Author Topic: "Trojan Horses" (Luthien Scenario Pack): Otomo Vs. Clan Smoke Jaguar project (Read 23728 times)

Sgt. Scream · « **on:** 03 August 2015, 12:56:03 »

I got quite a collection of plastic battle mech figures over the last 4 or 5 years. Some date back to 3rd edition of classic battletech, some came from citytech (2nd edition boxed set), a few are of the more recent 25th anniversary box and I even have some of the plastech release. Anyway, I never did anything with them although I have had them sitting on a shelf for such a long time.

The first few got a clean up and were based now. How soon I will be able to splotch some paint on I don't know, but as soon as I can, those will be resembling the command lance of the Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, Otomo Regiment of House Kurita.

The mechs will be fighting opposing forces of Clan Smoke Jaguar for a scenario out of the old "Luthien" campaign pack.

I have gathered some experience painting small miniatures while painting for my Epic 40k Tau forces - let's see if I can turn those figures into something worthwhile as well.

Marauder (old 3rd edition BT), Orion (Citytech, 2nd edition), Battlemaster (old 3rd edition BT), Awesome (re-based 25th Anniversary box miniature)

My very first painted Classic Battletech miniature: an "Awesome" Mech for my Otomo Regiment of House Kurita. They use a flat black scheme with golden ornaments. I figured stylized flames could not be wrong on a Mech serving the Dragon himself. O0 Enjoy!

(Yes, I know: some moldlines are still visible. Damn 25th anniversary boxed set plastics aren't exactly high quality...)

more pictures can be found on my blog:
Awesome Battlemech, Otomo Regiment colour scheme

worktroll · « **Reply #1 on:** 03 August 2015, 18:03:28 »

Sgt,

With the CityTech Orion, take the time to cut the upper arms - cut them at the shoulders on an angle, and make them only about 1/2 as long, and put them back on, like below:

A very simple change that totally improves the mini. Painting-wise, you don't need advice from me ;)

W

M4cr0Dutch · « **Reply #2 on:** 08 August 2015, 07:19:33 »

Good luck with the project mate. I just finished playing through the whole Luthien campaign book and it was a blast; it took us a year to play through!

Nice work on the Awesome, especially the free-hand detail O0

jimdigris · « **Reply #3 on:** 08 August 2015, 07:24:52 »

Sgt. Scream · « **Reply #4 on:** 09 August 2015, 02:12:40 »

Just another Mech finished over the weekend. This time the Command Lance's "Marauder". The figure is a two-part plastic "unseen" figure from the old 3rd Edition box.

Enjoy!

Flat black scheme with golden flames has grown to me. I love it! What do you think?

More pictures and shots from various angles can be found (as always) on my B L O G

TheMaster1955 · « **Reply #5 on:** 09 August 2015, 07:17:07 »

looking good. O0 O0

Louie N · « **Reply #6 on:** 09 August 2015, 09:16:19 »

Sweet work

jrvk777 · « **Reply #7 on:** 09 August 2015, 09:31:34 »

Excellent work, sir! O0

Really digging what you've done with the paint scheme, considering that these are the 'old' plastics! Very inspiring!

Looking forward to see more, and also looking forward to the After Action Report (with pics) of the scenario! 8)

Colt Ward · « **Reply #8 on:** 09 August 2015, 17:01:54 »

Is that the Intro Box Battlemaster worktroll?

They look good to me, though someone said use a Exacto to trim the flash on plastic rather than file.

Sgt. Scream · « **Reply #9 on:** 16 August 2015, 03:00:52 »

Thanks for your comments, guys. That really helps me keep going. 8)

Since yesterday was a holiday in this region I had plenty of time to paint again. It was enough to get the Orion done. This leaves me with only one more figure to go to finish the Command Lance.

The Orion is one of the plastic miniatures that came with Citytech (2nd Edition).

Anyways, here are the pictures:

More pictures from various angles can be found on my B L O G

Louie N · « **Reply #10 on:** 16 August 2015, 14:04:40 »

great work.

