Weaver's Trackrover (http://www.whatifmodelers.com/index.php/topic,26984.0.html) was a real inspiration, so I though I's steal his idea.
Do you guys know that the HMMWV (4.6 m) is almost as long as the M-113 (4.863 m)?
I didn't, but I conveniently have an old Italeri M998 kit and an even older, much abused Italeri M113. So after some disassembly, and slicing the M113 body down the middle this is what I ended up with, as my starting point:
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffrank.bol.ucla.edu%2FImages%2Ftracked3.jpg&hash=f369f83648deb2d18da067cdc48504bcffcf8479)
Taped together (for starters):
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffrank.bol.ucla.edu%2FImages%2Ftracked2.jpg&hash=02c9ec718314575f9b6d81b6e5bd6e093e56e2a8)
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffrank.bol.ucla.edu%2FImages%2Ftracked1.jpg&hash=bdbf5e9331282fe0b392b80cb4991c54e05e7ff1)
I think the doors will be gull winged, and there'll be a hump in the rear for some extra gear and crew. That's what I have so far - I'm going to work on securing the hull at the correct width next.
Frank
Interesting. It might work as an artillery tractor or hauling a SAM trailer.
Ed
I did something like this a while back as an item of wargames terrain, using a toy Hummer H2 and a shortened 1/35 T34 chassis - only had to cut one road wheel out and it was a perfect fit. Then I modified it all a bit so it looked orky, fitted roof racks ad surf boards, cut the tracks and finished the whole thing up as a wrekc driven into a sand dune...
neat concept! reminds me a little of one of the old soviet artillery tractors.
Quote from: Doc Yo on March 24, 2010, 02:48:09 PM
neat concept! reminds me a little of one of the old soviet artillery tractors.
That's sort of what I had in mind.
I've widened and stiffened the M113 lower hull and it's pretty sturdy now. I'm still trying to figure out a good upper hull scheme taht doesn't completely hide the HMMWV origins.
Interesting. :thumbsup:
However I am trying to figure out where one would use a beast like that....I suppose there are no roads there....Perhaps some sort of rescue/police vehicle used by the UN/NATO in a disaster/very primitive zone?
Maybe a department of forestry vehicle?
:tank:
Quote from: dragon on March 24, 2010, 05:35:25 PM
However I am trying to figure out where one would use a beast like that....I suppose there are no roads there....Perhaps some sort of rescue/police vehicle used by the UN/NATO in a disaster/very primitive zone?
Maybe a department of forestry vehicle?
Maybe a quick repair tractor, or an off-road (as in desert or jungle) special forces recon vehicle? They don't have to get there in too big of a hurry, but they have to get there and back. Without the weight of the M113 superstructure, it could go faster, too.
Oh come now; think of how well it'd sell to rappers and pimps. Hell, show that to any fourteen to sixteen year old boy and he'd want one.
This is a very happy idea :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :wub:
This has some definitely interesting promise to it. Looking forward to more of this.
Quote from: Ed S on March 20, 2010, 09:15:46 PM
Interesting. It might work as an artillery tractor or hauling a SAM trailer.
Ed
A replacement for the old M5 artillery tractor, perhaps, as ammo carrier for an SPG.
Nice one Frank! :thumbsup: I can never get over how small the M113 is: it looks TINY compared to a lot of other APCs/IFVs.
Quote from: puddingwrestler on March 25, 2010, 02:05:00 AM
Oh come now; think of how well it'd sell to rappers and pimps. Hell, show that to any fourteen to sixteen year old boy and he'd want one.
You could always give it S-Tank-style hydrogas suspension and get it bouncin' to da beat..... :mellow:
Quote from: Weaver on April 07, 2010, 08:53:31 PM
I can never get over how small the M113 is: it looks TINY compared to a lot of other APCs/IFVs.
I was stopped behind a HMMWV the other day... they're huge. The M113 almost looks smaller (even though they're roughly the same width & length).
I'll post more WIP pics this weekend; I had a couple of nephews (5 & 7) visiting last week, so I had to hide and secure a lot of my modeling supplies and models in progress.
Tracked HMMWV? You mean like this?
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.olive-drab.com%2Fimages%2Fid_hmmwv_trax_700.jpg&hash=f13388165bc87b949d213169dd2b3fa97da77d5f)
;D
I like where this is going....What scale is this (sorry, if I missed that)?
Quote from: John Howling Mouse on April 24, 2010, 11:08:44 AM
I like where this is going....What scale is this (sorry, if I missed that)?
Barry, It's in 1/35 - using the less than wonderful Italeri M998 and an old Italeri M113 (which was a good kit).
