5th Viper Regulars, Clan Steel Viper, Invasion era

[worktroll]

Nu Galaxy was a Homeworld defense force during the 3050s, responsible for securing four of the five Steel Viper holdings in the Clan Homeworlds, including enclaves on Marshall and Homer, as well as New Kent. In the years following 3060 the Galaxy was proactive in fighting Trials for former Clan Smoke Jaguar, Clan Nova Cat and Clan Ghost Bear possessions. Medium and heavy-weight 'Mechs comprised most of their 'Mech assets, with light and assault 'Mechs restricted to specialist units.

In the 3050s the 5th Viper Regulars was equipped with front line machines but the warriors lacked the experience to use them effectively. During engagements the Regulars would go onto the offensive attempting to place their opponents in a corner with their aggressive maneuvers. Depicted is a reinforced Binary.



The Head (Command) Star is led from a Dire Wolf Prime, supported by a Gargoyle A, Warhawk Prime, Gargoyle Prime and Timber Wolf Prime.



The Boa (Striker) Star consists of a Summoner Prime, Hellbringer M, Hellbringer Prime, Mad Dog Prime, and Stormcrow Prime



The Binary has been reinforce by a Krait (Assault) Star for forthcoming Trials on New Kent against Clan Coyote and their heavier designs. The lead unit is a Marauder IIC, accompanied by a Stone Rhino, Supernova, Warhammer IIC, and Crockett CRK-5003-1.




So, last unit for 2024 - everything else I have is waiting on KS fulfilment, and a Black Friday IWM order (which will certainly beat the KS to Australia.)

My second Slap-Chop unit. Like the earlier Goliath Scorpions, same prep - black prime, drybrush light grey, highlight with white. Then hit with Nighthaunt Gloom contrast. Unlike the earlier sand, the Nightgaunt Gloom covered the panel lines completely, but peeled back from the panel edges showing the white highlight underneath. Here's a in-progress shot.



Not what I was expecting, but I rolled with it. Yellow trim was a couple of layers of Lifecolour Chrome Yellow, with yellow shade lowlighting (painting the middle, leaving the edges lighter.) Metallics, a bit of trim, and cockpits - red metallic, then parts covered in yellow shade & less again with orange contrast, in the hope of getting some depth. Nice and simple!

Anyway, good luck to us all in our painting next year - have fun, it's the only point in painting!

[jimdigris]

 

[Neo-Tanuki]

A veritable army of Vipers! Impressive! 

[Schwerpunkt Prinzip]

Very nice work with slapchop, WT. I love the yellow, too!

The Gargoyle A and Hellbringer M mods are awesome. Is that a Highlander arm on the Hellbringer? I can't quite work it out.

[Desert Scribe]

Great job! I like the yellow accents.

[ISD]

Very cool! The red Star Commander markings are a neat, subtle detail
Stupid question of the day: is it a reinforced Binary instead of a Trinary just because the extra Star is temporary?

[worktroll]

Thanks for the kind words, all!

ISD, nicely spotted! Since I went with lunar effect basing, I thought NASA Commander's Stripes would be a nice touch. And yes Schwer, that is a Highlander gauss, from my St. Florian mod.

[avon1985]

Sweet!

[Teejay75]

Very nice! I will definitely be stealing your color recipe!

[I am Belch II]

Great job.

[Wasteland Warrior]

Great looking Vipers, WT.  I particularly like that you included the Crockett.

[worktroll]

I'll confess - I purely love the Clan Heavy Star forcepack. The Marauder IIC, Warhammer IIC, Stone Rhino, and Supernova look superb, have a dominating presence, and paint up gorgeously - and then they throw in the Hunchback IIC. Not that it's a bad mini; but I would have swapped it with the Kodiak from the Clan Ad Hoc Star forcepack (face it, there's nothing more ad hoc than the Hunchback IIC, amiright? ;) )

So I was looking through the MUL for a second line assault to make up the star, because the only Clan second line designs I had were a Pack Hunter and a Howler (not exactly good fits.) When I saw the Crockett, and knew I had a Crockett in stock. it was inevitable.

I like running through the MUL lists when building units - I've added some rarities like a Sun Bear and a Night Crawler thanks to it!

[Wasteland Warrior]

The Clan Heavy Star forcepack is a strong fave, particularly among clan packs.  I picked up more of those during the CI KS than other clan packs.  And I agree the Hunchie IIC screams Ad Hoc - it's on a similar level with the Urbie IIC in that regard. 

It's always nice to see a few rarer/less typical designs sprinkled into units.  The Crockett really meshes well with the mechs from that forcepack (far better than a Pack Hunter, for sure).

My unit building go-to has typically been RATs, but I should give the MUL a shot.  Always looking for opportunities to slot in excess spare mechs.

[worktroll]

You definitely should try the MUL! I start with faction & era, and scroll through for what I have, and what I can pick up. It's a great way to both use the common designs, and find those that add some factional flavour!