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Post by loyalist on Feb 2, 2016 16:33:59 GMT
Yesterday I received a Lloyd Command Carrier model. To say I'm not a fan of the BEF tank and carrier models would be an understatement, but I ordered this one in the hope that it shared the same chassis as the Imperial and Kitchener tanks. The plan was to scratchbuild a Kitchener turret; unfortunately the chassis is different with a flat featureless deck under the superstructure.
The hull casting has some flaws but they are repairable by filing the voids with resin and sanding. I think the tracks look awful and don't know why AD went with these rather than the nicer looking version in the rulebook photos with 4 vs 3 bogies. The tracks are very narrow for the bulk of the model - considerably less than the width of the plastic tank tracks and the right and left tracks are asymmetrical, the right being slightly taller and raising the forward end of the hull.
I decided they wouldn't be used and came up with the idea of making a new, Christie style, track system. Having received two boxes of defiant armoured cars in the same order I realized that with some fender thickness trimming 4 armoured car wheels and a track wrapped around them will fit the carrier chassis. I'm going to make a master using 4 wheels and styrene scratchbuilt track, take a mould from it this weekend, and cast new track units in resin. If that works out I may get some Imperial tanks and fit the new tracks to them. The track making process will be photographed.
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Post by madmorgan on Feb 3, 2016 0:38:45 GMT
yes the new Conqueror model carrier is superior in its streched MKIV frame. And the Black Hat stuff is also very good for the 'Cardie'
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Post by novista on Feb 7, 2016 19:16:34 GMT
My plans for the Kitchener are converted Matilda II bottom half, KV2 turret, both are available in 1/76, I hope this helps, although I'm not sure on actual size, my original plan was to try with 1/100 zvezda, but scale would be a definate problem. I have to much going on to get around to this ATM, but I will give it a go at some stage.
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Post by loyalist on Feb 14, 2016 16:13:08 GMT
I successfully cast 8 of the Mono-tank/Defiant wheels in resin but the mock up for a new Lloyd track system didn't look right as the wheels are a little small for a Christie type suspension. I ended up filing the metal tracks until the Lloyd chassis sat level and will conceal most of the tracks by adding deeper side plates, sort of like German WWII schurzen. Now I have spare wheels to mount where the spares go on the Defiants and can use the metal spare wheels to make trailers for the Munitions carriers.
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Post by loyalist on Feb 24, 2016 19:27:40 GMT
Pz3 is designing a variety of replacement tracks for the BEF tanks and carriers. He's coming up with some great designs; if they go into production I'll be replacing all of the original tracks with his, which are far better than anything I could have made.
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Post by charleybourne on Feb 24, 2016 19:33:31 GMT
I'd love to see a sample. I'd be very interested in replacing the current ones.
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Post by Pz3 on Feb 25, 2016 0:00:02 GMT
Thanks for the plug loyalist .... and the pressure  .
As I too, wasn't happy with the running gear for the BEF models I am replacing them. Regardless of vehicle purpose they are all the same and just look wrong, ie. too light for the vehicles intended use. I was expecting the diversity shown in the promotional material.
Below are the rough sketch models of running gear that I came up with based on the promotional photos. These are supposed to fit directly into the existing hull space (I used a Kitchener hull as a guide). Have just done a test print and the sizing is about right. To these I'll be adding side skirt variants to the wheel sets to reflect the original models and to get a different look.
Also pictured is the modified one that loyalist requested. The tracks themselves are first attempt, might do some different designs especially now that I have the methodology worked out to make the drafting less tedious.
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Post by charleybourne on Feb 25, 2016 7:02:39 GMT
These look great. Top right with the 4 bogies looks most like the original pictures from the rule book and gets my vote although they're all a vast improvement on the current version.
Looking forward to seeing this come to fruition.
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Post by Quendil on Feb 25, 2016 8:21:15 GMT
They look great, not sure which I prefer
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Post by charleybourne on Mar 2, 2016 18:52:59 GMT
Have you decided which one to make yet? Which one fits best with the AQ aesthetic?
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Post by Pz3 on Mar 3, 2016 0:33:37 GMT
All the above could be available however these two, see below, are basically ready to go. The hard copy prototypes for these I am really pleased with and fit the official chassis neatly. After discussion with loyalist have decided to widen the tread from 5mm to 7mm and change the tread pattern. I have a ton of vehicles that I want to update so I hope to put both into moulds this weekend.
Top one could be utilised on heavy vehicles, the bottom for lighter vehicles or just have the same for all.
Also here is a pic of my WIP on the Artillery Tow vehicles using the 'light' tracks.
As mentioned it is straightforward to make any of the other track types. I am still considering some of them for myself, so a nudge may just help me. |
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Post by loyalist on Mar 3, 2016 2:00:56 GMT
Great work Grant! The newest version of the artillery tow vehicle (right image) is the one I prefer.
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Post by charleybourne on Mar 3, 2016 6:41:34 GMT
Awesome! These tracks look great.
Both vehicles look great. The one on the left looks a bit more in keeping with the current BEF vehicles with its 2 raised fixed mini turret looking/ vision bits (I'm sure there's a more official name). The one on the right looks a little more WW2 Bren carrier.
I'd buy either though!
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Post by madmorgan on Mar 14, 2016 11:04:06 GMT
Just gets better and better. I agree with charleybourne about the 4 wheel track, however the advantage to using the type on your artillery tow vehicles is that one is spot on for the Soviet Union WW2 series of SPs particularly the SU-76,100,85,122,152 series. These would, with the addition of a steam 'chimmey' in the back, work well for another type of steam tank, mounting 3",4",3.5"ATG,4.5"ATG,and 6" guns respectively. The 'updated' SU (steam utilized) tanks lack machineguns, so their protection from Martian infantry drones and lobos would be up to the supporting HMG vehicles and infantry. Not the best, but putting forth more vehicles is good. I particularly like these for the 'Russian' front scenarios, seems appropriated somehow with the Christie track being the basis of the Soviet armor for years.  |
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Post by loyalist on Mar 14, 2016 13:40:15 GMT
The Christie chassis was discussed by Pz3 and me. I thought it was developed too late (1928) to be appropriate for AQotMF. That said, it's a fictional universe.
When available I'll be getting tractors for 3 Coil guns and 1 to use as a Munitions Carrier.
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