This week, I've gone back to some old miniatures and given then another look. A while ago, I made some Tau with a 1950s space invader look. I returned to these guys, repainted some of them and made them some new friends.
Here is the infiltration unit, headed by their leader, the Smoking Tau. They're all conversions, using bits of human kits. Their guns and arms come from the Pathfinder kit, which is far better than the rather ropey old fire warriors. They are perfectly disguised to fit in with puny humans.
And here are some human helpers. These guys are based on the Wargames Atlantic Agents kit. The two agents with their hands clasped in front of them were made straight off the sprue. The other three use Pathfinder arms and guns. I sculpted them new little fingers where it was visible, to counter the weird three-fingered hands of the Tau. I expect these guys show up to have words with the enemies of the Tau, before the green chaps arrive.
The agent miniatures are really nice sculpts, and are very slightly cartoony - but not too much. I think they could be used for loads of purposes. I'd forgotten how difficult it is to highlight black.
And here are some fire warriors. They were made with the really old models, which are basically awful. Their helmets were scraped ans sanded smooth, and then large "eyes" were added for an old-fashioned little green man look. The shoulder pads were left off, to make them sleeker. I think they work pretty well now, despite the ropey sculpts.
More next time - of what, I'm not sure. Keep watching the skies.
I really like the idea to use Tau as classic aliens - little green men with the suits making up the greys. I could see them coming down with a War of the Worlds tripod (maybe made from a Canoptek Doomstalker?) or a flying saucer (the Tidewall Droneport would work perfectly!).
ReplyDeleteThanks - I guess the Tau are meant to be vaguely anime/Japanese in look, but they remind me of retro aliens. I've got a little tripod saucer-thing to act as a drone, but a Tidewall Droneport would be so cool. Unfortunately they're not cheap, so I may end up using a flower pot!
DeleteThese are great! Tau spies sneaking into society!
ReplyDeleteI believe that the newer Fire warrior box came out after the plastic pathfinders, so they should be "better" in terms of sculpts. (and I think they have pistols on the sprue too)
Cheers! Yes, I think the second wave of Tau were much better than the first. The sculpting is much neater. I'll look out for bits on ebay.
DeleteHahaha, I love them! Oh, you made my day :D
ReplyDeleteCheers!
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