Soon after Clan Wolf created the Tarantula Recon Mech, pilots and techs noted that the four legs gave very good mobility, especially across rugged terrain. At the same time, there arose a need for a new mech design, one that combined the speed of a light mech with the firepower of a heavy mech. It was envisioned this new design would perform clandestine "hit & git" missions. Thus the Scorpion Commando Mech was created.
The low profile, moderate armor design puts the weight at 63 tons, which is rather light considering the punch this platform carries. The six leg design gives very good speed and mobility, especially over rough terrain.
Dual engines (located low in the main hull, fore and aft) and a flexible output control allow the pilot to vary motive power versus weapon energy output as needed.
Main weapons are eight large ER lasers (four in each "claw") and one UltraAutocannon-20 is mounted high on the tail. The large lasers are the Product Improved type, for more efficient energy output. All main weapons are mounted away from the main body for improved heat dissipation and survivability.
The UltraAC-20 can be used to fire over terrain features while keeping the main body hidden.
Since torso traverse is not possible, a dual medium ER laser turret allows immediate response to an off-axis threat and doubles as an anti-aircraft weapon.
Rounding out the weapons load are dual small ER lasers and dual machine guns.
The Scorpion has performed a number of successful missions, including some mysterious and controversial ones that Clan Wolf refuses to acknowledge.
Builder Notes
I have always been intrigued by scorpions, and was inspired by the four-legged Wolf Tarantula to build this six-legged Scorpion. This model combines the contents of several Star Wars kits, including:
- X-wing (canopy, hinges, laser guns)
- Tie fighter vs. Y-wing (45 degree claw supports, slopes)
- Anakin Pod racer (cockpit)
- Sith Infiltrator (belly engine bulges, machine guns, slopes, tiles)
- Snow Speeder (tiles, hinges, turntable, slopes)
- Droid Fighter (rear engine vents, hinges, UAC20 rear cover)
- A-wing Fighter (pilot, slopes, laser guns)
plus lots of other parts from my LEGO collection. I tried using the yellow wind vanes from the pod racer as leg tips but they are too bright and are not stiff enough as hinges. Regular hinges are more stiff and look more rugged as well. After a few iterations and about a week, it was done.