The Great Martian War (again)

For how ever long it lasts; http://youtu.be/kxDRyFG8X0g

Dwarven Half-tracks

Having completed all my responsible projects (for now); I'm getting back to completing three scratch built, diesel-punk half-tracks which have stood waiting for too long. The models are inspired by Oleg's Sheev'dra role playing campaign, and can be used in possible skirmish games, though the primary reason for their construction was the simple pleasure of building something unusual.The above image shows various parts for the first two models, which are based around a pair of surplus Company B Ford scout cars which I bought a fair number of years ago, but never built once I'd seen how small they were. The trailer behind the gun tractor is meant to be a steam powered automatic mortar but I haven't yet decided what kind of gun the tractor should be pulling. At the moment, I'm torn between a bio-diesel powered howitzer, or a nebelwerfer style multiple-tube rocket-launcher. 

Recon half-track with entirely scratch built tracks and suspension and an enlarged cab for a single driver. Its hard to see, but this model, as shown has over 120 parts. The camo is based on contemporary Swedish vehicles. The colours are a bit strange due to the crap lighting conditions, and the model has yet to be weathered. The figures are Grymm by Hasslefree Miniatures.

Gun tractor. Similar to the recon half-track, but with an even bigger cab and a much bulkier under-carriage. The idea here is two vehicles built by the same group of dwarves, thus sharing some characteristics but being essentially two very different vehicles. The tracks on the gun tractor were bought from Ramshackle Games. I messed about with the image colours because the model was badly lit. I'm still working on the forward wheels and there will be a winch mounted at the front also. I think I'll paint this one in a more a utalitarian grey blue camo scheme.

 
This model represents a much bigger half-track than anything built in the real world. The idea here is for a double decker IFV with lots of gun ports and armour plating. The shape of the vehicle is based on a 1920's British design by Burford, and it is more or less scratch built. The turret came from Ramshackle Games but I haven't yet decided if it will stay. I may make a turret of my own design, or not. I probably won't. The body is made of a 2mm cardboard inner structure, clad in acrylic and pvc sheets. The tracks are cannibalised from a 1/35 Soviet T-26 tank.

Armoured train model

I'm very busy at the moment, so busy in fact that I've not really had time to post much. I've got numerous projects at work and a new child in the house. By rights I ought not have the time to do anything for my self at all, but in fact I have both had the time and have put it to some use.

My plans for building an American civil war ironclad model have been shelved as its become unlikely that we will find a use for this model, and in lieu of such a purpose I have no inclination to spend time on it. Instead I've been building an armoured train model, out of card and wood scraps. A loco and four carriages are planned, two of which will be armoured gun carriages.

The locomotive, like all the rest still unfinished. Measuring 28cm in length, this is a mighty train, and possibly a tad too big. The general shape is good enough though, and the Soviets did build some pretty impressive armoured trains. This one still requires its smoke stack, and upper works (all armoured as well) and I may add an armoured MG nest on top of it.


The gun carriages, fore and aft, each identical and measuring 24cm in length and 7½cm in height, sans wheels. Each has two turrets bearing Soviet 76.2mm guns (Model-1927), and a central casemate with an observation cupola and two side mounted maxim guns. In addition each gun carriage has an additional four riflemen who can deploy to offer close protection should the train be stopped.

A small passenger carriage, measuring 20cm in length and 6 cm in height, sans wheels. Unarmoured. The roof comes off and this model can contain 10 infantry elements at its windows.

The good thing about building models in card is, its fast, cheap, quite easy if you have good card, and with a good sharp scalpel, you can make quite satisfactory models. Mistakes are inevitable, but a prudent use of paint covers a multitude of errors. Best of all, they can be easily broken down and discarded if no longer needed.

Armoured trains were a big thing in the early twentieth century, especially in eastern Europe and Russia, and such a train will play an important part in a five part Rocketman campaign I'm planning called 'Extremis'.

