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Miniatures Adventure => Future Wars => Topic started by: scotty on October 22, 2024, 09:31:17 PM

Title: Battletech Project (updated 25.11.24)
Post by: scotty on October 22, 2024, 09:31:17 PM
So after picking up the Alpha Strike boxed set I set out on yet another side project. These are the first 4 mechs from the Dragons fury regiment in the Draconis combine. I liked the look of the red and grey colour scheme. So left to right you have the Warhammer, Rifleman, Pheonix Hawk and wasp. I need to re do the head on the Warhammer as I made  an error on the canopy.
Title: Re: Battletech Project
Post by: Pattus Magnus on October 22, 2024, 10:01:30 PM
Red with black is always a winning colour palette (at least that’s what my orcs hope), the mechs look grand! I like the recent re-sculpts of the classic Robotech inspired machines you chose. I like the basing, too - it’s versatile and will fit into a lot of settings on habitable worlds.
Title: Re: Battletech Project
Post by: Rick on October 23, 2024, 04:11:52 AM
Yeah that mistake is easily done. The canopy is the 'visor' just below the bit that you painted blue!
Nice painting on the mechs though - always like seeing the ways people paint these new models, gives me a bit of inspiration and motivation for my own.
If you're looking for appropriate decals, Fighting Piranha in the USA is the goto place for those, although a couple of places on ebay are offering alternatives. A quick word of warning, though - the ebay ones need an area to be painted white/other light colour to get the best out of them, they don't have a white backing like the Fighting Piranha ones and may look lost on a darker colour.
Great start though - just need another 8 for the company!  :)
Title: Re: Battletech Project
Post by: scotty on October 23, 2024, 05:31:54 AM
I've had a look at the decals from fighting piranha and aim to pick some up next month
Title: Re: Battletech Project
Post by: scotty on October 23, 2024, 09:25:14 PM
Put the finishing touches to a second lance. They are the ARC-5R Archer, BJ-3 Blackjack, TR1 Wraith and the LCT-3M Locust. A third lance just needs it's bases finished and I've picked up one of  the Command lance boxed sets to complete the company.
Title: Re: Battletech Project
Post by: scotty on October 25, 2024, 07:14:34 PM
I'm really enjoying painting these plastic Mechs and managed to complete a 3rd lance for my company. So from Left to right we have a WHM-6R Warhammer, PXH-4M Phoenix Hawk, WSP-3W Wasp and an AS7-S Atlas. The Atlas is my least favourite model, just find the pose very static. More here https://scottyswargaming.blogspot.com/2024/10/a-3rd-lance.html (https://scottyswargaming.blogspot.com/2024/10/a-3rd-lance.html)
Title: Re: Battletech Project
Post by: Rick on October 25, 2024, 09:35:42 PM
Yeah, the Atlas has always been an awkward so-and-so, there's only so much you can do with a 100t lump like that!
Are you intending to field those lances as they are, or do you intend to swap them round a bit to field similar weights or types together? I just see a 20t Wasp and a 100t Atlas as being odd lance-mates really.
Title: Re: Battletech Project
Post by: scotty on October 25, 2024, 10:01:05 PM
Yeah, the Atlas has always been an awkward so-and-so, there's only so much you can do with a 100t lump like that!
Are you intending to field those lances as they are, or do you intend to swap them round a bit to field similar weights or types together? I just see a 20t Wasp and a 100t Atlas as being odd lance-mates really.
I will be mixing them up, these lances are just the order in which I painted the miniatures. Need to spend some time getting used to the rules and see which mechs work well together
Title: Re: Battletech Project
Post by: Cat on October 25, 2024, 10:11:57 PM
Nice looking mechs!
 
Hmm, the Atlas — what Steiner calls recon in force!
: 3
Title: Re: Battletech Project
Post by: Rick on October 25, 2024, 10:46:28 PM
Hi Cat - yeah, Steiner Recon Lance is 4 Atlas mechs! Camouflaged, of course!

