Author Topic: Anti-Radiation Ball Tank (шаротанк с противорадиационной защи&#  (Read 4607 times)

Offline Frank3k

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I wasn't planning on starting a new build after my wheeled M113 and had even cleaned up my work area for a non-modeling project. As I was putting away the M151 Remote Weapons system that I didn't use in my build, I saw the Das Werk German Kugelpanzer. I don't build NAZI stuff anymore, but the Kugelpanzer comes with two kits for whiffing. The box was sitting on top of the ICM Chernobyl figure sets, in particular the Chernobyl #3 Rubble Cleaners and Chernobyl #4 Deactivators. This gave me the idea of a small manned vehicle to inspect a highly radiated area. The vehicle would have radiation shielding to protect the lucky pilot.

The Kugelpanzer Sharo-tank is a pretty quick build. Annoyingly, the tracks have a joint about 2/3s of the way across. I added a light in the front and an exhaust in the lower rear and a PE hinge for the "cockpit" I wasn't sure if the hatch is an entry into the vehicle or a cover for the engine section. I've seen some online drawings and now believe it's how the driver would enter the vehicle. For this build, the driver lifts up the front section (with the vision slit) to enter.

I used "Boris" with the Geiger Counter from Chernobyl #3 and "Artyom" with the decontamination sprayer from Chernobyl #4:





The figures are quick builds, but they need some detailing before painting. I added filters to Boris' mask; it looked dangerously basic otherwise. I still want to add some more details to the tank and decide if it's going to be self propelled with a combustion engine or if it will be electrically propelled with power provided via a cable. I'm also thinking of adding one or two scratch built manipulators.
« Last Edit: October 08, 2021, 11:30:50 AM by Frank3k »

Offline Buzzbomb

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You just had to do... it was calling you

Offline Kerick

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Open the pod bay doors Hal!!
Yeah some arms would look cool !

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Offline Jeffry Fontaine

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Off to a good start on that "Ролик"(Roller).  I recall watching the one episode from the series FireFly trying to capture a view of the "Rollers" that were breaking through the wall of Mal's defended position.  It took several attempts but all I got was some CGI render of an object that was not so different from that Das Werk  Kugelpanzer in size and shape.  So it is great to see this as a what-if project. 
"Every day we hear about new studies 'revealing' what should have been obvious to sentient beings for generations; 'Research shows wolverines don't like to be teased" -- Jonah Goldberg

Offline Frank3k

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As Kerick suggested... Arms!



Well, one arm with two pincers/cutters. The smaller arm has a camera, made from a flash covered ejector nub from a part:



I also added a small "mushroom cap" to act as an air intake.

@Jeff - I'm surprised at how popular this concept has been over the years, vs. actual hardware built.
« Last Edit: October 09, 2021, 08:05:00 AM by Frank3k »

Offline Buzzbomb

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Terrific look so far

Offline apophenia

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This is looking great and your additions are excellent  :smiley:

So, what you mean, though, about that parts join in the middle of the tracks. Whoever engineered this kit for Das Werk was having an off-day  :P
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Offline Frank3k

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They had three options:

1 - outer trackless hemisphere, tracks, body
2 - outer hemispheres with tracks buit-in, split body (panels cover the body, so the joint would disappear)
3 - be idiots and split the tracks, making it very difficult to hide the joint.

They went with #3. I'll just add "dirt" to the tracks, because that joint just won't go away easily.

Offline robunos

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I'll just add "dirt" to the tracks, because that joint just won't go away easily.


carbon (graphite) . . .   ;)


cheers,
Robin.
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Offline Jeffry Fontaine

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@Frank - what about placing individual track pads in to space between the tread projections?  Something that would reduce vehicle noise and improve handling on hard surfaces?  I thought of the ice cleats or grousers as often seen as external stowage on the M3/M5 Stuart and the M8 75mm HMC which then morphed to the track pad idea since that would obscure the offending feature almost entirely.  One of the AFV Club Academy M113 kits had individual track pads as part of the individual track link assembly process.  There might be other options hiding in your own spare parts bin that will perform just as well. 

-***Finally had my coffee and woke up.  Realized I was describing the Acedemy kit and not the AFV Club M113 kit. -- jjf   
« Last Edit: October 11, 2021, 04:02:11 AM by Jeffry Fontaine »
"Every day we hear about new studies 'revealing' what should have been obvious to sentient beings for generations; 'Research shows wolverines don't like to be teased" -- Jonah Goldberg

Offline Frank3k

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That's a good idea, Jeff - I'll see if I have suitable pads (I may have some of the Bronco M3 "workable" tracks floating around) if not I can cut some from styrene or even print a few.