I haven't had much time in the last 2-3 weeks to work on my whiffs, but this is where this project is right now:
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffrank.bol.ucla.edu%2FImages%2Ftracked4.jpg&hash=f52363979ec5eaafcda28f6b5f4ebdaa56c9a2ba)
I'm not sure if I'm going to add the doors, or modify the rear and give it a flat rear wall. The roof is just on, so that's why it looks skewed. I still have a lot of PSR to do (not Sotoolslinger levels of PSR, but still a lot).
Frank
Doesn't look like much, but I've made some progress on this. First, I removed the top from the rear roof and added support beams for the roof and what are now armor shields in the cargo section. I also did some work on the hood (or bonnet...):
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffrank.bol.ucla.edu%2FImages%2Ftracked5.jpg&hash=39f54ce58c19733e09871637f5097c55b749c02b)
I didn't like the original doors, so I made single, armored crew doors that'll swing up (and down) with hydraulics. I'll display them in the open position. They still need a lot of work:
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffrank.bol.ucla.edu%2FImages%2Ftracked6.jpg&hash=1143e9fccfcff3975b1aeb5e5cf50ea1e7f6dd76)
Here's the heavily modified VIP from the Trumpeter PMC in Iraq set, next to the vehicle - "I'm not getting in that thing!"
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffrank.bol.ucla.edu%2FImages%2Ftracked7.jpg&hash=4d0fa1c652ebc8c5511ffc5913c23d5b797ce2da)
The Trumpeter PMC figures aren't their worst, but they are very bad. Out of the box and with no properly proportioned figures from other makers nearby, they look OK, but they are too short for the scale and the feet are far too big for 1/35. The heads are poorly (embarrassingly so) sculpted and lumpy and the hands are deformed. The arms are too long in some of the figures.
My modifications include a roughly 1mm increase in height (at the waist) to make him look almost average height at 1/35 scale. I also slightly shortened the arms and trimmed and resculpted the shoes to make them look less like clown shoes. The head is a modified Warriors bald head. I added the hair with MagicSculp. It's not my best painting job, but it's OK.
people! Not a decent right-angle on 'em anywhere...
Figures are my least favorite part of any build, but you've definately put in the extra mile with this one.
The hair looks really good.
Quote from: Doc Yo on May 11, 2010, 09:33:37 AM
people! Not a decent right-angle on 'em anywhere...
Figures are my least favorite part of any build, but you've definately put in the extra mile with this one.
The hair looks really good.
Thanks Craig - the concept behind the PMC figures is great... but the execution offended my sensibilities and I was just compelled to fix them up. Getting good skin tones is tough! The hair was fun, though. Not only did I give him a receding hairline, I gave him a bald spot, too.
This is a cool idea, and I approve :thumbsup:
Great idea, an all terrain chopped top Hummer!
Awesome concept!
Which looks better?
Hard top:
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffrank.bol.ucla.edu%2FImages%2Ftracked8.jpg&hash=70134912198a315db24f84fcce3e654b1bc1c607)
or
Convertible:
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffrank.bol.ucla.edu%2FImages%2Ftracked9.jpg&hash=c11b07234e8639e4b42ab98b770de74ca20f1b46)
The biggest advantage of the hardtop is much, much less interior (cargo, etc.) to build up.
I still have a lot to do to finish - add the interior, tracks, exterior doodads and the hardest part of all - figuring out a paint scheme.
With the top looks good to me. I think it is more eye catching that way. :thumbsup:
hardtop
Hardtop, definately. As to color scheme, I can't get the image of the old pink and white stripped "tourist
jeeps" of the 'sixties out of my head lately.
This is a great neat concept-wish I'd had a couple of these on that last trip to Pellucidar...
Very nice work. Yeah, those figures are a bugger all. I'd go with the hardtop as well.
Hardtop....!! Lovely work as well..... :thumbsup:
That is one effin cool vehicle right there :wub: :thumbsup: oh and hardtop :party:
Quote from: frank2056 on June 13, 2010, 07:33:49 PM
Which looks better?
Hard top: or Convertible:
Convertible of course! Not that I was ever enamored with that version of the HMMWV to start with. That extended cover over the cargo section always looked awkward and it restricted the field of fire for the cupola mounted gun at close range and depression angles. If you opt for the convertible version it might not be a bad thing to cut down the side walls and make them even with the roof line over the main cab section.
Hoy Mate!
Really nice project, cool idea, nice work, well done :) Like the idea, just add a little more details and it will be a very nice project. :mellow: Keep it up!
I made the doors and primered everything. Now I need to paint the interior, add the seats and detail the insides of the doors.
