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Project: Durandal, a second generation Battle Tank (Now taking reservations pg 3!)  [RSS] Share on facebook Share on Twitter Submit to Reddit
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Made in us
Stalwart Tribune






I hate the Leman Russ, there I said it. I hate the design, the WWI aesthetics, the lack of ground clearance. I just do not like, enjoy, or appreciate its look. Now this being said what am I going to do about it? This, this right here is what I'm going to do about it. Welcome to Project: Durandal, a new sword for the Guard.

Initial hull silhouette (5% discount off one when I start selling them to the first person able to spot the primary design reference)


Tread segment, got the idea from an Abrams model kit picture I found.


Tread wrapped around the sponson


The tricky part was figuring out how to give the tank ground clearance without forcing me to sculpt road wheels (mostly a recasting consideration with undercuts and such since I want to sculpt the tracks on)

The idea pulls from a sci fi concept GorFrag let me in on, the panels are attached to the road wheel axles, so as they need to rise the panels slide up into the sponson armor housing, easy and mechanically simple.


Back end of the treads (honestly I think the weakest part of the design)


Now with main hull basis (No it's not getting cast as a single piece, just sculpted on top of itself)


Now with the primary hull's plug points making assembly simple


Future work this week will have the main hull detail done, then cut in half for printing/casting (thank god for shapeways)

For the armaments I intend to set up a WWII style ball mount in the foward armor that can swap between a nice heavy machinegun type weapon, and a laser one (think sherman assistant driver style), Instead of sponsons I'm going to be designing a series of CROWS mounts that can be placed over the commanders hatch (3 barreled heavy machine gun, twin plasma thrower, and quad barreled maser, think on those for what they could be)

Turret wise I'm planning an abrams style turret and going to be doing a basic cannon, long barrel, twin lasers, and a gatling cannon. Future weapons may be designed but for right now I'm mostly designing for myself and there's not a lot of demand locally for weapons outside those ones.

I'm having some visualizing issues involving the turret but I'm sure most of that will clear up when I start sculpting it. Still gotta finish off the sponsons with a few minor details on top and on the back. Also thinking about how I'm going to print this, since I have a rather large print box (284 x 184 x 203mm or 50 x 50 x 200mm) so I might just do a blown up single print and stack all the parts into one assembly with a single milimeter between connection points.

Future updates coming today and this week.

This message was edited 4 times. Last update was at 2018/07/25 03:53:52


   
Made in us
[DCM]
Boom! Leman Russ Commander





United States

Go Bradley IFVs in the 41st Millennium!

"He fears his fate too much, or his desserts are small, who will not put it to a single touch; to win- or lose- it all."

Montrose Toast


 
   
Made in nl
Did Fulgrim Just Behead Ferrus?





The Netherlands

Hmm, very curious to see how this'll develop!

Bits Blitz Designs - 3D printing a dark futuristic universe 
   
Made in gb
Storm Trooper with Maglight





Bath uk

im curious

RIP Colour Sgt Kell. Forever in our hearts.
Click below for plenty guardsmen

Cadian 404th "The Lost Boys" P&M blog

Tutorial:How to make IG packs
 
   
Made in us
Stalwart Tribune






Okay folks as far as I'm concerned the Sponson is done

New Rear detail including a maintenance hatch, tracking lights, fuel cap gubbins and equipment box.


Another angel showing the newly adjusted side armor plates (man those suck whenever I have to adjust, they all are separated from the sponson by a gap of 0.2mm deep and 0.1mm wide (creating panel lines mostly)


And a new view of the final sponson armor with detail.


Got the first 12 of these already slated for an oversized armored troop.

So I'm wondering on how to do Heavy foward machine gun for the front ball mount. I'm considering just giving it a cowled appearance (think the abrams coax which you can't see inside the tube that covers it, you just know its there)



Designing the foward projectile gun like this would just save a ton of time but I worry about players complaining about WYSIWYG. Then again for Laser weapons I'm thinking of taking a gundam style vehicle mounted beam weapons approach and leaving them as tapered barrels plain and undetailed like a naval guns. Its simple, attractive and even simple enough to define out from other weapons as well as the cowled machine gun.

