Creating Clone Commandos 15mm

 I was very gutted to find that the supplier who creates the 15mm Clone Wars stuff, didn't make a Clone commando for the Republic forces.

I waited and waited, checking back and forth hoping that this obvious gap would be filled. Finally with the new rules coming along a pace and an elite category just being created, I thought it was time to create my own.

I started off by going through some clone troopers and picking the most dynamic and characterful.

The next step was to cut their crests off, to give them that Commando look.

One of the most noticeable features about Commandos are their backpacks, which stick out quite a way.

These were easily made from plasticard. I knew I couldn't create the packs in all their micro detail, so I just opted for the right feel. I tried to capture that awkward look of the hard armoured packs sticking out 90% from the torsos.

I keep adding pieces, again just trying to capture enough detail to create an illusion of the pack. At 15mm it should look okay when painted.

To bulk up the heavily armoured trooper, I added some tiny strips of plastic on his arms.

The commandos are very top heavy and bulky, so these bigger arms helped with the look. Later I shaved them down to match the contours of the arm.

The next step was the huge shoulder pads. After some thought, I decided to create these in Green stuff. I got up at 5 in the morning to start this build and by now I was starting to flag a little.

Looking very much like a Commando now.

I started to sort the eight figures into their four man teams. Delta squad from the Republic Commando game was a must for one of the squads. It was from this game that the Commandos were created.

Clone troopers next to a new Commando.

ARC troopers and Commandos side by side.

This was a big step, another feature of these elite troopers is their weapons. I decided I had come this far so I might as well go the whole distance. I bravely cut off the blaster muzzles and added a tiny piece of brush bristle. It had the desired effect.

Now my Commandos are really looking the part even down to their DC-17m blasters.

Delta Squad

Beta Squad

They are certainly looking beefier than their brother's now. The Commandos have heavy duty Katarn-class armour. I'll have to give them a saving throws against small arms fire.

Now the figures are looking finished, it's time to base them up in their squads. As teams operate in four man squads, I thought two bases of two figures would look good. It also allows the unit to spread out rather than be just on one base.

Just two bases make up a unit compared to five in a standard clone one. These guys can pack a punch though with their elite stat lines. Although, because of their low man count, I imagine they will only have around four hit points.

The Commandos try out the new LAAT, I think they like it.

Tiny pebbles from the garden are added for terrain.

Delta squad are born! It was fun to finally paint them up after playing the game for so long in the past.

I like the idea of the other team being just in white armour. Again I play these characters in the Star Wars Battlefront game, so they are very familiar to me.

The packs look the part now with just enough detail to catch the eye.

Blue ink was used for their visors to give them a glowing look.

Delta squad surrounded again by B1 battle droids.

The whole team line up for the camera.

The commander of Delta is called 'Boss'. I chose this pointing pose as it reminded me of the one off the cover of the game.

Beta squad line up.

It was a full on morning creating these but I'm really glad I did. My little boy recognised them instantly and that's all I could ask really.

So now I'm pleased to say my Republic forces have some elite troopers to add to the fight.

They may not last long against battalions of clankers, but they will certainly make an impression.

Classic!