The seats are scratchbuilt. They're not supposed to look like a modern HMMWV seat, just better than the kit supplied seat, with just a hint of an armored back:
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffrank.bol.ucla.edu%2FImages%2Ftracked12.jpg&hash=fccb5500cd635a2de240b1c4ee18cba516a782df)
This is a view of the right side, with the doors tacked open. It shouldn't be too hard to get in and out of the vehicle (except maybe for the VIP guy). The doors are copies of the un-armored kit doors, with two layers of plastic. The window frames were cut from the original doors. The handles are scratchbuilt. I decided to make them open like normal doors (rather than vertically), since they would be much heavier than a normal door, making opening (and closing) with hydraulics a slow affair.
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffrank.bol.ucla.edu%2FImages%2Ftracked10.jpg&hash=ba7d976ebf75d3af89dbbcc88257132fbddcf0f4)
The box on the roof is either an AC unit or some other piece of hardware. It may not stay (and it does cut into the gunner's FOV a bit). I may just add a sign that says "please attack from the front and sides only. Thank you"
Left side, with the doors closed and tacked on:
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffrank.bol.ucla.edu%2FImages%2Ftracked11.jpg&hash=9c9197a4c8695ff9ddaa8bf265a3f7f8ce2e8bac)
Since this is a forward drive vehicle, the space normally occupied by the transmission is now fuel and storage.
Once the interior is painted and finished, I'll glue on the top and deal with the seams.
Frank
Frank,
The HMMWV is looking really good with the top on. I am looking forward to seeing this with the tracks mounted.
The figures are certainly looking good too!
YES!!!! YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :drink: :bow: :drink:
Definitely looking good. Make sure you add some stair rails or whatever under the doors to assist the VIP (and anyone else) in accessing the vehicle.
This is looking great Frank, can't wait to see it finished! :thumbsup:
Stair rails under the doors are something I considered on the Trackrover, but then I decided they'd get knocked off easily. One option would be to have the fold up to sit on top of the track guard when not in use and fold down when the dorrs are opened on some sort of linkage.
Alternately, there could be a retractable, pogo-stick-style "step bar" (like the ones on some aircraft) on the inside of the door behind the window, so that it drops down outside the track when the door's open. It could drop down manually, by putting your foot on it from inside the door or pulling down a handle from outside, and then retract quickly on a spring (cocked by dropping it) as soon as the door starts to be pulled closed from the 90 deg position.
Thanks for the comments, guys. I have to admit it's looking a lot better with the doors on (I was tempted to leave the doors off).
Weaver, I placed the Gulf War 1 soldier (the driver from the DML/Dragon desert motorcyclist set) on one side, and the road wheels are just the right height for a step. But... I'm probably going to use the side skirts, so I may just punch out some steps in the skirt and add some handholds.
I'll have to decide on a camo scheme, too. Sand or tan overall would be easy, but I was thinking more of a NATO three color scheme, or if I don't loose interest/get too impatient, a digital NATO 3 color camo scheme, since that's what all the cool kids have on their armor these days.
I think steps in the side skirts will work fine.
As for camo, how about a Digital Urban camo with a few grays. Especially useful for keeping those VIPs safe.
I've worked on the doors and started the interior since my last post.
The doors looked bare without hinges, so I made some spring hinges by wrapping 30 gauge wire wrap wire around a pin, then transferring the "spring" to a 0.010" plastic rod:
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffrank.bol.ucla.edu%2FImages%2Ftracked13.jpg&hash=d37a8ede71c1005a1f58423f3d0d3eacab050c29)
I capped the ends with 0.040" rod and attached them. This is what they look like on a door. This is also an interior view. While not easy to see, there's a wire "towel hanger" rod just under the window sill, to pull the door closed:
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffrank.bol.ucla.edu%2FImages%2Ftracked15.jpg&hash=6339b8cfaeb40df3cc9eb71bb5f6120c1d6604d7)
This is what the doors look like closed. They're just leaning against the side of the vehicle, with the roof holding them in place:
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffrank.bol.ucla.edu%2FImages%2Ftracked14.jpg&hash=3f0dac8dbd074c4f44c1efb8a3d8245674932922)
I also started the interior. I decided to go with an airplane style control wheel (instead of individual track levers), as found in some upgraded M113s:
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffrank.bol.ucla.edu%2FImages%2Ftracked16.jpg&hash=c315e6f8031ebdc17059cdc9236590dac1ca1920)
This is just a reworked piece from the original M113 kit, mounted on the humvee's instrument panel. I just noticed that I photographed it upside down. The "U" should go up.
Dude
That is a major cool conversion. :thumbsup:
Quote from: General Zod on August 03, 2010, 10:32:42 AM
Dude
That is a major cool conversion. :thumbsup:
YEP :wub: :thumbsup: :tank: