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Armor/AFV: What If?
For those who like to build hypothetical or alternate history versions of armor/AFVs.
Hosted by Darren Baker
M6A1 Bearhound(What-If)-KitBash/Scratch Build
errains
#045
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South Carolina, United States
Joined: September 23, 2005
KitMaker: 362 posts
Armorama: 350 posts
Posted: Wednesday, June 03, 2020 - 11:54 PM UTC
The the other day I was looking through my spare parts and realized that I could build something just from them. So decided to have a bit of fun and see what I could come up with.

The Parts...


Initial Concept...


I settled on using the chain drive from a M26 Recovery Vehicle. The first attempt at fitting the drive was a total failure.



After taking a break and watching my favorite custom car show "Iron Restoration" I change my approach for this build and started thinking of more as a custom car build.

The second attempt was much more successful...





Updated Concept...


That's it for now. Thanks for stopping in!
m4sherman
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Arizona, United States
Joined: January 18, 2006
KitMaker: 1,866 posts
Armorama: 1,808 posts
Posted: Thursday, June 04, 2020 - 12:08 AM UTC
As someone who has done a few what ifs, I like what you are doing, it's unique. I would raise up the engine deck a little, or are you moving the engine forward?
TopSmith
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Washington, United States
Joined: August 09, 2002
KitMaker: 1,742 posts
Armorama: 1,658 posts
Posted: Thursday, June 04, 2020 - 12:13 AM UTC
Yes, Dr. Frankenstein, we villagers will be watching what you do.
RobinNilsson
Staff MemberTOS Moderator
KITMAKER NETWORK
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Stockholm, Sweden
Joined: November 29, 2006
KitMaker: 6,693 posts
Armorama: 5,562 posts
Posted: Thursday, June 04, 2020 - 05:28 AM UTC
Steering linkage and enough space between the steering wheels and the chassi/hull?
Have you considered the axle layout used for the Austrian ADGZ?


Driving axles in the middle could result in having to raise the turret to fit the engine under the turret.
If the rearward drivers poisition is removed the engine fits in the rear.

/ Robin
KoSprueOne
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Myanmar
Joined: March 05, 2004
KitMaker: 4,011 posts
Armorama: 1,498 posts
Posted: Saturday, June 06, 2020 - 04:39 AM UTC

Quoted Text

CALLSIGN: errains
The the other day I was looking through my spare parts and realized that I could build something just from them. So decided to have a bit of fun and see what I could come up with.

Updated Concept...
https://gallery.kitmaker.net/data/32105/Bearhound-08.jpg

That's it for now. Thanks for stopping in!



Interesting concept and drive solution.




errains
#045
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South Carolina, United States
Joined: September 23, 2005
KitMaker: 362 posts
Armorama: 350 posts
Posted: Saturday, June 06, 2020 - 07:58 AM UTC
Thanks Everyone first of all. Just going to have fun with this and not get stuck in the weeds of being overly logical, but just see where this goes.

Had a productive week and started mocking the upper hull. Since I'm using an M4A4 lower hull and to lengthen the upper...Chop...Chop...Chop...





After that started sorting out the fighting compartment...going for a Jagd-Sherman sort of look...I guess





That's it for today, Thanks for stopping in!
KoSprueOne
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Myanmar
Joined: March 05, 2004
KitMaker: 4,011 posts
Armorama: 1,498 posts
Posted: Saturday, June 06, 2020 - 10:00 AM UTC
So-far there's a whole lotta Yes to this one.




joepanzer
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North Carolina, United States
Joined: January 21, 2004
KitMaker: 803 posts
Armorama: 740 posts
Posted: Saturday, June 06, 2020 - 10:57 AM UTC
As a fan of What-ifs, I LOVE it!!
iam2brb
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South Carolina, United States
Joined: December 31, 2016
KitMaker: 136 posts
Armorama: 95 posts
Posted: Saturday, June 06, 2020 - 02:37 PM UTC
Guys I have seen this up close and trust me, Eric is THE MAN and this looks totally legit!
rfbaer
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Texas, United States
Joined: June 12, 2007
KitMaker: 1,866 posts
Armorama: 1,696 posts
Posted: Monday, June 08, 2020 - 04:17 AM UTC
Fifty thousand thumbs up! I am going to go digging around this afternoon, see what I can gin up from junk too.
errains
#045
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South Carolina, United States
Joined: September 23, 2005
KitMaker: 362 posts
Armorama: 350 posts
Posted: Saturday, June 13, 2020 - 08:32 AM UTC
Made some great progress again this week. Got the upper mocked up and ready for shaping with epoxy putty next week.

Here is where the Hound sits now...






Thanks for stopping in!
errains
#045
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South Carolina, United States
Joined: September 23, 2005
KitMaker: 362 posts
Armorama: 350 posts
Posted: Monday, June 22, 2020 - 12:54 AM UTC
Progress continues as I started shaping the upper hull. I used Magic Sculpt epoxy putty. I got quite bit of sanding to do still.







