Dutch Merc

Photo Credit: Ron from AFP

Faction: Mercenary
Nationality: Dutch
First Colorway Appearance: Bertie Mk2 and Square Mk1
Figures in Colorway: Bertie Mk2 (1/12), Square Mk1 (1/12),  Bertie Mk3 Mode A (1/6, 1/12), Caesar (1/6, 1/12), Mighty Square (1/6)

(Editor note: This colorway breakdown is brought to you by 3A legion member Gar.)

Zwarte Torens or Black Towers in English is a Private Dutch Mercenary group without affiliation to the Netherlands or any of the fighting forces in the World War Robot universe.  It has no historical reference in the Netherlands. Dutch Mercs are mostly hired guns for private interest. They hardly do any military stuff.

This colorway came into existence in the WWR universe based on a discussion about Dutch mercenaries on the old 3A toys hyperboard forum.

Zwarte Torens is the 4th time a Mercenary was shown in the WWR universe. First was a 1/6 scale Gatling gun Merc prototype Bramble Mk2 which was never released, but later revised in 1/12 scale as the Italian Merc Nero4. The other was the retailer exclusive 1/6 Merc Square Mk1.

Zwarte Torens main colors are warm yellow for the dome and a mostly metallic copper colored body.

Some limbs are in yellow or white. Except for the Squares which are mostly copper for the 1/12 Square Mk1 and yellow for the Mighty Square.

All robots are heavily weathered.

Decals

Note the giant Zs.

Most prominent on all Dutch Mercs is a large white circle with a "Z" on the right bottom side, placed just under the central or right eye censor of the robots. This circle with "Z" also returns on the right arm of the robots, on top of both Squares and in black on the left shoulder of the Bertie MK3A and Caesar.

Note the lion on the apron.

Prominent on the torso of the Berties is a white heraldic Dutch Lion with its tongue out, which also has a historical link to many territorial arms which bare a lion in the Low Countries of Europe, like various Dutch Provinces and Noble Houses of the Middle Ages and later on. On the Caesar the lion has been relocated in black to the shield on the right shoulder and the apron. It also appears in yellow over the full side panels on the right side of Mighty Square and on both sides in white on the tiny 1/12 Square.

Note MEL on the leg.

Note the 46 in the white circle. Photo Credit: Gar

Other returning decals are a black circle with the text MEL on all robots except the squares and a white circle with the number 46 on Bertie Mk3 and Mighty Square.

Both MEL and 46 haven't any specific meaning in the Netherlands.

Note the flag on the arm.

Note the flag on the canister. Photo Credit: Gar

The Bertie Mk3 also sports a Dutch red, white, and blue tricolor flag on its left arm. It returned on Mighty Square on the tank on its back.

(Editor note: On the Bertie Mk3 when the arm is rotated forward the flag changes from the Dutch flag to the French flag. In reference to Mata Hari being Dutch and being a double agent for the French during WW1.) 

Sayings

Note Gevaar on the canister and Zwarte Torens on the head.

Dutch Merc Caesar also has the word "gevaar" on the canister on his back, which means "danger".

Also, as mentioned before, Zwarte Torens is Dutch for Black Towers.
 
Names

Bertie Mk3: Sports the name Mata Hari which was the stage name of Margaretha Geertruida (Griet) Zelle. A Dutch exotic dancer which was convicted and executed by the French in 1917 for being a spy for Germany during World War 1.
Caesar and Mighty Square: Harpertszoon - Probably refers to "Maarten Harpertszoon Tromp" a Dutch navy Admiral during the Dutch golden age who defeated the Spanish Navy during the Battle of the Downs.