Hey everyone, we’re back with another hobby highlight, this time we’re looking at the impressive collection by our very own Detinwolf. What drew me to his work was his exceptional clean parade ready paint jobs. Detinwolf seems to be gunning for studio painter at this point, and he might get my vote! Enjoy this look at a prolific hobbyer who won’t be happy until he has every heavy gear model painted (in parade colors no less)!
–Jaeton
Name of the force:#
Detinwolf’s Heavy Gear Collection
When did you start playing in what system?#
I’ve been in the hobby for 30 plus years now at the ripe old age of 11. It all started when a friend gifted me 2 plastic Black Orks from Warhammer fantasy and then the following Christmas, being gifted the 2nd Edition Starter set for 40k. During my teenage years I joined the local wargaming club and went through pretty much every Wargaming system there was. Since those heady days of exploration, I have settled down in the number of games I play and limit myself to only 3 game systems, but will still pick up miniatures from different systems if I can justify a use for them.
What drew you to Heavy Gear?#
I’ll be honest, it took me a while top to get into the Heavy Gear setting and Games lines. I first came across it in my teenage year around 99ish, whilst playing in a Tribe 8 campaign (Still my favourite Post Apocalypse “Fantasy” setting). At this time I was more in the camp of Giant space robots so had more of an affinity for DP9’s other Sci-Fi setting. I did pick up a few of the 2nd edition books at this time along with some of the older miniature, but it wasn’t until around the time of 1st edition Blitz (Locked and Loaded) that I dove fully head first in. What got it’s hooks in me was picking up the Storyline books and reading through the history from an in universe perspective, with “unreliable” narrators. from then on I never looked back and have been dipping in and out ever since.
How long have you been painting models?#
I’ve been painting models since I was 10 years old. This was never my favourite aspect of collecting models, and found it to be a necessary evil to get a good looking force on the table top. Painting was always a chore as it wasn’t something I was very good at and didn’t want to put the time into learning. This changed as I got older and found it more relaxing to do in my off time from work.
How long have you been painting Heavy Gear in particular?#
I’ve been painting Heavy Gear miniatures for over 25 years now along with DP9’s other miniature lines as well. When I started out I was taken with the look of the south Gears most likely heavily influenced by the TV show. When I got back into the game shortly before the launch of Blitz 3.0, I was just dipping my toes in, by picking up a Northern Strike team, as I wanted a palate cleanser from all the Grim Dark models I had been doing at the time. I enjoyed painted those 4 jaguars so much that I picked up more models and it spiraled from there.
What is the backstory of your army?#
I only have a loose background story for all the models in my collection. the biggest one is for my WFP northern forces. They are an understrength Mixed regiment, made up from the remnants of several units following the initial strikes of the second Invasion by the CEF. Northern, Talon, Peace River and Nu-Coal collections don’t have individual back stories as these have always been forces that I just painted up because I either liked to model or just fancied painting a different colour. Together I do look at them as a joint strike force that is being gather to push back at the Earth coalition forces on Terra nova to make them hurt.
Favorite model in the army#
My favourite is difficult to pick out, but I’ll have to go with the Koala, since I’ve had a soft spot for it since the Drop Bears Dive book and the model was released. The reason for my love for the Koala is the cuteness of the ears on the Head unit, it just can’t be beaten!
Any conversions? What did you do?#
There is no real conversions in the collection, as I’ve never felt the need to do it. I find that the breadth of models available keeps thing fresh. I think the only I have done any conversion work on Heavy Gear models was during my time Playing Arena, but those models have long gone from the collection, but if we ever see a new edition of Arena, I’ll be ready to go to town on a new team.
Could you provide an overview of the paint scheme and any techniques used(can list paints, airbrush, oil wash, weathering technique/powders etc.)#
I’m a fairly straight forward painter when it comes down to it. I definitely fall in to the camp of Army/Speed painter and not a competition/display painter. Each scheme is based on what colour spray paints I can get for a quick base and then I work up from there and see what works with a wash, layers and then some edge highlighting. I find that doing a test model works best for me and when I mess up, I don’t feel so heart broken only having to strip down 1 model and not a full unit or more. Once I find a scheme that works I note it down in my paint notebook, as I have a terrible memory for these things. (Editor’s note: Always write down your paint schemes, you’ll forget when you need to come back in 5 years and add more!)
1 tip for new painters#
The only Tip that I feel I’m qualified to give, is don’t judge your work against what you see everywhere on the internet. Paint how and what makes you happy and improvement will come with time.
What would you love to see more of in the setting?#
There are two things I’d love to see more of in the game. The first is for the background of the game. I want to see a new book covering the background, specifically getting everything in one place. The background story is very spread-out. Getting everything all in one place, covering all the main battles, political goings on, and the effects on the civilians in one book that helps new players get into the setting would be great to see. Secondly what I would like to see is an exploration of the Space and Civilian Gears and vehicles from the Helios system. One Day I’ll get to put my Space Hogs on the Table Top to do hit an runs against earth forces.