Thoughts?

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2018/05/18 16:01:04


   
Made in us
Stalwart Tribune






Progress report for sector command. Today's upload includes progress report on primary hull, weapon mounts, and foward weapon designs.

The primary Hull still requires further work but the forward hull weapon mount is nearing completion


A more advanced Laser design was needed to take advantage of the newer internals.


Now integrated the weapon will be our stand in until the new bolt design is complete.


While progress remains slow it has progressed steadily. With the completion of the foward weapon mount we can now progress to the periscopes and turret mount.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2018/05/18 16:02:05


   
Made in gb
Regular Dakkanaut




Rugby

Liking this project, very interested
   
Made in gb
Grim Dark Angels Interrogator-Chaplain





Cardiff

Great digital work. I'll be interested how you make the turret and 'sponsons' different from Space Marine tanks. Currently there's a strong Rhino-chassis vibe, which is either Heresy or a nice hark back to earlier fluff depending on your POV! Are you going to do an IFV version to run as a Chimera? A shared hull would make sense.

 Stormonu wrote:
For me, the joy is in putting some good-looking models on the board and playing out a fantasy battle - not arguing over the poorly-made rules of some 3rd party who neither has any power over my play nor will be visiting me (and my opponent) to ensure we are "playing by the rules"
 
   
Made in us
Stalwart Tribune






 JohnnyHell wrote:
Great digital work. I'll be interested how you make the turret and 'sponsons' different from Space Marine tanks. Currently there's a strong Rhino-chassis vibe, which is either Heresy or a nice hark back to earlier fluff depending on your POV! Are you going to do an IFV version to run as a Chimera? A shared hull would make sense.
While a Shared hull would make sense, this vehicles engine is in the rear thus requiring an entirely differently hull be designed, though many design elements would be similar and the sponson's would certainly be reused. I am not adverse to this idea but currently as I do not require such a vehicle and have received no procurement orders for such I will be working on other projects.

Progress report time.

A new heavy repeater design now complete and mounted.



Turret ring now complete, considering doing a magnet sink but it feels unnecessary, perhaps a pilot sink allowing people to have perfect centering in their work.


Turret, the rear block will be converted into stowage compartments accessible from the rear of the tank. Currently unsure about the underside sloping of the side armor on the turret, considering shrinking detail on top of the tank and lowering the side armor almost to the top of the hull.


Full assembly so far. Progress marches on and the tank now takes shape.


Current focus: Turret shaping and primary weapon mount.

Current production queue: Primary weapons will be designed post turret (Cannon, TwinLas, Gatling), Need to return and finish hull detail (viewports and running lights), CROWS system

Need to make sure I can keep the CROWS system low profile enough, Thinking of maxing out at 15-20mm about the height of an officer hanging out on top.

Progress reports to follow later today.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2018/05/18 16:05:12


   
Made in us
Stalwart Tribune






Well I've failed the Omnisiah in some way because I fowled up the proportions of the hull to the turret. The result is a need to completely redo the project from scrap. So far I'm 6-8hrs back in and have finished the sponson and am now moving onto the hull.

The failed project in a near complete state.


A comparison of the old sponson (left) and it's new replacement (right), While the images are not perfect to scale the length on both sponsons is identical so use that as your reference.


A 3/4 image of the new forward track guard.


A top view of the track guard


Underside shot of the track guard showing the hiding point of the tracks (which will be molded on, no assembly required)


A new image of the altered rear track guard showing the new hiding point and better wraparound of the treads.


As you can see the new work is coming along very quickly and I hope to get the primary hull in place tomorrow. Ave Imperator, Hail the Omnisiah

   
Made in us
Longtime Dakkanaut





North Carolina



Interesting. Looking forward to seeing where this goes. Though there might be some who dislike idea of an Abrams-style tank in 40k because of some notion of "aesthetics". My view is that it's a big galaxy, and there is plenty of room for a modern looking fighting vehicle in the Guard armories.


As for the idea of a coax weapon riding sidecar to the main gun, there are Forge World Leman Russ variants that have such. The Conqueror and FW Vanquishers come to mind.