Sgt. Scream · « **Reply #11 on:** 23 August 2015, 01:55:38 »

Finished off the Battlemaster mech this weekend. The Command Lance for my Otomo Regiment is completed and I can now concentrate on assembling and painting the first Clan troops as their opposing force.

More pics can be found in my B L O G as usual.

Louie N · « **Reply #12 on:** 23 August 2015, 11:23:48 »

Great work. Nice job on the cockpit.

Sgt. Scream · « **Reply #13 on:** 23 August 2015, 14:30:07 »

Guys, I need your help on some Battletech lore.

In the "Trojan Horses" scenario of the Luthien campaign book, the Smoke Jaguar forces are called the 1st Jaguar Guard Cluster, belonging to the 31st Smoke Jaguar Assault Galaxy.

Sarna lists them as being part of the "Beta Galaxy" as their parental unit (in 3059). However, I found also an article that says they were part of "Alpha Galaxy".

Which one is correct? This will be important when it comes to paint their scheme correctly. Anyone know the correct answer?? :(

Colt Ward · « **Reply #14 on:** 23 August 2015, 20:09:05 »

. . . its a FASA problem. The Jaguars are a victim of (lack)factchecking. Invading Clans is probably where Sarna gets its site and is a sourcebook rather than a scenario book (source of many FASA continuity errors) . . . or it might be Objective Raids (another source, but fun book) so . . . it is a matter of which you like more?

Sgt. Scream · « **Reply #15 on:** 23 August 2015, 21:02:44 »

@Colt Ward: Invading Clans (sourcebook) clearly states the 1st Jaguar Guards are with Beta Galaxy. Anyone able to check "Objective Raids" ? I don't have that one :-\

But I have a feeling that Beta seems to be more correct?

Colt Ward · « **Reply #16 on:** 23 August 2015, 21:20:21 »

I think that is sort of the consensus . . . the 'khans' claimed in the Luthien SB are also off, along with other details.

Charbok · « **Reply #17 on:** 23 August 2015, 23:16:55 »

Objective Raids has them as part of Beta, as well. It's got an in-universe date of 3054, as well, if that matters. BTW, I love this project, and think you're doing a fantastic job. :D

Sgt. Scream · « **Reply #18 on:** 24 August 2015, 11:01:14 »

Thanks, that kind of confirms it to me. 8) Appreciate your comments on this project, guys.

"Trojan Horses" (Luthien Scenario Pack): 1st Jaguar Guards Command Star
With the Otomo Command Lance finished, I am going to paint up the Command Star of the 1st Jaguar Guards next.
With help of the community in the Battletech forum I was also able to decide whether the 1st Jaguar Guards are going to be part of Alpha or Beta Galaxy. Most sources claim them to be with Beta which will lead them to be painted in the scheme of the "Mistweavers". Unfortunately there are some inconsitencies with the lore in the older FASA book(s). :-/

The Star is a mix of 5 Omni Mechs of various weight class and consists out of two old Citytech plastics and three Ral Partha pewter figures.

Left to right:
Loki (Hellbringer), Daishi (Dire Wolf), Vulture (Mad Dog), Timberwolf (Mad Cat), Ryoken (Stormcrow)

Elbows · « **Reply #19 on:** 24 August 2015, 18:33:47 »

Anxiously looking forward to see them done up.

Sgt. Scream · « **Reply #20 on:** 27 August 2015, 03:10:31 »

Quote from: Elbows on 24 August 2015, 18:33:47

Anxiously looking forward to see them done up.

And you shall receive an answer to that wish. But first some more Kurita pics..

I just realised how low the quality of the group shot was that I took of my Otomo Command Lance. So, for all of you out there here is a better one (actually it is even two) :P

From left to right:
Tai-i (= Captain) Kasugai Chisei in an "Orion"
Tai-sa (= Colonel) Oda Hideyoshi in a "Battlemaster"
Tai-i (= Captain) Suzuki Hitoshi in a "Marauder"
Sho-sa (= Major) Minimida Yosuke in an "Awesome"

Time for some opposing forces though...