Scotty - building a Battletech lance is an absolute art but the first things to bear in mind are that there is no such beast as the 'perfect' lance and that nothing you choose to field will be 'wrong' in any way - you field your force the way you want to. Having said that, Battletech players have been chewing this subject over for nearly the last 40 years and there are pages upon pages of advice and guides available online. Read some of those but draw your own conclusions and, above all else, have fun!
Title: Re: Battletech Project
Post by: scotty on October 26, 2024, 07:01:36 AM

Scotty - building a Battletech lance is an absolute art but the first things to bear in mind are that there is no such beast as the 'perfect' lance and that nothing you choose to field will be 'wrong' in any way - you field your force the way you want to. Having said that, Battletech players have been chewing this subject over for nearly the last 40 years and there are pages upon pages of advice and guides available online. Read some of those but draw your own conclusions and, above all else, have fun!

It's been 35 years+ since I last played battletech and I think part of the fun was trying to put together a balance lance where the mechs compement each other
Title: Re: Battletech Project
Post by: Cat on October 26, 2024, 04:11:55 PM
It's been 35 years+ since I last played battletech and I think part of the fun was trying to put together a balance lance where the mechs compement each other

With Alpha Strike, I've shifted to balancing the companies within a battalion and going with the more military type organisations of the early Stackpole books with monotype (or 3/4 or 1/2 monotype) lances and even companies.  This makes so much sense for strategic movement speed, supply and maintenance.
 
The joys of the orbats are the full Federation company of 12 Valkyries, Capellan 12 Cicadas, and the Draconis battalion wins with 39 Panthers within the ranks.
: 3

Title: Re: Battletech Project
Post by: scotty on October 26, 2024, 06:30:33 PM

With Alpha Strike, I've shifted to balancing the companies within a battalion and going with the more military type organisations of the early Stackpole books with monotype (or 3/4 or 1/2 monotype) lances and even companies.  This makes so much sense for strategic movement speed, supply and maintenance.
 
The joys of the orbats are the full Federation company of 12 Valkyries, Capellan 12 Cicadas, and the Draconis battalion wins with 39 Panthers within the ranks.
: 3
I think I have plenty of reading to catch up on for this game
Title: Re: Battletech Project
Post by: scotty on October 26, 2024, 07:08:17 PM
It's been a productive week with 5 more mechs completed. This time some Clan Mechs. I went for Clan Coyote and Nu Galaxy as I liked the colour scheme, quick and simple to paint up. The Models are the 5 provided in the Alpha strike boxed set. The Timber Wolf, Warhawk, Nova, Pouncer and Fire Moth. More here https://scottyswargaming.blogspot.com/2024/10/clan-mechs.html (https://scottyswargaming.blogspot.com/2024/10/clan-mechs.html) Not sure I'll do anymore Clan Mechs.
Title: Re: Battletech Project
Post by: Rick on October 26, 2024, 07:18:19 PM
Very nice mechs and a simple but very effective scheme there. My brother and I swapped mechs between us as not every clan mech design was used by every clan, at least during the clan invasion era (I think they appeared in more clans later on) and I suddenly discovered that the omnimechs I was left with only fitted into clan Jade Falcon! Not the clan I'd envisaged joining!
Before committing yourself to no more clan mechs, take a look at some of the stars of non-omnimech mechs, especially the new ones with the IIC designs, some of the regular and 2nd line units use a mix of mech and omnimech designs.
Title: Re: Battletech Project
Post by: scotty on October 27, 2024, 02:53:58 PM
The last 4 Mechs are done to bring my company up to full strength of 4 lances. The Awesome is a 3d print, the Marauder, Valkyrie and Stinger are from the Command lance boxed set. I then used the spare Archer to test out a colour scheme for a mercenary company. https://scottyswargaming.blogspot.com/2024/10/completed-company.html (https://scottyswargaming.blogspot.com/2024/10/completed-company.html)
Title: Re: Battletech Project
Post by: Cat on October 27, 2024, 03:17:48 PM
Ooh, nice and colourful!
Title: Re: Battletech Project
Post by: scotty on October 27, 2024, 03:39:25 PM
Ooh, nice and colourful!
Thank you
Title: Re: Battletech Project
Post by: HerbertTarkel on October 27, 2024, 04:21:27 PM
Those look great! The ground vehicles are a nice add on.
Title: Re: Battletech Project
Post by: scotty on October 27, 2024, 04:57:15 PM
Those look great! The ground vehicles are a nice add on.
Cheers, got a few more to add to the collection
Title: Re: Battletech Project
Post by: Rick on October 27, 2024, 08:55:15 PM
Very, very nice indeed - you're inspiring me to complete my Mercenary company and get it out of the way for new mech projects!