Proud Purveyor Of The Unconventional In 40k 
   
Made in gb
Storm Trooper with Maglight





Bath uk

It's replacement side looks much better I think the old sides were a bit too tall.

RIP Colour Sgt Kell. Forever in our hearts.
Click below for plenty guardsmen

Cadian 404th "The Lost Boys" P&M blog

Tutorial:How to make IG packs
 
   
Made in us
Stalwart Tribune






oldravenman3025 wrote:

Interesting. Looking forward to seeing where this goes. Though there might be some who dislike idea of an Abrams-style tank in 40k because of some notion of "aesthetics". My view is that it's a big galaxy, and there is plenty of room for a modern looking fighting vehicle in the Guard armories.


As for the idea of a coax weapon riding sidecar to the main gun, there are Forge World Leman Russ variants that have such. The Conqueror and FW Vanquishers come to mind.
Yes I'm aware of the two, that's why I was hesitant to move the hull mounted weapon to coax position.

And I agree to your view, if Deimos and Mars pattern rhino chassis vehicles (rhino, whirlwind, predator and vindicator) can look so radically different, why can't a russ variant look just as different if not more. Moreso when you consider that the Macharius was created as a 2nd generation baneblade and looks nothing like one. I think this project will fit in 40k just fine, especially with the hull mounted weapons and sponson to turret proportions.


STG wrote:It's replacement side looks much better I think the old sides were a bit too tall.
Well now we have and update for you showing the new sponson to turret ratio and I think it looks much better.

Here we have our current A hull, no new battle cannon yet (have to redesign the mantlet to fit the new turret height).


And here we have the B hull, I'm trying to figure out how to put a driver's hatch on this sucker but I can't move the turret any further back. I'm thinking that the sloped armor of the driver's compartment should offer enough protection.


Work continues folks. Progress will be made on drivers section and forward weapon emplacement in the next day or so, followed by primary weapon mount.


   
Made in us
Stalwart Tribune






I am not dead, well not outside anyways.

The project likewise is not dead, only its lines of communication.

A great deal of work has been done and I'm hoping it'll generate some more response than earlier work.

In progress shot of hull and main cannon.


New heavy bolter mount with new heavy bolter.



Commander's targeter


More hatches! Considering going deeper so it's easier for modelers to put their preferred tank commanders inside.



More updates to follow folks, the Omnisiah has not yet abandoned me and the project marches on!


   
Made in gb
Leader of the Sept







The details look very nice but it is hard to get over the chibi-like proportions. I wonder if that's why the current Russ design has been so resilient to change is that it already looks vaguely ridiculous so the proportions don't jump out as being the weird bit.

Please excuse any spelling errors. I use a tablet frequently and software keyboards are a pain!

Terranwing - w3;d1;l1
51st Dunedinw2;d0;l0
Cadre Coronal Afterglow w1;d0;l0 
   
Made in gb
Longtime Dakkanaut





UK

I really like where you are going with this, but personally I'd like to see even a little bit of a hint of wheels (half running gear like on Baneblades/ Rhinos) so it looks like it might have at least some suspension.

I also think it should be wider and longer to avoid the "Chibi-ness " as Flinty mentioned, it would be kinda cool to have its scaled at the Marcharius end of vehicle sizing.

Nice work Tho !

   
Made in us
Stalwart Tribune






 Big H wrote:
I really like where you are going with this, but personally I'd like to see even a little bit of a hint of wheels (half running gear like on Baneblades/ Rhinos) so it looks like it might have at least some suspension.

I also think it should be wider and longer to avoid the "Chibi-ness " as Flinty mentioned, it would be kinda cool to have its scaled at the Marcharius end of vehicle sizing.

Nice work Tho !
Well the problem here is that the tank is currently the same length and width as a russ, increasing its size would make it unsuitable for a proxy or replacement. Going for Marcharius size would be a poor decision since the marcharius tank is kinda a piece of junk compared to a russ (its main cannon is the equivalent to two russ shots but the russ can already fire twice for a very reduced price)

On the other hand I am considering Project Marion, a superheavy in a similar design aesthetic, so look foward to that.

With that we now have 2 new additions

New smoke launchers.



And the working design of our CROWS turret






The tribarrel could theoretically elevate +20 and depress -10, which is more than many many others can in actually. I'm considering a different design with a smaller sensor on either side with the gun centered. Also going to add an ammo feed into the baseplate. No the turret will not be able to elevate or depress in its final form.

Specifically addressing the road wheels concern, the plates on the lower sides are in design supposed to be attached to the road wheel axles and are supposed to raise up into the side armor when the wheel raises. Its designed after some science fiction designs I've read. The concept allows the protection to extend to ground level but doesn't inhibit the suspension, infact if you look at the height of the plates the tank has a better ground clearance than either the russ or any modern tank. I have considered doing road wheels but they're a pain to deal with and my idea actually gives more "give" in the motion.

Probably going to rebuild the turret to rebuild in 4 pieces with each wall and the center and base all separate pieces to cast.

Still need to work on some rear turret detail, foward running lights, splitting the hull, 3 different main weapons, and 2 different CROWS weapons.

   
Made in us
Raging-on-the-Inside Blood Angel Sergeant





Lawrenceville, New Jersey, USA

This is amazing work!

The black rage is within us all. Lies offer no shield against it. You speak of donning the black of duty for the red of brotherhood; but it is the black of rage you shall wear when the end comes.

Black Templars -
Deathskull Orks
Adeptus Mechanicus
Blood Angels
Genestealer Cult
1000 Sons  
   
Made in gb
Leader of the Sept







Looking good. I can see your concerns about altering the dimensions regarding counts-as.

Could we get a shot of the rear? What kind of exhaust and engine deck gubbinz have you got going on?

Please excuse any spelling errors. I use a tablet frequently and software keyboards are a pain!

Terranwing - w3;d1;l1
51st Dunedinw2;d0;l0
Cadre Coronal Afterglow w1;d0;l0 
   
Made in us
Stalwart Tribune






 Flinty wrote:
Looking good. I can see your concerns about altering the dimensions regarding counts-as.

Could we get a shot of the rear? What kind of exhaust and engine deck gubbinz have you got going on?
Ask and ye shall receive. If you guys have any questions about details or assembly please feel free to ask, I'm more than happy to illustrate issues.

First we have the rear deck


second we have the exhaust manifold


and last we have the rear of the turret.


I'm pretty happy with everything except the ammo storage box on the back of the turret, the flat panels just seem too plain but part of me knows that it's just realistic.

   
Made in gb
Longtime Dakkanaut





UK

I really like the design, but for me personally it needs a bigger footprint, I'm mainly into painting and modelling so I hadn't thought of having to be strict on the table area covered, and ultimately I suppose for it to pass as game "legal" it needs to be, which for me is a shame as it reminds me of the Meng kids tank "bubble" models.

However variety is the spice of life ! Please keep at it !

   
Made in us
Stalwart Tribune






Okay got some feedback that said the area besides the bolter was boring so here we go with some new sensor cluster shots, 3rd image has the sensor placed higher and I think I prefer it that way.





Next I think comes the running lights.

   
Made in gb
Leader of the Sept







Looking good. Are you planning on it being reasonably bare or will it come with drop tanks and stowage compartments etc?

Please excuse any spelling errors. I use a tablet frequently and software keyboards are a pain!

Terranwing - w3;d1;l1
51st Dunedinw2;d0;l0
Cadre Coronal Afterglow w1;d0;l0 
   
Made in us
Stalwart Tribune






Okay small update, got some tank greeblies that I think make good running lights




I think with that we're done with the hull.

I'm considering as an aftermarket kit, designing sponson mounted weapons (think marine ones with auto targeting) that can attach onto the side armor plates of the tank. What do you folks think, who's interested in traditional sponson mounted weapons.

Also considering final names for the tank itself (and the next 2 projects). Option one is to name the tank after the project and run with that theme
Battle tank: Durandal
Superheavy : Joyeuse
APC: Curtana

Option 2 is to name projects for the blades and the tanks themselves for the wielders.
Battle tank: Roland
Superheavy: Charlemagne
APC: Ogier

Good news is some parts are finished and have been handed over to the printer owner for production. This is soon to be reality, Praise the Omnisiah!

Thougts, comment's, critiques, concerns?

