While at my FLGS, I saw they had some CIS BX Commando Droids on the shelf. I had no plans to buy these originally, but I am now addicted and MUST own all CIS models! I am sure it indirectly helps world piece, so I have to do my bit… Well, took the kits home, looked through the cards and thought, I “needed” three sniper options… So, on my next game shop trip, I picked up another box.
The set come with seven droids in grey hard plastic. All models come on sprues and are nicely detailed. You get a squad with a weapon option and a weapon team. This includes one figure with a sniper rifle and another with a grenade. You also get the option for power shields. These come in two parts. The frame is on the same sprue as the figures. The shield comes on a separate transparent yellow sprue. You also get the unit cards, cards for the upgrades and a counter sheet.
I clipped the model parts from the sprues and set them into piles (based on model id in the instructions). I did a little mix and match with arms to add some variation. I needed one more sniper rifle, so I grabbed one from my left over B! bits. Some plastic model cement and all the models were assembled and attached to the bases.
I sprayed all the models with some medium grey spray paint. I painted all the weapons with GW black contrast paint. I then painted Vallejo in all the joints, following a picture on Wookipedia. A little red on the chest light. I then hit all the models with a GW black wash. I followed up the wash with some dry brushes. First was Vallejo London Grey on the armor and weapons. I then hit the gaps with a dark earth dry brush. Next came the eyes. These were recessed, so it was a little tricky. I first painted them with white and then removed any excess by wiping it off with my finger (had to do it twice a couple time, when I removed too much). I liked the look of the caption droids, so I painted some with the white face markings (again, a thanks to Wookipedia), to be squad leaders.
Did my usual bases. Painted the bases dark brown and hit the tops with GW earth technical paint, for a crackle effect. Once that dried, I followed up with an Iraqi Sand dry brush. Finished up with a Gamers Grass spikey tuft and a spray of Krylon Matte Finish.
- Manteuffel