VIPER canopy repaint

After upgrading my other VIPERs with a few extra details, I thought I'd try repainting the canopy on my civilian version in the same way as I did on my Land Rovers.

It didn't work quite as well, but it's still better than the gloss black I started with, so I'm happy.  I'm sure I'll improve over time the more I practice.

The canopies received a coat of gloss medium afterwards, for a nice shiny finish.  I picked up the tube of gloss medium just before Christmas and I've used it on a few things now, either giving a sheen on canopies, or improving the appearance of the water on my amphibious APC.  It will certainly come in useful when I make a larger wargame board later this year which will have a few patches of water on it.

Rebel Minis VIPER Suit 4

My latest VIPER suit has been built in a more dynamic pose than the previous ones.  I reposed the feet and assembled the legs from individual sections rather than using a pre-posed set.  I used gel superglue to ensure a strong bond, there's a lot of weight suported on that back ankle joint.

I used the same paint scheme as the first 2 VIPERs.

The main weapons are a "Suturus Pattern - Project Good Dog Heat Spear".  These are designed by John Bear Ross, designer of the VIPER and therefore a good match in style.  They were resized slightly, though the Imperial Knight ball joints on the original were not the exact same size anyway. Regardless of this, gel superglue fixes them in place well.

Fast moving mecha.

I re-purposed the chin-mount weapons from the Titan Marine VIPER as a light anti-aircraft gun on top of the hull.  The sensors were painted in like gems, which was a bit fiddly between the weapon barrels.

Anti-aircraft guns & sensors.

This VIPER has been printed hollow with an removable canopy and a pilot with ejection seat.  I have also printed an empty seat as an alternative option.

Pilot.

There is space inside the back of the hull for some stowage, ammo boxes, food, tent, weapons.  I have the stowage set so I have various options available once I get them printed.

Pilot.

The running pose was inspired by various BattleTech 'Mechs such as the Locust and various Clan OmniMechs.

Having the top mounted weapons rear-facing gives it a sleeker, faster appearance, and will help ward off pursuers.

Strong glue was needed for this pose!

The altered feet work particularly well with this pose.

Rear facing wepons on top look "faster".

I also added some additional detail to my existing VIPERs.  All had red/green port and starboard markings on the shoulder armour triangles.  The first one had some lenses painted on the teeny lenses alongside the chin gatling.

Sensor lenses on gatling just visible if you zoom in.

I also painted some lenses on the little sensor bubbles to either side of the main guns

Weapon sensor lens.

The ammo box at the side of the cockpit has a small transfer to turn it into a first aid kit.

First aid kit detail.

This VIPER will be the fast recon unit for my Mecha forces, hence the lighter weight weapons and the rear facing guns to discourage pursuit.

Mecha attack!

I can see this VIPER striking behind enemy lines, or flanking them, using its fusion guns to destroy supplies and spread havoc, then outdistancing any pursuit.

Rebel Minis ScorpionMech Kickstarter

 I thought I'd drop in a quick post about the new Rebel Minis Digital Direct Kickstarter for their new ScorpionMech which ends around 20th/21st July (not sure which, depends on which time zone you're in?).  This has been designed by the talented Mr John Bear Ross, many 15mm sci fi gamers may well have some of his models already - he has designed a lot for Rebel Minis and also produced a lot of lovely vehicles for Critical Mass Games, some of which are now available from Ral Partha Europe. Although the main model is 28mm, the stretch goal for 15mm versions has already been reached, and those will be included in the basic pledge which is $30 or about £25.

Picture from Kickstarter.

A lot of the older models are available as add-ons to the Kickstarter.  I purchased the digital files for the Earth Force and Titan Marine VIPER suits a few weeks ago and although they aren't finished yet, I thought I'd share a few photographs I took so you can see the sort of detail and quality you get. These are available as some of the add-ons to the Kickstarter and they're absolutely fantastic.

My first combat VIPER is an all-missile version, either a tank-hunter armed with ATGMs, or a mobile artillery unit.

Missile VIPER.

Missile VIPER.

Missile VIPER.

Missile VIPER.

The second combat VIPER has a more general loadout.  I tried for a pose as if it's tracking a target on the move, with the missile pod, chin gun and right arm all swivelling.  Not sure if it really worked but it's a bit different from any other mecha poses that I have.

Anti-tank VIPER.

Anti-tank VIPER.

Jet pack detail.

I painted the standard cockpit VIPER as a civilian construction or loading mech.  This is actually painted with emulsion house paints!  The Wilkinson's tester pot "Bumblebee" yellow turns out to be better than any acrylic model paint that I've found.

Construction/loading VIPER.

Construction/loading VIPER.

Construction/loading VIPER.

Construction/loading VIPER.

Construction/loading VIPER.

Once I've got the VIPERs finished off, I'll take a few better photographs and go into more detail on their various features and how I painted them.