Author Topic: Norsu Heavy APC (M113 / Centurion kitbash)  (Read 11802 times)

Offline Twiddle

  • No, it's pronounced Frankensteen
Norsu Heavy APC (M113 / Centurion kitbash)
« on: September 15, 2018, 11:41:49 PM »
Tamiya Centurion / Academy ACAV kitbash

Centurion hull widened



Centurion hull front



Hull rear

Kit instructions are not acceptable - let the imagination howl forth !

Offline LemonJello

  • MARPAT Master
  • Member number 100...WooHoo!!!
Re: Norsu Heavy APC (M113 / Centurion kitbash)
« Reply #1 on: September 16, 2018, 02:28:43 AM »
Looks like it's off to a good start.  Let's see what develops.

Offline Frank3k

  • Excession
  • Global Moderator
  • Formerly Frank2056. New upgrade!
    • My new webpage
Re: Norsu Heavy APC (M113 / Centurion kitbash)
« Reply #2 on: September 16, 2018, 06:58:33 AM »
Looks like a good start. I want to do something similar with an old Tamiya T-62

Offline Old Wombat

  • "We'll see when I've finished whether I'm showing off or simply embarrassing myself."
  • "Define 'interesting'?"
Re: Norsu Heavy APC (M113 / Centurion kitbash)
« Reply #3 on: September 16, 2018, 05:39:25 PM »
 :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 Twiddle

  • No, it's pronounced Frankensteen
Re: Norsu Heavy APC (M113 / Centurion kitbash)
« Reply #4 on: September 16, 2018, 10:55:12 PM »
A thought on the interior layout



Above is not to scale

10 pax + Driver + Gunner + Commander.

Enough interior storage for the gear and equipment for the 10 troops

Not that I am doing the interior but however I still need to apply a bit of realism ?
Kit instructions are not acceptable - let the imagination howl forth !

Offline Old Wombat

  • "We'll see when I've finished whether I'm showing off or simply embarrassing myself."
  • "Define 'interesting'?"
Re: Norsu Heavy APC (M113 / Centurion kitbash)
« Reply #5 on: September 17, 2018, 06:29:35 PM »
Pax 6 looks to be in a position which would interfere with the ingress/egress of the commander, gunner & Pax 1, at least, to me. So maybe a 9 troop carry? ???
"This is the Captain. We have a little problem with our engine sequence, so we may experience some slight turbulence and, ah, explode."

Offline Steve Blazo

  • The man likes white plastic...weird.
    • flickr
Re: Norsu Heavy APC (M113 / Centurion kitbash)
« Reply #6 on: September 17, 2018, 08:47:38 PM »
Very nice. Definitely watching with interest.   :))
As I walk through the valley of death,
I have no fear, because I am the meanest mother*ucker in the whole valley.
- Gen. George S. Patton

Offline Story

  • Nicht mein Zirkus, nicht meine Affen...
Re: Norsu Heavy APC (M113 / Centurion kitbash)
« Reply #7 on: September 19, 2018, 11:21:52 AM »
Depending on the neverwhen for which you're planning this build*, consider the LVTP-7 turret with either the .50 M85 or the dual .50 M2/40mm Mk 19.

http://www.armorama.co.uk/modules.php?op=modload&name=SquawkBox&file=index&req=viewtopic&topic_id=198135

This should give you an idea for planning considerations on what the heavier turrets require.


* Oh, duh - Finnish World of Tanks clan. 
« Last Edit: September 19, 2018, 11:25:30 AM by Story »

Offline Twiddle

  • No, it's pronounced Frankensteen
Re: Norsu Heavy APC (M113 / Centurion kitbash)
« Reply #8 on: September 21, 2018, 04:16:53 AM »
Some progress tonight - at least it's night time in my part of the world :) !

