Painting Lore: Miniatures Inspired by the Story

The third installment of our VTOL series is focusing on a Liao unit, the 976th Air Support Squadron based on Sapho in approximately 2830's.  This unit's garrison duty was interrupted when the world was hit with an overwhelming House Marik invasion force which quickly overwhelmed the conventional resistance on the world.  The squadron joined the other House Liao units in fleeing into the hinterlands, hoping to hold out until a relief force could be mustered. Jungle airstrips look like loads of fun... ThThe 976th Air Support Squadron resisted the Marik invaders as best they could, teaming up with some Karnov pilots they had been able to evacuate ammunition and spare parts (and presumably the maintainers and tools associated to keeping aircraft flying) and escaped with a dozen Guardian VTOLs.  With the aide of a lance of Vuclan Battlemechs the squadron kept flying, coming in fast and low to surprise unsuspecting Marik forces with a load of iron bombs and napalm.  After ...

The Ferret Scout VTOL is the battletech equivalent of the Huey or Blackhawk, a slick utility chopper which can transport light cargo in and out of an LZ, and maybe make it back.  Much like a blackhawk if they are caught in the open by heavy weapons like anti-aircraft artillery they don't live long, and so there best bet is to avoid contested landing zones altogether, or go in fast and low. On the tabletop the Ferret can be an underperformer.  Lightly (or not at all...) armored it has a single turn life expectancy unless handled with great skill and at high speed.  I have seen it employed for spotting, but if you are playing outside of the succession wars era then there is probably an LBX autocannon on the field and you are going to get smoked. This little guy shines in strategic campaign play.  Start making use of infantry squads as long range recon, spotters, or capturing important objectives while a diversion is underway and these little guys can be a nuisance abov...