From TamsinP: Franonian Security Droids at Fran's Fjord (58 points)

In the control room of the Franonian Occupation Force HQ, Colonel O'Leary looked at the screens and surveyed Rayonia, or rather what remained of the city. "How were we to know that President "Badger" Rousell had substituted cheap, sub-code materials in place of the proper stuff (presumably funneling the cost difference into his Cayman Island accounts) when the new capital was built?" she asked herself again. One short barrage from the Franonian Artillery Regiment had just about leveled the city, parts of which were still burning a fortnight after the event. There was so much soot in the air, meaning the air filters had to be changed every two hours rather than every two weeks and there was no way of keeping vehicles and equipment as clean as they should be.

Out of the corner of her eye she glimpsed a sight that had come to irritate her immensely on one of the monitors - another demonstration by the capital's residents. No weapons in sight, and the Rayonian costume of black-and-white striped Speedos meant they couldn't exactly conceal anything there; the worry was always what they might be carrying underneath those ridiculous floppy hats.

"Captain Piper - Security Droids, Protocol Gamma" she ordered briskly.

"Aye, Ma'am!" came the reply. "Still no trace of that slanderous hooligan?"

"Sadly, no. If I ever get hold of that fool, he's fecked!"

Returning her attention to the screens, the Colonel watched as the Security Droids deployed to intercept the column of marchers...



Mark 1A Security Droids

Mark 1B and Mark 2A Security Droids

After the Mark 1A and Mark 2A droids had entered service it was determined that both models required more firepower to be useful. A new, larger turret with heavier weapons was developed and fitted to bother walker chassis types, creating the Mark 1B and Mark 2B models.


Mark 2B Security Droids

The figures are actually 2mm mecha by Germy from Ground Zero Games, but are the size of a large-ish 15mm foot figure. I bought two packs each of the large and medium mecha at the SELWG show last year but decided to swap turrets between two small and two large to create some variants.

They ended up looking a lot grimier than intended because Vallejo black wash doesn't work as well for panel lining as Army Painter Dark Tone (even when thinned 1:2 with airbrush flow improver).


And so, I continue to adventure on Challenge Island, crossing off another location as I go:

For scoring:
14 x 15mm foot @ 2 = 28 points
Fran's Fjord = 30 points

Total = 58 points

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We are spoiled with great entries today, thank you Tamsin (and everyone else today)!  These little robots are really cool looking, one of the best parts of the challenge for me is getting to see all these crazy different models that I just don't see anywhere else.  There are so many different and cool little producers out there that most of us never even hear about, let alone get to see their work, so it is nice  to see some showcased here each winter.

The colour choices are top notch as usual Tamsin, and regardless of your exploits with thinned Vallejo black, I think the colours still pop and look great.  As a tip for washing with Vallejo's, I find I have to thin them at least 5 or 6 to 1 to get a wash out of them, and use water, alcohol, and airbrush thinner to make my washes with them, just in case you ever want to try again.   I love that orange though, it really works!

- ByronM