Beyond The Sprues
Current and Finished Projects => Physical Models => Land => Topic started by: Buzzbomb on March 30, 2014, 05:27:21 PM
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So in the vein of our very own Gingie and his excellent LAV mods.. here we go.
In John Birmingham's excellent Axis of Time book series (which has provided me with lots of excellent Whiffer fodder) one of the transitioned elements is the Australian 2 Cav Regiment, embarked on HMAS Ipswich. Amongst the orbat alluded to in the books aside from some modified Abrams, Arunta Attack Helos (again just begging for a build) and also the AASLAV "Bushpig" Which I take to be an Advanced ASLAV conversion, which means to me.. uparmoured and more hurt power.
There is mention of them firing Hellfires and using their autocannon to tear up Japanese positions.
So that pretty much to means uprate the existing ASLAV as since the time frame is 2021 for the Transitioned elements.. this is entirely possible and within the ASLAV life in service.. and using equipment past its effective time is somewhat endemic in the Australian Defence force.
Now to most Aussie blokes a "bushpig" conjures up a completely different meaning... but also means that this vehicle can be as ugly as... a Bushpig ;)
So starting with the Trumpeter ASLAV
(http://www.modelblokez.org.au/bthpix/whatif/bushpig/bushpig1.jpg)
Hackage begins on the turret
(http://www.modelblokez.org.au/bthpix/whatif/bushpig/bushpig2.jpg)
Uparmour the hull, sort of as an add-on kit that can be applied at base workshops.
(http://www.modelblokez.org.au/bthpix/whatif/bushpig/bushpig3.jpg)
Early days yet.
This may take some time as no doubt I should be finishing other stuff that should be finished first.
Or not ;D
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Cool! I see something larger than a 25mm going in that turret!
I though the Axis of Time was a decent trilogy; especially the part about how those who "won" questioned their victory when they saw the fully integrated (race, gender, sexual orientation) warship crews of the future. Would make a cool mini-series I think.
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Looking forward to this.
Would make a cool mini-series I think.
Indeed. I think they might leave out some details though…such as what the modern forces do to their captives. ;)
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Have you considered bar/slat armor also? Model railroad shops have bolt heads that would look good on the armor panels.
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Have you considered bar/slat armor also? Model railroad shops have bolt heads that would look good on the armor panels.
Yes, but not going to put slat armour on.
The timeframe in which the novel is set is 1942 an since most HEAT type weapons are in their infancy, plus the vehicles are depicted hammering through the Australia Bush. I reckon any Slat armour would have been removed. However I will put mounting points for it on.
So we are here... getting it together. I opted for a tribarrel Autocannon
(http://www.modelblokez.org.au/bthpix/whatif/bushpig/bushpig4.jpg)
So I added some room for ammo hoppers in the turret.
(http://www.modelblokez.org.au/bthpix/whatif/bushpig/bushpig5.jpg)
Next is fleshing is out a bit more with the missile launchers, pioneer tools and stowage.
:)
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Looking good.
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love the dual feed hoppers!
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Very cool. I like the auto-cannon and your expanded ammo feeds. The added armor is well done, too. I will be following your progress on this one with interest, as I have a half-baked idea for an LAV-25 with a little more punch for my beloved Corps.
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Are you going to counter balance the turret by adding something to the back of it? awesome start, I'll be watching this one.
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looks great , liking the turret mods! :)
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(http://superiorpulp.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/thumbs-up-soldier.jpg)
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That's the kind of grin I had after driving a Bradley in Iraq!
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That auto-cannon is just wicked.
Brian da Basher
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Have to say that the your chopping of the turret and inserting a section to lengthen it worked out very well. It has balance and does not look at all out of place in size on the LAV hull. Good work!
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So I should be finishing my Space GB Entry.. well it is nearly done as well.
I have hammered ahead with the Bushpig.
In so much that the basic construction and detailing is pretty much done.
(http://www.modelblokez.org.au/bthpix/whatif/bushpig/bushpig7.jpg)
Added in some mounts for the removed Slat armour around the hull. Have to fix a wonky join or cutout or two as well
(http://www.modelblokez.org.au/bthpix/whatif/bushpig/bushpig8.jpg)
Added some more advanced Sensor and communictions arrays as well.
(http://www.modelblokez.org.au/bthpix/whatif/bushpig/bushpig9.jpg)
Turret Close up, with missile mount
(http://www.modelblokez.org.au/bthpix/whatif/bushpig/bushpig10.jpg)
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Looking sweet, Brian! A definitely plausible whif.
:)
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Forget whiff and novels, 2 CAV needs those now ;)
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Mate that's looking awesome! I love all the extra detailing you've added - it's not over done - just right. Under a coat of paint, it will look even better!!
I'm going to have to go look in the Space GB (if I can find it) and see what you've done in that
Si
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Configuration and details all "looking sweet" and "not over done" as said prior. :)
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oh yes!!! I'm amazed how well that turret is integrated. Once its painted, I bet I would not have noticed how much longer it is, it just looks so "right". ATGM are a great touch too (or are they SAM?)
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The missiles and sensors look like they've always been there. The entire turret is just a marvelous piece of work. Simply superb.
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Well folks.. almost there.
Some antenna, figures and appropriate base.
The missiles as I see them are duel purpose ATGW or Close Range AAGW (Anti Helicopter), either active homing or wire-guided.
Paint on, went for a pretty much current scheme, with an extra green to differentiate a bit.. Perhaps a bit more weathering to go, definitely more kit though.
In the book they appear to be have used pretty hard, with not much admin/tech time for vehicle tidy ups.
(http://www.modelblokez.org.au/bthpix/whatif/bushpig/bushpig11.jpg)
(http://www.modelblokez.org.au/bthpix/whatif/bushpig/bushpig12.jpg)
(http://www.modelblokez.org.au/bthpix/whatif/bushpig/bushpig13.jpg)
(http://www.modelblokez.org.au/bthpix/whatif/bushpig/bushpig14.jpg)
Spotted few fix 'ems, like the Smoke launcher chain which appears to have come adrift and some some general fixers.
Perhaps an update a bit later, but with the Aussie Model Expo fast approaching.. I have some other projects to finish up
Cheers
Brian T
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Looking good.
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Another that's as much "Why Not" as it is "What If"! 8)
Great job, Brian! :)
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Very, very impressive good sir. We could do with something like these out here! :)
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The best kinds of Whifs are the ones that don't look like whifs at all...this has that in spade! Great stuff!
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Mate, that looks awesome! I wouldn't have known that was a WIF unless I'd seen this thread. Beautifully executed and the paint work is fantastic!! Hopefully, we'll see this at expo?
See you then
Si
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Great model, I just finished the second book, the description of the m1a3 is interesting.
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(I don't know how I missed this, but it sure finished up a treat!
Adding the green was a great call and this baby sure looks ready for a fight!
Brian da Basher
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This is just great - too real or what !!!!!
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That looks fantastic - well done! :)
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Indeed! As Gingie said, the best whifs are the ones you'd mistake for real developments. :)
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Great build and very well thought out and executed. Totally believable as how the LAV could develop
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Another that's as much "Why Not" as it is "What If"! 8)
Great job, Brian! :)
Wot 'e sed. :)
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Cool - so cool. Its very well done and thought out. Excellent job !!!