Tau Auxiliary, The Naga
Several years ago, as part of my article for Australian White Dwarf 313, I created the Naga Auxiliary. The final publication would also end up in Canadian Issue 1, French and German GW Websites. Suffice to say, the Naga have been my most popular modelling project.
Here I showcase the whole project I put together years ago.
The Naga Models
Back in 2003 I modelled this alien NPC for a lark from spare parts – but it sparked off an idea.
I knew it should involve the (at the time) new Lizardman plastics. So I began experimenting with heads, weapons and positions, even helmets. I used Space Marine torso with Imperial Guard shoulders and weapons. Even an Ork blaster muzzle. The arms were kroot with sculpted hands.
I wasn’t quite satisfied, so I pushed further and began modding the head itself..
I really liked the last iteration and worked toward that, though the gun had to change. So I modded a Kroot rifle and doubled up a pulse carbine, creating a ‘Pulse Blaster’ nearly a decade before GW made Pulse Blasters for 2015 Breachers. My thinking background wise was a close range weapon that made up for the average Naga’s limited aiming ability.
The torso underwent some modification to add sweep design that matched the flow of the Lizardman form. So I fused on a Targeter casing and vents from Space Marine backpacks to flesh out the design. I even bored a hole in the front and embedded a tau ‘cog’.
With the weapon and the model sculpted I actually cast up these templates and crafted the entire squad. The Kroot rifles allowed me to use the stock hand, though I sculpted on the left hand.
From here it was a matter of painting. Though I realised the heads needed a helm of some kind. I eventually settled on a vane, that sheathed and protected a cranial fan (think Water Dragon lizard) that flared as a warning and intimidation reaction. The first paint scheme was rushed for the article at the time.
About a year later I readressed the scheme into something more realistic, with leathery tones and even underbelly shading..
Even still, this wasn’t finished. I experimented and eventually settled on flecks and spots about the spinal area to complete the overall look. After a year since I began making them, I had settled on the Naga’la and they became a permanent auxiliary to my Tau Cadre.
They look smashing fella, really love the combo of models, but your modelling really finished them off well. Very impressive.
Ok i need to know each part of this model and where you got it from
Please if anyone knows give me directions
Hi Nicky, fair conversion – I used Lizardman Saurus body, 6th Edition Saurus head, spacemarine torso with a tau battlesuit accessory to make the back spine. Arms are kroot, with the blasters being two carbine combine together to give it the thickness. Green stuff work on the head, hands and carbine. I’ll look up my wip photos and email you 🙂
I absolutely adore these conversion as the person above and I would also love to get my hands on the wip-pictures if possible! Kind regards Fredrik
Sure thing Frerik – thank you! 🙂 I’ll send them to the email address of your comment 😀
Love these models and the how the developmental process was shared. I actually like the original design better though. The heavy, boxier feel of the weapons and armour. The idea that the Tau would issue these guys with charged pulse rounds like they do the Kroot rather than Tau standard weaponry. Maybe issue a couple of those as special weapons options. The Tau ones just look too light-weight for a critter that looks like it was built for close quarter combat.
And your she’ashi and human auxiliaries in some of your other posts! This is what GW has failed to capitalise on for years: the creativity of the hobby, to build things in that rich background literature. Real shame there’s not some decent rules for upgrading IG units, and using them as a pure or allied mercenaries options in other forces.
Would really like to see some Hrud-Skaven conversions added to these, and Demiurg when the new Squats are released. Love your work.
Hi James, thanks for the kind words! Fair critique 😀 My rationale was moving away from fairly obvious lasgun mods and space marine torsos to something obviously Tau. So enamored with my creation, did think of the Tau being reticent to hand out pulse shotguns essentially. In game they counted as Kroot though! 😀
Shea’shi were my favourite, and I agree – GW dropped the ball on having a federation of one off aliens (and a way of testing the reactions to new ideas). I Have seen some clever tau’afied skaven models about the internet. Thanks again! 😀
Brilliant.
Brilliant work.
Thank you very much 🙂
they are tarellians
A fair description – and easily used as such, for me though – Space Slann wannabes haha.