The First Taurian Lancers was formed by the Taurian Defence Force in 3020 as an experiment in tactical doctrine, placing equal amount of Heavy Tank and other armour vehicles with BattleMechs in each of its battalions. Due to their fanatic loyalty to then Protector Grover Shraplen, the Lancers remained part of the Concordat military instead of joining the rebels who formed the Calderon Protectorate in 3066.
In 3050, the 1st Lancers played a pivotal role in stalling the Davion's Operation MATADOR offensive on Ridgebrook, ambushing and killing Field Marshall Nathanial Hasek and throwing the perfidious Davion forces into confusion. However, this cost the Lancers dearly, reducing them to a third of their original strength.
Under Colonel Humbert Derick, as of 3085 the unit is rebuilding its strength while guarding manufacturing plants on New Vandenburg and Pinard.
Here we see a typical battalion - 'Mechs from the 1st Taurian Lancers, and their regular companions from the 1st Taurian Armoured Lancers, and the 1st Taurian Foot Lancers.
The Foot Lancers operate a dedicated scout/spotter lance, equipped with carefully hoarded Purifier battle armour. These three squads blend into the landscape (literally), and provide spotting and TAG capacity for ...
the platoon of shiny new Heavy LRM Carriers. These are able, thanks to the spotters, able to deliver over 1800 LRMs downrange in a minute. The slow vehicles are escorted by an equally slow pair of mechanised Field Gun Infantry platoons.
The platoon of equally new Light SRM Carriers can either provide further support for the "artillery", or act as scouts or skirmishers in their own right.
A platoon of Gladius hovers, left over from the 1st's service in the Trinity Alliance, provide more dedicated recon capacity.
The Battalion's Command Lance features equipment captured/salvaged in battle during the desperate days on Ridgebrook, brought back into the line thanks to the relentless effort of the TDF's skilled technicians. The CO commands from his CN-9D Centurion, accompanied by a VLK-QA Valkyrie, JVN-10N Javelin, and CLNT-2-3U Clint.
Fire support comes from a JM-6A Jagermech, TBT-5N Trebuchet, DV-6M Dervish, and WHT-1H Whitworth. With its banks of rocket launcers and SRMs, the Whitworth is the lighest "juggernaut" design you're likely to see.
And rounding things off, the Battle Lance features two Champions - a leading-edge HCP-3P, and an old and reliable CHP-2N. They're matched with two jump-capable designs, a MHL-2L Marshall and SHD-7M Shadow Hawk, both featuring improved LRM capacity.
So, another month, another company. This one had been in the works for a while. Back in 2015,
Weirdo wanted a better looking Champion. So I did that, using a DA Nacon body, jump-packs from a DA Phoenix Hawk, and legs from an IWM Corvis. And I did it in 1st Taurian colours.
So in 2018, the time had come to give it some companions. I couldn't quite colour-match the original, but near enough I hope.
I also got sick of the stock Champion's legs, so subbed those from a 25th Anniversary Catapult. Here's a closeup of the two:
I may go back and add some extensions behind the knee, just for git and shiggles. ;) Otherwise not too many mods, except for the couple of simple hacks that make the old CityTech Box Derpturion look half decent. BTW, those Heavy LRM Carriers are BIG. A little bland, but BIG. The Light SRM Carriers are delightful.
Simple paintjob (hence the speed of production):
* Gunmetal prime
* Two coats of Citadel green ink
* Add metallic details, cockpits, and red trim
Colour bleed was easily fixed by a fresh application of gunmetal, then a little more green ink on the exposed patches.
Comments, questions, and cabbages all welcomed,
W.
