Wednesday 6 May 2020

"-- You're Sanctioned To Employ Lethal Force!"

"By the numbers, team, attack pattern echo!"
These two 28mm scale pre-painted plastic models of Mandroid Armor were produced by “Wizkids” and are both miniature number 009 from their Marvel “Heroclix” Clobberin' Time range. Initially built under Tony Stark's direct, supervision, the battle-suits "were put into mass production" following Stane International taking over Stark's company, and were created by Roy Thomas, Neal Adams, and John Buscema for the December 1971 issue of "Avengers" by "Marvel Comics".

Streamlined and devoid of any Stark technology following the "Armor Wars", the Mandroids were clipped from their 'clicky' bases and permanently placed upon a pair of 25mm circular bases. I then undercoated them with a double layer of "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna, before applying a coat or three of Gold.
Mandroid Armour WIPs - "Vallejo" Gold layer, followed by shade and dry-brush
The figures were subsequently washed in "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade before being thoroughly dry-brushed with (more) "Vallejo" Gold. Finally, I took a page out of "Wizkids" book by simply picking out their visors using some slightly watered down "Citadel" Abaddon Black, as opposed to trying to 'sketch' a visible face inside the helmet as depicted in the majority of comic books. 

Having finished the latest couple of "Heroclix" models I need before I can revisit the Marvel Super Heroes: The Heroic Role-Playing Game by "TSR", I have turned my attention to painting five of the figures found inside the Fleet Troopers Unit Expansion. I don't currently have any intention of actually playing "Star Wars: Legion", but instead plan to use the "Fantasy Flight Games" miniatures as Rebel reinforcements for Chewbacca's forces in my ongoing campaign using some homemade rules.
"STar Wars: Legion" WIPs - A Fleet Trooper, Captain Antilles and a Fleet Trooper carrying an MPL-57 
Originally I had intended to simply get five Rebel soldiers armed with DH-17 blaster pistols ready for the tabletop, but have since swapped one of these figures out for a Fleet Trooper carrying the Merr-Sonn Munitions Incorporated MPL-57 instead. According to "Wookiepedia", this grenade launcher can "fire three grenades with a short delay fuse in rapid succession", so it should provide my rather close-combat orientated Rebellion units with some formidable firepower.

In addition, I have 'dug out' my second box of Fleet Troopers and assembled them, just in case I decide to add even more of the close-quarters combat-trained soldiers to my Alliance army. I am not however, entirely sure what to do with the Alderaanian consular security unit's (second) commander though, as I currently only envisage needing the one to proxy Captain Raymus Antilles. Perhaps a bit of converting is in order...

16 comments:

  1. Great looking mandroids Simon, very nice progress on the rebel troopers as well

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    1. Thanks Dave. Super-simple figs as you can imagine. I think the Fleet Troopers will be a bit more difficult :-)

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  2. great job.,that gold really pops. loving it.

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    1. Cheers Mr. Martin. It's not the brightest gold palette I use, as I find the Strong Tone Quickshade darkens it a bit. So I'll be applying some "Citadel" Reikland Fleshshade to the next gold miniature I have in my painting queue ;-)

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  3. I have never heard of the Mandroids, but they look quite funky. I don't blame you for not free handing a face on them and think the dark visor looks good. The Rebels are coming along nicely and look like great little sculpts.

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    1. Cheers Undercoat. Simple stuff and they're not as large as I would have liked or thought. Indeed, the original Mandroid suits in "Avengers" are gigantic. Probably one of the least impressive sculpts from the awesome "Clobberin' Time" range tbh. Hoping to have at least one or two of the Fleet Troopers finished soon.

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  4. Lovely work on the droids Simon, can't wait to see more of the Rebel Troopers too.

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    1. Thanks Michael. The Mandroids are armoured suits as opposed to robots, and there are a variety of them depending upon who they're facing e.g Hulkbuster armour.

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  5. As always Simon, your work is of the "gold" standard!

    Cheers Roger.

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    1. LOL, Roger!! Simple stuff, but its good to get some minis finished after my brief sabbatical.

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    2. Fully understand, I took a similar route myself.

      Cheers Roger.

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    3. I think there's definitely something therapeutic in simply dry-brushing a model for a few minutes and then afterwards realising its now finished :-)

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  6. OOOhhhh, gold - makes a nice change and these two look great(though shame they're both in the same pose)

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    1. Thanks Joe. I don't think there's too much opportunity for conversions on the Mandroid sculpts tbh. Although I am toying with the idea of putting their arms on a couple of goons, as per the Marvel RPG scenario, where they snatched up the gauntlets and put them on...

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