Squats Fly Again: Hungry Ghosts Take to the Skies

From searching the murky depths of the galaxy...well, from our eBay alert for "space dwarfs"...we find more evidence that Squats once flew through the air like, um, like GW had left over hover boards from their Judge Dredd range.

There they are, hovering mightily behind the mass of infantry from the Space Dwarfs box, who have had some fun with the Orks box judging from their weapons and other goodies.

They truly hearken back to the age of deodorant canister orbital landing craft. We've got some popsicle sticks glued atop what I'm going to guess are chic Capri Sun bendy straws. Or Tootsie Pop sticks. Drilled with a delightful lack of regard for what becomes of the excess bits of plastic. And one is painted silver!

Hungry Ghosts must divert to a recurring puzzle: what the hell is going on with that paint? We'll do some boots here, some visors too. Let's not forget to use all the primary colors. Pick them with our eyes closed, that'll be fun. Somewhere Art is crying.

And here is the original illustration, hover board whizzing above the fray, making one wonder what the drawing looked like before being cropped to fit into the book, or magazine, I forget.

The Legios Moriad XIV has its own experimental air force of devious intent and malicious construction. Their mechano-tentacles know no boundaries.

Our program is overseen by Hungry Ghosts Dark Adeptus Mechanicus Wyrm Vulkaan. DAM Vulkaan has been working with his own personal flight system as well as guiding the general research and development program.

With the loyal assistance of some early prototype air crew. (Which are a Scrunt Hover Craft Pilot from Olley's Armies and a hybrid Paranoia Robot torso with Epic Eldar Nightwing fusilage.)

Below, we can see that the anti-grav propulsive systems have matured from light to heavy load bearing to ferry about the tools and parts as needed for experimental purposes. (assorted plastic bits and Dwarf Master Engineer with Handgun Backpack)

In the back, we can see the most ancient of the Squats' experiments in aerial activity, the Iron Claw Cloud Car. The technology of the time limited the propulsion system to pilots of Beardling age. Unfortunately, Beardlings are not the most cooperative of workers, having the stubbornness of Fully Bearded Dwarf Warriors but the teamwork capacity of an Eldar Ranger. Their small size has led some to confuse the pilot of this model with a Halfling, which only makes them more likely to zip off in a pout.

Here we can see another early test subject, developing a lightweight and speedy system that unfortunately demanded that the test subject have the lower half of his body replaced for the sake of science. (Scrunt Vehicle Driver on Tau Shield Drone bottom part with the rest of the Epic Eldar Nightwing as a directional guidance system (ok, it's a fancy rudder).)

And the Beardling Cloud Car has already reversed trajectory. How do we reach these kids?

Also a very experimental Bloodletter-Tyranid Gargoyle hybrid. Sometimes (=always) the Ad Mech works under the influence of substances. 

Plus he's evil.

 We have found that an early commitment to the program provides an excellent motivation for success. You do have to be careful about how insistent you are, and to whom you are insisting.

Our half-a-Scrunt utilizes one of the early Rogue Trader Space Dwarf Jump Packs. These were only produced for a short time, and only for 3 Space Dwarfs - Gatt Gunslinger, Roth Bergmann, and Owen Garand (in the picture). Garand and Gunslinger were modified to have a small leather/cloth type backpack in place of the peg for the jump pack at some point in the late 1980s, Bergmann just disappeared from production forever.

Of course, the aerial program that is the most advanced is a giant sized version of the old Space Dwarf Jump Pack. The Hungry Ghosts have assembled a team of Squats without acrophobia, equipped with intricate personally designed power armor, with a monster jet pack attached (from Chapterhouse).  They are similar to those used by Space Marines of various colors, but systems with the power to launch a mutant giant clone humanoid across a battlefield can send a sturdy Squat so much further.

The Hungry Ghosts have contracted the services of an outside consultant to advise the Skagerrak Skallen Fangsters Aerial Assault Squadron on the art of flight dynamics and the all-important landing-without-dying.

Half Daemon, Half Dragon, Half Machine (you can do that if you exist in multiple dimensions simultaneously).

Known only as The Drakoniak, payments must be made in blood or oil, but isn't that always the way? There are whispers of a world called Krymn, or Krull, Kakrakkis? but rumors are for the Elves.

