BattleTech - The Board Game of Armored Combat

BattleTech Miniatures and Terrain => BattleTech Miniatures => Topic started by: worktroll on 21 February 2019, 16:16:37

Title: Combined arms battalion, Waco Rangers, 4th SW era
Post by: worktroll on 21 February 2019, 16:16:37

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/TrB_xg1Ovka4iTSvnxR1QhzhylDIO6ueriTJLzRFJM3-yJinwnzxmgaF97GvrMyN2SXfRNUz319zoJf0hU3rwuJzcK3D9_Cr-gPLF2d8Ge2aSv7_0DBeHjw6gJaREbLo_yz51cYmrWoK2DAG5z6Q3TivsVrlK27Rff_JX0ldVbPq43SyjmSjXK0aG3g272oJAUiVZgpjNe7FoET0LBPEUUPfVj2ig1MgJtsGH1GeXLLMvePDbNRTj3TVNy-rAYgqMp-j-jqQKvey2yTDIngy4QNQFjJRQFmht7OWqOsdDdVQy5ROQbosPjjC7hsRf_O3q0m6sSc3uzIS_Y5vPvsWRiQ_Nty9zJ3vZ2oo1ffswbBkBK1bJ4nP5ORKml7V34YRZmUzGntKgkyIpEj9l9ZlG32UTbOc17ivrrYxCcDmuvAjNHQBgCRdEPn1wlvdqKcaucxMj3cKWMoZ2tN9lK-2APbBLzUdDw7qiOTpBXfxX3fv7AOb1zh8owEdSYcppksES4ZMON3So7IHVa1i2jqidcBLo3RNENsHFTImAh_0l9YlXPLH5VdYvTYirGLsM6Aen6gn4n_fwpUEpHoYm5ZFmnDYiE4i_5SGVzGAH6x6a16XVfUqdBNUOrryjgz9NiNHhnySsIp5YXusldeug-HlzL3i6grOLO_UbLx2zVbR25zOP5NFWlRQ3rWaqi8ZWbHFc37nuT7srhZ-Y9ZMbzpR4ZSA=w1181-h531-no)

For a relatively brief period around the 4th Succession Wars, the Waco Rangers increased their complement by adding armour and infantry forces to their core 'Mech regiment. There's some confusion as to whether the Rangers were serving House Davion or House Steiner at the time; it seems likely Hanse was paying the Ranger's fees, while lending them to Katrina. After all, the Rangers were at that time considered a well-performing command with excellent technical support, just the sort of thing needed to stiffen Lyran thews in time for the 4th War. - and the Colonel's obsession with the Dragoons was perceived more as a foible than an obsession.  I've chosen to represent a combined-arms force from that period.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/VKDztwayR6elldYCKYHkV_kb6jve6VmkSIHo740Zj1Su1gVUaFZ-OuwFThu0dTocXl8v8zIYuPR25N7GLciksyDVCw2inZ6aSRX_b6WoP98kgcUI084FcPyZUYo1o0RAcZyD3dl8xXiGU83QtMxzd7iasukOOsk3Ddpv5VoceUqaiVmQb3U-MYB6zn9VgdXGWWejjPDgOT_7ivjTJ2eAoMAreoj-451h1kNB2af_jTbADOGGBImO_f3f7zBV7O_qapC3xBuQutRp04T2vRXSugPLjJOhUd8g0pjbr4CTlxdd_mdJNHEo-p9DiqRPHQhu4rH6n_OOmZwL35nDxBr5CFdOGtGIkIU0GglvXsJZys6Zd9stlS6iJ4KiwkHJv1yqEf7K48XyQhFijIEib0fEMSfBRkwAjRAZdiUX5-8nD-RsWOjW8k9me5Bb_SDANtWMfw4irsdQJkSKGRCEMo_ZgjhrR8mUQ3WkaxfjbTCC39NazdacOqDzMMqe8leV6gfvhqGjRDZbch8ixRMbtIOO88rJZu4mfGFW8VF5cFdqW5QUH88tuNWPoR3K7qeU-gxNpmVeBScxKakqtgdHnFojogvs6VhVEqFMk8qDVBtGi9cbqf41rnbtr0Es_sBbeSmygH8O7oIcRitCLQAhkDGQNPSBU4l6ItSWdeQIS96BP-GkZY4lvJJ5Qk9OJXejtxSyvbm0ZNeQ8ZuNbqZR1CM0xd8m=w1034-h386-no)