More autogyro designs

Over Christmas I drew a few more autogyro's for Oleg's Dog star RPG. I've already posted two previous designs here and these continue the concept of larger, more sophisticated auto gyro's than anything actually built and almost comparable to fixed wing aeroplanes. Most of these designs are based on American air craft of the second world war. This is because I've tried to keep to a certain sense of style that defies the low tech capabilities of the engineers. Since the Dwarves in Dog star have certain pre set limitations and capabilities, I've tried as much as possible to stay within those parameters. Naturally, I've also take a few liberties along the way.

These designs are not meant to be anything but fantastical. The aspirations towards a sense of possibility and realism is merely me having fun. I doubt any of these designs would actually work, though I don't see why large autogyros couldn't be built. Modern concepts do exist for big heavy lift autogyros.

The first (image above and schematic below) is the BU-53 based on a Junkers JU-52 and inspired by the opening sequence of the film 'Where Eagles Dare'. The rotor blades are a bit small in the sketch, but this is due to the lack of space in my sketch book. For this reason I usually don't bother drawing the rotor blades (they're also tricky to get right).


The next autogyro (below) is the only one of these desigsn to so far have made an appearance in Dog star (and the first of those posted in the autogyro post). The 'Valkyra' is a converted freight transporter, known as a Mannsfoschen, Type XII Jäger transportvorrichtung, with upgraded engines and a remote controlled gatling gun turret mounted just below the nose canopy. Oleg's Dwarven gatling gun designs are powered by diesel combustion so they're under-powered by conventional black powder standards. The range of its primary weapon limits the 'Valkyra' to close attack, but gravity means it can fire on targets beyond the weapons ordinary range of 1,500 yards. As any one worth their salt can see, 'Valkyra' is an obvious cross breed of the B-25 Mitchell and the P-61 Black Widow. Due to the limitations Oleg has placed on Dwarven technology in Dog star, 'Valkyra' has Victorian/First World War performance, but fairly reliable engineering for all that (Dwarves being excellent engineers but opposed to mass production).


The next is the Hunterwassser Mk 1, a civilian transport/executive air craft, inspired by the tilt rotor prototype Bell XV-3. The idea here is either one engine sits in the rear of the main fusilage with power transfered to the props by means of crank shafts, or propulsion is provided by two small engines. Seven Dwarves can sit in the canopy section with the pilot in the nose.


The next two designs are military gunship variations on the Hunterwasser concept. They are the two seat 'Hornet' type A and the heavier, four seat 'Hornet' type B. Based loosely on a fantastic amalgamation of the Cobra attack helicopter and the B-25 medium bomber, the idea is for a cheap ground attack aircraft using two powerful engines for higher speeds. Additional fuel can be carried in drop tanks under the engines pylons. Note autogyro's don't need wings, but they do need large tail planes for stability. Unlike aeroplanes, they can fly very slowly and would make good gun platforms against primitive ground forces (this is an important factor in Dog star).

Since Sheev'dran Dwarves are not big on industrial scale mass productions, I tend to imagine that each autogyro is hand built and thus different in individual ways. This doesn't mean that popular designs don't exist though, only that designs get modified from aircraft to aircraft.

The Type A is armed with two .75 chain guns in the engine pylons (and powered by the engines) and two gatling guns in a remote controlled belly turret. The Type B has a similar armament, but with an additional gun turret. These autogyro's are designed to circle over a battle field and pour down fire over enemy troops. Larger or hardened targets could be stafed with the chain guns

The last design is the 'Lightning II', and although it is not the only combat autogyro, it is the only such aircraft I have designed with air combat specifically in mind. This design was also posted in my previous autogyro post. It is based on the P-38 Lightning.

The idea of the 'Lightning II' is for an autogyro built for high speed, able to simply out run, and out climb anything it should meet in a dog fight. It has three engines powering two pull and one push propeller and a single .75 chain gun in the nose. It is a large air craft and can carry two Dwarves, though it requires only one to operate. Like the 'Valkyra' it is a unique aircraft.