Hull sides initial work done. PSR to follow tomorrow

Right hand side



Above rectangle indicates where the exhaust (Leo 1 tank in stash) will be mounted

Left hand side



I recycled the M113 side panels and pieces of the M113 flooring for above - styrene was more or less perfect thickness

It might be argued that the height will make the hull an easy target (again realism creeps in ....)

However that will be addressed tomorrow ....

Thanks for making BtS so great  :smiley:
« Last Edit: September 21, 2018, 04:23:48 AM by Twiddle »
Kit instructions are not acceptable - let the imagination howl forth !

Offline Brian da Basher

  • He has an unnatural attraction to Spats...and a growing fascination with airships!
  • Moderator
  • *
  • Hulk smash, Brian bash
Re: Norsu Heavy APC (M113 / Centurion kitbash)
« Reply #9 on: September 21, 2018, 07:17:27 AM »
That's some yeoman's work your doing there!

Watching with interest,
Brian da Basher

Offline Old Wombat

  • "We'll see when I've finished whether I'm showing off or simply embarrassing myself."
  • "Define 'interesting'?"
Re: Norsu Heavy APC (M113 / Centurion kitbash)
« Reply #10 on: September 21, 2018, 09:09:31 AM »
It might be argued that the height will make the hull an easy target (again realism creeps in ....)

APC's are tall, it comes with the role & the fact that most people aren't 4' (120cm) tall (4' short?).

Even most of the big modern APC's are pretty cosy & limited in head-space, as much of the size increase is comprised of better armour & improved-survivability design features (including better ground clearance). Whilst passenger comfort is important for combat effectiveness of the troops, that can be kept quite low, when they're sitting, but effects the width of the vehicle, often making them wider for greater leg room. However, the egress & entry of the troops requires a minimum height, so they can get in & out sufficiently quickly so as not to expose the APC to excessively long times as a stationary target.

I'm sure military vehicle designers have come up with an optimal compromise but at 6' 21/2" (190cm) I'm fairly sure I'd still feel a bit crowded by the roof.
"This is the Captain. We have a little problem with our engine sequence, so we may experience some slight turbulence and, ah, explode."

Offline tankmodeler

  • Wisely picking parts of the real universe 2 ignore
Re: Norsu Heavy APC (M113 / Centurion kitbash)
« Reply #11 on: September 21, 2018, 10:41:55 PM »
Looking very interesting so far.

Something to consider is that with the engine in the front, the drive sprockets need to be in the front as well. The power pack is a combined engine transmission and you don't want a drive shaft running though the crew compartment if you don't have to.

A total of 13 passengers is quite large for an APC so your idea that the side height might be a bit tall are not out of line. "in real life" (tm) with the extra width of the hull, the plan might be to sit the passengers a bit lower and drop the side wall height. Just a thought.

Also note that by running the armoured walls upwards from the hull sides and not extending them outward from the edge of the fender line, as the M113 and most APCs do, you are forgoing a lot of interior volume that the crew might really need. Now, a good use of the exterior wall space might be for both external stowage boxes, providing shaped charge stand-off distance, and as external armoured fuel tanks which also provide HEAT stand-off and get the fuel out of the passenger compartment maximising passenger numbers.

Just some thoughts.

Looking forward to this.

Paul

Offline finsrin

  • The Dr Frankenstein of the modelling world...when not hiding from SBA
  • Finds part glues it on, finds part glues it on....
Re: Norsu Heavy APC (M113 / Centurion kitbash)
« Reply #12 on: September 22, 2018, 10:47:54 AM »
Lot of widening plastic surgery.  Nice,,, keep posting.

