Wargames Factory Shock Troops Heavy Weapons -- Preview Review

WGF - used without permission

Wargames Factory has posted up a preview of the Heavy Weapons crews to go with their Great Coat Shock Troops.  I love the basic troops -- they're great conversion fodder, as you can see here, here, and here.  Here are my thoughts on the preview.

The preview appears shots of the CAD drawings so hopefully they'll still be able to incorporate some of the comments folks have left.  First off, it looks like WGF is trying to step up the level of detail on the new models -- this is both a plus  and a minus -- on the plus side, the upper torsos feature a new, more detailed armor design that will make great carapace armor.  On the minus side, they aren't cohesive with the old Shock Troopers.  Likewise with the new helmets -- they look good but they remind me more of french WW1 helmets than the coal scuttles of the original troopers.  Of course, I'll probably use pig-iron heads anyway so not a big deal for me.

The kneeling pose on the mortar-man is welcome but the squatting pose on the other gunner is a bit of a miss  in my opinion -- I can't quite see using it with a heavy weapon though perhaps with some thought I can come up with other uses for it.

 Finallly the heavy weapons themselves are a bit of a mixed bag -- the twin-linked gatling gun has potential (Hydra conversion anyone?)  the beam weapon not as much.  The missile launcher and the mortar look fine, though I'd lose the paws on the bipod.

I'll probably buy at least one box of these guys just to play around with.  I can solve some of the cohesiveness problems with a razon saw to mix and match the upper torsos from the standing shock troopers with the kneeling legs.  Likewise that will enable the use of the new torsos for Carapace Armor.