Gun Servitors made from Spartan Games' Automata

[YorkNecromancer]

I recently took a punt on some of Spartan Games' Covenant of Antarctica Automata (https://shop.spartangames.co.uk/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=DLCA20). There aren't many pictures of them on line, and as you can see from the website, Spartan Games clearly aren't interested in giving their customers any clear guidance on their products. But from the little I could see, they seemed good, and the previous models that I had purchased from Spartan (the Britannian Tankette (https://shop.spartangames.co.uk/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=DLKB33) and American Treadbikes (https://shop.spartangames.co.uk/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=DLFS33)) had been great, so I figured it was worth it.

This turned out to have been, not a mistake, but certainly a disappointment.

This is how the Automata come:

http://pre15.deviantart.net/b6a8/th/pre/i/2015/096/e/a/2015_04_07_02_25_52_by_yorknecromancer-d8oqamw.jpg

and it is no exaggeration to say these are a f**king nightmare of poor design. They're made of so many parts, none of which connect easily, almost all of which connect with very small areas, and, worst of all, are so tiny, they are functionally impossible to pin.

As a result, when assembled, these models, while looking awesome:

http://pre09.deviantart.net/9947/th/pre/i/2015/096/4/8/2015_04_07_02_24_55_by_yorknecromancer-d8oqan9.jpg

Are just too fragile. I don't think I'm a bad modeller by any means - I've been making figures for years, and I have no real problem with metal ones - but damn. These two models took me nearly three hours to assemble.

Three. Hours.

That's more time than it took me to make one of these Crisis Suit conversions (http://www.lounge.belloflostsouls.net/showthread.php?52693-Crisis-Suit-Rapid-Response-Team-conversions)

So yeah, I love the models' aesthetic, but there's no way I'm going to waste time assembling them. They'll come apart in transit every time I take them anywhere, and there's no way to make that less likely to happen.

So I decided to adapt them. My Inquisition forces (http://www.lounge.belloflostsouls.net/showthread.php?52149-Inquisitorial-Henchmen-Conversions) need some heavy support, so I've cut off the waists, added a fire platform, and some Heavy Bolters, and...

http://pre04.deviantart.net/ba67/th/pre/f/2015/096/7/7/2015_04_07_02_24_10_by_yorknecromancer-d8oqao1.jpg
http://img15.deviantart.net/a22f/i/2015/096/a/9/2015_04_07_02_23_53_by_yorknecromancer-d8oqaof.jpg
http://pre07.deviantart.net/51ee/th/pre/f/2015/096/c/e/2015_04_07_02_24_24_by_yorknecromancer-d8oqanw.jpg
http://pre02.deviantart.net/6230/th/pre/i/2015/096/e/4/2015_04_07_02_24_36_by_yorknecromancer-d8oqann.jpg

So yeah. I think they look pretty spiffy. I wouldn't recommend the Automata models in their current state; they're just absurdly difficult to assemble. But they are lovely, and if they were made in resin or plastic, there wouldn't be any problem with them at all.

[Kirsten]

good idea, can't go wrong with some funky weapon servitors, especially given the current releases.

[Haighus]

The original guns look interesting too, very reminiscent of Volkite weaponry IMO. Out of interest, what are the little tracked platforms made from? I'm going to hazard a guess at Epic Land Raiders.

[YorkNecromancer]

The original guns look interesting too, very reminiscent of Volkite weaponry IMO.

I know. :(

The Automata models are just SO lovely; it's just the decision to make them out of metal, and then to make them out of so many tiny, tiny parts that's the problem. :(


Out of interest, what are the little tracked platforms made from? I'm going to hazard a guess at Epic Land Raiders.

That would be correct. :)

[Kirsten]

the tracks are a little small for my personal taste, especially with the height of the model overall, but they are a good use of the bits. might have to try making my own weapon servitors.

[YorkNecromancer]

You could use the smaller track section from a Taurox? Though that would make your Gun Servitors massive, as even the small track unit is pretty huge...

[CoffeeGrunt]

Perhaps spares from a Taruox kit would suit better, with a little plasticard? I love the conversion, just throwing ideas out here.

[Kirsten]

You could use the smaller track section from a Taurox? Though that would make your Gun Servitors massive, as even the small track unit is pretty huge...

little too large, I will make one at some point and get back to you :p

[YorkNecromancer]

Excellent. :)

[Kirsten]

it is a shame about the original metals though, they look good. nothing more irritating than spending hours on models and getting nowhere.

[YorkNecromancer]

If they were only resin, I would buy fifty and run them as AdMech thralls.

Seriously, the detail is so fine, and they're sooooooo pretty. :(

[Kirsten]

buy a few more, then go round to Spartan, and throw at the staff whilst demanding resin or plastic versions.