Offline Gingie

  • The LAV sausage-maker…goes nice with a home made beer I understand
  • Has been to Tatooine...
Re: Norsu Heavy APC (M113 / Centurion kitbash)
« Reply #13 on: September 24, 2018, 12:31:58 AM »
Kit bashing 113 and Centurion...gobs of white p-card...what's not to love!! :-*


Offline Twiddle

  • No, it's pronounced Frankensteen
Re: Norsu Heavy APC (M113 / Centurion kitbash)
« Reply #14 on: September 24, 2018, 02:21:26 PM »
Prep work for the side sponsons (correct word?) more or less sorted

Left



Right



Below is what I want to achieve with the sides . Not drawn to scale



Tinkering with the idea to add some vision blocks for the interior seated infantry ....
« Last Edit: September 24, 2018, 02:23:12 PM by Twiddle »
Kit instructions are not acceptable - let the imagination howl forth !

Offline Twiddle

  • No, it's pronounced Frankensteen
Re: Norsu Heavy APC (M113 / Centurion kitbash)
« Reply #15 on: September 24, 2018, 08:05:10 PM »
Some progress today.

Initially thought of chucking it in the bin (taking way longer than I planned  :o :( ) however I will continue  :))

Started with the sponson supports

Right hand side





The gap will be used for the power plant

Left hand side



Topside view

Kit instructions are not acceptable - let the imagination howl forth !

Offline perttime

  • The man has produced a Finnish Napier Heston Fighter...need we say more?
Re: Norsu Heavy APC (M113 / Centurion kitbash)
« Reply #16 on: September 24, 2018, 09:27:37 PM »
Hmmmm. I have a suspicion about nationality....

Offline Brian da Basher

  • He has an unnatural attraction to Spats...and a growing fascination with airships!
  • Moderator
  • *
  • Hulk smash, Brian bash
Re: Norsu Heavy APC (M113 / Centurion kitbash)
« Reply #17 on: September 25, 2018, 06:40:36 AM »
I'm glad you're going to see this build through!

Work of this caliber should indeed be taken to its conclusion.

Three cheers!
 :icon_beer: :icon_beer: :icon_beer:
Brian da Basher

Offline Old Wombat

  • "We'll see when I've finished whether I'm showing off or simply embarrassing myself."
  • "Define 'interesting'?"
Re: Norsu Heavy APC (M113 / Centurion kitbash)
« Reply #18 on: September 25, 2018, 03:13:20 PM »
Hmmmm. I have a suspicion about nationality....

Does it involve a blue six-pointed star on a white background? ???
"This is the Captain. We have a little problem with our engine sequence, so we may experience some slight turbulence and, ah, explode."

Offline perttime

  • The man has produced a Finnish Napier Heston Fighter...need we say more?
Re: Norsu Heavy APC (M113 / Centurion kitbash)
« Reply #19 on: September 25, 2018, 08:38:48 PM »
I wasn't thinking of a six-pointed star - although that would be logical from the technical point of view.

Offline Twiddle

  • No, it's pronounced Frankensteen
Re: Norsu Heavy APC (M113 / Centurion kitbash)
« Reply #20 on: September 30, 2018, 10:57:31 PM »
Some progress on the LH sponson





Kit instructions are not acceptable - let the imagination howl forth !

Offline Brian da Basher

  • He has an unnatural attraction to Spats...and a growing fascination with airships!
  • Moderator
  • *
  • Hulk smash, Brian bash
Re: Norsu Heavy APC (M113 / Centurion kitbash)
« Reply #21 on: October 01, 2018, 01:17:30 AM »
That's some fine looking work, Twiddle!

You have some serious modeling chops!

It never ceases to amaze me how much you can do with just a bit of card.

Brian da Basher

Offline finsrin

  • The Dr Frankenstein of the modelling world...when not hiding from SBA
  • Finds part glues it on, finds part glues it on....
Re: Norsu Heavy APC (M113 / Centurion kitbash)
« Reply #22 on: October 01, 2018, 05:39:34 AM »
Ambitious build you are following thru with.  Is lesson in plastic surgery we can all learn from.
Liking the pictures.

Offline Twiddle

  • No, it's pronounced Frankensteen
Re: Norsu Heavy APC (M113 / Centurion kitbash)
« Reply #23 on: October 21, 2018, 10:51:54 PM »
Haven't  had too much time for whiffing

small amount of progress

Left sponson more or less done



I am toying with the idea of making this a wheeled APC .