(We have, in plastic, a Chaos Space Marine Torso, Imperial Space Marine lower body and left leg, Tomb Kings Chariot Driver Tabard, Dwarf Regiment Dragon Head, Rogue Trader Eldar Melta Gun with SM Scope, Saurus Left Arm, Right Leg from Epic Knight Paladin with a bit of its gun arm added to the Melta Gun (the Epic Knight Paladin is the Skeletal Horse of the Epic range), and metal Dark Eldar Scourge Wings, Pink Horror Tail, Necromunda Pit Slave Shears Arm, 2 CSM Shoulder Pads).

Here's our Skagerrak Captain Kytzia Anaya, from the Heartbreaker Miniatures range of evil Dwarfs (not sure exactly what they are called). He is quite an impressive fellow without any modifications, and his relatively large stature seems earned, as well as kept in proportion with his head and limbs unlike certain other company's ever-embiggening Dwarfs that are half head and no legs.

He is joined by another Skallen Fangster with a very nice skull head. Other than the Captain, the Skagerrak's are a series of Chaos Dwarfs called Ewal Dvergar, available from a fellow named Clam in Denmark.

A few more Ewal Dvergar in view. They are single piece bodies with separate heads. They also come with various axes and such and simple shields, which are unnecessary in the Grim Dark Grim Darkness of the 41st Millenium.

Here is how they fit in with the old size Squats (Iron Claw here) and Chaos Dwarfs - the Marauder line is the type they were intended to fit with. They were a special commission for Clam, sculpted by John Pickford, a noble influence upon the world of miniatures, dwarfs especially.

Another look. Aside from the close-combat warriors, there are also some grenadiers, one is on the left. He also has a few champion models available. The one I have is the fellow holding the hammer in some of the pictures.

Overall, there are 2 sets of 8 close-combat warriors (only the first is seen here), 2 sets of 3 Grenadiers, one out of stock until February, and 3 Champions. There are 10 heads in each set of 8 Warriors to go with 4 body variants.

These are nice miniatures, but are not intended to be an ongoing commercial venture for profit. So if you want some, you should act soon. Here's the website: http://claminiatures.blogspot.dk/p/how-to-get-some.html

And here's the Legios Moriad XIV Experimental Atmospheric Combat Division all together. The Legmor Exatcodiv, if you are an enthusiast of Soviet-style contractonyms.

And here we can spy in the background an ultra-secret prototype jet bike. It is rumored to be derived from ancient Slann technology. But, of course, they don't exist. 

And neither do Squats.

Squats in Citadel Flyers: Historia Squataticus Appendix 2

The Saga of the Squats continues. This volume concerns Squats in Citadel Miniatures Flyers, of which there are not too many, since the Citadel Flyers were published in the mid to late 1980s for the most part, and Squats did not appear until 1987.

If a flyer is not included here, it means that I don't have it, and The Stuff of Legends doesn't have it either. All prices in this posting are in GBP unless otherwise noted.

1980s Flyers

1982-1984 Citadel Flyers – None

Early 1985 Citadel Miniatures Flyer 1 page – None

1985 Goblin Battle Chariots 1985 – None

1985 Machineries of Destruction – No Squats

But it does include the rare and awesome Giant Chaos Battering Ram for 24.50, Mainframe 3.00, Support 3.50 (2 included), Side Plate C, D, and M 60p (included 1 of Plate C and M, and 6 of Plate D), Dragon's Head Ram 2.50, Ram Joist and Beam 60p (1 Joist, 2 Beams), Cyborg Troll (1.25), Troll Wheel 40p (2), Driver 80p, Slave 60p, Wheel 80p (4)

And also includes the rare and awesome Chronicle Chaos Cannon for 9.95, Gun Platform 4.00, Left Side, Right Side 1.50 each, Commander, Loader, and Gunner 60p each (Loader and Gunner same as Petard Mortar), Gun 2.00, Cannon Balls 50p (noted as Unreleased despite the obvious).

