Python. Camp Like a Titan.

<< The Mech >>

 

“Python 515”, a mech size 11 + 1 unit for the O.A.S.F.
Mastodon (24551), by Reaper Miniatures.
Height: 50mm. 

<< Prep >>

• Parts washed.
• Flash removed/mold lines filed down.
• Joints were drilled and pinned for final assembly after the majority of painting was completed.
• Mounted the legs on a 29mm hex cut from 1/8” MDF.
• The top of the base was spackled with light-weight, dry joint compound, and filed smooth after drying.

<< Painting >> 

• Masked the joint areas with tape or poster tac.
• Everything primed grey.
• Neutral grey – primary structures.
• Sky grey – secondary structures.
• German grey – exposed weapon bits.
• Red - front hex edge of base.
• Black - back hex edge of base.
• Earth – rest of base.
• White – ID number on back hex edge of base.

Once most of the painting was finished, the tape and poster tac masking the joints were removed, the mech was assembled, and touch-up paint applied as needed.

Decided the decals (white stars and vehicle numbers from I-94 Enterprises) were going to be placed on the front of torso and back of the legs, so some clear enamel was painted on those spots. This gave a good base for the decals to set against. Think of it as a surface being primed before painting. After the enamel dried, the water-slide decals were carefully cut, soaked in water, and then applied. Another layer of clear enamel was painted over the decals once they were dry to lock them in.

After everything was dry, the entire miniature was dipped in 1:12 minwax ebony to clear polyurethane mix. Once dry, clumps of green and olive foliage were glued with PVA (white glue) directly to the base, then a mix of fine flock to cover the rest of it – made sure to have kept the edges of the base clear. A couple light sprays of clear matt sealer took the edge off the dip’s gloss and sealed in the flocking. 

<< De-blistering >> 

 

Mastodon (24551), part of the CAV: Strike Operations range available from Reaper Miniatures.

What you get: 3 pieces – legs, torso, and a huge, honkin’ gun. Less parts is more! The waist is pegged, but the most articulation possible is a bit of a torso pivot because the legs get in the way. Parts were drilled and pinned to strengthen the model's joints for tabletop use. 

Produced by Reaper Miniatures, and currently being released as part of Reaper’s 3^rd edition CAV: Strike Operations. The miniatures are scaled for 10mm, not the more common 6mm/1:300/1:285, but works fine for a top end of the scale large mech.

<< Meka Tac – GSRE >>

 

Stat sheet for play on an open table with terrain.
The weapon ranges are in inches.
Designed to print on 4” x 6” or 3” x 5” index card.

The “Python” was a large fire mecha. It was also a one trick pony: siege gun sniper. Yes, its range was ridiculous, a critical hit against your target was all but guaranteed (and the shooter got to decide where on the critical hit table it went), but sniping was a move or shoot lifestyle, and you might as well have painted a big bullseye on your frame; the entire enemy force was gunning for you first. The twin enhanced engines helped compensate for the supplemental armor, but it was best to find a nest with cover to counteract the +2 to be hit for a stationary target. 

The chain gun was more of an afterthought in case smaller units closed in, and a way to hopefully defer a weapon hit critical, but it was not the intent of the designers to be used as a secondary weapon to assault other mechs. The siege gun could be loaded with other ammo types as missions dictated, but the O.A.S.F. (a.k.a. “White Star” forces) preferred the artificial intelligence loads which granted an additional +1 (so, +3 for sniper system, +2 for stationary shooter, and a +1 for AI loads = +6 to a d10 attack roll which hits on a 7+), with high explosive (HE) with an area effect of a 3” blast radius (3” AE) in the ammo carrier should the enemy clustered about for a mid-battle selfie, or collateral damage was required.

<< Links >>

  
Reaper Miniatures Robot Supply Depot – Mecha figures.

I-94 Enterprises – Decals.

The current version of Meka Tac – Giant Stompy Robots Edition game is available IN THE DOWNLOADS SECTION, of the GIANT STOMPY ROBOTS portion of rivetsandsteam.com as well as PDFs of all the cards and counters, quick reference sheets (QRS) and other resources. And, yes, it’s FREE!

 A portion of the Giant Stompy Robots Forum has been set aside for discussing Meka Tac! Please stop by and post your questions, after action reports, and photos of your games!

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