Serendipitous Skittari

[madd0ct0r]

Welcome to my new log for the serendipitous skittari!

You know those armies you didn't even mean to start?

A little while ago, I got involved in the Warseer Varyngr Project.

Basically a full reworking of the Squat concept, mostly guided off the dwarven archetype; sensible application of technology and a good helping of Tyranids.

It branched out into WIP codices and an active modelling and artwork group.

I was bitten and, following my wallet, invested in a box of Victrix Napoleonics which I intended to cut down to dwarf proportions.

I did. the work up to this point can be seen here but they are no longer to become Varyngr neo-Squats or even Halflings-in-Space.

This evening, with a little fiddling around, I found i only needed to buy 6 more models to complete a 1000pt tech-guard force!

(the varyngr I have plans for. It involves the Space Marine Scout Statline, some pepper grinders, a hacksaw and a google search for Chibi marines.)

[madd0ct0r]

Basic Skittari before leg shortening operation.



(since they start off in 28mm truescale, it just brings them into the short end of heroic, not actually dwarfy)

To give you an idea of post operation proportions:



and the 'varyngr' before paint. They all need gun upgrades now.


Paint Scheme will be browns, yellows, reds and tans. in that order.
(Robes the colour of Mars would be more traditional, but work with what you've got. I intend for them to blend well with other AM forces)



COGs of the Elctro cult (mockup):

[madd0ct0r]

ok. And finally for tonight, the intended army list:

Company Command Squad: Officer of fleet, vox, mortar, banner.

2x Ogryn squads (3 man)

Rough riders (5 man, with meltabombs and lances)

Penal Legion ( Zealots?)

2x Veteran Squads (Autocannon, vox, one with a grenade launcher)

2x Deathstrike Missile launchers (heh heh heh)

it still feels lacking rather in bite, but should certainly play differently to a standard guard list.

[nagebenfro]

Sounds promising. I liked the Varyngr, looking forward to seeing your tech guard!

[madd0ct0r]

bugger. I've never updated this have I?

pics later:

Trial paint schmes:

final paint scheme:

and there's both heavy support and fast attack currently in progress

[madd0ct0r]

Trial paint scheme.




But it feels a little to napoleonic to me

so:




Obviously there's a lot more detail that needs picking out, this was just a quick wash.

I quite like the split between the sulphur deserts of their homeworld and the deep red of holy mars.

[nagebenfro]

I think it's the hats that make it feel napeolonic- I don't know what the kit is like, but perhaps a head swap or extra webbing from the cadian sprue would help give it more of a 40k feel.

[Ironmonger]

... Interesting take on the forces of the Martian Priesthood...

FYI: your taste in movies rocks.

[madd0ct0r]

I think it's the hats that make it feel napeolonic-

The kit is Victrix Napoleonics (Peninsular Brits).

I've had that comment about the hats so many times, I'm starting to wonder if I should listen.


I like the faces of the kit a lot. They're very expressive and well detailed, it's just they come attached to a rather large piece of headgear.


The sheer impractically and archaic look I think works with the Admech. Perhaps more metallics, webbing and scifi accoutrements will help.


The hats can be reomved, either being filed back and the head rebuilt to give a skinhead, or simply clipped off to give a Flat Cap (as seen in the pic above the movie selection)


That plus the jerry rigged pulse-rifles would fit with a Skittari equivilent of the chem-dogs, so I am tempted.


oh, and Ironmonger, with the exception of Dead Poets and the 13th warrior, I'm happy to watch any of those again.

[nagebenfro]

The vitrix look like good models - I'm considering the new grenadiers to work as conscripts for my vostroyans. (they have fuzzy hats) Possibly one of the other vitrix models with different hats could work? the box sets are cheap enough, considering how many soldiers you get in them. Oddly enough, I felt the napoleonic hats worked for the dwarves - not sure why though.

[madd0ct0r]

possibly the chaos dwarves are subtly influencing you...

built a couple of jet turbines yesterday, so now considering some sort of Admech flyer. A Valkyrie/Vendetta would be the obvious choice, but not sure how close to the original model i want to build.

