Hey everyone, the site migration is more or less finished and we’re alive and kicking again so it’s time to get back to our community hobby spotlights! This week in the Heavy Gear Hangar we’ll be spotlighting a lovely little force by Marley AKA dr.racoonphd on the discord. This wonderful Southern army has been lovingly collected and painted with an excellent camo pattern that matches the crafted table perfectly. I hope you all enjoy this spotlight as much as I have, as always, a big thank you to Marley for letting us highlight this force.
–Jaeton
Name of the force:#
The SRA 8th Jungle Recon Detachment
When did you start playing in what system?#
I started gaming at a young age with roleplaying games. It has been my primary hobby for over 20 years now. I got into miniature war gaming when I was way too young to actually afford miniature wargames. Initially, I fell in love with a game called Void. I loved the Junkers models and used my little allowance to buy models here and there. I never considered the actual “gaming” portion though, even when I got the rule book. Turns out no one in my community actually played the game. So I switched over to Warhammer 40k, which was the only game being played. I didn’t love the game, but I enjoyed the hobby itself. I stopped for a while, then picked up the hobby again in my mid 20’s. I knew I didn’t want to get back into 40k, so I was searching around for other games and stumbled across a forum post showing off Heavy Gear models, and fell in love. I didn’t end up purchasing any at the time due to hobby time constraints, but it was always in my orbit. Finally, in my late 20’s, I found someone willing to jump in with me, and we both bought into the game. I ended up moving a few years later and was lucky enough to find several other people who play in my local area! That was all the excuse I needed to really let loose and dive in. Since then I have completed four armies and I am working on two more off and on! Having a dedicated group of great players (and people) has been amazing.
What drew you to Heavy Gear?#
Jagers, definitely. I could say the models in general, but it was Jagers specifically. Something about them really drew me in. I love look of most Southern models. The world also really grabbed me. Finding out Heavy Gear also had a roleplaying game just solidified it in my heart. I have since gone about collecting much of the older softbound books as well as the models. I really fell in love with the world of Terra Nova.
How long have you been painting models?#
About 20 years, but with some fairly large gaps in there. I did a lot of traditional art in the downtime. I really picked up miniature painting again about 10 years ago. I tend to flip between trying really hard to make something look amazing, and painting batches of models to use in a game. I have a personal rule that I won’t use unpainted models, so it really pushes me to finish projects! My problem is I enjoy collecting and converting models as well. So I tend to flit between different projects! I have to set artificial deadlines for myself to get projects finished.
How long have you been painting Heavy Gear in particular?#
About 5 years! I initially started with the Southern Starter box. I got that painted up to learn the game. Then I purchased my first metal model and fell in love with the details. That started a snowball where I replaced everything I could with metal models. My first completed army was a rag-tag Badlands force that was just filled with conversions and patchwork paint jobs. It was a ton of fun, but it made me want a unified list. That’s when I settled on painting all of the Southern models I had been slowly purchasing.
What is the backstory of your army?#
I really wanted to figure out what a force of jungle/swamp troops would look like. What would they need to move about? What equipment would they bring? The army was initially modeled after the US/Vietnam war. So it has a heavy reliance on ordinance, basic troops, automatic weapons, and flame weaponry. There is a small smattering of more special forces type units, but they are very much just a sprinkle. I also wanted a heavy focus on infantry and infantry vehicles (which is something I need more of). Basically, I wanted the army to be viewed with Fortunate Son playing in the background. My goal was for the army to feel “believable” on the table top, but also have some artistic bits to draw the eye. They are gaming pieces after all. I still have several models to paint to expand this army! A few more Jagers, some Copperheads, Rattlesnakes, Desert Vipers, Black Adders, Police Cobras, a Black Mamba, and a Naga.
The 8th Jungle Recon Detachment always seemed to draw the short straw. Their complaints were loud and frequent, but only when they were out of earshot of anyone who could make a change. Complaining was just a habit at this point. In truth, they all wanted to be here. They were chosen for this detachment because they excelled at jungle fighting. They preferred it to the scorching sands or to urban warfare. At least in the jungle they could rain down hellfire whenever there was a problem. No one bothered them as long as they got the job done.
Favorite model in the army#
That’s a tough one. I love the Jagers, of course. I also love the Iguana duelist I have. He is a blender in close combat. The Heavy Shooter Dartjagers are also great. But my favorite is a simple Spitting Cobra. I just love the way he is modeled, leaning forward on his knee, his Heavy Autocannon relaxed, just waiting to rain down rockets or mortars.
Favorite unit / any characters? What’s their story?#
Another tough question. I really love several units. I think the most consistently useful unit is the Hittite. 9 points for an AR 8 5/3 with an Apex HFL and the ability to transport two squads? Incredible. Support it with some Flame Jagers and a Flame Cobra and you have a very nasty squad capable of hitting well outside of its weight class. Man….I love the Fire rule. No real story to the unit. The stories tend to revolve around the Rapier Duelist or the Cobras. But I really should drum up something for the driver of this monster.
Any conversions? What did you do?#
Several small conversions throughout the army. The Spitting Cobra had some minor conversions for his pose. Same with the Rapier Iguana. I like to play around with posing and such. But there were no major conversions aside from that and weapon swaps!
Could you provide an overview of the paint scheme and any techniques used (can list paints, airbrush, oil wash, weathering technique/powders etc.)#
For this particular army, the goals were speed and repeatability. I wanted the army to be cohesive and believable in universe, but to also have a vibrant pop of color for tabletop appeal. The models are based in black, then the neutral parts are all painted in a medium gray color. I use Pro Acryl paints, but any are good! I then paint the armored parts a dark green, and glaze some bright olive green colors on the upward facing areas. The simple camo pattern is two colors: a larger mahogany line followed by an orange-brown line. The patterns are either squiggles or split off into Y’s. Cloth parts are colored with an ochre color and a dark brown wash, The lenses are all bright white. Most of the units have an orange head for contrast. These are a dark orange base and glazed up to a yellow color. Only the joints of the Gears and the barrels of the guns have any true metallic paint on them. The specialist units have a slightly altered scheme. The Water Vipers use the same greens but mixed with a blue to tint the colors. The Snakeeye Black Mambas and Chameleons have a darker green and black paint scheme to try and make them sneakier. Then, of course, everyone gets purple toes.
1 tip for new painters#
Painting something is more important than getting it perfect. The technique comes with time and practice. But getting paint on a model is the first step! I guarantee you both you and your opponent will enjoy playing with painted models more, no matter how well they are painted. The best way to start painting is to just pick up a brush. Even if you aren’t sure you are in the mood, just sit down and grab your brush. If you are still alright, paint one small thing. A boot, or a shoulder pad. Then, if you don’t have the motivation, stop! But I often find that the act of sitting down to paint is the hardest part. Once the brush is in my hand, the rest just comes!
What would you love to see more of in the setting?#
I would really love to see a campaign setting. Full rules for an escalating league, or army level campaign with multiple players. Rules for units gaining experience or gear, or needing to be replenished. Maybe some options for non-standard engagements that impact the narrative! Just imagine having a border conflict start between several factions. Maybe an AI controlled NPC faction starts making waves, drawing in the player’s armies. They all start with a force, maybe 500 TV, premade. But each conflict they are only allowed to bring a certain amount. Damage and casualties are tracked across the conflict, as is experience. Commanders are cut down and new heroes emerge. Special raids are lead by the underdog player to steal equipment desperately needed to repair their damaged Gears. Cinematic.