Offline Frank3k

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I printed some tank pads on my FDM printer in ABS. I set the print parameters to produce a quick (and crappy) set of pads - once separated, they look pretty well worn. I also painted the tank; I was going to go with red overall, but found this remote vehicle used in Chernobyl:



So I compromised and went with a Christmas ornament pattern:







I used Molotow chrome paint on the arm; the metal parts of the tracks still need work, but Jeff's suggestion to use rubber pads to cover my not-great gluing of the track halves worked, I think. The tank looks like it just came out of the Chelyabinsk Tractor Plant and will be suitably weathered soon.

I may give the kit's other ball tank an overall red to see how it compares.

@Story - I have some of Stuart Semple's glow powders that I bought in a failed attempt to print resin objects that glow when hit by UV light. I may use some of the blue powder.
« Last Edit: October 12, 2021, 10:16:54 AM by Frank3k »

Offline Old Wombat

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Pads worked brilliantly, Frank! Well done! 8)


PS: Good suggestion, Jeff! :smiley:
"This is the Captain. We have a little problem with our engine sequence, so we may experience some slight turbulence and, ah, explode."

Offline Jeffry Fontaine

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Wow!  That really did the trick with those track pads applied the telltale seam is almost invisible.  With a little weathering that should really disappear.  :smiley:
"Every day we hear about new studies 'revealing' what should have been obvious to sentient beings for generations; 'Research shows wolverines don't like to be teased" -- Jonah Goldberg

Offline Frank3k

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Thanks guys, I'm still on the fence about the color(s). It may change as I weather it or add a stripe on the side as Rheged suggested on What-if. The pads worked well!

The design was interesting - I wasn't sure what would take longer; cutting them out of styrene sheet or designing and printing them on my FDM printer. I made a pad out of styrene and then calculated how long it would take to make 80+. Designing them in Rhino3D took 5 minutes and printing took 26. Cutting them out - even with a chopper - would have taken about as long but I would have to cut the strips, then chop the pads, while I could just start the print and work on the model (which is what I ended up doing).

Offline Old Wombat

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I still think black & yellow RadHaz symbols are the way to go. ;)
"This is the Captain. We have a little problem with our engine sequence, so we may experience some slight turbulence and, ah, explode."

Offline LemonJello

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This is all kinds of cool!

Offline Frank3k

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@Guy, the Rad Haz symbols would have to go on the body, because the sides rotate with the tracks.

Offline Old Wombat

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That's fine. They become a motion indicator, then, too! ;)
"This is the Captain. We have a little problem with our engine sequence, so we may experience some slight turbulence and, ah, explode."

Offline Frank3k

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Some progress. I made some large black radiation symbols/motion tracker decals for the sides and body. I also added a third liquidator, who I'll call Vadims. I replaced the shovel head he was carrying with a wide squeegee and a longer pole. The concrete base is made from a dense, solid white polystyrene foam sheet. I carved the squares, chipped it and made a drain grate:



Story suggested using a UV glow powder for some glowing radiation effects. The images below show the UV glow powder (in a container) under the grate. The first one depicts the faint Cherenkov radiation glow inside the drain after giving the powder a brief shot of UV:




Same, with the lights turned off (only indirect sunlight):



Lights off, but with the UV LED shining right at the powder (from the side):



I may add some powder "washing off" into the drain, but I have to test how it works when mixed with a clear medium like Future.

I'll also add some equipment, possibly a spot lamp and some debris, but before that I'll paint the three figures and start weathering the ball tank.

Offline Old Wombat

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That's coming together brilliantly, Frank! 8)

Love the glow powder's effect! :D :smiley: :smiley:
"This is the Captain. We have a little problem with our engine sequence, so we may experience some slight turbulence and, ah, explode."

Offline LemonJello

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That's a neat effect. 

Offline Jeffry Fontaine

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@Frank - That display base looks great.  The addition of the glowing powder will be like the frosting on the cake.  :smiley:
"Every day we hear about new studies 'revealing' what should have been obvious to sentient beings for generations; 'Research shows wolverines don't like to be teased" -- Jonah Goldberg