Thanks for stopping in for a look!

guni-kid
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Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany
Joined: July 21, 2007
KitMaker: 521 posts
Armorama: 514 posts
Posted: Monday, June 22, 2020 - 01:28 AM UTC
Coming along! That is quite some sculpt you threw on there. In its unsanded state it looks almost like this additional concrete armor added by some German StuG crews in the field...
Bodeen
#026
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Pennsylvania, United States
Joined: June 08, 2002
KitMaker: 1,744 posts
Armorama: 1,359 posts
Posted: Tuesday, June 23, 2020 - 07:49 AM UTC
This is such a cool build. I'm looking forward to the finished product.
errains
#045
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South Carolina, United States
Joined: September 23, 2005
KitMaker: 362 posts
Armorama: 350 posts
Posted: Wednesday, June 24, 2020 - 12:41 AM UTC
Just wanted to Thank everyone for stopping in for a quick look and leaving a comment...so...THANKS EVERYONE!

On track for an update on Sunday so please check back.

ivanhoe6
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Wisconsin, United States
Joined: April 05, 2007
KitMaker: 2,023 posts
Armorama: 1,234 posts
Posted: Wednesday, June 24, 2020 - 06:07 AM UTC
WOW Eric, this looks like fun ! Great idea !

This would make a great campaign idea. I'm sure we all have a bunch of junk that we could cobble into something fun !


3 out of 3 beers for originality & effort !

Good work & thanks for sharing Eric!
errains
#045
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South Carolina, United States
Joined: September 23, 2005
KitMaker: 362 posts
Armorama: 350 posts
Posted: Saturday, June 27, 2020 - 08:02 AM UTC
Got the next part of this build done a bit earlier then planned so I figured I'll post the update today...So here it is, the Undercarriage!

How it looked at the start


And after...




And then set it on it's 12 wheels never to be seen again...




Next week I start detailing the topside!
barkingdigger
Staff MemberAssociate Editor
ARMORAMA
#013
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England - East Anglia, United Kingdom
Joined: June 20, 2008
KitMaker: 3,981 posts
Armorama: 3,403 posts
Posted: Saturday, June 27, 2020 - 10:14 AM UTC
Seriously cool! I love the hull bottom detail - it bodes well for the hull-top stuff yet to come.
errains
#045
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South Carolina, United States
Joined: September 23, 2005
KitMaker: 362 posts
Armorama: 350 posts
Posted: Sunday, July 05, 2020 - 09:41 AM UTC
Here is my weekly update for this build. Didn't get quite as far as I was hoping (got sidetracked on another small project). Worked on doing up the cast texture using Automotive Bondo and Testers Liquid Glue. Even with the window open and a fan going I still got a little buzzed by the end.







I also started mocking up a base for the finished project.





Thanks for stopping in!
errains
#045
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South Carolina, United States
Joined: September 23, 2005
KitMaker: 362 posts
Armorama: 350 posts
Posted: Sunday, July 12, 2020 - 07:11 AM UTC
Hi Everyone!

This pass week was much more productive as I got most of the details sorted out on the front upper hull. I start on the rear deck this week and then tie all the details together.







Thanks for Stopping In!!
errains
#045
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South Carolina, United States
Joined: September 23, 2005
KitMaker: 362 posts
Armorama: 350 posts
Posted: Saturday, July 18, 2020 - 11:16 AM UTC
Hi Everyone!!

Here is this weeks update. Getting real close to warping up the construction and moving into the paint phase...Just a few more odds and ends at add.









As always Thanks for Stopping in!
barkingdigger
Staff MemberAssociate Editor
ARMORAMA
#013
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England - East Anglia, United Kingdom
Joined: June 20, 2008
KitMaker: 3,981 posts
Armorama: 3,403 posts
Posted: Saturday, July 18, 2020 - 11:44 AM UTC
The beast is looking good!
HARV
#012
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Wyoming, United States
Joined: November 07, 2003
KitMaker: 3,098 posts
Armorama: 1,236 posts
Posted: Saturday, July 18, 2020 - 01:59 PM UTC
That is really looking cool Eric. Very nice.

Randy
JPTRR
Staff MemberManaging Editor
RAILROAD MODELING
#051
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Tennessee, United States
Joined: December 21, 2002
KitMaker: 7,772 posts
Armorama: 2,447 posts
Posted: Saturday, July 18, 2020 - 02:49 PM UTC
This is a cool, amazing, and plausible looking beast! Keep going.
errains
#045
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South Carolina, United States
Joined: September 23, 2005
KitMaker: 362 posts
Armorama: 350 posts
Posted: Sunday, July 19, 2020 - 01:08 AM UTC
Thanks Everyone!! This build has been extremely fun and refreshing to not have to worry "too much" about accuracy. Can't wait to get the Hound into the paint shop!
 _GOTOTOP