Kroot Eldar Pirates Works in Progress

The Kroot are undeniably the main strength of the Tau Empire. They are the sharp knife, the lightning attack, the brutal edge when any world is unable or unwilling to see the benefit of the Greater Good.
But the Kroot not only serve the Tau, they are mercenaries for many a master. One such master, according to the Tau Empire Codex are Eldar pirates.
This sparked my mind into thinking; what they would look like, how would they fight, would their equipment be different?
The idea of Kroot boarding a vessel in search for plunder and the bloodbath that would ensue seemed so interesting and different from the disciplined way they would be encouraged to behave in Tau forces...

Kroot conversion Theory

Before I get into the individual models, you will notice I did quite a bit of converting to make them seems just a bit different to the Kroot in Tau service. These Kroot have been living with Eldar, fighting Eldar enemies, including one would think Tau, and in turn getting some plunder most Kroot would not generally have.
One of the first ideas I had was to shorten the normal Kroot rifle for boarding actions. The look reminds me of some of the WWII Russian submachine guns and is present on all the Kroot Eldar pirates.

The other main piece of conversion was the use of Imperial Guard/ Planetary Defence Force armour. The likelihood that the Kroot in Eldar service would come across these adversaries is pretty high - so why not use their armour? There are also bits of Dark Eldar armour and weapons present as well.

The Captain and his Crew

I wanted the Captain (loosely termed of course - I mean they would likely have an Eldar handler in charge) to have the stereotypical pirate features, almost as a bit of a joke.
From the eye patch to the Dark Elf sword in the thick low slung belt - this guy was always going to be over the top!

Here you can see the Dark Eldar tabbard and belt made from Green Stuff. I made the buckle out of a thin piece of wire - it'll work better with a touch of paint! I'm actually really happy with how the tabbard worked out. It's just cut straight from the Dark Eldar model (the same one who sacrificed both legs and his arse for the other models!) and then trimmed into place - the low slung belt hiding the sinful join.

I figured having him holding the knife as if hunting for crew hiding from the boarding party would make him seem more menacing. I like how the Dark Elf sword is actually too big and is just stuffed in the belt. Highly impractical, but it's loot and Kroot love loot!
You'll notice the Captain wears Imperial Guard/ Planetary Defence Force armour loosely draped over his head - more loot, but somewhat more practical.
He also wears a Dark Eldar shin and knee armour piece. This crew have see their share of action!

I saw his guy as backing up his Captain as they skulk from room to room looking for loot, or maybe watching over prisoners being round up by the Eldar Pirates.

This guy lacks the pilfered armour, but has a healthy stash of Dark Eldar close combat gear around his waist and the head of some adversary he particularly liked/ hated.
He also has some repurposed goggles, adding to the Steampunk vibe, on the top of his head... it's doubtful they would even fit his eyes! 
Initially I was going to use the brilliant Victoria Miniatures Goggles and Gas Mask Set, but decided on my own simple version. 
I see this Kroot as younger and without much loot yet, the goggles and Dark Eldar dagger being his most prized possessions.

... and now to this guy - hands down my favourite so far...

This was the first Kroot Eldar pirate I built and everything I experimented on with the look ended up on him; the Imperial Guard/ Planetary Defence Force armour, the loot bag, the Dark Eldar shin and knee armour and the shortened Kroot rifle.
I can imagine his skulking through the corridors of a boarded vessel, or watching over prisoners cowering in the bridge, or maybe just walking through the breached hull - calm as can be, ready to kill, loot and plunder any and all who stand in his way! 

There's just so much character in this one guy - he fills me with inspiration and was the first one to get painted... stay tuned for that..

This is my first experience painting and modelling Kroot, and it's not just any dirty Tau-loving Kroot - these guys are experienced fighters, mercenaries who have fought with honour in wars and now fight for loot in the service of the Eldar pirate fleets.

It's safe to say I love pretty much everything about these Kroot models - apart from the limited poses (can we have some better multi-part Kroot please?)  but don't expect these to look like the normal dust-dwellers you so often see.
These guys have traversed the stars... and fed on it's meat!