And the Mighty Dwarf Steam Cannon

1985 Citadel Flyers May, June, July, August, September, October, November - None

1985 Blood-Bath at Orc's Drift, Lord of the Rings – None

1986 Citadel Flyers New Year, Spring 1, Spring 2, April, May, June, July, August - None

1987 Thank You Mr President – RT03 Space Dwarfs 5 for 2.50

The RT03 Space Dwarfs

1987 Dragons – DS9 Dwarf Dragonslayer for 1.50

Dwarf Treasure Hunter as part of DRAG3 Green Dragon set for 5.95

1987 New Releases, undated light green – None

1987 Summer New Releases – None, but here's some Chaos Dwarf Heavy Weapons Troopers.

1987 Warhammer 40,000 1 pg sheet with US Mail Order Instructions – early ad mentions only RTB01 Marines 30 pack and Space Ork Raiders set of 17 in addition to Rogue Trader Rule Book (14.95 Hard Cover)

1987 Warhammer 40,000 Rogue Trader Part 1 – RT9 Squat Heavy Weapons, both Gunners, Loaders, and Commanders, with names, shows Heavy Plasma Gun, Heavy Bolter v1, Grenade Launcher v1; 2.50 for Gunner, Loader, Commander, and Weapon

RT7 Mercenaries Irn Bonce the Squat, 5 for 2.50 and Iron Claw Squat Hovercar 1.10 (Roborg too)

RT302 Squats Command Group, all 12 with names, probably 3 for 2.50

RT03 Space Dwarves, all 20 with names, 5 for 2.50

Plus the rare Warhammer 40,000 First Releases

1987 Warhammer 40,000 Rogue Trader Part 2 – 28 of 32 Iron Claw IC501 Space Dwarfs (missing 7, 24, 25, 29, 5 for 2.50). Also Robo-Dog!

Surprise! Dominators! Good luck finding these monstrosities.

1987 Warhammer 40,000 Rogue Trader Part 3 – RT304 Squat Thudd Gun, 3.50 (Rapier v1 too)

RT601 Adventurers Squat Miner and Engineer, 5 for 2.50

1987 October New Releases – None but Gob-Lobber Cook and Roast available as part of set for 9.99. And Slocombe's Warbots.

1987 Winter New Releases – RT9 Squat Heavy Weapons – Gunner Karl & Keif, Loader Grigg & Powl, Capt. Khyrk and Sgt Bylcow and Heavy Plasma Gun, big Grenade Launcher, and 1^st Heavy Bolter, 2.50 for Commander, Loader, Gunner and Weapon, 20p for extra Heavy Weapon.

We already saw these Squats, so here are the legendary Space Slann and Zoats as well.

Did you know that, despite their giant size and heavy weaponry, "Zoats were created as investigators, their main role being to understand and communicate with creatures outside the hive mind, assessing their value. Zoats are capable of assimilating information about languages and psychology with stunning speed, making rapid and accurate leaps in their comprehension of alien creatures. Due to this innate capability of understanding the subtlest nuances of facial and body language, Zoats are remarkably charismatic and enigmatic creatures who are able to convey more meaning in a look or gesture than a native can manage in a sentence"?

Neither did I. Could you read that without laughing? Neither could I. From White Dwarf 145, page 43. These guys. Charismatic. Can communicate with Ents with a gesture or a look.

RT7 Mercenaries including Irn-Bonce the Squat, 2.50 for 5

Iron Claw Squat Hovercar, 1.10, this time with the highly desireable Dwarf Booze Brothers, 2.50

1987 Citadel's Latest Releases – None

1988 March New Releases – None

1988 June New Releases – both Squat Medics, 2.50 for 3; flyer also includes 40K Heavy Weapons for 50p each - Multi-melta, 1^st Las-Cannon, Heavy Plasma Gun, big Grenade Launcher, Conversion Beamer, and Heavy Bolter

Iron Claw Miniatures (color 1 page) no Squats, but 13 Gothic Dwarfs (IC101 2.50 for 5)

Introduction to Games Workshop – Unclear date, has copyrights dated 1988, 1989, 1991 but also refers to items as to be released in 1989, and items that were never released, such as a Epic-style WFB system; 24 Color Pages including covers.

Page 7 shows the Space Dwarfs and Devastators box sets, the cover of White Dwarf 111, the Squats blister pack card, and a painted plastic Squat with Heavy Bolter.

Page 19 promises to-be-released Epic Space Marine “Juggernauts and Zeppelins – two huge war machines that dwarf even the mighty Titans. Juggernauts are vast mobile fortresses, bristling with weapons; Zeppelins are great airships that float above the battlefield, dealing death to anything that dares approach them.” Which sounds like Squats Army vehicles.

