Please help me make my husband’s day!

Hi all,

My husband’s birthday is coming up and he’s big into battletech. He only really has two people to play with him currently, so for his birthday I’m secretly coordinating with 6-8 of his other friends to get them playing as a surprise for his party. I said I’d get them all miniatures, and one of the two who plays has agreed to teach. I’ve purchased two copies of the set with the blue mech in the attached picture to assist with that, and will be priming minis and providing paints for the party. The other pictures are his collection, so he probably has enough minis. My question to you is this: what miniature sets would you get for the friends? What would you want? Is there anything I’m not thinking of in my scheme? The closest I’ve come to playing is painting and doing the beginner introductory sort of mini-game, so I’m a little out of my depth here. Any advice appreciated! Thanks in advance!