Plamo: The CPLT-C1 Catapult (BattleTech, Catalyst Game Labs, “dubious”)

 

Along with the Blackjack, the Catapult is a battlemech I know mainly from the Tex Talks Battletech series of sweary-but-raises-cash-for-charity video essays. It's a little hard to top that summary, but it did endear the Catapult to me. It's almost iconic really, a platonic ideal of the whole "chicken walker" Concept. Sometimes, you just need missiles in an uncomplicated delivery system that can run if it needs to. In related news, I now want a Warhammer or two. 

 

This model is categorised as "dubious" as it comes from another eBay auction that had the look of the grey market about it, although this had a more professional listing this time. This, and a Wolverine I'll be talking about next, came with their own bases, which was a plus, but also a bit of flash. The basic design seems I'll-suited to a plastic this malleable, so I had to use hot water to correct things, but otherwise this was no worse than my first one.

I’ll get to the point: I'm really pleased with this one. Its at the point where I could go further to correct some imperfections, but I don’t want to risk spoiling it. I stepped back from the two-tone green idea and instead went for the olive drab I used on the Heavy Lance. Citadel Moot Green is prominently used on the launcher doors, but otherwise its Vallejo dark grey and leather brown for detailing. Meanwhile, a liberal application of the Citadel Contrast Iyanden Yellow came out good with the cockpit glass. Its fine. Possibly the best I’ve done so far.

Up next: the Wolverine.

Plamo: The CRD-3R Crusader (BattleTech, Catalyst Game Labs, “dubious”)

I know I talk about the Unseen a lot here, but it's kinda unavoidable. It was a big rolling legal battle that featured one of my favourite animes. So, I was very pleased when a mixed lot of "dubious" figures presented me with one from SDF Macross, the Crusader. Like the Orion, this ended up being used as a paint scheme testee, before I decided to give it its due as a proper playing piece. It joins the Griffin in a 60 ton lance.

Even by the standards of the Unseen, the situation with the Crusader and its kin is somewhat convoluted. Its based off a specific equipment load-out for a transforming jet fighter, namely the VF-1A with armour add-ons. Yes, someone thought the best thing you could do with a plane was to turn it into a tank, just go with it. Its a highly toyetic concept which only really mattered in one episode. Subsequently, early BattleTech split what was one machine into several, and largely walked back from the transformation aspect. The armour would of course obscure such things, as would the legally distinct reinvention, but the proportions give it away. There's a lean frame that has been over-built. As a weapon of war, it leans towards the heavy support bracket, but has some oddities befitting is origins. Its got a lot of missiles and armour, some literally shooting from the hip. The forearms feature the most missiles, as well as welcome secondary armament like medium lasers and less-welcome accessories in the form of machine guns. While supposedly a good melee combatant, the design lacks jump jets & has heat issues. I think I may field this as the CRD-3L version, which addresses these issues to an extent. In either case, the contrast to the Catapult is an interesting one. A Crusader does not lack for dakka, and is certainly versatile in its base form, but I’d say the Catapult was more optimised for the “shoot and scoot” tactic.

 

Painting this one posed a few minor problems, some of which I probably created for myself. Through some combination of dettol and manufacturing fault, this model didn’t have an especially good finish when I came to paint it seriously. And I didn't notice the mould line on the head until I'd finished, arrgghghgh. While well-suited to drybrushing, I made things difficult for myself by attempting a two tone green, which didn’t come out especially well. You see, I wanted to highlight the exaggerated proportions by having the biceps in a lighter green, but the contrast wasn’t enough. I ended up using Citadel Moot Green, and possibly when too far in the other direction, but it don’t look bad. The main innovation here was the use of “Gamer Grass”, which I regret to inform you that it is not some kind of cannabinoid energy drink. Rather, its a range of basing materials for miniatures, taking the form of stick-on static grass. With a bit of PVA glue to secure it, I’m now a huge fan.

Up next: ..and speaking of the Catapult.

