Medved.

<< The Mech >>

“Medved 44”, a mech size 10 unit for the P.F.S.U.D.
Rhino (24527), by Reaper Miniatures.
Height: 53mm.

  
<< Prep >> 

• Stripped previous paint and glue from figure.
• Parts washed.
• Flash removed/mold lines filed down, as the previous owner didn't.
• 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 then spackled with light-weight, dry joint compound, and filed smooth after drying.

This figure was obtained through secondary markets, so the previous owner's paint and glue had to be removed. There are various ways to do this, so use the one that best works for you without violating local laws or endangering your health. The shoulder missile launchers were missing (yes, I got a really good deal on this mech) so the appropriate bits were added to the next order placed with Reaper Miniatures.  

<< Painting >> 

• Masked the joint areas with tape or poster tac.
• Everything primed white.
• Russian green – primary structures.
• Russian uniform WWII – secondary structures.
• Neutral grey - exposed articulation.
• German grey - weapons.
• Red - mech trim and front hex edge of base.
• Black - sensor blisters, inside missile tubes, and 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 (red stars and vehicle numbers from I-94 Enterprises) were going to be placed on the front and back of the torso, 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, dipped the entire miniature 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 >>

Rhino (24527), part of the CAV: Strike Operations range available from Reaper Miniatures. This figure was obtained loose through secondary markets, so the parts may look a bit rougher than if they came fresh from the pack.

  

What you get: six pieces - torso, L/R arms, 2 missile pods, and legs. The waist and arms are pegged, allowing for some pose variation. All the joints were drilled and pegged to strengthen the model for tabletop use. A straightforward build.

A Reaper Miniatures product, and currently available as part of their 3^rd edition CAV: Strike Operations. The miniatures are scaled for 10mm, not the more common 6mm/1:300/1:285, but works very well as a size class large mech. A good, solid mecha from Reaper. 

<< Meka Tac – GSRE >>

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

The “Medved” was a large assault mecha, and a huge departure from traditional P.F.S.U.D. (a.k.a. "Red Star" forces) design doctrine. Not only were the two medium missile launchers given artificial intelligence (AI, +1 to hit) warheads, but the internal systems had enough backups to ignore the first critical hit received. The mecha could engage the enemy at 36" and keep pounding them as it closed to 24" to unleash the two arm-mounted rail cannons. The 8 rounds of armor piercing ammo (AP, +1 to damage rolls) in each of the rail cannons, plus 8 more high explosive (HE, 3" area effect) rounds in the shared ammo carrier gave the mech solid coverage, flexibility, and staying power. What it didn't have was speed, and had to make the best of its 8 move points and -2 initiative modifier.
  

<< 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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