The 'Mech company.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/haN_wTHr4U07wMtluechJ6VCy5nj6HNs0BeW02HerhOJyODdCICiEZ82y0QuoeEaBq2ZYYJA0x3ZNetvVdWKSl6ullR6zQWoz4gYLpIYMmtWYZLUO2P6ewo_Y7Q9SG5YRgki-1BchY21LuEwgCWLQ301NMtJwSnVAuUWkdSXIe-BiDgtVDdbcsAywZLrZs9q7lJvCSgQxEJyxzYDJN-j_9FK3f08xsYCdGBoYWDb0yTeTV_Hg3ueA9eaFmD0F4eaYafYpODlUjjaMjOcuV4E1Xd2wtzyYUDH99ABjLTqCwqvlpIHV25hu6Y4BGnqYF6Lg1rqr9u_N4LX_GoT5fKR1eWuekZH_R3ms_juW81azrZ29P0Yv0zo-EqrEzHZxG1oqZEx1wGy_k2AeCZr9mGoLPZ0R1e9pb0jIa8AlDgiL5nPtyck-MJpykQBXKNT0H58xE6_PHMmSJlA9Il3-MglfyKszRpOWecWaHgjLrfpY8IM0YFl27zOQNRa-5Ns7OW6NxcPA5r2PC5WstZn5ONKRJ2TKXcBRhRFwt7UzWd7JYQjLos_Cgq-xlxVSer1f-kLVireE_VMqH0Yo7Gw4MvUHfqsYuVqhf17K3dZJ-iYih7sEBfWrmxML0yds0LOJYKX88XHQdK4wLmbGyPEz22Sqy6pF7SKDglJd743TNNuyelOgQ7xNgpWg3nSpwU8DdE3209SSUA6FUoHttUL2mpiYlkn=w858-h351-no)

The Command/Heavy Battle lance consists of an Awesome AWS-8R, Grasshopper GHR-5N, Banshee BNS-3M and a Trebuchet TBT-7K.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Eqmp9ecnVj3jyZJnDVPtSw0inlMquRfta5f93AvueR_K0ZrVOFxMGYdgIXqF3UvMS_GN5kdXIj84VA9SBL4fSejBCZH4M8u2wglY31El0OY1n-T7malsLP20IV98peEzkit0HQKUH-Z2ZE6M1GT-3cJChP_CjOdZcPa5c1gjM2wsiAtOx0leqEbOckZXPh3xWJa7mROXY-e2p5g_-TOT3wXrglttbcBEfCtPJBffZVIB4Oq1cAWHZ6O96zembVItG6fidoP05zh9Lhnp0wNvYVZTnc7flhW8AqQNXRdUkwgwA-67EL-1zJP_Tbf1J52YHmPSEPjYixCg-x80PA5msX-B-SUNxdwMA66aEYGdQ215IUpx8TWWoufBYlHNhtWv-fK6fidGaIhNOSjwGYykvvTkyoG3BZ3eytv1tUWRkL0GuUXmWxoQ0P4_HL_tLoy2JZxBd_sE4RL1ZMrl9caOCvrok7PBI1Juxo-yZhiiAT9qklgdzYBVpEJ2jcny93IFLATnG82l_4QiPpXoOYCdeUjFw0f1DLroySJPC5Z-Mpq8O2E5o-KA-CO8F8XOOSibCELKprCt1lQSnHAieGrVyO4vIar2VI6nIfCx2ArZ14F1j6lNbttAHOpJp2m9PeKuE728BsfmLWUZNVDKxmRt9MEcs6sAPSF8EWRpOubqTeTXtNlZ7TTJ4oMMi_UvzA1cQHQjnH6wZc_sG17w5W8TNXmc=w777-h399-no)

