Up close with Dust Tactics Walkers!

After finishing my first units of Dust Warfare Axis infantry last week, I have only a few unpainted infantry to go (Lara, and "The Boss") before I turn my attention to what many people seem to consider the best part about the whole Dust universe, the Walkers.

With that in mind, I couldn't help spending a bit of time looking at the Medium walkers that I purchased some time ago to provide support units for both sides (note, I don't know if the current boxed models are exactly the same and come with the same options - it looks as though you may only get ONE walker variant each box. WHAT!) The Dust Tactics core set comes with a light walker for each side, but the Medium units are where it is at! Sure, there are super heavy units, but one step at a time...)

In a few words, straight out of the box, these are very nice models. 

As with all Dust models, both come undercoated in either Axis grey or Allied green, so they are ready to use immediately. In fact, the pre-placed decals that are on the units means that you could probably just get away with basing them and they would still look nice. A minimum paint job would be:
a.) Basing
b.) Base coat only the obvious exposed inner workings with a metallic grey.
c.) Wash
Done!

Extras that would be the biz would include.
d.) Secondary camouflage colour.
e.) Highlights and drybrushing.
f.) Weathering (chipping and rust would do the trick)
I honestly think though that d, e and f are just "nice to have" if you have got time.

Axis Medium Walker:
First up, The Axis Medium Panzer Walker, the Pz. Kpfl. II-D "Lothar" variant (each box that I bought a year ago comes with the parts to build any of three variants. That MAY NO LONGER BE THE CASE.) Nebelwerfer missile tubes galore!

Weapons arms are easy to add/ remove and reposition

Whole body can be rotated.

Can't remember the name of this next variant (interestingly, it isn't listed on the www.dust-tactics.com website), but as you can see it has a cannon and claw.

Cannon can be repositioned up and down as it is on a ratchet.

Machine gun slots into small hole - easy to break off!

Detail: Even without arms, body is nicely detailed and decals are in place.

Detail: utilitarian detail is great!

 The "Ludwig" carries x2 8.8 cm cannons. Note the decals. This splash of colour really adds to the first impression that you could get this onto a table with painted figures and it wouldn't look too out of place.

Allied Medium Walker:
Now let's take a look at the Medium Allied Walker.
I made an unboxing video ages ago, and here it is again! (Go easy, it was taken on a camera!)

Here are some detailed photos. The first thing you may notice is that colour is a bit more Olive than in the video, but I think that is due to the camera on my phone 

This is the M2-F "Steel Rain". 

Decals are nicely done: spray on military style font!

M2-B "Hotdog" Flamethrower variant.

I've added the searchlight here. This is included in the kit. Be careful, it is easy to snap the pin that holds this in place (nice touch that the glass is made of a separate piece of plastic though - I HATE trying to paint searchlights on 40K vehicles.)

Finally, here is the M2-C "Pounder" with it's cannon.

Barrel is not fixed, so droops unless glued.

See the rounded mount for the machine gun?
That will break right off if you aren't careful when removing the MG (nothing a bit of glue won't fix though)

As you can see, from the modeler's AND gamer's perspectives, the walkers are a big draw. If these "Mediums" are anything to go by, then my wallet had better watch out...there a "Heavies" for each army too...

Cheers,

*Squeek*