[Haighus]

http://www.anvilindustry.co.uk/AFTERLIFE/Republic/Republic-Taurus-Gun-Tractors
They would be a good substitute for future conversions :) Anvil would probably be happy to swap for 25mm bases if you wanted as well. The option to buy without guns for -£7.00 is a particularly nice choice IMO.

[CoffeeGrunt]

Anvil do some great sculpts as well. Got their Republic Grenadiers, great kit.

[Haighus]

I backed their latest Kickstarter- the Republic Commando's look ace! I really like the look of the Grenadiers too, so I may have to pick up a kit of them at some point. Really like the ODST look of them.

[Kirsten]

I am not so keen on the style of their whole models, but I love all the bits, especially stuff like the M88 anti materiel rifle, the ammo belts, auto guns etc.

[CoffeeGrunt]

I backed their latest Kickstarter- the Republic Commando's look ace! I really like the look of the Grenadiers too, so I may have to pick up a kit of them at some point. Really like the ODST look of them.

I can't wait for the Rail Rifle Grenadiers to come out, they'll be my Scions for a while afterwards!

[Haighus]

I had the idea of using the Republic Commando's as DKoK Engineers, and the Grenadiers as, well, DKoK Grenadiers. Could have an entire army of Carapace armoured dudes then :D
Still working on what I could use the artillery tractors for myself, I really like the models, but still haven't found a way I am happy with to include them in a 40k list.

Some of the bits are great, I agree. I really like their Regiments shotguns, and the scopes and stuff are really cool. If I ever get round to making a Space Marine Sternguard Kill-team, I'm gonna kit out their bolters with allll the bling.

[CoffeeGrunt]

I had the idea of using the Republic Commando's as DKoK Engineers, and the Grenadiers as, well, DKoK Grenadiers. Could have an entire army of Carapace armoured dudes then :D
Still working on what I could use the artillery tractors for myself, I really like the models, but still haven't found a way I am happy with to include them in a 40k list.

Some of the bits are great, I agree. I really like their Regiments shotguns, and the scopes and stuff are really cool. If I ever get round to making a Space Marine Sternguard Kill-team, I'm gonna kit out their bolters with allll the bling.

We may be hijacking York's thread a little here, but I may steal that idea for a Kill Team to go with my Chem Dogs some day. :)

I was considering using those tractors as Rapiers, but they're a bit teeny for the job. Shame that.

[Kirsten]

the artillery would be good for a high tech guard force, solar auxilia, maybe guard that are going to be mechanicum allies.

[CoffeeGrunt]

the artillery would be good for a high tech guard force, solar auxilia, maybe guard that are going to be mechanicum allies.

Hmmm, heavy weapons teams with the guns mounted on mobile tractors? I like that train of thought...

[Haighus]

Something like a guy with a remote control and a tractor on each 60mm base? That sounds like a good idea actually :)

True, we have, although we are discussing conversion ideas spawned by his excellent conversions now.

[CoffeeGrunt]

I'm genuinely pondering building some of these Weapons Teams to give my Guard some unique flair...dammit guys! I could also magnetise them...



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iabC7-9YUG4

(This represents me slipping into financial ruin as I buy yet more plastic/resin crack.) :P

[Kirsten]

always happy to help plunge people into more hobby :D

[YorkNecromancer]

We may be hijacking York's thread a little here,

Oh, it's fine.

I did a blog post about Anvil on the weekend (http://www.lounge.belloflostsouls.net/entry.php?8703-Conversion-Companies-Anvil-Industries), so yeah, I'm very familiar with their range and kind of in love with their stuff too.

My only issue with Anvil's tractors would be size; they'd be a little too big for my liking.

And why would I get them without the guns? I can use those guns for more conversions - Servitors with Rotor Cannon maybe, or possibly use them as weapons for my Epic scale Titans (which I will, eventually, one day get around to assembling. :) )


Hmmm, heavy weapons teams with the guns mounted on mobile tractors?

Something like a guy with a remote control and a tractor on each 60mm base?

Who would do such a thing...

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb183/MaltonNecromancer/Summer%202012/P8130453.jpg
http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb183/MaltonNecromancer/Summer%202012/P8130455.jpg

(Yeah, this Gun Servitor conversion? It may not be my first time at this particular rodeo. It may in fact, be a rodeo I've been attending for several years now... :) )

[Haighus]

:D Likewise
Unfortunately, actual hobbying will be on the back burner for me until late June, as Uni is going to get in the way soon :( Heading back up North later today. Will still be following Dakka, BOLS etc. as per usual, but will have less spare time this term.