This plastic Citytech "Mad Cat" (Timberwolf) is the first tester for the scheme I am going to paint my 1st Jaguar Guard Stars in.

According to Camospecs the Mechs of Beta Galaxy are painted in

Quote

"a multilayered grey camouflage consisting of horizontal streaks, meant to represent a mist. Bloodnamed warriors paint large felid eyes on the torso of their 'Mechs, and may even add other felid features as well. Kills are marked by smaller pairs of eyes placed randomly on the 'Mech, though some warriors have taken to placing them near the weapons which delivered the final blow. The Elementals of Beta Galaxy have been seen in both this scheme and the traditional jaguar spot camo."

I wasn't sure about the "felid eyes" part. I looked at the painted examples provided on Camospecs and I did not really like that feature of the scheme, so I left it off.

Also, thinking of Luthien being the capital world of the Draconis Combine, cityfighting would more or less take place no matter what and that lead me to the conclusion that I could turn the "streaks representing mist" into a nice urban camo pattern.

Camospecs also painted the cockpit glass in blue which to me didn't make the most aggressive of all invading clans look as menacing as I would imagine them. I therefore turned those into an evil and dangerous looking red tone. I hope you like it.

Remember that you can always check out even more pictures of those miniatures by visiting my B L O G

JadedFalcon · « **Reply #21 on:** 27 August 2015, 03:47:37 »

These are looking great! But you probably already knew that. Looking forward to seeing the rest of the Jags.

Sgt. Scream · « **Reply #22 on:** 29 August 2015, 03:17:59 »

Quote from: JadedFalcon on 27 August 2015, 03:47:37

These are looking great! But you probably already knew that. Looking forward to seeing the rest of the Jags.

Thanks! O0

Thanks to a few days off I found plenty of time to spend it on the table, painting more figures. The "Ryoken" is the next one finished for my 1st Jaguar Guards Command Star. The miniature is the old Ral Partha sculpt.

Enjoy. ;)

More pics can be found on my B L O G.

jrvk777 · « **Reply #23 on:** 29 August 2015, 07:45:59 »

Looking forward to pics of the AAR for this!

I guess SJ's may win? ;D

Elbows · « **Reply #24 on:** 29 August 2015, 08:42:40 »

I don't know anything about the campaign, but I'm always up for some re-written history. Love those comically tiny hands on the Ryoken!

Louie N · « **Reply #25 on:** 29 August 2015, 12:24:26 »

A great camo scheme for the Jags

Sgt. Scream · « **Reply #26 on:** 07 September 2015, 11:13:22 »

Quote from: Louie N on 29 August 2015, 12:24:26

A great camo scheme for the Jags

Thanks!

The last weekend was busy. I had to attend various family related visits and Sunday also is our regular 40k gaming afternoon. Nonetheless, with no further delay here it is: another Mech for my Smoke Jaguar forces, a "Vulture".

Actually, this is a kitbash of the old Ral Partha arms and legs, combined with the newer re-sculpt parts of Iron Wind Metals' Vulture (centre torso, left and right missile bays).

How do you like it?

More pictures can be found on my B L O G

Archer77 · « **Reply #27 on:** 07 September 2015, 11:24:40 »

Holy crap look at that Madcat and to think I was going to chop mine up for parts!
Now I just have to paint like you :)

Louie N · « **Reply #28 on:** 07 September 2015, 15:28:07 »

Lovely Mad dog

Sgt. Scream · « **Reply #29 on:** 13 September 2015, 12:10:27 »

Thanks a lot, guys. O0

Another week has passed, another Mech has been finished. This time its one more plastic figure from the old Citytech boxed set (2nd Edition). The "Daish" is the heaviest Mech those clanners are going to throw against the defenders of House Kurita.

More pictures from various angles can be found on my B L O G