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Hi everyone. I've been a 40k fan since 1987 and have normally stuck with modelling Space Marines ( I have also dabbled with Catachans and the Deathwatch as well). The closest I've been to Chaos models were the Chaos Space Marines and cultists from the Dark Vengeance box set. I have always used them as dead heretics on bases ..... and I also made a large diorama..... But normally, any chaos models I have made are dead! I read all of the Commissar Gaunt and Cain books over the lock downs and with the release of the Traitor Guardsmen models from the Blackstone Fortress expansion, my creative juices started flowing - it got me interested in starting a Chaos Traitor Guard and Cultist army. There have been rumours recently about Squats returning to the 40k universe and having bought a few of the plastic Space Dwarves when they were released in the early 1990's, I managed to locate them recently and realised how small they were compared to current models. As I was planning on making as many Chaos Traitor Guardsmen as I could from as many of the well known Imperial Guard regiments, I thought I would try and make some Chaos Squats. I give you my first Chaos Squat. Apologies for the dust on the photo's, I was so excited to show these models that I hadn't quite finished them. The body is made from a Kharadron Overlord with all of it's stomach and neck armour removed. I then used milliput to model the flak jacket and when it was nearly dry, I used a sharp, wet scalpel to cut the distinctive diamond design. Thin strips of plasticard were used to make his harness webbing. I used more milliput to make the knee guards and made a mould to use for future Squats. I thought Catachan arms would look great on Squats, so I chose the Bolter from the Catachan Command Squad (with a chain blade from a Horus Heresy kit I had in my bits box) and the left arm from a Catachan squaddie, alongside the knife. I made a mould from an original plastic Squat helmet. Once the milliput was set, I then added the pulled down visor for a cool effect. I added some spare bolter magazines from Horus Heresy kits I had alongside some grenades and pack from some scouts. I used a mould of the Chaos star from one of the cultist models and added it to the belt. Shoulder pads were made from moulds of Valkyrie gunners and then had plastic spikes added from Chaos Marauder flails. I also added spikes to the top of his boots as well. I added a plastic Catachan knife sheath to his left side ... and a moulded las pistol to the right. You can also see I added a Horus Heresy sword/knife diagonally down his back. For comparison purposes, the Squat is shown next to a Chaos Traitor Guard I've also made using a FW renegade torso, Cadian legs and shoulder pads, Catachan arms and boots moulded from the Blackstone Fortress Traitor Guard. I've loved making these models and have already made a start on many more. I promise to update as often as I can, but please ask if you have any questions. Till next time

It only just hit me earlier that this year will be my 30th in the hobby, so I thought it would be a good time to start a new project (yes another one), instead of just 'starting another army' I thought I should do something different to mark the occasion. After some head scratching and beard chewing I have decided to go back to my roots and do a first edition army log. My aim is to build two forces using the original army lists with some RT era terrain for them to fight over, eventually leading to some old school batreps to mark the completion of the project. For the forces in question I have decided to do something we dont see much of every day... SQUATS!!! and MOAR SQUATS!!! Well technically Squats and Khornate Chaos Squats with a smidgeon of World Eaters thrown in as allies. Eventually Ill add in some Tzeentch Squats and some Legion of the Damned as well (dont worry, they will all be in Mk6 armour for that nostalgic vibe). Decided for the bulk of the forces I will use the Wargames Atlantic Einherjar, heavy weapons teams will use the Wargames Atlantic Grognard weapons with Einherjar crewmembers. World Eaters I already have ready to be painted and the LotD will be using the FW Mk6 kit. All scenery will be made out of any old gubbins and doodads I find laying about the house, as was the way back in the Dark Age of Technology. For the moment I will build the forces to 2000 points to start off with to get the bare minimum needed for legal armies done, then I will start adding in more juicy things. Currently flipping between multiple books trying to work out the armies in advance, I think I can squeeze 2k of Squats out of a full box and 4 additional sprues of Einherjar, an actual army for under £40 pleases me greatly, Ill be ordering a couple of sprues at the weekend to build my Warlord and Hearthguard squad, the spare mini will be the basis of my Khorne Squat Lord...