Modernize WW2 vehicles.

TheMuffinKing · Post by **TheMuffinKing** » 2007-07-05 10:42am

I want to see how people would modernize vehicles from WW2. The basic point is that the vehicle must resemble the original, but is free to have as many upgrades as you think necessary.

I'll start out:

I basically uparmored, and re-engined the old M3 halftrack. I also added gunports and a turret with a .50 cal.

Your imagination is the limit!

TheMuffinKing · Post by **TheMuffinKing** » 2007-07-05 01:12pm

Now that I think about it, the upgrades could make the vehicle hardly resemble the original at all! Feel free to point out the modifications.

Ma Deuce · Post by **Ma Deuce** » 2007-07-05 01:33pm

Doesn't Chile still operate a version of the Sherman tank with a semi-modern fire control system and a 50mm autocannon?

darthbob88 · Post by **darthbob88** » 2007-07-05 06:20pm

Ma Deuce wrote:Doesn't Chile still operate a version of the Sherman tank with a semi-modern fire control system and a 50mm autocannon?

IIRC, they used Shermans into 1989. Mexico up-engined some of their TRVs built on Sherman chassis in 1998. Postwar Shermans

Post by **Sea Skimmer** » 2007-07-06 02:17am

Neat drawing, that thing really could have used a roof, I guess the men inside didn't want to be trapped if the paper thin armor was pierced.

Ma Deuce wrote:Doesn't Chile still operate a version of the Sherman tank with a semi-modern fire control system and a 50mm autocannon?

They may have placed the last of those into storage recently, in favor of cannon armed scout cars and some second hand Leo 1 tanks.

The gun was a high velocity 60mm Israeli weapon that's more like an autoloading tank gun then an autocannon, single shots only. The tanks themselves are modifications of former Israeli M-50 and M-51 Sherman’s which had already been rearmed once with 75 and 105mm guns respectively.

TheMuffinKing · Post by **TheMuffinKing** » 2007-07-06 04:45am

Sea Skimmer wrote:Neat drawing, that thing really could have used a roof, I guess the men inside didn't want to be trapped if the paper thin armor was pierced.

I always wondered what took so long for the idea of a fully enclosed APC to develop. Look at the postwar period, many, if not most designs were open topped prime movers! That seemed ludicrous and contrary to their role as a battlefield taxi.

TheMuffinKing · Post by **TheMuffinKing** » 2007-07-06 08:14am

I just did a quick sherman upgrade. I've decided to add Reactive armor, 105mm Gun, extra passive angled armor, and new suspension.

Kenny_10_Bellys · Post by **Kenny_10_Bellys** » 2007-07-06 11:12am

Rather than just trying to upgrade existing WWII designs, how about a complete redesign rather than bolting on bigger guns and heavier armour? I'm thinking more like the 1950's Austin Mini and the latest 2007 BMW Mini, or the old and new versions of the VW Beetle. That would be much more interesting looking.

TheMuffinKing · Post by **TheMuffinKing** » 2007-07-06 01:10pm

Kenny_10_Bellys wrote:Rather than just trying to upgrade existing WWII designs, how about a complete redesign rather than bolting on bigger guns and heavier armour? I'm thinking more like the 1950's Austin Mini and the latest 2007 BMW Mini, or the old and new versions of the VW Beetle. That would be much more interesting looking.

I like the idea!

Laughing Mechanicus · Post by **Laughing Mechanicus** » 2007-07-06 02:11pm

I tried a Tiger tank while in work today:

I gave it slightly more sloped armour in places, and Leopard 2 style appliqué armour on the turret front. It has an remote controlled MG42 and more modern looking periscopes and sights. It also an integrated turret bustle.

Sorry the colouring and background are a bit lame, I was in a rush to finish it.

If I get time over the weekend I might try doing a re-imagined WW2 vehicle, like doing an il-2 Sturmovik attack chopper or something.

Tasoth · Post by **Tasoth** » 2007-07-06 07:58pm

Dibs on something STUG based...

TheMuffinKing · Post by **TheMuffinKing** » 2007-07-07 03:11pm

Aaron Ash wrote:I tried a Tiger tank while in work today:

I gave it slightly more sloped armour in places, and Leopard 2 style appliqué armour on the turret front. It has an remote controlled MG42 and more modern looking periscopes and sights. It also an integrated turret bustle.

Sorry the colouring and background are a bit lame, I was in a rush to finish it.

If I get time over the weekend I might try doing a re-imagined WW2 vehicle, like doing an il-2 Sturmovik attack chopper or something.

This tank is pure awesome! I'm looking forward to your Sturmovik proposal.

Laughing Mechanicus · Post by **Laughing Mechanicus** » 2007-07-09 09:21am

Sturmovik:

Not sure how successful I was in keeping it recognisable while still making it look like a fairly plausible chopper. Let me know what you guys think, if people like it I will do a properly coloured version.

Kenny_10_Bellys · Post by **Kenny_10_Bellys** » 2007-07-09 12:47pm

Very nice!

For myself I thought I'd have a crack at designing an all-purpose vehicle for the armed forces, a modern equivelant of the famous WWII Kubel wagen. Like the Kubel of old it will be rugged and of such simple construction that it can be massed produced easily, as well as converted to a number of different roles. This one will have good cross-country ability, carry 4 soldiers and all their kit and may even be amphibious once I've finished with it.

