Sierra Foxtrot Phase One Complete

The latest batch of models I had on order have arrived - three more Wolf-Mechs, a few Gila recon buggies for the Southern Commonwealth force, and a Gorilla-Mech. 

The three wolf-mechs were painted yesterday. With these and the transport shuttles for the fusiliers done, the Citadel army is now fully complete. 

For the fusilier unit I'm undecided how I want to handle their transports. While the shuttles clearly must levitate, they could be either a floating grav-skimmer just a few feet off the ground, or a fully airborne vehicle with mobility similar to a helicopter. In the former case they'd be treated as a ground unit, just with high-speed and the Amphibious rule. In the later they'd use the Helicopter rules (or something similar). Obviously makes a big difference in how the army would play, so I'll have to mull over this a bit. Might even playtest both versions, and see which one works better. 

The three new wolf-mechs are finished, giving me seven in total (including the Black Wolf). 

So, with the wolf-knight force complete that means my initial five Sierra Foxtrot armies are almost fully done. The last unit I have to do is the Gila recon ATVs for the Commonwealth. 

Truth be told, these models weren't actually my first choice for the SC recon vehicles. I was initially wanting the Comanche, but as this was out of stock I grabbed the Gila instead. If the Comanche comes back into stock I may buy a couple of those later, and repaint the Gila's as recon for the Zhaleed Empire force.

The last item in my most recent order was a Gorilla Mech. 

This was purchased out of curiosity as a sample - I really like both the Scorpion and Wolf Mech models, so based on that I figured the Gorilla was worth looking at. But having assembled it I can't say the model appeals, and I don't see it being part of a future army. Oh well, it never hurts to try something new.

Snakes on a Plane

 Latest batch of new models have arrived, these ones from ClearHorizon Miniatures. These were actually ordered last year, but because some of the models were on backorder they took a while to arrive. 

The first models ordered were some air support for the Serpents.

(Obligatory Samuel L. Jackson scene.)

The model is the Night-Stalker from their HADES range. It comes with a large cannon, but to me it's too large and looks a bit comical, so I've left it off. 

Next up is more air support, this time for the Wolf-Knights.

The model is the SX-18 Aurora. It's a little smaller than I prefer for my 15mm aircraft models, but not too small to use. I'm justifying the smaller size by saying that the Wolf-Knights higher tech-level lets them pack the same level of capability into a smaller aircraft. This model was a little fiddly to assemble - 8 pieces, fitting together such that the interior is hollow. The reason for this is you can model it with the rear panel lowered and use it as a transport. But I'm calling mine purely fighter aircraft. 

The last model I ordered I something I am using as transports, the USHI shuttle. I picked up four of these, enough to transport my platoon of fusilier infantry. 

I've painted one up fully to try out the colour scheme, which I'm happy with. I'll get the last three done over the next few days, and at that point the Wolf-Knights will be something like 70-80% done. The last thing left is I've ordered three more of the Wolf-Mechs, but that might have been excessive - depending on how I stat things out, I've probably got enough to field a standard sized force with just the models I already have. 

Defenders of the Crystal Citadel

The last of the Sierra Foxtrot armies I have on my painting table (at least for now...) is the Wolf-Knights, AKA the Defenders of the Crystal Citadel. 

Unfortunately this force is still waiting on a last couple of models to arrive. I was hopeful they might get delivered while I was out of town last week, but it was not to be. So I have finished all the units I have on hand. Still to arrive are three more wolf-mechs (large bases in the image above are stand-ins), four transport shuttles for the infantry, and a pair of ground attack aircraft. 

The Republic of the Crystal Citadel

When humanity started to explore the galaxy during the First Expansion, one of the most amazing discoveries they made was the Crystal Citadel - an ancient city filled with incredibly advanced technology, seemingly abandoned, and with little to no evidence about its builders. While the technology of the Citadel was so advanced as to make attempts to reverse-engineer it hopeless, it did contain automated manufacturing facilities that allowed its human occupants to build a number of devices from standard templates. The most famous of these are the Wolf-Mechs. 

