The 7th Crucis Lancers - famously the "Broken Wheel Charioteers" - is a storied elite Davion RCT. Present at the invasion of Tikonov, the unit fought the combine's best in the War of 3039, before rotating to bring order to the Periphery. The beginning of the FedCom Civil war saw the unit split into three detachments; this combined-arms force operated against the 9th Lyran Regulars on Inarcs.
The battalion's First Company is a medium and maneuverable unit:
The Command Lance - also capable of acting as a Medium Battle or Probe lance - consists of a Griffin GRF-6S, Enforcer III ENF-6T, Griffin GRF-3M, and Hatchetman HCT-5S.
The Fire/Fire Support Lance is made up of a Shadowhawk SHD-5M, Catapult CPLT-C4C, Trebuchet TPT-7M, and JagerMech HM-6AIV - a JM-6DG which replaced its gauss rifles with Arrow IV launchers. This not only provides the unit with artillery or anti-air capacity, it prolongs the life of the JagerMech's pilot by keeping them back from combat.
And finally the Recon Lance (aka Pribe, Pursuit, Light Striker, or Medium Battle lance at need) consists of a Phoenix Hawk PHX-3L, Chimera CMA-1S, Nightsky SGS-6T, and Talon TLN-5W.
The Armour Company from the RCT's armoured regiment:
Myrmydons provide the armoured punch:
Glaives provide powerful direct and indirect fire support:
While a lance of plucky Savannah Masters are the eyes of the unit:
Lastly, the Infantry Company: two platoons of Motorised MG infantry on motorbikes, a platoon of "waddles" - Infiltrator Mk I battle armour for recon, and a platoon of Cavaliers for combat.
Finally, the unit's epynomous command 'Mech, the "Sword of Whap", seen here in conference with lance commanders. The "Whap", originally an Axman AXM-2N, was severely damaged during a Periphery campaign, where it came up against a pirate Banshee wielding an oversized sword. Defeating the pirate cost the "Whap"'s MechWarrior most of his armour, structure and weapons, leading the pilot to request - and get - a comprehensive refit/rebuild.
The new configuration features the pirate's hand and sword assemblies on the right arm, an Ultra-AC 10 on the left, and a small grouping of medium lasers. SRMs replace the LRM-15s, and the 'Mech has been fitted with triple strength myomers. While difficult to manage, the design has been intimidating in action. The battalion's CO does not have a fixed position, instead attaching herself to whichever formation needs her attention at the time.
So, backstory. Over a decade ago - I was still using acrylics back then - I painted the 13 'Mechs featured here in a stab at a generic camo scheme. A few years ago I based them, and gave them a wash with brown ink. As I work on my "master plan", for battalions for major factions in major time periods, I was looking at the gap for a Davion unit in the FCCW period, and thought "surely I can work with this?"
So I got the vehicles and infantry, and did what I could to colour match. Not a perfect match, I admit, but I think it's good enough for Davion work ;) The vehicles got a faded olive drab base, camo slashes in light tan and dark green, and a couple of washes with a light brown ink until the shades began to match.
The "Sword of Whap" concept belongs to (IIRC) Atlas3060, and when I had an Axman with no right hand, and a bunch of fantasy figure spare parts, the match was made in heaven. The UAC-10 comes from a Steel Warrior arm, plus some extra gunbarrels.
A few other points:
- Gauss Enforcer III gets a hand, because, why not? It should have a hook?
- I love the look of the Myrmidons. Unpainted they looked bland; painted, they've got a real Sherman Tank vibe.
- JagerArrow ftw! Face it - converting the Jagers into things which have punch, and which allow them to hang back, should have been mandatory.
- Had to replace the Shadowhawk's AC, and I figured using a cannon captured from DCMS salvage was a good fit ;)
Comments as always welcomed, if not actively sought!
Cheers,
W.