Photo shows a 1/35 DEF Model HEMTT wheel for comparison. Too small or plausible in real life?

Might have to source 1/16 scale military tyres should the 1/35 wheels look too small ...

Front view



right hand side sponson



Gap will be used for engine exhaust

Thanks for making BtS so great :)
Kit instructions are not acceptable - let the imagination howl forth !

Offline Frank3k

  • Excession
  • Global Moderator
  • Formerly Frank2056. New upgrade!
    • My new webpage
Re: Norsu Heavy APC (M113 / Centurion kitbash)
« Reply #24 on: October 22, 2018, 01:20:52 AM »
I think the HEMTT  wheels look good - compare them to the Centauro or a LAV.
 
The hardest part will be scratchbuilding the suspension, unless you have a set handy.

Offline Rickshaw

  • "Of course, I could be talking out of my hat"
Re: Norsu Heavy APC (M113 / Centurion kitbash)
« Reply #25 on: October 22, 2018, 07:28:34 PM »
If it is to be wheeled, you'll need to lose about 10-15% of your internal space to allow for the turning circle required - unless you make it skid-steer.  Skid-steer haven't been terribly successful as military vehicles.  The British tried a six-wheeled vehicle out until they realised that they would have to replace the tyres appreciably faster than in a normally steered vehicle.  The French, with their AMX-10 armoured car, decided they could wear the cost and made it skid steer.

Offline tankmodeler

  • Wisely picking parts of the real universe 2 ignore
Re: Norsu Heavy APC (M113 / Centurion kitbash)
« Reply #26 on: October 23, 2018, 12:20:51 AM »
The sides of the lower hull definitely aren't suitable for any even partially realistic wheeled suspension system as was mentioned, plus, if the aim is to make this a _heavy_ APC, wheels definitely aren't the way to go. Ground pressure is already high for the larger wheeled APCs around today, compromising mobility off road. A heavy APC (Namer is running 60 tons!) would have really bad manoeuverability on wheels over rough or soft ground and would probably need 5 or even 6 wheels per side to be able to support itself even half reasonably.

I'd back off on the wheeled suspension and stick with tracks.

Paul

Offline Brian da Basher

  • He has an unnatural attraction to Spats...and a growing fascination with airships!
  • Moderator
  • *
  • Hulk smash, Brian bash
Re: Norsu Heavy APC (M113 / Centurion kitbash)
« Reply #27 on: October 23, 2018, 01:10:44 AM »
Personally I like the wheels too. It's an interesting change and I think they'll look good under those sponsons.

All whiffs involve some degree of implausibility.

Brian da Basher
« Last Edit: October 23, 2018, 02:58:20 AM by Brian da Basher »

Offline Twiddle

  • No, it's pronounced Frankensteen
Re: Norsu Heavy APC (M113 / Centurion kitbash)
« Reply #28 on: October 26, 2018, 04:54:08 AM »
Going with the tracks.

The HEMTT wheels I want to save for other projects  >:D ;)

This is one helluva bash - seeing that I've never built a kit before tackling this one.

Keep on making mistakes - but ja this in turns results in a continuous improvement (aka Industrial Engineering what I studied at Uni.)

Challenging but fun.

Thanks for making BtS so great :)
Kit instructions are not acceptable - let the imagination howl forth !

Offline Twiddle

  • No, it's pronounced Frankensteen
Re: Norsu Heavy APC (M113 / Centurion kitbash)
« Reply #29 on: April 19, 2019, 11:51:03 PM »
Wow ... cannot believe this has stalled for so long  :o :icon_surprised:

Okay - time to get this build on again - slowly but surely

Front profile. The roof is still to be attached to the hull.



Hull Rear. I mounted the side "sponson" thingies next to the hatch to make it look cool

Standard M113 hatch to be fitted



Right side. The opening is for the exhaust. Going to do a Merkava style exhaust .