Plamo: The ON1-K Orion (BattleTech, Catalyst Game Labs, “dubious”)

As you may have observed, its taken me some time to settle on a colour scheme. This is probably a matter of me making things difficult for myself, and possibly having the wrong mindset for it. My experience is mainly Orks, which is usually a matter of being numerous and/or rusty. I can take a bit more time with these. And also its time to mix it up a bit. Monotone looks a bit dull, even if I've got a theme. So, I took a step back, and decided to work on one by itself with a more involved paint scheme.

This model has its origins in an eBay listing of dubious provenance, and might charitably be called a factory second if we don't want to use the phrase "knock-off". I'd used it for colour testing previously, and nearly kept it with its last paint job, but I felt I could do better. Fictionally? The Orion is another centuries old legacy design of the heavy category. Its basically there to just dish it out and take it. Visually? Its got a lot of that asymmetric brutalism that you see in mecha from the "pre-clan" period. It's not a repurposed anime design, so its not especially humanoid and perhaps a bit janky, but it does definitely look like a bad day that's about to happen to someone. I like the ugly thing, although I have no idea what the deal is with the left arm.

I'd decided to go for a two tone green scheme this time, combining techniques used in my two previous projects. This evokes both the Zaku II and the Scopedog, though its fairly generic TBH. The Orion's odd design also means that I needed to get creative with it, while the AK Lime Green needed some toning down. It seems that paint works best as an accent or highlight when paired with another green. I also opted for grey feet this time, with the brown retained for detailing work. The base was also somewhat more involved, and an example of restrictions breeding creativity. This model lacked a base, so I ordered what proved to be one intended to be used with the older metal battletech models and thus was wrong. I used green stuff fill in the cavity, and decided, fuck it, to attempt a textured base. You can just about see it under the grass I over-applied. The missile rack also a minor area of issue, and I don’t think I can sort that out without stripping the paint again.

 

All in all, this came out pretty good, and the imperfections don’t really matter on a brute like this.

 

Plamo: The “Technolog Robogear Astrogladiator” Or Something

Ever roll a dice on an eBay listing? I'm a little vague on what this actually is. I know its Russian, a wargaming piece, and a giant robot. Robogear is a name once associated with Airfix circa 2007, although more recent information is behind a language barrier. The model kits of that line have a certain reputation as good conversion fodder for Ork units, but it seems in never really caught on in the west. The lack of context for this gives me pause for thought, but here's how I got on with it.

First impressions? Not great. The plastic is thick, but there is some nasty ass flash, big obvious mould lines and the parts fit is lacking. This could be some form of bootleg, or just really cheaply made, either is credible. Nothing is difficult to manage, but adds to the “toyish" feel that comes from the joint design. The good news is you can build this in sub assemblies before painting, and pose it later, not requiring glue. The bad news is that these joints are based on friction, not glue or polycaps, and you need to use a bit of force. Force isn't something I was happy applying here, because the plastic marks easily, but paradoxically, I'm reasonably certain an assembled model would survive the drop test. I'm hesitant to be too harsh or too kind here, knowing so little about its providence, buuuuuut I've handled far less robust models than this. Its got the build quality of a robot toy you find in a random papershop somewhere for a fiver, one that maybe holds up better than you'd expected, but one that could appear on a Knockoff Beatdown.

Visually, the kit evokes a Heavy Gear design, although its quite generic with other bits suggesting Gundam. It's not without its own flair however, with the gun seeming attached to the hand by a nut and bolt. It's wide shouldered and stocky, although I ended up ditching the oversized ankle guards. Articulation meanwhile is basic, leading me to the fixed pose you see here. I can see this kit being mainly of interest to kitbashers, mainly fans of Warhammer 40K looking for conversion fodder.

In terms of painting, I opted for basically what I always do for ork vehicles: dirty metals paired with bright blue. It's the same technique as The Last Gorkanaut, although using a black undercoat this time. I don't it came out quite as well, buts it certainly not bad. This is also the first time I've tried making camouflage netting from fabric bandages. I found the process messy, but worth the effort, and I think I know how to do it better next time.