1990s Flyers/Posters

1997 GorkaMorka – No Squats (2-sided black & white fold-out poster style flyer, there is also a one-page green flyer for US)

1998 Games Workshop Products - No Squats (2-sided black & white large fold-out poster flyer, shows most of existing product line, Sci-Fi one side, Fantasy other side)

1999 Games Workshop Products - No Squats (2-sided color large fold-out poster flyer, shows most of existing product line, Sci-Fi one side, Fantasy other side)

1999 Dark Eldar Arena of Blood – No Squats (1-sided color large fold-out poster and game mat)

2000s Flyers/Posters

2000 Battle for Armageddon – No Squats, but Ghazghkull knows where they are (1-sided color large fold-out poster campaign map)

2001 Inquisitor Release / North and South America Retailers – No Squats (2-sided color large fold-out poster flyer, came with White Dwarf 257)

2003 Eye of Terror - No Squats (1-sided color large fold-out poster flyer.) Black Monoliths on Cadia? Really GW? Hav'st thou no imagination? Hungry Ghosts just watched 2001, 2010, and Starship Troopers again. In the early days, we can forgive your borrowing. But Tyranids just keep looking more and more like a certain Mr. Heinlein's bugs.

2006 Dark Crusade – No Squats (2-sided color large fold-out poster of Special Character Conversions from US Games Workshop stores. Very nice minis.)

2007 Call to Arms Collector Card Program / Dark Angels Codex - No Squats (2-sided color large fold-out poster flyer)

There have also been plenty of Warhammer Fantasy Battle posters and inserts that are unsurprisingly Squats-free.

Iron Claw Squats 40K Special Weapon Squad Part 3

Now for the last two Iron Claws Special Weapons Troopers, Gavos (also known as IC 23) on the far right, and the Squat known as IC 24 Plasma Gunner in the center.

Here is a picture of the advertisement for the complete set of 32 Iron Claw Squats from White Dwarf 100. As the text box at the top says, the Squats are "renowned for their ferocity, courage, and hardiness" in spite of Imperial oppression. They are also "Easily the most numerous of the abhuman races [and] clans and individuals may be found throughout the galaxy." Doesn't sound like a race easily exterminated by Tyranids or anyone else.

The Iron Claws Special Trooper Chewri Crrot with his Plasma Gun. He is another very compact miniature, but size means little when a bolt of plasma is headed your way. And Tpr Crrot is wisely wearing protective eye-gear to shield himself from the white-hot glare.

Special Trooper Crrot as seen from the Terminator's vantage point. Chewri's allegiance to the Moriad XIV force is displayed on his helmet. This lettering and similar markings on the other Squats using a .20 mm Sakura Micron pen rather than paint.

Spc Crrot's size allows him to take cover snugly behind the severed arm of an Imperial Fists Terminator Marine. The arm is from the Black Reach-type Terminator that came free with one of the White Dwarf issues a while ago. I have added assorted battle-damage, some bullet holes, and most obviously most of a Space Marine Power Axe from the 1990s plastic assault weapons sprues.

Last for the Iron Claws squad is Trooper Gavos Belochrobathes, another Squat Warrior with a mysterious gun that counts as a Lasgun for dice-rolling purposes. Tpr Belochrobathes is standing behind the left leg of the same Womble Space Marine whose right leg is on Tpr Szlezen's base.

Tpr Belochrobathes has experienced some serious head trauma, as shown by his golden head that matches his golden gun. As the Squat Docs say, if beer don't fix it, gold will. Gavos also has a rather puffy shirt. Good thing he is a pirate. That's a battered helmet on his base, a little reminder of Gavos's head injurious past, from the ever-bountiful Skeletal Army sprues. A most magnificent Fountain of Death, those sprues are.

Another picture of Gavos, Chewri, and Chorby cavorting with the Flesh Hounds. The Iron Claws troopers' funky names are derived from your author's delvings in search of the perhaps mythical land of White Croatia.

Finally, another brief trip back in time to the sprawling mass of creativity spawned in the early Rogue Trader days, slowly whipped into coherent armies over the early 1990s. From the Winter 1987 New Releases flyer. Space Slann, Space Zoats, and Jetcycles for all!