Here is a preview of the new Eisenkern APC!
This
model is still a work in progress, the overall form is complete but there are a
quite a few roughed in shapes and quite a bit of detailing that still needs to
be done.
I
thought this would be a good opportunity to go over my work flow and give you a
peek into my processes.
First,
I decide on a project, in this case an APC for the Eisenkern faction.
Next
I think about what message I am trying to convey with the overall form of the
model. In this case I wanted to bring a decidedly retro feel as I have with the
Stormtroopers, this keeps the force looking cohesive on the table and allows me
to draw from historic examples of vehicles for inspiration.
I
then decide on a specific vehicle to work from. I have always liked the look of
the Hanomag Sonderkraftfahrzeug "special purpose vehicle", or Sd.Kfz.
Not
wanting to simply remake what can be found in other 1/35 scale models, I needed
to examine the use in a modern battlefield and what changes would look good as
well as reflect a more updated design. Halftracks are not a common occurrence
on today’s battlefield, so I poured over contemporary vehicles and found that the
tires now used are bullet resistant and much more suited to the task than they
once were. Having a look at the Stryker APC/AFV was a nice point of
inspiration. They are large wheeled vehicles, capable of carrying a large troop
compliment.
The
old Hanomag was tiny by comparison, so I knew we would need to drastically
up-size from the original design.
I
now have my muse! Having a base idea to work from, I then begin to think about what
makes this thing work, what is a suitable armament for an APC and what future
innovations might be found on such a vehicle.
Powerplant:
Gas and diesel is too old school, so I went back to the Leviathans and pulled
some reactor details to give this beast some real power under the hood. I kept
some details that are important to the fluff and game, such as the reactor
purge plugs that protrude from the side of the vehicle, just in front of the
side doors.
Drivetrain:
losing your ability to move is a great way to die, so each wheel has an independent
drivetrain powered by the reactor.
Communications:
Very important, the gunner doubles as a comms officer in the seat next to the
driver and handles the tactical display that would project on the wind screen.
Armor:
The vehicle needs to display some mass, it needs to look like it is up for the
task.
Crew
compartment: This is the heart and soul of any APC and their crews are its
deadliest weapon. An Aliens style APC interior with safety roll bars to keep
them locked into place…. This thing was designed to move and move fast.
Multiple egress hatches to deploy from will help the troops hit the ground away
from enemy fire.
Weapons
systems: This is not an AFV (Armored Fighting Vehicle) it is a troop mover, so
the armament should be defensive but effective vs. a host of enemy targets. I decided
on a close infantry support weapon. If we need to hunt tanks, that’s what your infantry
is for, and nothing says loving like a quad mount :)
With
all those factors in mind, I get to work. I rough out a basic shape, do quite a
bit of tweaking and adjust the scale to be able to fit a ten man squad, the
driver and comms/gunner safely in the interior.
I
continue to rough out the form until it pleases the eye. It needs to look sleek
yet very robust, so I widen its wheel base.
Once
I am happy with the overall form I start detailing. I pick a small section and
eat the Elephant one bite at a time. I started with the wheels, then onto the power
plant and finally the interior, leaving the exterior for last.
I usually let my new project name itself… spinning this model
around I noticed from the front view it looked a lot like an African warthog,
or boars head. I went with Keilerkopf “boar head”
This
project is about 70% done with the interior so there are still a lot of details
missing from the exterior, or roughed in shapes that will need attention.
This
is also the first model designed from the ground up for hard tooling, all
undercuts needed to be looked after and many components separated with the
manufacturing process in mind. This slows things down quite a bit. No more simply
adding details simply because they look good :) I like where the overall design
is going and I hope you do as well.
All
the best!
-Mark