Have to admit, though, I've never entirely been sold on ground vehicles in Battletech - I'm much more of a 'big stompy robots' fan! Yours are nice, though - printed?
Title: Re: Battletech Project
Post by: scotty on October 27, 2024, 10:16:11 PM
Yep, printed, I'm lucky that one of our club members owns a 3d printer
Title: Re: Battletech Project
Post by: Rick on October 28, 2024, 12:11:48 AM
Yeah, I know that feeling - I'm lucky that my brother owns a 3d printer!  lol
Title: Re: Battletech Project
Post by: scotty on November 02, 2024, 10:30:31 AM
A Locust for my Mercenary Lance. 3d print provided by one of the club members.
Title: Re: Battletech Project
Post by: Rick on November 02, 2024, 12:58:56 PM
Very nice, although a bit blurred on the body.
I really must get around to posting some piccies up, just been working on a printed Linebacker for my Ghost Bears cluster.
Title: Re: Battletech Project
Post by: scotty on November 03, 2024, 06:09:49 AM
For a planned club game I needed some ground troops to support my Mechs. These are the very old Space marine models which will fit just fine. The vehicles are more 3d prints provided by a club member. More here https://scottyswargaming.blogspot.com/2024/11/ground-troops.html (https://scottyswargaming.blogspot.com/2024/11/ground-troops.html) I just need to wait for some grass tufts to arrive to finish the bases.
Title: Re: Battletech Project
Post by: Cat on November 03, 2024, 02:46:34 PM
Nice troops — those old plastic Space Marines see duty in a lot of games!  I also use them as wet Marines in Ogre so they're visually different than the regular infantry.
Title: Re: Battletech Project
Post by: scotty on November 04, 2024, 07:40:14 PM
2 new mechs added to complete my mercenary lance. These are both 3d prints, a Penetrator and Hunchback
Title: Re: Battletech Project
Post by: Rick on November 04, 2024, 11:21:23 PM
That's not a Hunchback mate, that there is a Swayback variant, I'm sure of it!  :D

But still, some very nice mechs and I'm also a big fan of the MWO designs for the 3d prints. Most of my Ghost Bears are 3d prints and the detail is pretty excellent, on the whole.
Title: Re: Battletech Project
Post by: HerbertTarkel on November 05, 2024, 12:46:36 AM
Very cool! I picked up three of the sourcebooks for my burgeoning collection of Battletech today, along with some terrain stuff.

I anticipate starting paint this week!
Title: Re: Battletech Project
Post by: Rick on November 05, 2024, 01:07:34 AM
I picked up a copy of Force Manual: Davion this week and I aim to get the Force Manual: Kurita book as soon as it becomes available. Absolutely excellent (almost essential imho) books and I heartily recommend them to Battletech and Alpha Strike players - special rules for each regiment, new force organisations as well as faction specific units and organisations, a brilliant resource.
Title: Re: Battletech Project
Post by: scotty on November 05, 2024, 06:30:37 AM
Still need to pick up some source books to understand some of the background to the different factions.
Title: Re: Battletech Project
Post by: Rick on November 05, 2024, 07:34:03 PM
At the risk of sounding like a CGL advert, they're bringing out the "Battletech Universe" book which should give a lot of faction info, timelines from the Terran Hegemony and formation of the great houses, right through to IlClan, as well as (hopefully) a set of maps for each era. That should give you a one-stop background book, hopefully.
Title: Re: Battletech Project (updated 10.11.24)
Post by: scotty on November 10, 2024, 10:54:17 AM
Decided to make a start on a full company of mercenaries. Still trying to figure out a suitable name. Gone for a Black colour scheme with a light dusting of silver around the edges. The mechs are the Raven, Enforcer, Guillotine and a pair of Banshee's. Once I get more done I'll organise the lance's
Title: Re: Battletech Project (updated 10.11.24)
Post by: Storm Wolf on November 10, 2024, 11:19:06 AM
Decided to make a start on a full company of mercenaries. Still trying to figure out a suitable name. Gone for a Black colour scheme with a light dusting of silver around the edges. The mechs are the Raven, Enforcer, Guillotine and a pair of Banshee's. Once I get more done I'll organise the lance's