The Fire Support/Medium Battle lance is made up of an Hunchback HBK-4J, Hornet HNT-151, Whitworth WTH-1 and Enforcer ENF-4R.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/MmGFSlx97jMIllQzj95zdVYvBA43ADDWH4z6gO_9qiEWbBglRneQud0RAYCTh9hnMDwS5HuTCGs7sSd0hxmEypQc_N6m7UsXaLCjuzYtuYalhKgAQFPv6rDUbWGkidPMwvB0taDGBE_P8nTKbru4UeZG5hu5qusiLhIi8bVqqjGX5hkuIauX8GpO-WkoNZT-ySzVtuDli1gmyX9gg5pdRY3CpMxI3aKJzMFNWM8f7fZ65BlyVxVAYwevojsSc8AKIqAECGDDArL3WiizR5vg2VAGIwvOaSTxRFLnipwvDUIFSgNFA6XhhJRQ3rvesCh_808Ke68ppadFjFuIzvfiea2ajti0Z7hgt-HimxVgWW25a-c0gFt53JOyxk39Fift7ZzuJB69DsYi0DHNObGSFUSv09wf-0iynOEgQNqG67h88EIbbUW7Ba1tmSkUVfzvqP1VY6S8HY30jucOZNZNtjXGMB79pCiwOrX48ZENBzthABdo-jFIhyNy3YYCENVMfTWevd1EUjrO1oz-i1-dDIA7P0GWAktMv0W6tRM4C3C59we5eRpHXtdTHUXAv3bos6Bub5DLQTXaGRbsidPsU1J3h8UpTDxLtvr1PkiWsO4CFPBSpqBxSDeZA5elxKAGy9fKQDqNsd3hkLsIJeuQxwXT3FUGxxgMTxJpWhEcFFdr085PUAlGRkmR_R4qodj3QM_ph-1DxzvESCvAhmRZ2cof=w793-h363-no)

While the Striker lance consists of a Quickdraw QKD-5A, Assassin, ASN-23, Clint CLNT-2-3T and Enforcer ENF-4R.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/2vogp3EchORgk8PxaCWPLJfiWxhDHXreY6P0JwfMO7PYKfI0D5RnY3K1AKjtcN4N9wPSn7LMQxeFy6_D87LlW5_SkUQGGEUZpWxO_bg8F8opRMXjdTzbTDwHJxAnhZJ2jpXfHwRopgTnItZnOdAgG4d4GXgRzuzAgoCSNizdBQBe3lVGrWqsG0al3VEOjrIoRWBbYLxGFuJz8U_F1FWIBzOpZoepeStb7H_dtFWccr1aKWbGiI_s-lyUkheeSA96iDIxGxN--2fI1TJfxIw95qDqnY0rkycTI7sVVYKwPhY31FqiTwf-SlgnD6YJlpTxymGFGaWHuFBwp5qwegUQTxVAcvSw7K0YilCJQLWjBVTCBvKIrTA4IdMwJkyKhE-bCrWl_PpyLORT3SoxcOMpvWHbXkW-aJqXDZvDI6fzqMS8p7O9Nf1BG6vU3Cv9QVb0M4YwLbeDATsKKjaSMK7I9Tj0XT7kUq4lNzX_vD4dPxuAoK_mgSfib8rqfg7-c3yhNUnOLmtZ_iWpmTsVtK1wPBEmR2Xfw7gmIrlnk7HtLxzNWDCIVkT8omPoghGShSrlXwity499zKlnXmOfopJqR-zj__9jcCSndO8QtBxMoiRHLynJARN2ZNfLeqIIguAPhyNx1iRdSvLnnLHxj4HgKdR6B0ty-SqeUQ1cvROFWjDqV0E4Nw2FboA95PSntc4tw0aKCUewIDN1H1OMhrlhfWcY=w904-h409-no)

The Armour company has
- a Command Platoon of Scorpion tanks
- a Recon Platoon of J Edgar Hovers
- a Support Platoon of paired SRM Carriers and Hunter Support Tanks.

