So I got access to a 3d printer. A Printrbot Play, so basically "Baby's First FDM", but a 3D printer nonetheless. As a project I decided to try and make a better warbuggy model.
I started with three words and a sketch (done while I should have been paying attention in a meeting at work).
The three words were "Hot Rod Technical".
The arrows are indicating print direction. FDM has some limitations and I needed to design the buggy with those in mind.
I figured the model should be larger, much like the current Trukk is larger than the old-style TinyTrukks and I did some math to figure out how to scale it up appropriately. I spent some time researching both old style hot rods and technicals and then I fired up Blender and made a rough block model to get the proportions right and figure out where everything would go.
Then I started taking the block elements and making them into their more detailed replacements.
Here we are at the start of the journey.
A it farther along the engine has gone from a V6 to a V8. While doing research I finally learned what a "flathead" engine is. I'd heard the term, but never knew what it meant.
Once I got to the pilot bucket I had to make an ork model to check the size. I had never done organic shapes in Blender before, so this took some time. He looks very worried. I'm not sure if it's because he's going into battle in something with as much armor as a cardboard box, or if, as my notes foretold, he can't see s

t past the hood scoop.
I finally got some time off work during the winter break and was able to finally finish the modeling and do a first print. I still haven't figured out how to route the exhaust pipes. The original design for them no longer works as the pilot bucket had to become longer and blocks the gap between the bucket and rear fenders that it was going to go through.
Actually working with the printed parts has revealed a number of flaws which need to be corrected. The rear end was particularly hard to assemble and despite having made it myself, having laboriously placed every vertex and triangle, I managed to assemble it incorrectly, resulting in the gunner bucket being far too high.
I've got the extra armor hop up modeled, as well as the rokkit launcher. Still need to make a scorcha turret and wartrakk option, probably something like the Peacemaker from Fury Road.