As my forth BattleTech related thingy, I suppose I can talk a little more about the fiction this time. In BattleTech parlance, a "Lance" is a typical formation of 4 BattleMechs, while a "Striker" refers to a lighter machine that favours both firepower and mobility. So, a striker lance describes a team of four BattleMechs, which aims for the Striker role. What's interesting here is that, when you dig into it, there's another theme at play. While BattleTech lets everybody field everything, more or less, two of the machines here are associated with the Draconis Combine, with the other two from factions opposed to it. Whom are the Draconis Combine? Well, in my limited understanding, they are Shogunate era Japan in space, BattleTech having that trope where a historical society is revamped with rayguns, and the potential for some unfortunate implications.
The painting for these was an outgrowth of techniques trialled for my preceding three BattleTech projects, with the aim of moving away from Contrast Paints in favour of a drybrush technique. All were therefore sprayed black and then applied with three different shades of green. These were Vallejo Model Colors 6025, Vallejo Panzer Aces 331, and AK Lime Green 11137. The latter ended up dominating the enterprise, making the whole lance brighter than I was aiming for, but not bad. I was still aiming for a Leo look with these, so brown elements were Vallejo Model Colors 70.871, washed with Game Ink 72.092 to add some definition. The other colours were inherited from the preceding projects. Let's continue breaking the format, and talk about the individual models.
First off, the PNT-8R Panther above is a design dating from the settings deep history, which despite some technological progression, the DC managed to hold onto. It puts me in mind of a self-propelled gun, or possibly a tank destroyer given its right arm and general weapon ft. You've got a PCC in most versions, and that puts the heat right up after each shot, so discipline is needed. The Panther presented some modest difficulty with respects to the cockpit glass, which is obscured with the “mouth”, but its fine. I seem to have found my grove with Iyanden Yellow, as you will see with the others here.
The JR7-D Jenner meanwhile is something that the Combine designed and built itself, but then other factions "acquired some". Its very much a hit & run sort of deal, as strikers seem to be, being quick with 5 weapon systems. It can very easily fire all at once. otherwise, it puts me in mind of an angry frog. Yes, that's the green again, but the detail really pops.
The WLF-1 Wolfhound was designed specially to counter the above by Lyran Commonwealth Armed Forces, and is quite well-regarded from what I've heard. Its definitely the most balanced of the mechs seen today, with multiple lasers, one rear facing, a generally humanoid appearance, and good performance. This turned out nice, especially the cockpit glass, although possibly I should use a different colour for the gun...
Finally, the BLJ-1 Blackjack is an anomaly. Its 10 tons heavier than those above, and is classed as sniper, apparently due to its AC2s. It however kick the arse of the Draconis Combine, which was famously covered by Tex Talks BattleTech, and I cannot do better than that. Lots of good detail on this one.
Where next? Well, I think I've found something that works. Its just that additional tweaks are needed to get it perfect. That, or mix this with the purple, and do a devastator...
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