Battletech Leopard drop ship

[Sudsy]

I'm back for '26, at least for this build. Its the Dog Hair Terrain Leopard Drop ship for Battletech from '06. Sadly, that was the time I was getting into 40K because I thought Battletech was dead since FASA was no more and WizKids took Battletech into the abomination that is pre-painted miniatures (Clix).

Me being me, I have printed multiple sheets. We are going to detail this beast and make it worthy of a center piece in my next Battletech or Alpha Strike game!

 

[mijob]

Looking forward to see how this model turns out. I like your idea to greeble this beast.

 

[Sudsy]

Quick historical notes from the designer himself: Buck Hedges on Starship Modeller!

 

[Sudsy]

Sarna, the Battletech Wiki is where you can locate the model.

 

[Sudsy]

Lots of progress tonight. This model contains plenty of long and wide flat surfaces (it is called the flying brick by players of the game...) which called for plenty of reinforcement!

 

[Sudsy]

I had to get creative to make the reinforcement long enough, I busted out with my US tabloid (11" x 17" US ANSI B size, ISO A3 or A5, whichever is bigger than A4...) card stock and cut some 290mm long supports and compressed them under some parts in a box almost long enough!



Keep an eye on the aft section of this build. I am including lot of photos because there are too few covering this part! I almost messed it up!

 

[Sudsy]

Getting the sides reinforced, and the brick put together roughly!


Once I get this cleaned up, I move into the all time consuming but rewarding geebles!

 

[Sudsy]

Once the glue was dry, I went on to correct some issues with the seams.


And then begin greebles

 

[Sudsy]

Some shots after adjusting glue joints, trimming, and sanding, as well as cutting the first mech bay doors I detailed. These will be the first of my greebles.

 

[Sudsy]

The next layer, on the skin goes armor! We'll, this will correct some joints and keep things flat and solid!

 

[Sudsy]

Just more armor added. I will do the lower hull heat shielding next, as that is laminated even thicker and drying overnight.

 

[Rhaven Blaack]

You are making great progress on this project!

 

[Sudsy]

Its a paper brick! Turret mount added, heat shield bricks applied.

Currently drying under weight pressure!

 

[Rhaven Blaack]

That template has quite a bit of greebling potential.

 

[Sudsy]

That template has quite a bit of greebling potential.

I'm certainly taking full advantage of that1

 

[Rhaven Blaack]

I'm certainly taking full advantage of that1

I am really looking forward to seeing how this project turns out.

 

[Sudsy]

Getting to the greeblies with the hemispherical nail art beads for the port and starboard running lights! As well as other areas...

 

[Sudsy]

Wings and vertical stabilizer mounted, Bridge added and greebled! 90% assembled! Just the two engines to mount and detail up and maybe some wood putty as gap filler in a few spots before priming and painting.

Oh, yeah, and the turret.

 

[Revell-Fan]

That is a cool brick! It has a Buck Rogers vibe.

 

[Sudsy]

That is a cool brick! It has a Buck Rogers vibe.

Given the fact that the first edition of Battletech was called Battledroids and came out in 1984; and utilized designs from Macross, Crusher Joe, and other anime of the time; it's no surprise they would also borrow ideas and designs from Buck Rodgers, Battlestar Gallactica, and other media (FASA also used produce licensed modules for the classic RPG Traveller when they started out, so the similarities between Battletech and Traveller are striking as well lore wise).