I could use a little help...

[Reliant121]

well i've been ignoring drawing for a while, because I want to expand on the Ariel database's entries on ground combat vehicles. I have two problems.

One: I have no idea how to draw tank Tracks

and two: i have no idea what would be classed as what, whether it'd be a light or medium tank, an IFV or an APC etc. etc.


Any ideas?

[Captain Seafort]

One: I have no idea how to draw tank Tracks

Simplistically you're looking for a set of wheels surrounded by the track itself, which should be very thin relative to the vehicle in a profile view, but relatively wide from end-on (about a sixth of the vehicle's total width). The length of individual links should be about half to a third their width.

In more detail, whether you have the wheels taking up the entire height of the track (eg T-55), or just using them as guides (eg M-60) is up to you.

two: i have no idea what would be classed as what, whether it'd be a light or medium tank, an IFV or an APC etc. etc.

Modern Main Battle Tanks weigh around 60-70 tons, with a main gun of 120 - 125mm, and capable of up to about 50mph on roads (they're considerably slower off-road). Their main tasks are destroying other tanks, and blowing holes in buildings.

Light tanks tend to be around 8 tons, with a 25 - 30mm main gun, and capable of similar speeds to MBTs. They're used for reconnaissance.

APCs and IFVs have effectively the same role - transporting and protecting infantry until they're in a position to assault the enemy. The main difference is that IFVs have a gun (often the same as used by light tanks) to provide support to their infantry section as it attacks.

Some modern light tanks, APCs, and IFVs are wheeled, although in the latter case they're rarer. Modern wheels and suspension systems are almost as effective as tracks for getting across rough terrain, they're far less maintainence-intensive, and they're faster. For the worst terrain and the heaviest vehicles, however, you still need tracks.

In addition to these vehicles you'll need a few others: tube artillery (both SP and towed, modern guns tend to be 155 - 203mm), rocket artillery, anti-aircraft vehicles (both gun (25 - 40mm currently) and SAM), engineer vehicles, recovery vehicles, C3 vehicles, field ambulances and, of course, supply wagons.

[Reliant121]

Thanks Seafort, new i could count on you

I had a go....it looked a little tall to be honest, and i dont think it was fantastic, but i shall continue to persevere

[Mikey]

Being "a little tall" isn't necessarily a disqualifier - being too tall was one of the knocks against the US Bradley IFV when it debuted.

[Reliant121]

Being "a little tall" isn't necessarily a disqualifier - being too tall was one of the knocks against the US Bradley IFV when it debuted.

It looks somewhat like a Bradley actually.

[Sionnach Glic]

Being tall isn't too much of a problem, but remember that you want to present the smallest target possible for your enemies.

Also, remember to give vehicles sloping armour. It makes them tougher.

[Reliant121]

Here we go, any recommendations?

[Mikey]

Actually, unless the height of the tracks is completely outlandish, that doesn't look like an overly tall target profile at all. The turret seems awfully flat, but could work depending on your internal arrangement.

[Graham Kennedy]

I saw an experimental tank design a year or two ago that had the crew in the chassis, and an unmanned turret. It allowed the turret to be much flatter, and the overall height of the tank to be very significantly reduced. This reminds me of that design.

[Aaron]

I saw an experimental tank design a year or two ago that had the crew in the chassis, and an unmanned turret. It allowed the turret to be much flatter, and the overall height of the tank to be very significantly reduced. This reminds me of that design.

In order for that tank of Reliant121's to have a crew, the turret would need to be remoted. Or have a midget crew and an autoloader....

[Reliant121]

I hadnt actually thought of that. Because i am a clot. God i hate having to scale things. I'll certainly have to redo that.

[Reliant121]

Well, i suppose technology could allow the turret to be controlled from within or below. And i'd imagine a low crew number, maximum of 3. Would the body have the size to accommodate that?

[Mikey]

Absolutely. I haven't been in the military like some of our friends here, but IIRC modern MBT's with crews of four or more have 2 - 3 guys in that section anyway. Consider the miniaturization of tech in your universe, and I don't see an issue at all.

Midget tankers has much more comedic possibility, of course.

[Reliant121]

A special military experiment into Genetic manipulation to make tank drivers 2 foot tall?

[Mikey]

Maybe they genetically engineered themselves, through sheer force of determination.