How about the obvious one "The Black Death", nice to see lots of BT love on this forum, as it was one of my first wargames experiences back in the past.  :-*
Title: Re: Battletech Project (updated 10.11.24)
Post by: Rick on November 10, 2024, 06:43:55 PM
Black Aces?
Midnight Express?
Dark Deliverance?
Heart of Darkness?
Night Witches? (From the Soviet Nachthexen all-women squadron)

Running out of some of the more obvious ideas now.
Title: Re: Battletech Project (updated 10.11.24)
Post by: scotty on November 10, 2024, 07:36:04 PM
Black Aces?
Midnight Express?
Dark Deliverance?
Heart of Darkness?
Night Witches? (From the Soviet Nachthexen all-women squadron)

Running out of some of the more obvious ideas now.
I'm currently leaning towards Dark's Dragoons
Title: Re: Battletech Project (updated 10.11.24)
Post by: Rick on November 10, 2024, 08:30:07 PM
That's not bad at all.
I've just finished Ace Darwin's Whipits as my merc company so we'll have to start launching photo's at LAF now!
Title: Re: Battletech Project (updated 10.11.24)
Post by: scotty on November 12, 2024, 08:50:08 PM
Just finished the last 3 mechs to bring the Dragon's Fury up to 2 companies of 3 lances. These are a Victor, Hunchback and a Guillotine. So 24 mechs with some ground support.
Title: Re: Battletech Project (updated 17.11.24)
Post by: scotty on November 17, 2024, 09:18:55 AM
3 more Mechs completed for my mercenary company Darc's Dragoons, they are a Marauder, Rifleman and a Penetrator. These are all 3d prints.
Title: Re: Battletech Project (updated 17.11.24)
Post by: Rick on November 17, 2024, 09:18:45 PM
Very nice. I've been buying up cheap Space Wolves decal sheets on ebay for the red and yellow triangles on them (the rest will probably get used somewhere) which make excellent warning markings on mechs - a bit fiddly but they do add a nice touch.
Title: Re: Battletech Project (updated 17.11.24)
Post by: scotty on November 18, 2024, 05:33:06 AM
Very nice. I've been buying up cheap Space Wolves decal sheets on ebay for the red and yellow triangles on them (the rest will probably get used somewhere) which make excellent warning markings on mechs - a bit fiddly but they do add a nice touch.
That's a good idea. Got loads of old 40k decals in a box somewhere
Title: Re: Battletech Project (updated 25.11.24)
Post by: scotty on November 25, 2024, 07:47:36 PM
I picked up a Direct Fire lance to complete my mercenary company, Darc's Dragoons. These are from left to right. CRD-3R Crusader, MAD-5A Marauder II, AS7-k Atlas and a ON1-K Orion. I also added a picture of the completed company.
Title: Re: Battletech Project (updated 17.11.24)
Post by: YPU on November 25, 2024, 08:00:41 PM
Lovely stuff! And mechs do just look so much more interesting once regular infantry and vehicles are mixed in for context.

Very nice. I've been buying up cheap Space Wolves decal sheets on ebay for the red and yellow triangles on them (the rest will probably get used somewhere) which make excellent warning markings on mechs - a bit fiddly but they do add a nice touch.

huh, well consider that idea borrowed by me as well!