In 1976, due to the Regent's desire to create an indigenous Defense industry, Harad started work on creating a Haradian designed and built mortar carrier.It was hoped that success with this vehicle could lead to a range of locally produced and designed equipment. In addition to this effort, licenses to locally produce foreign designs were sought, as was foreign involvement in developing Harad's heavy industry.
Or, to put it more simply, I have an Airfix Attack Force "Troop Carrier" that is closer to 1/60 scale than 1/76-1/72 scale as it seems to be some member of the British FV430 series of armoured vehicles - or at least a design inspired by them. I had acquired this vehicle from Glenn many years ago, in order to make use of the tracks, but had no idea of how big it was until i received it. It was slated to become an early model of Nod flame vehicle, but when I remembered that it had a set of nice circular hatches at the back, similar to what I have seen on a number of pictures of mortar carriers, I decided Harad needed a native armoured vehicle.
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| Commanders hatches and vision block added with plastic card. Hole in front panel covered over with plastic card. |
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| M-30 107mm Mortar from the Esci M-113 mortar carrier - a much smaller vehicle. |
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| The large gun from the commanders hatch. I look at it and think of the Kafer Thud Gun from 2300AD. Probably because it is huge and chunky. |
Once the plastic card additions were made, the vehicle was sprayed grey, and then given a coat of sand. The mortar was then painted and based as well. The vehicle is now ready for action, after I paint up a gun crew for it, and give it some CD stats (which will probably be very similar to that of the M-113, in terms of armour, but with worst mobility)
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| Locals in awe of the imperial Army's newest acquisition. |
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| Front on. Not a small vehicle. |
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| Rear view. I think it needs some stowage and other stuff on it. |
So all that remains is to name Harad's contribution to the world of armoured vehicles. Suggestions are welcomed!
it is BIG but looking at the hatch at the back it looks great. that hatch looks like it is designed to allow easy access and saftey.
ReplyDeleteif you aquire another one make the hatch open on it so you can have a version with mortar inside and one with is closed up.
Gāmūs Persian for buffalo....it's big enough!
ReplyDeleteOh!, I do like that!
Deleteglad to help!
DeleteThe 'Ostrich'. No particular reason. I just think there ought in this world to be a military vehicle called the 'Ostrich'. Such an appellation, by the way, would make a fine covering name for the secret manufacture of such a vehicle, as being singularly unlike an ostrich in every particular, except maybe its propensity to bury its front end in the sand when attempting to negotiate really steep dunes...
ReplyDeleteA fine vehicle, Brian, and I have no doubt only econo-political considerations overrode the US military's demand for the vehicle as ergonomically superior (on account of their roomier arrangements) to their homegrown M113 family of APCs. That its large size was due to Harad military engineers' misreading stolen plans of the American original is believed by no one...
Cheers,
Ion
Fantastic explanation as always, your Grace! I do like the name Ostrich, I just am picturing something fast that can give an opponent a damn good kicking! fortunately, I might have just the thing...
Delete