When the interstellar gates mysteriously ceased working during The Closure, the explorers investigating the Citadel were (as with all the colony worlds) cut off from Earth. For nearly two-hundred years the inhabitants of the Citadel had to fend for themselves, developing their own culture and shared history. When the gates re-opened at the start of the Second Expansion, they declined to re-join either any Terran state or the United Nations, instead declaring themselves an independent republic. The Republic of the Crystal Citadel has generally friendly relations with most human states (both on Terra and other former colonies) but it steadfastly maintains its independence. 

Units

The core of the Wolf-Knight force is (unsurprisingly) the Wolf-Mechs themselves. I've assembled these in three variants so far - cannon armed, missile launcher armed, and the Black-Wolf with medium missile launcher. 

Supporting the wolves I so far have two additional unit types. First, the fast scout/recon Outriders; 

And second, the infantry units which I am calling Fusiliers;

So the Wolf-Knights are now about two-thirds done, with the last models still on order. And that, plus a scout unit for the Southern Commonwealth and air-support for the Serpents (again, awaiting models on order) will complete my five Sierra Foxtrot armies. 

After that the question becomes, what should my next gaming/miniature project be? At the moment 15mm sci-fi is still enthusing me, so I'm tempted by the notion of either creating one or two more SF armies (and I've even got my eye on some suitable model ranges) or adding unit types to the five existing armies (again, a few candidate models are being considered). But for the short term I think I might work on my terrain. I'm considering making a sparse, desert board, going for a look somewhere between US south-west, Mars, or World of Warcraft Badland zone. 

The Completed Swarm and Future Plans

 I've finished three new units for the Malroid Swarm army - the air support, the Tactical Node command unit, and the 'Apollyon' artillery units. 

These additions make this army fully complete, with the target six unit types all painted and finished. The Zhaleed Empire army is also done. The Serpents and Southern Commonwealth armies both only have one unit to go - a platoon of scout vehicles for the SC, and air support for the Serpents. Models for both have been ordered.

Works in Progress

With most of the Sierra Foxtrot armies either finished or very close to finished, I've started thinking about what my next project should be. It makes sense to start with the models I've already bought, which means two forces in progress. First, finishing the Wolf-Knights for Sierra Foxtrot;

These guys are around 50% complete. I've got three more of the wolf-mechs on order, which I'll assemble two with guns, one with missile packs (large bases in image shown are stand-ins). I have the infantry platoon assembled and primed, so these are probably the next thing I'll work on. The plan is to go with a mostly white Stormtrooper-esque scheme, with blue shoulder pads to match the wolves. A platoon of transports have also been ordered. 

The other army on my painting table right is something completely different (sorry, no John Cleese in a bikini this time; apologies to his fans) - a House Stark army for Song of Ice and Fire. Three infantry stands, a cavalry stand, and a Dire Wolf, all just primed at the moment.

This was a completely random purchase on a whim. I saw it on the shelf, figured I hadn't played 28mm fantasy for a while (not since Warhammer 8th Edition, and I've sold my Dark Elf army) so I figured "why not". The core box comes with both Starks and Lannisters, so I figure I'll get the Starks done first, play a couple of games, then do some research into what armies/expansions are available. If models are available, the idea of a Dornish force has some appeal. (And if models aren't available... well, some War of the Ring Haradrim/Easterlings would probably work as a decent stand-in). 

Apart from these two forces, the other main project I'm thinking about is varying my terrain setups. Right now I have a very passable "summer grass" layout, with a flocked 8'x4' mat and matching hills. But I'd like to be able to play on a more desert table. Not pure sand, but like the rocky, sparse prairie terrain you get in the US south-west. There are a few companies that make battle-mats in this theme, so I'll read some reviews and pick one. Then probably make some new hills to match.

Sierra Foxtrot - Jan 2021 Review

Some new models arrived yesterday, which means it's time for a review of the Sierra Foxtrot armies. I've decided to aim for six unit types for each force, and I'm getting close to achieving this. I figure two more orders (one already placed, plus one more after that) should do it. 

(Links below BTW are the sites I ordered through; some may be online re-sellers, not direct from the manufacturer.)

Going through army by army...

Zhaleed Empire

The Zhaleed Empire is complete, with the target six unit types, all fully painted.

