Bridge Commander Universe

**Senator** · Moderator Joined: 18 Dec 2001 Posts: 2480

Ok... part, of a C&Csque mammoth tank. I am not following any blueprints but want it to have the feeling of your average 2 barreled, tank. But the cool think is that I intent to abuse my access to the university 3D printers for that one.

**Armondikov** · **Posted**: 02-13-2007 02:35 AM

Access to 3D printers... DAMNITDAMNITDAMNITDAMNIT!!

M@DM@X · Commander Joined: 04 Dec 2003 Posts: 797

quick, kidnap him and force him to give us access!!!!
nice cannon by the way, cant wait to see the rest

tiqhud · **Posted**: 02-13-2007 03:49 PM

Hmm 3D printers?

Weasel · **Posted**: 02-14-2007 02:04 AM

**Senator** · Moderator Joined: 18 Dec 2001 Posts: 2480

Thank you Weasel. I appreciate the fact that it is Valentine's day as well. Razz

Fun fact: I have been looking at tracks to see how they are put together, and found out that because tracks distribute the weight in a much larger area, it would be better to have your foot stepped on by an M1 tank, than a normal tank.*

P.S. Before someone goes an puts his foot under, better, doesn't mean "not bonecrushing"

EDIT: your foot stepped on by an M1 tank, than a normal car

Weasel · **Posted**: 02-16-2007 01:13 AM

You may be unaware, but there have been some advancements made in "track" technology and design, particularly the use "band" tracks on armoured vehicles.

As they are little more than giant rubber bands, they are lighter, stronger, less-expensive, and more durable than the old linked track designs that are currently found on tanks such as the Abrams.

Despite it's power, armour, weapons, and large numbers- the tracks of an M1 tank are one of it's weak spots. They are VERY susceptable to battle damage, wear and tear, and frequent derailment- effectively taking the tank out of service, and causing a drain on the logistics and maintenence structures that have to keep the beasts fully combat-operational.
In addition to these major problems, the linked tracks are quite heavy, expensive, and difficult to repair/replace, compared to band tracks.
Saving weight is a very serious concern to the US military, who has to transport a large number of tanks long distances by air or sea in order to employing them in combat as a feasible option.

So the US military is currently looking very closely at band tracks for use on the Future Combat System, which will eventually replace the M1A1 as our main battle tank.

Of course, if you are trying to maintain accuracy in your model, none of the above makes any difference- the GDI Mammoth is perfectly comfortable with it's old-fashioned linked tracks.

**Senator** · Moderator Joined: 18 Dec 2001 Posts: 2480

^
Must have something to do with tank wheels being, when trackless, sharp metallic wheels ready to bury into the ground, while the snapped track gathers somewhere in the back jamming the whole thing even further eh?

Mini update fooling around with tracks.

**Senator** · Moderator Joined: 18 Dec 2001 Posts: 2480

What happens when you have an unfinished Mtank top, with an unfinished MarkIV bottom and are too bored of to finish either?

You kitbash of cource. Razz

**Armondikov** · **Posted**: 03-31-2007 08:09 PM

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mammoth_Tank

A few shots of them over the years, if they're useful. It's interesting to see it evolve, the C&C3 version looks the tits too.