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Post by shaungamer on Jul 8, 2007 23:43:49 GMT -5
Well I decided to make the Armadillo look like it could hold a few more people than what my initial model showed. I also liked the low slung style of the badger, so decided to try and keep with the theme. The Rear of the Armadillo may still get a slight change to make it easier to construct. I am not certain yet, due to some other decisions I need to make (see below). The Groundhog light tank is exactly the same chassis as the Armadillo but without the side sections and rear passenger area. Naturally it also gains a Turret for the large Splatcannon.Where I am having a bit of difficulty now is in the location of various external components. In particular the Hatches and the engines. Originally the engines were going to be in the sides of the Armadillo with a rear facing hatch (hence the rear passenger compartment) However a collegue thought that side hatches with dropdown door ramps would be more appropriate for an APC style vehicle. This would be a more sensible design than the rear hatch.
This would also suit the Groundhog tank which currently doesn't have the side sections for the engines. Anyhow, I would like to get some ideas of preferences. Other criticisms and comments are always welcome
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Post by mahotsukai on Jul 9, 2007 13:06:50 GMT -5
My personal opinion is that the Groundhog with it's lozenge shape looks very like the Leman Russ, and the Armadillo smacks of the old Gorgon. The similarity could cause problems.
As the wheels/tracks have only to be protected from paint rather than shot and shell do they have to be covered? I know this will affect ease of construction, but maybe a Christie suspension (like the Chaffee or T34) would look good.
Maybe the construction should be crude not the design, ala the A-team. Corrugated iron sheets for sides, upturned dustbin for the turret etc.
Shaun, your designs are great, but I don't think they look 'Soapbox Derby' enough to have been created by kidz.
Larry
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Post by shaungamer on Jul 9, 2007 18:55:41 GMT -5
Larry, you have just vindicated one side of a previous argument The vehicles of Newt, Boy Genius are meant to be over the top and way beyond anything that could be used by children in reality. This is the Fantastic side of Splatball. These vehicles are made of sheet metal with rubber tracks. They are probably powered by small engines and use simple mechanics (similar to the new children's vehicles you get from 'Toys R Us'). They are highly reliable because of their simplicity. I should mention that I don't think they would be the lumbering monsters, that can knock trees over and demolish houses. I might even go as far as to say they could be stopped by a good picket fence. (I have seen a fence survive a fast collision with a motorbike, which is way more powerful than these vehicles are meant to be.) The Battlewagons are your more conventional childrens war machine, made from boxes and bicycles. They would utilise corrugated iron and dustbins. Although there is a fairly good description of how Battlewagons are made, I would tend to be lenient in their overall design and allow many variations. These would follow your soapbox derby designs. Back to the armadillo & Groundhog . . . The lozenge shape is the easiest shape to give a bit of difference to the vehicles but not make construction too hard. I could see the similarities to the Russ and Gorgon, but hopefully when complete it will be superficial. The Groundhog was going to have open sides (the images were just to show shape) so the wheels will be visible. It would have been great to have the 3D detail but I find it isn't worth it for gaming models. I agree that armor is pointless in paint warfare, although shiny deflective surfaces are not. The Groundhog and Armadillo also look bigger in the pictures than what they will be in the game. The Armadillo carries 5 kids and a driver (who lies down in the cockpit area to drive). The Groundhog only carries two kids, a driver and gunner. One last comment: I know there will be some people who do not like Newt's creations, but it is very easy to just leave them out. The game is still enjoyable and fun to play without them.
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Post by emergencyoverride on Jul 9, 2007 18:59:21 GMT -5
I like em.! Bring em on. I can't wait to assemble the badger when it is posted. It'll add a new layer to play.;D
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Post by oversoul on Jul 9, 2007 19:47:46 GMT -5
Shaun covered everything I would have said but I will add a few things. Newt is a realitive newcomer but has vastly improved splatball. I am working on some history fluff for the game so let me give you some little tidbits. Before Newt and the Kidz there were what are now the Big KidZ, splatball had no markers. Instead everyone was more or less a balloonadier but with smaller ballons they either lobbed or fired from slingshots. At that time the battlewagon was the pinnacle of technology. Battlewagons are your typical soapbox. The are mostly shoddy hammered together lumber that the kidZ scrounged up. While we will offer a limited common design the variants are near limitless.
As far as the fantastic level of the the Badger, Armadillo, and Groundhog go, remember we are talking about kidZ. While it might be total functionless if it looks cool they want it!.
Power for Newt's vehicles is supplied by either small internal combustion engines, such as the type used to power minibikes or electric engines, regardless of the power supply they still have the exhaust pipes...again cuz they look cool. Shaun's take on armor and tracks is right, it all about bells and whistles and showing off the bigger toys.
If you think these vehicles are fantasticv wait till you see what else I have in store.....
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Post by shaungamer on Jul 9, 2007 21:59:58 GMT -5
The Vanilla for the Armadillo is complete. I am happy with the whole thing and how it went together. The next stage will be the details and color.
The Groundhog unfortunately, is very large and not really suitable for a light tank. If a Heavy tank is ever invented by Newt, I think it would be appropriate (It would look good with side sponsoons like "Mother" of WWI fame).
I will start again on a smaller model for the Groundhog, probably a bit bigger than the Badger, but following the Armadillo design.
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Post by shaungamer on Jul 9, 2007 22:49:43 GMT -5
A quick remake of the GroundHog. It is about the same size as the Badger but a fair bit Chunkier. Depending on what happens, the turret may get a rework into something more impressive. As you can see it is almost as tall as the Armadillo. Comments and criticisms welcome.
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Post by mahotsukai on Jul 10, 2007 13:41:58 GMT -5
The vehicles of Newt, Boy Genius are meant to be over the top and way beyond anything that could be used by children in reality. This is the Fantastic side of Splatball.Point taken.One last comment: I know there will be some people who do not like Newt's creations, but it is very easy to just leave them out. The game is still enjoyable and fun to play without them.I will wait until I see Shaun's completed designs before I decide which way to go. (i'll still download them though ) If you think these vehicles are fantasticv wait till you see what else I have in store..... Don't tell me.. they have aircraft! Larry
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Post by magpiestear on Jul 10, 2007 17:51:52 GMT -5
aircraft could be done. From simple hang gliders and kite born ballonadiers (think Ewoks) to remotely piloted drones (RC planes and copters are within kids capabilities of building and flying now!!) What about something similar to little nelly from the james bond movies?
With regard to kidz abilities to construct stuf like the armidillo or groundhog, it is possible. I remember when I was in the scouts we started building a hovercraft. It never got finished but the initial fibre glass hull was sold to the troops resident boffin (called benny) who I believe completed it at home (he was our version of newt I s'pose, and went on to study aerospace engineering i think)
Instead of armour how about daubing the sides of the vehicle with anti graffiti paint/spray to stop the paint sticking?
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Post by brynbrenainn on Jul 11, 2007 0:17:16 GMT -5
Instead of armour how about daubing the sides of the vehicle with anti graffiti paint/spray to stop the paint sticking? ;D ;D ;D That WOULD be Splatball armour!
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Post by shaungamer on Jul 11, 2007 3:17:40 GMT -5
The completed Armadillo for the Redteam. This is the basic version without all the surface detail.
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Post by emergencyoverride on Jul 11, 2007 11:42:07 GMT -5
Man that is so sweet looking! We'll be transporting troops in relative safety in no time. My troops will love that. Lost some last night trying to get back to the supply dump. Great job!
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