This 1:285 scale “high quality” plastic model of a Wolverine is made by “Catalyst Game Labs” and can be bought together with a Griffin in the company’s “BattleTech: Beginner Box”. Both the pre-assembled miniatures also come with an assortment of Record Sheets depicting various colour schemes. But as I plan to use this particular sculpt as a Yakovlev-class Soviet War Walker for an upcoming Weird War Two campaign utilising some homemade rules, I decided to go with a predominantly green palette.
As a result, the 44mm tall figure was initially primed using two layers of “Vallejo” Russian Uniform WWII and shaded in “Citadel” Biel-Tan Green. It was then carefully dry-brushed using (more) “Vallejo” Russian Uniform WWII and had its windows ‘picked out’ with a little “Citadel” Abaddon Black. In order to add a bit of interest to the “jack of all trades” I also decided to apply a combination of “Vallejo” Heavy Red and “Citadel” Carroburg Crimson to the vehicle’s left fist.
As a penultimate touch I gave the Wolverine’s right-handed Autocannon (with one ton of ammunition) and its shoulder-mounted six-pack SRM launcher a layer of “Vallejo” Gunmetal, as well as a wash of “Citadel” Nuln Oil. Finally, I decided to search through my collection of “Decal Details” and apply four 1/285 air or 15mm armour Russian Stars to the machine’s shoulder-pads and thighs.
Stepping away from painting, I have managed to get another ‘quick’ game of “Flames Of War” in recently, this time to determine how the World War Two rule-set by “Battlefront Miniatures” works when infantry confront an armoured formation. We only used the “Hit The Beach” Starter Set Quick Start Core Rules, and ignored any formation guidelines to allow us to pitch several 15mm teams (stands) of German Panzergrenadiers against an American Veteran M4 Sherman Tank Platoon
The game saw the American tanks advance from behind the safety of a small built up area, and was designed for us to try out the different effective ranges of our various weapons. Needless to say, I was super keen to ascertain just how useful it would prove for my infantry to carry a Panzerfaust anti-tank recoilless gun would be, and establish whether there would ever be a point to my German’s assaulting an armoured target without one.
In brief the conflict was very bloody, with the Sherman’s weapons capable of doing some considerable to infantry if given the option. However, it also quickly became clear that if facing an enemy equipped with anti-tank weaponry, the Shermans desperately needed infantry support. Two of the armoured vehicles were abandoned by their crew and subsequently destroyed in quick order once they came into range of either a Panzerschreck or Panzerfaust. Whilst the third ultimately fled the battlefield despite it easily surviving an assault with just a ‘harmless’ grenade…
I really like the way your mechs are coming along, you've got the WW2 colour schemes down pat. The shading on this Soviet chap is just spot on and the red fist is the perfect contrast colour.
Man, those Shermans got the crap kicked out of them...
Great work on the Soviet mech. Great colour scheme and some really neat painting. The shading is so good and crisp! Fabulous job!
Those anti tank weapons are dealt in FoW. As you say a combined arms force seems the order of the day.
Great work on the mech Simon, sounds like the gaming has highlighted the usefulness of the weapons needed.
Lovely work on the Wolverine Simon.
Looks like the Panzerfauste is essential kit if you are fighting Shermans to me 😁. likewise as mix of infantry and armour appears to be the best combo all round.
Cheers Roger.