   
Made in us
Primered White




Orlando, FL

This is amazing! I'm afraid I don't agree with the people calling this "Chibi", I think it has a classic chunky IG look to it and really admire your ability to design something like this from scratch. Subscribed!

Can't wait to see the first printed prototype!

 
   
Made in us
Stalwart Tribune






Okay tiny update, started doing the pilot holes for magnets now. Going for 1/8th x 1/16th (yes there's some wiggle room)






So as of now the design allows for magnetizing of the turret, CROWS, and main guns are hot swappable, hope you enjoy.

Also the turret for now is being designed as a plug so it will wedge in pretty well without any magnets (we hope).

Sorry to those of you using metric but 1/8 x 1/16 is the standard size magnets I use so....

Praise the omnisiah, next up will be the finishing touches on the CROWS, tribarrel and plasma! Melta CROWS has been put on the back burner due to a lack of interest and use.

Still planning on ballistic, gatling, and plasma as getting designed for release while I'm also contemplating an accelerator cannon as an alternate battle cannon for just looks.

I'm also finally getting to a place where I can start taking commissions if people are interested in custom rhino/LR doors as soon as I confirm my sculpted ones are appropriate size.

   
Made in us
Stalwart Tribune






Okay for today we have a nice progress report on the finalized design of the CROWS tribarrel and an image of the new hangers on the back of the turret.






Here's the hangers on the back of the turret, each is only 4mm long, 1mm wide, and 1mm thick, very very easy to cut off or sand off, but designed to be sculpted over or have stowage placed on top of.



I like the hangers since they're nice and tiny and from table distance look like the old welded on loops of cable onto the side to hand gear off of.

Now we just need the plasma CROWS, and the other primary guns.

Had a request for exterminator autocannon setup. I'm not sure if it's really desired but I'll probably do it anyways since it'll be super easy to fit in autocannons where the lascannons will sit on the same mantlet.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2018/05/06 23:31:58


   
Made in us
[DCM]
Boom! Leman Russ Commander





United States

I've been following your blog along from the beginning, and apologies if I've missed an entry: are you planning to offer this a s a Kickstarter, or other kit available for purchase? Or perhaps as STL files for a 3D printer?

Very interesting vehicle, with lots of possibilities!


"He fears his fate too much, or his desserts are small, who will not put it to a single touch; to win- or lose- it all."

Montrose Toast


 
   
Made in us
Stalwart Tribune






Update for today folks is the wonderful funderful nightmare that is super excited gas, our dear friend Plasma!

Here we have the initial plasma design for our CROWS system.


Redesigned Plasma caster





And next we have even more plasma!








We welcome the burning cleansing fire provided to us.

I might redesign the main cannon to be shorter but for now it's where it is. And now having the prints for some of the parts I can say that the CROWS weapons are about the size of an infanry heavy weapon. (because I don't believe that a vehicle heavy weapon should be any bigger than an infantry one)

Next up folks, a laser weapon, or maybe the gatling, not sure which I'll find the motivation for next.

 Meer_Cat wrote:
I've been following your blog along from the beginning, and apologies if I've missed an entry: are you planning to offer this a s a Kickstarter, or other kit available for purchase? Or perhaps as STL files for a 3D printer?

Very interesting vehicle, with lots of possibilities!

Right now I'm having the master 3D printed and it will be cast in resin afterwards. I'll likely be taking order for models via email. I'm also courting a buyer or two who has more experience in this kind of product sales than I do and I think I'd rather license it out instead of trying to keep up with demand myself.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2018/05/08 03:42:03


   
Made in us
Stalwart Tribune






Progress report time folks. Today we're making headway on our laser cannon.





The top and bottom are kinda plain which I'm trying to work on but so far I'm coming up empty. Lemme know what you guys think.

also...

BEHOLD!



The first parts printed and cleaned. Big thank you to GorFrag for the prepwork, most of the parts came out great. Notable exceptions are that the tribarrel turned out crooked, the hatches have print issues and the CROWS walls have print issues interfering with the brace holes. Issues have been addressed and should be replaced by end of the week.

Also may have to redo the sponson's due to issues with the rivets.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2018/05/08 23:21:37


   
 
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