• The core Shadeen infantry platoons (Rebel Minis) with transports (BTR-60's from Battlefront).
• The Devout Guard, an elite tank formation (KV's from Battlefront).
• The High Templar command unit, with Zealot bodyguards (both Alternative Armies).
• An Ataxs rocket artillery battery (SA-13 Gopher from Battlefront).
• The Sand-Krakens, with their primary and secondary tentacles (Alternative Armies).
• Ground attack fighters (IL-2 Sturmoviks from Battlefront).

The Malroid Swarm

The Swarm is very close to complete, with 5 unit types fully painted and the last unit assembled and in progress.

• Scorpion assault mechs (Rebel Minis).
• Banshee attack skimmers (Aries Games & Minis).
• Reaper infantry drones (Shalur mercenaries from Rebel Minis).
• Apollyon artillery drones (Soriog "Gundogs" from Khurasan Minis)
• The Tactical Node (A Ground Zero Games Outrim Coalition Heavy Cruiser type-B).
• Ground attack aircraft (Ground Zero Games Chalutz Chalal class Heavy Battleship. I've chosen to leave off the metal pieces for the rear engines.)

The Serpents

Serpent ground forces are complete and painted up. While they already have 6 unit types, I want to include air support for all the Sierra Foxtrot armies, and I've found a model I think fits. This is on order and awaiting arrival. 

• The Serpent Warrior infantry units, with transports (the Astragar range through Ral Partha, and Sirrus APC from Alternate Armies).
• Viper Battlesuits (also from the Astragar range).
• Serpent Warrior direct fire cannon unit (ditto).
• Serpent Warrior mortar unit (ditto).
• Anaconda assault mech ("Skuttler" centipede mech from Khurasan Minis; I just left off the legs).
• The Nest-Queen (plastic toy Cobra from Hobby Lobby, repainted).

The Southern Commonwealth

The Southern Commonwealth force currently has 5 units, all painted up and ready. Except for the air support (which are Panavia Tornados from Battlefront) these models are all from Rebel Minis.

• Lion Main Battle Tanks.
• Infantry platoon with their transports.
• ATGM variant of the transport.
• Rocket artillery variant of the transport.
• Ground attack aircraft.

For the last SC unit, I debated the option of adding a humanoid mech (this guy was being considered), but now I'm leaning towards some sort of scout/recon unit. Maybe something like a humvee or a dune-buggy type vehicle.

The Wolf-Knights

The army probably furthest from being finished is the Wolf-Knights. Being generous, I'm counting the cannon-armed, missile-launcher armed, and Black Wolf mechs as separate unit types. So with the Outriders that's four.

So two new unit types needed, and it's straight-forward enough what they should be - infantry and air-support. And models for both have been ordered. 

Unleash the Hounds

 (Alternative post title, Who Let the Dogs Out.)

A productive Friday and Saturday has seen the Wolf-Knight force mostly completed. The Wolf-mechs themselves and the Outrider cycles have been done, leaving just the infantry and any expansions to go. 

The core units of the force are obviously the Wolf-mechs themselves. At the moment I'm allocating them two shields, making each Wolf-mech two-thirds as durable as the Scorp-mechs in the Malroid force. Firepower wise, each has a back-mounted main armament. I've given two twin-cannons, and one a missile artillery pack. 

The fourth Wolf-mech I've made a special unit - the Black Wolf. This guy gets three shields (so on par with the Scorp-mechs), and has a medium missile launcher armament. 

The two Outrider units are also done. These are light skirmish/recon units that can grab objectives and/or protect the Wolves from ambushes. 

So the main units for the Wolf-Knight force are done. The next thing this force needs is some infantry. Unfortunately I haven't yet found models I'm completely happy with. The images above include two candidates I purchased samples of - Dobermanns from Steel Warrior Studios, and Black Widow mercs from Rebel Minis. The Dobermann model I like, but they seem to be perpetually Out of Stock. I haven't seen them available since I ordered the models for a couple of trial stands. The Black Widows are well crafted, but I don't think they're what I'm looking for. I may paint them up to use as scouts or some type of specialty unit, but I don't think they fit as a primary infantry model.