It's the classic Ad-Mech dilema. They provide the imperium with tanks and revere the STC, so anything that's not is theorectically off limits.
On the other hand, there are many more STC's in existence then use. If a design is considered powerful, but too difficult to maintain / repair/ placate it wouldn't be on general issue.

But a Skittari legion or Explorator fleet may have all sorts of toys. Looks like I don't have to turn to the Dark Mechanicus yet.

still searching for a good theme to tie everything together though. I need a story to model to.

[madd0ct0r]

Story has been found.

Ideas have fermented

currently thinking I need to build an Ad-Mech Vendetta, A Knight Vanquisher and an Ordinatus Minorus (3 basilisk squadron).

Could I be avoiding painting the troops?

these links may prove useful for somebody who stumbles across this thread later:

http://www.stardestroyer.net/Empire/...Artillery.html

http://dscriber.com/denver/961-us-ar...-meets-reality

http://www.mcdonaldsoftware.com/imag...illeryTank.jpg

http://en.rian.ru/photolents/20100629/159627310_6.html

http://www.games-workshop.com/MEDIA_...ven%27s_Gate_3

http://www.cold-moon.com/40k/Miniatu...usMinoris1.JPG

It will be a big, semi-self-propelled gun, on a large carriage with a tow.

it will NOT look like this


because I think the old EPIC models look a tad unsteady.

first WIP photo in two days. probably

also. Epic knights

[madd0ct0r]

Still working on the Ordinatus Pusillius.

Need to find a good way to mount the gun(s)



plenty of gubbins and flywheels. very admech, and means I don't have to worry so much about the joint detailing itself.



ooooh it's nice. Note the large diagonal pistons for elevation control



same pistons reappeaer here.

and again:



while this has nice crew acesss detailing:



I have also painted some infantry. pics later.(as always)

[madd0ct0r]

needs a lot more work for detailing, but the basics are there.

Hat removal will commence tomorrow. sob.

Had pics of the Ordinatus, but things have moved on so much since I'll wait until it's primed.

[madd0ct0r]

or i won't.

having a crisis of confidence regarding gun size.



is this riduculous even for 40k?



any better? or should I just go for something smaller?

Was also considering an energy beamer type attachment, but that doesn't symbolise 3 large blast templates to me - more of a Titan Killer Macro Weapon.

[Nomrana Est]

I'd say something smaller, diameter wise, as it just doesn't look quite right in proportion to the gun's chassis. Length wise, it's pretty much spot on for a self-propelled gun.

Just my two pennies though.

[madd0ct0r]

that marries my thoughts.

have switched to a smaller barrell type and made it shorter too.

because it now fires rockets! back to hacksawing.

[Brother Alexos]

That's a bit ridiculus for a gun. I think you should take off some on the diameter of it for one, and try and put something one the rear of the vehicle pulling it, it would balance out the model.

[madd0ct0r]

Ordinatus rumbles on.

Front unit is to be dismantled, and a normal chimera used.

I didn't like the way it was getting bigger then the gun platform, and when I found a 2nd wall-e toy, well, now those tracks are to be donated to my sisters.



ironic, since it was those tracks that started me off on building an Ordinatus to start with.

The rocket assembly is assembled, just needs detailing. Lots of flywheels, rivets, cables and insignia I think.

Possibly damage markers down each barrel, if I can find a good way of representing it.

[madd0ct0r]

Painted some men:
They don't look quite that muddy in real life, although some highlighting is probably called for.



Trimmed the hats (at bloody last. only took 6 months of nerving myself up)



Ordinatus rumbles on. Rockets are now modular using lego.
Loadsa detailing still to go.



alternative weapon for Ordinatus. I actually prefer it, but it won't be as convenient for proxying and weapon destroyed reuslts. Might just keep it for apocalypse where a Titan Killer ZZap gun is useful.





I've also started roughing out the Knight titan:



FEAR ME, FOR I HAVE NO KNEES!