The windows were just chopped in at the last minute to show scale, I dont like the look of them and may well redo them completely. Likewise the wheels are nicked off a truck i made a while back, I need to make more suitable and cool looking ones for this vehicle.It's a start at any rate, and I may do a convertible, a van and a weapons carrier if I get it done.

http://www.axeman3d.com/posts/kubel.jpg

http://www.axeman3d.com/posts/kubel2.jpg

TheMuffinKing · Post by **TheMuffinKing** » 2007-07-09 03:03pm

The Sturmovik reminds me of the Mi-28 attack helicopter, though only passingly... I can't quite put my finger on it.

Hetzer tank destroyer coming up soon!

TheMuffinKing · Post by **TheMuffinKing** » 2007-07-10 10:30am

A hetzer. I got bored with this and will soon do an isometric or perspective version of this tank.

I've up armored, re-engined, and re-armed this light tank. This could now be used in a scout role, or as an escort for APC's.

For armament I've chosen a remotely operated 30mm autocannon with a side mounted TOW missile launcher. A 7.62mm machinegun can be mounted to the TC's cupola.

Kenny_10_Bellys · Post by **Kenny_10_Bellys** » 2007-07-10 04:51pm

Nice, very purposeful looking. It'll be interesting to see it in perspective.

Here's the latest on my little Kubelwagen, now with a resized interior, doors and removable roof added, proper windows added and some funkier wheels too.

TheMuffinKing · Post by **TheMuffinKing** » 2007-07-10 06:02pm

Your Kubelwagen is really looking awesome! Any ideas on where to take the design further?

Oh here's the hetzer in a new view. Perspective drawing is still new to me, so I took a lot of time on it.

Post by **weemadando** » 2007-07-10 06:38pm

TheMuffinKing wrote:Your Kubelwagen is really looking awesome! Any ideas on where to take the design further?

Oh here's the hetzer in a new view. Perspective drawing is still new to me, so I took a lot of time on it.

I can't help but notice the lack of an offset AT gun. Perhaps an ATGM tube or something on top?

Kenny_10_Bellys · Post by **Kenny_10_Bellys** » 2007-07-10 08:33pm

Here's some more nonsense...

This is my WIP for my improved Stalwart II and the Kubelwagen. The small one is the original with a different roof module, the middle is the newer Kubel which I have lengthened and 'heightened' slightly and altered the roof module for more headroom. The biggy is my new Stalwart with new drive systems, door in the side and more cab room.

I dont think there's much I can do with the Kubel apart from detail it and make a van/pickup/convertible version. It's too small to make into a Hummer style weapons carrier, it's just a liason and transport vehicle.

TheMuffinKing · Post by **TheMuffinKing** » 2007-07-11 04:03am

weemadando wrote: I can't help but notice the lack of an offset AT gun. Perhaps an ATGM tube or something on top?

Exactly. I just got a little lazy and didn't draw the missile launcher. The side view has a pretty good depiction of the whole turret, I guess I just didn't get to it in the perspective drawing.

MKSheppard · Post by **MKSheppard** » 2007-07-12 05:09pm

Aaron Ash wrote:Not sure how successful I was in keeping it recognisable while still making it look like a fairly plausible chopper. Let me know what you guys think, if people like it I will do a properly coloured version.

Was that drawn by hand or with a computer? If by computer, what did you use?

Frank Hipper · Post by **Frank Hipper** » 2007-07-13 10:43am

That Sturmovik is awfully fucking cool; it has all the right identifying components to make it a sturmovik, while being anything but one...the landing gear, the nosecone, blended like that?
It's just fucking sweet as hell.

Sidewinder · Post by **Sidewinder** » 2007-07-14 12:48am

Kenny_10_Bellys wrote:Here's some more nonsense...
<snip>
This is my WIP for my improved Stalwart II and the Kubelwagen. The small one is the original with a different roof module, the middle is the newer Kubel which I have lengthened and 'heightened' slightly and altered the roof module for more headroom. The biggy is my new Stalwart with new drive systems, door in the side and more cab room.

Are they all-wheel drive vehicles, or did you deside to keep it rear-wheel drive, like the original? (Wikipedia claims it can match the all-wheel drive Jeep's performance, although I've also heard that being rear-wheel drive made its off-road performance inferior to the Jeep's.)

I dont think there's much I can do with the Kubel apart from detail it and make a van/pickup/convertible version. It's too small to make into a Hummer style weapons carrier, it's just a liason and transport vehicle.

It should be able to carry a GPMG and maybe a Panzerschreck.

Laughing Mechanicus · Post by **Laughing Mechanicus** » 2007-07-16 07:46am

MKSheppard wrote:Was that drawn by hand or with a computer? If by computer, what did you use?

Most of it was drawn by hand, at which point it looked like this:

I then scanned it and used Photoshop to fix some of the proportions I didn't like, added regular shaped features (like the blades, wheels), cleaned up the sketch marks and finally did the blueprint effect.

Anybody have any suggestions for another vehicle/weapon to do? I was thinking of doing a hovercraft M3 Stuart, but that's more alternate-history than modernised.