Tomorrow's War meets Battletech (in 15mm scale)

[VERITAS/AEQUITAS]

I won't use Battletech rules (I don't like them), but I'll use the background and the weapon's terminology to convert it to be played with another set of rules. As those are in 15mm those bigger Mechs come in handy. The rules I'll be using are generic, so you can use any Sci-Fi background universe. Play with miniatures of any scale or background. I chose BT, because I always loved the Mecha stuff from Japan.

[Venerable Player]

So, how easy will it be to convert to Tomorrow's War?

[VERITAS/AEQUITAS]

Depends on what you want. Currently I am trying to figure out how I can make Mechs withstand more damage. I probably will have to rewrite the whole damage table for vehicles - especially because Mechs only have one crewmen. And given the various amounts of weapons and gear (jump jets) that can be damaged...
I also think I will divide groups of weapons. A single Mech carries so many weapons that standard TW rules won't be able to cope with that. Heat I want to tie into those rules, by "grouping" weapons into Main and Secondary weapon systems. That way you'll have to consider if you run+gun with secondary or if you slowly walk and fire main guns.
I will allow to "Veto" the shut-down of a Mech: that way you could for example run and still fire main guns (instead of less heat producing secondary weapon systems) - but you will have to roll TQ if your Mechwarrios stays conscious.
I have many ideas that will require some testing. :-D

[Venerable Player]

Okay, you're trying a complete transfer, including the "feeling". That sounds pretty daunting.

[VERITAS/AEQUITAS]

I want to keep the feeling that the Battletech universe wants to submit. Yet I try to make it as easy to play with TW as possible. I just don't want to "pop" Mechs just like that after they got a hit by a laser.

[Easy E]

Love seeing the old Robotech action figures being repurposed.

I wish they still sold those toys, I would buy a whole slew. I also remember when they were selling Battletech Mechs as kids toys. Greta times to be a hobbyist, and a kid.

[VERITAS/AEQUITAS]

This thread is by no means dead.
So what do we have this time? House Davion's SHD-2H Shadow Hawk. Another one of the "unseen" designs that came from various sources. This one is a 1/144 scale plastic kit from the Japanese animated TV show "dougram".


with the new infantry I am going to use - 10mm Mechwarrior Dark Age.


Front of the 1/144 scale plastic kit


Side view with arm-mounted Martel Model 5 Medium Laser and torso-mounted Holly Long Range Missile pack (5)


Armstrong J11 Autocannon in upright position, head-mounted Holly Short Range Missile pack (2) and the jump jets


Armstrong J11 in firing position


with his painted heavier friends

[mdauben]

Some cool looking mecha there, Veritas!

[VERITAS/AEQUITAS]

Update. A small one. Actually, the smallest one available to the Inner Sphere.

I present House Davion's recon and scouting light 20t Mech, the LCT-1V "Locust".


Based upon the unseen Mech design, primarily for scouting and recon. This was a multi-part resin kit, based upon a scratchbuilt Mech. The N-scale community demanded copies, so the creator got his scratchbuilt custom Locust casted - and I was happy to obtain two of them.


Armed with only a Martel Medium Laser and two Sperry-Browning MGs, it cannot withstand any other Mech for a long time, but that's not its purpose in the first place.


I based the Locust on some rocky surface to increase the height slightly.


I wanted a striding pose, just as in the old FASA artwork of the TRO 3025.


The Locust is currently the smallest Mech used within the Inner Sphere.
A tiny, filigrane little BattleMech - I just love that thing.

[nooker]

Are any of these Locust models still available? That's a sweet model and the locust is my favorite from Battletech. The later versions were not nearly as cool. Nice paint job on it too!!

[Caiphas Cain]

That looks so fragile, I'd be worried that I'd break it. In TW are there mecha walkers?

[VERITAS/AEQUITAS]

In TW there is whatever YOU want. That's why it is called "Generic" Sci-Fi rules. ;-)

@Nooker: no, not at this time.

[nooker]

Not at this time? does that mean it will be in the future? Is there a way to find out when it might available again?

[VERITAS/AEQUITAS]

It depends. See, this is in no way an official model. It was casted in commission after some guys liked another dude's scratchbuilding work, and due to being a garage kit (i.e. not professional casting) they can only run so and so many copies until the mould is destroyed. I think they had like 30 and they were sold out immediately, with plenty of copies already being pre-ordered. If there is another run, I can shoot you a private message. But it doesn't seem likely at the moment, due to other stuff having priority. There is no website or something, this is basicly a small community, running this stuff via email etc.

[Solun Decius]

Nice thread you've got here. It's not often I venture out into the "general sci-fi logs" but it seems totally worth it
The bright/blocky colors look cartoony which fits nicely with these Manga-ish Mech designs.
*subscribed*

[nooker]

If there is another run, I can shoot you a private message.

I would really appreciate that!

nooker

[Mott]

I don't mean to thread-jack, but it seems great minds think alike sir.

15mm is the only way I play battletech!

Do you frequent any gaming conventions? I'd love to get to play against someone else who collects in the same scale. Crucis Lancers vs! .... Crucis Lancers :O jk I have other forces too.

Ill have to check out tommorow war rules, Ive been looking for something with a more combined arms focus than CBT.

[VERITAS/AEQUITAS]

It's been rather quiet on my end for some time. But this is about to change *drum roll*:
The pride of the Lyran Commonwealth, the ZEU-6S "Zeus", is the latest addition to my growing Davion forces. Some of the Mechs have found their way into House Davion's service.


Apart from the base this is an unmodified out-of-the-box built Ral Partha Europe Museum Scale "Zeus" Mech to add more heavy-weight fighting power to my Davion battleforce. As it is made from pewter it indeed is "heavy"


The arm-mounted Coventry Star Fire LRM-15 system gives the heavy machine a hard punch over long distances.


The torso-mounted energy-based weapon systems include the Defiance B3M Medium Laser system (center) and a larger Thunderbolt A5M Laser system (left torso). These give the Zeus a really destructive output over medium and close ranges. The decals are from Fighting Pirannha Graphics.


Note the House Davion "Federated Suns" emblem on the right knee pad and the antennas I have added to the cockpit. I really like the TRO 3025 look of the Zeus - especially this mean shot of the "business end" of the large war machine


The rear of the Mech shows various ports of the heat sinks. All panel lines were washed using thinned black oil paint.


The Zeus main weapon of choice: a Defiance Autocannon (AC/5).

Off to paint more Mechs now. Stay tuned!

[VERITAS/AEQUITAS]

Another update..


Towering over her enemies, this 6-piece resin kit was a limited quantity run of an Elfbait design I was able to obtain a little while ago.

This kit resembles the 95 ton Defiance Industries BNC-5S "Banshee" with its expanded capabilities. This is going to be the heaviest of all Davion Mechs my force will receive.


The back shows the fine sculpt with all of its heat venting louvres. The panels received a pin wash with thinned down black oil paint. Note the rear-mounted twin Defiance B3M Medium Lasers that should keep all sneaky enemies at bay.


This front shot clearly shows why I spoke of "expanded" capabilities: The 5S variant has an increased arsenal of weapons it can bring to bear. A mix of missiles, energy-based weapons and a mighty Gauss rifle makes the "Banshee" a deadly opponent over various distances.


The Banshee's heaviest hitter: a mighty Poland Main Model A Gauss Rifle.


On the opposite: the battle-fist that will punch and rip about every opponent into pieces, combined with another twin-configuration of Defiance's B3M Medium Lasers.


The head shows my attempt to paint the cockpit glass (eyes) just like on all other Davion Mechs. To the left you can see the shoulder-mounted TharHes Maxi SRM-6 Rack and to left and right, just over the hip, the two Defiance 1001 series Particle Projector Cannons.
Two Defiance B3S Small Lasers (center torso and head) give the Banshee ample back-up for the close fight.

back to production and assembly lines now.

[VERITAS/AEQUITAS]

The latest addition to my House Davion troops is an icon of the Classic Battletech universe and hence not to be missing in my force: the WHM-7M "Warhammer".

This miniature started its life as an 3" tall plastic toy/action figure for Exo Squad, where it is known as Destroid Tomahawk. I gave it a full repaint and a minor conversion (see below).


The front shot in a dynamic pose that every BattleTech fan will recognize immdiately.


With a weight of 70 tons the Warhammer isn't the heaviest Mech of all times, nor is it on the upper end of the heavy class, but it is for sure a fearsome enemy. It stands taller than most other warmachines and its wide array of weapons left its mark on many battlefields.


The detail shot of the upper torso reveals the shoulder mounted Shannon SRM-6 rack and the O/P 1500 ARB tracking system on the opposite side. Below, just over the hip the muzzles of the two Martell Medium Lasers.


The left side arm-mounted Fusigon Longtooth Particle Projector Cannon has an extended range capacity. Visible above the PPC, mounted to the torso, you can see the gatling gun of the Anti Missile System.


The other arm bears the same PPC, increasing the deadly firepower significantly. Above, on the torso, the 7M variant bears a Lindblad LFN Machine Gun which enhances the anti-infantry capabilities.


This back shot reveals the details of the Magna 280 engine and heat sink grilles.


This pic shows a ship-mounted "Phalanx" gatling gun system. These are mounted on modern-day naval vessels to destroy incoming missiles before they hit the ship. My inspiration came from this pic to realize something similar on my Mech.


The picture reveals torso details of the unpainted Exo Squad toy. As you can see it has two dome-shaped barrels to resemble the original 6R variant's two small lasers. I cut off the one marked with the red X and used the other as radar dome of the Anti-Missile-System. I bought 1/48 scale Minigun barrels made from resin that normally go onto an aircraft (AC 130 Spectre Gunship) and added one next to the "radar". See the results below:


Note the torso mounted (right side of the pic) Lindblad Shotgun Anti-Missile-Sytem. The white dome resembles the radar and the minigun is my proxy for a rapid firing defense system that will destroy incoming missiles in mid air before they hit the Warhammer. Hope you like its look 'cause I think it looks awesome.