heavy weapon teams will be getting tracked weaponry... possibly these:



... but most likely, these:

http://www.anvilindustry.co.uk/AFTERLIFE/Republic-Taurus-Gun-Tractors

I haven't worked out what vehicles or special weapons they will get yet... but I have plenty of time to figure that out while I build the army .

The greenstuff work is fantastic. I love the berets and how you "fixed" their beards.

I also think the Catachan arms look way better than the original arms. I wish I could have used them for my old school IG, but they just didn't work.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

By my calculations, that's about $600 worth of squats!

Nice! I've never seen squats before.

Cheers .

I certainly didn't spend $600 for them... I have been very lucky and used a lot of paint-stripper on auctions won .

The Catachan arms work well... but I want clothed arms so I'll be sculpting them (it's easier).

You'd never heard of squats? I'm not surprised because GW try to deny all knowledge of them

Ooh! Are you fielding them as imperial guard?

They'll be counts as Imperial Guard... but I don't game so there can be a little bit of flexibility

Following on from yesterday, I have some update pix. Here is what I have so far:



You will notice that I have coated some of the 'wire arms' with a first layer of green stuff ready for the proper sculpting to go on top. They are obviously still WIP but this pic shows what the guns look like and how I am arming my Sgts as well. The two sgts with berets will not be used for the helmeted platoons so they are being saved for a platoon that has berets instead. Here's a pic of my Squat making mat:



You'll notice the weapons for the troops, that are either getting lengthened (plasma pistols into plasma guns) or have been shortened (lasguns) plus a couple of Cadian flamers. There are no weapons for two of the troopers as they will be controlling the heavy weapon units.

I think this project is going to take a while ...

Proper Old-School. Fantastic work!

Thanks

Here's the next update... I'm now up to 26 WIP squats with 2 actually finished:



there is all sorts going on with these:

The helmet wearing troops are a single 25 Squat platoon (the 3 with berets will be in the next one)
The specialists have been given armoured arms because their weapons get hot
The command squad will have a lieutenant, medic, flamer and two close combat troopers
The lieutenant has a power weapon made from a flamer, sprue and a Mantic hammer
The Squats in 1 and 2 squad, with no weapons will have control of the heavy weapon platform

For more information, pop along to Inso's World for the update:

http://insosworld.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/the-big-week.html

This is a great start to an army! Really looking forward to seeing some paint on them.

Yes, this is going to be awesome!

Looking forward to more!!

Superb! Definitely this project deserves a loud, BRAVO!!! Your doing a great job, the arms and green stuff work is wonderful. Looking forward to keeping tabs on this one.

Are you likely to add some bikers?

I've been thinking about what to do about bikers and the likelyhood is that I will probably go for hover-bikes... possibly a bit like these ones I made a long time ago... but a bit more updated:



I was never a fan of the 'hogs' and think that hovercraft bikes would work quite well... but it isn't an idea I am set on just yet as I need to get some troops finished first so I have plenty of time to properly decide.

Hah, no worries. I was wondering as I have ten bikers I am going to offer up for sale or trade soon in the Swap Shop.

Your whole force is awesome. I love Squats, but have to many other army projects already that have barely started, so want to get rid of my bikers.

Wish I had your sculpting skills.

Thanks for the thought .

It's a shame you are relinquishing command of your Squats though :( ... On the plus side... you should get a pretty penny for them so you will be able to swell the ranks of your existing projects

A bit of explanation and other news, can be found here:

http://insosworld.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/an-even-bigger-week.html

I've only managed a small amount of progress this week... just the turbine on the bike:



The two robots are explained on my blog:

http://insosworld.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/get-motor-running-head-out-on-highway.html

loving the squat bots

Cheers !

Here's the first one finished:



More news here:

http://insosworld.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/and-so-it-all-begins.html

You really revamped the Squats, I wasn't a fan in Rogue Trader the tri-wheeled bikes and general oddness of the figures made them look like little short fat bikers. I really like where you're going with this! The bots are great!

Thank you .

I felt that the old Squat bikes were a joke so wanted something new. Hopefully, at some point, I will be able to find larger hovercraft for the transports too.

I want to make these Squats more... realistic (I think that's what I mean).

I have finished the second servitor and one of the beret wearing Squats. I've also started sculpting an Engineseer.

All this and more can be seen at my blog:

http://insosworld.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/space-dwarfs-robots-and-award-dinners.html

Feel free to pop along and browse