Lego Build 123 — Rifleman

It has been a while since I’ve posted a BattleMech and even though I do love the setting’s vehicles and aircraft I don’t want you people to think I’ve forgotten about the big stompy robots. On that note, I do have a few requests in the oven but a mix of lack of time and lack of inspiration have been delaying those for a bit. But they will come.

Developed during the first century of ‘Mech warfare, when new models were brought online with incredible regularity to fill increasingly more niche functions, the Rifleman was conceived from the onset as an anti-aircraft platform. This was an age of experimentation. Military commanders couldn’t yet know how dominant ‘Mechs would be nor what functions were better suited for these machines.

Later on, the main conclusion was that ‘Mechs outperformed in raiding, cavalry, and general combat duties, while regular vehicles were simply more economical in support roles. At the time that wasn’t yet true and some ‘Mechs performed so well in those niche roles that they either remained in service or inspired future iterations. The Rifleman was one of the such examples. Starting as a 50-ton weapons system coupled with a powerful sensor and targeting array that would still be in service centuries later, this chassis would find its stead when ten tons of weapons and heat sinks were added to make the definitive model.

The Rifleman is also one of the first ‘Mechs to be available in the BattleTech wargame, back in early 1980s. The original design was taken from the Macross setting and adapted, but later legal issues and more recent redesigns led to the current art which still takes cues from the original but is generally more streamlined. Because the original art is nostalgic to me (I started my foray into BattleTech by reading the Gray Death Legion novels) I decided to combine both designs into this model — the old and the new. I think it ended up looking good.

I would classify this model as of medium difficulty, taking 83 parts — a bit too much for a 60-ton machine, but I wanted to make it right. Let me know your thoughts.

Regading models that are still to come, I’m already developing the Marauder II, the Nightsky, and the Black Knight. The Triskelion is still on the planning stage. I haven’t forgotten any of them, but sometimes these things take time. You can support me on my Ko-fi account to help me devote more time into the this blog and expedite the process — I would be eternally grateful for this.

I also produce RPG material and you can check those out if you so wish. Actually, one of my goals with my Ko-fi account is to produce a Mechwarrior: Destiny module based on MechWarrior 4. Tell me if you would like to have it and what other sugestions you may have.

For now go out there play games and enjoy your lives!