The Scorpions I had a little fun with:

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/ZfFghNcXb4tBR0b87RsIum0ycsDG8iQDjJA70_7LANrkBNNHZp08zWORWFjil1NTlCW8jKhHBtKZHb-2GoyTzFiJ5cUJvyBAGC_N6g0x7CnRS3pCSmvna9TNyiyNP78qErMg2w53qt-nxbB-p6J0dhTHXvA7NYY8nN6Xsalme2ipJNrMLRCE0rncCXVoEyiLz0Gxlwf09nTr6qy5yYZ5J-b32HkF8S_7JR1XuIdmWU76v4bPuwz9W7C_JKVOhn4-NtBOlbUhoJovUzCqFhzu5EeiymCYLAjvK399vn2eSeNF9nlRh1mWcV3onihM_R4Ir5AxPdkT_jFC9HHPuF6_7Jm3Jh2q_2Yvd5P0P9P7x55aLFkZHA3ptvij5o3pWO-hqdmruuxNpV5eRr19dVqnnQkAgwM1xXcoRT8s7Ij30dJOJP1uDWNlzhYG4--Kp-Mi6hTNw0bIn8juw3eKQaFqfaA21xIm1z1VHfTQzjaawGUK__oZRS1LxhzIBzrg04D9yGM750b2R3wOLaPPyrMbDlMWXaLb_cDUnRWGaQexOQvsLadiMGPzKXbPQUfW_YYUrGF-RQzTtOVJjv38dNiZYzTbZxHvUs7Zei46_pWLdn0nQ3dtpdLdC6t5jW3c3zcCZssacuJ4TIv04Is_3IrC8_vBzWQesQdS1bCwnHcHUobTJPICVm9z0MwqHvLINxrJtS9PrF55s16zg_D8DulKuVIO=w954-h301-no)

being the Standard, LRM, SRM and ML variants. In AS formation terms, the only thing these guys can be is, oddly enough, a Command unit!

And finally the 3rd Company:

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/dgLXwtH3yuzDl6oTnsjfcN007-Tmjj2T0zrbVanM4ell1mZA13JJ8ww8VvKHPT4f8wFJIVJxXKgdvgxfGYtBAyr4I5KPD1lG-kXH3BRvfmumdrDbI_vDHx0Oo88n1f3hRghgXe5V1AJkD_FaXQOLNoQqLuE5or8lR-gUE_4wbEnq4vEiQlKQXCMORXZyCS_ilcFDln8qJUdZiyCJmuMeV4xLEDO8c8-l3FJk2RoN5ZULiq-VVVr7uU9AOmYzxuzcRc4pZul-O7rjL85TDg5DJ3gZx1vBJVEy_w3thzU5AfEqNInUbRveLETaQ_XhYpaJM_HKT6Jyo8odnfPaRhPEfjYV5velWOJ4XNN3_A6weNdbATwMARAq49DTD0Ew8vuw72vuY7KRQpH2dUQ_x3lH-aYN_au9Z5XNKignwhUGvGw7xL5NVfSWAqXW0qzqaYoi3LQi9SpL5pWQYwFk0CLUUx0gI_U3MCFh6v0SXueLihYT3fAUK9RNZBc1hNEbXc40VMJCXn6jz0DaRhSHS6jtCrA248OoaRycMFuSVcnPKFRULui4epVoTX4G58LGq5mm2KR6fa4tzBm3zUYOJleNfUAGKjKDajgdJLK1nFw-EU-Y_gr5RKSj31IRoJUJY2q0ms_LdDtpyCSde_SdIE_yoSi5VmK58xBSqLx3TMgyKZYRMqPfksCOWFPNRcdqCRy6PmdvRkfcQ7HmSIkiWmrf2Ltw=w550-h240-no)

Platoons of mechanised hover and tracked infantry, plus a foot platoon with integral Heavy APC SRM-variant.

---

So this unit started in 2013, with a demi-company of Waco 'mechs. They were all 25th Anniversary plastics, and I decided to have some fun modding them, based on the comments re the Ranger's tech support capacity. The relatively poor quality of those plastics was not a problem for a hard-worn unit like this.