Left side.



As always - thanks for making BtS so great
Kit instructions are not acceptable - let the imagination howl forth !

Offline Kerick

  • Reportedly finished with a stripper...
Re: Norsu Heavy APC (M113 / Centurion kitbash)
« Reply #30 on: April 20, 2019, 12:25:58 AM »
This is a great project to watch come together. I'm glad you restarted it!
This will be interesting as an APC but may I suggest an alternative option? If you have read the book Thunder Run about the US Army drive into Baghdad in 2003 there is a part that describes the difficulty in bringing in fuel and ammunition to the tanks and APC's that were in Baghdad. Many soft skin trucks were lost to small arms fire and RPG's. I've been considering/procrastinating on an armored resupply vehicle that would keep up with armor. I was thinking of a modified Bradley but your vehicle looks like it would work well. Just my $0.02 worth. Whatever you do it will be fun to see come to fruition.

Offline Jeffry Fontaine

  • Unaffiliated Independent Subversive...and the last person to go for a trip on a Mexicana dH Comet 4
  • Global Moderator
  • His stash is able to be seen from space...
Re: Norsu Heavy APC (M113 / Centurion kitbash)
« Reply #31 on: April 20, 2019, 02:10:44 AM »
Also glad to see this WIP back on the front burner once again. 
"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 Old Wombat

  • "We'll see when I've finished whether I'm showing off or simply embarrassing myself."
  • "Define 'interesting'?"
Re: Norsu Heavy APC (M113 / Centurion kitbash)
« Reply #32 on: April 20, 2019, 07:22:39 PM »
 :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 Twiddle

  • No, it's pronounced Frankensteen
Re: Norsu Heavy APC (M113 / Centurion kitbash)
« Reply #33 on: April 22, 2019, 11:42:24 PM »
Roof is superglued in place

Front view



Gap between hull and roof to be filled

Rear view with M113 hatch fitted



Top view

Kit instructions are not acceptable - let the imagination howl forth !

Offline GTX_Admin

  • Evil Administrator bent on taking over the Universe!
  • Administrator - Yep, I'm the one to blame for this place.
  • Whiffing Demi-God!
    • Beyond the Sprues
Re: Norsu Heavy APC (M113 / Centurion kitbash)
« Reply #34 on: April 23, 2019, 01:56:52 AM »
Coming along nicely.
All hail the God of Frustration!!!

You can't outrun Death forever.
But you can make the Bastard work for it.

Offline Twiddle

  • No, it's pronounced Frankensteen
Re: Norsu Heavy APC (M113 / Centurion kitbash)
« Reply #35 on: August 10, 2019, 02:58:28 PM »
oh boy ... does this build qualify for the longest ever WIP  :o ;D

Right view


Left view


Rear view


Top view


I have officially ditched Perfect Plastic Putty ....

Superglue used to fill gaps.

PSR to continue

Still undecided on how to do the exhaust ....

Thanks for making BtS so great  ;) :smiley:
« Last Edit: August 10, 2019, 03:00:38 PM by Twiddle »
Kit instructions are not acceptable - let the imagination howl forth !

Offline Old Wombat

  • "We'll see when I've finished whether I'm showing off or simply embarrassing myself."
  • "Define 'interesting'?"
Re: Norsu Heavy APC (M113 / Centurion kitbash)
« Reply #36 on: August 10, 2019, 03:34:11 PM »
oh boy ... does this build qualify for the longest ever WIP  :o ;D

Nup! Not even close! ;)


Keep her coming! :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 Buzzbomb

  • Low Concentration Span, oft wanders betwixt projects
  • Accurate Scale representations of fictional stuff
    • Club and my stuff site
Re: Norsu Heavy APC (M113 / Centurion kitbash)
« Reply #37 on: August 11, 2019, 12:23:22 PM »
oh boy ... does this build qualify for the longest ever WIP  :o ;D

Nup! Not even close! ;)


Keep her coming! :smiley:

All of what he said

Offline Twiddle

  • No, it's pronounced Frankensteen
Re: Norsu Heavy APC (M113 / Centurion kitbash)
« Reply #38 on: August 17, 2019, 07:01:44 PM »
Decided on how the exhaust is going to be

Some work done at least





Thanks for making BtS so great  :smiley:
Kit instructions are not acceptable - let the imagination howl forth !

Offline Twiddle

  • No, it's pronounced Frankensteen
Re: Norsu Heavy APC (M113 / Centurion kitbash)
« Reply #39 on: August 26, 2019, 12:37:47 AM »
OK so I started to add some exterior detail





The USB dongle will be some sort of countermeasure launcher  ;D

PSR to continue  :o

Thanks for making BtS so great  ;) :smiley:

Kit instructions are not acceptable - let the imagination howl forth !

Offline Jeffry Fontaine

  • Unaffiliated Independent Subversive...and the last person to go for a trip on a Mexicana dH Comet 4
  • Global Moderator
  • His stash is able to be seen from space...
Re: Norsu Heavy APC (M113 / Centurion kitbash)
« Reply #40 on: August 26, 2019, 01:03:33 AM »
Interesting adaptation of an USB connector to become something more purposeful in 1:35th scale.  Keep it up!  Just a bit more and then some paint will make this all worth your time and effort.  :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 Old Wombat

  • "We'll see when I've finished whether I'm showing off or simply embarrassing myself."
  • "Define 'interesting'?"
Re: Norsu Heavy APC (M113 / Centurion kitbash)
« Reply #41 on: August 26, 2019, 03:17:37 PM »
Coming along nicely! :smiley:

It's amazing what can work on a scratch-build, isn't it. ;)
"This is the Captain. We have a little problem with our engine sequence, so we may experience some slight turbulence and, ah, explode."

Offline taiidantomcat

  • Plastic Origamist...and not too shabby with the painting either!
  • Full Member
  • Stylishly late...because he was reading comics
Re: Norsu Heavy APC (M113 / Centurion kitbash)
« Reply #42 on: August 30, 2019, 10:20:42 AM »
This is amazing!!! Wow!! Nice work!  :o  :-*
"They know you can do anything, So the question is, what don't you do?"

-David Fincher

Offline Kerick

  • Reportedly finished with a stripper...
Re: Norsu Heavy APC (M113 / Centurion kitbash)
« Reply #43 on: August 31, 2019, 12:50:41 AM »
Nice use of the USB connector! Keep up the great work and imagineering!

Offline Buzzbomb

  • Low Concentration Span, oft wanders betwixt projects
  • Accurate Scale representations of fictional stuff
    • Club and my stuff site
Re: Norsu Heavy APC (M113 / Centurion kitbash)
« Reply #44 on: September 03, 2019, 11:48:41 PM »
Becoming very enticing

Offline Jeffry Fontaine

  • Unaffiliated Independent Subversive...and the last person to go for a trip on a Mexicana dH Comet 4
  • Global Moderator
  • His stash is able to be seen from space...
Re: Norsu Heavy APC (M113 / Centurion kitbash)
« Reply #45 on: September 04, 2019, 02:06:49 AM »
Since it has air-conditioning this now qualifies as a Combat Winnebago or should that be a Combat Caravan? :)
"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 Brian da Basher

  • He has an unnatural attraction to Spats...and a growing fascination with airships!
  • Moderator
  • *
  • Hulk smash, Brian bash
Re: Norsu Heavy APC (M113 / Centurion kitbash)
« Reply #46 on: September 04, 2019, 05:28:48 AM »
Since it has air-conditioning this now qualifies as a Combat Winnebago or should that be a Combat Caravan? :)

How about a Combat Carrier AC?

I'll get me coat...

Brian da Basher