At some later time, I expanded them to a full company. And there they sat ... until Christmas, when I decided to promote them to full battalion status, as part of my Grand Plan.  I tried to use things I had on hand - it seemed that the Rangers must not have had a particularly good experience with their add-ons, so I didn't want anything too exciting.

I've always loved the Scorpion in concept, and so it was nice to do up the various versions. The J Edgar is another favourite mini, that looks great and paints up well. And I was meant to add a platoon of Hunters, but I only had 2 ... and then discovered I had two SRM carriers left over. The resulting mix isn't useless, but it's hardly optimised, and not particularly tough.

Colour matching with 6-year-old minis took a bit, as I no longer had (or knew) what paints I'd used, but I think I got near enough.

A nice catchy unit which may (with luck) get to be someone's opfor down the line.

Comments/questions always appreciated,

W.

Title: Re: Combined arms battalion, Waco Rangers, 4th SW era
Post by: Weirdo on 21 February 2019, 16:21:38

Very cool! The stack on that Hunch is so distinctive that it took me a bit to notice all the other mods in the first picture. :)

Is it error, choice, or minis availability that drove you to use Vedette minis for your Scorpions? ;)

Title: Re: Combined arms battalion, Waco Rangers, 4th SW era
Post by: worktroll on 21 February 2019, 16:24:41

Is they Vedettes? They're tiny, and I was pretty sure they were Scorpions.

If so, blame an elder's moment, and they become custom Vedettes.

Quick check - yup, elder's moment. I blame it on my memories of the BattleDroid Vedette, which was to size with Demolishers.

W.

Title: Re: Combined arms battalion, Waco Rangers, 4th SW era
Post by: beachhead1985 on 21 February 2019, 16:25:18

Love the custom mods!

Title: Re: Combined arms battalion, Waco Rangers, 4th SW era
Post by: Weirdo on 21 February 2019, 16:28:36

Eh, just call 'em off-brand Scorpions. The minor factory that builds them modded them slightly to look like Vedettes, to confuse enemy forces. :)

Title: Re: Combined arms battalion, Waco Rangers, 4th SW era
Post by: jimdigris on 21 February 2019, 17:33:04

I love the modding that you've done. :thumbsup:

Title: Re: Combined arms battalion, Waco Rangers, 4th SW era
Post by: Daryk on 21 February 2019, 18:32:33

That Hunchback 4J is hilariously huge... Good thing you don't have any Griffins for comparison... :)

Title: Re: Combined arms battalion, Waco Rangers, 4th SW era
Post by: avon1985 on 21 February 2019, 23:07:00

Sweet mods! :thumbsup:

Title: Re: Combined arms battalion, Waco Rangers, 4th SW era
Post by: Valkerie on 21 February 2019, 23:28:19

Wonderful work WT! 8) :thumbsup:  Where did you get that launcher for the Hunchback?

Title: Re: Combined arms battalion, Waco Rangers, 4th SW era
Post by: worktroll on 22 February 2019, 12:37:23

Thanks for the kind words, all!

The Hunchback's launcher is (of course, for me) from DA - a common piece found on Raiders, Thunderbolts, Behemoth tanks (IIRC). A tad oversize, but it fitted into the Hunchback's torso so well I rolled with it. Imagine doing that sort of replacement on a metal mini!

W.

Title: Re: Combined arms battalion, Waco Rangers, 4th SW era
Post by: Empyrus on 22 February 2019, 13:27:44

The Hunchy has some serious situational awareness issues... launching missiles ain't gonna help either, with all the smoke and fire.  ;D

Title: Re: Combined arms battalion, Waco Rangers, 4th SW era
Post by: worktroll on 22 February 2019, 13:44:35

No more than an Archer or Viking pilot. And it's not like a Hunchie pilot ever looks right, anyway ;)

Title: Re: Combined arms battalion, Waco Rangers, 4th SW era
Post by: DEZOAT on 23 February 2019, 12:19:35

 :o WOW!! Great job on the minis. :thumbsup: