Somebody order a G-carrier?

[far-trader]

Wasn't sure where else to put this, but if it develops into an item of gear then this is the place. At the moment it's more a question, with a teaser

So, I'm doodling away with some ideas, one is working up some G-carriers. More properly light tanks and APCs. Thing is I've run up against that old problem of volume again, or as I think of it "nesting dolls with zero shrinkage".

Know what I mean? How I can buy a 1ton Grav-Cycle, stick it in a 1ton shipping crate, load 4 of them in the 4tons of cargo capacity of my 4ton Air/Raft (along with me and 3 buddies), drive that into the 4ton parking space in the cutter module and walk from there to the helm, and then pop up to the ship in orbit and pull the 50ton cutter into it's 50ton hanger...

Anyway, here's the thing, I sketched up the vehicle. It looks to be about 3tons displacement. It requires about 7.5tons of hold space (full squares) with room around (figure about 6tons). But I can sardine pack 6 of them into a 30ton module with some room to spare for access (figure about 4tons each in round numbers). And it fits the approximate size, shape, look and stats of the 8ton G-carrier.

So, how big is my G-carrier? 3tons? 4tons? 6tons? 8tons? All of the above??

What's your opinion? Have a look at the teaser pics and throw out your opinions.

X-ray perspective view:

X-ray plan view (1.5m):

At the moment I'm leaning to it is actually 4tons the way the Air/Raft is actually 2tons, but it's rated as 8tons the way the Air/Raft is rated 4tons, for purposes of stowage*. So it is a G-carrier. But then how to explain being able to cram 6 of them into about 24tons? The access is very limited (you can get into them but you can't work on them) so maybe that's the rational to go with?

* and of course the "tons" of stuff the Air/Raft and G-carrier can carry have to be mass not volume, and again, how much simpler the whole thing would be if it was all just mass based and volume was whatever we needed it to be... <sigh>


If nothing else just putting this out there may help me sort it out myself, again.

Oh well, back to making the rear ramp actually work, and adding the interior, and building the drives, and...

 

[far-trader]

Now in convenient carry 6 pac!

Just a quick cutaway tease (and without the end hulls) of the standard cutter module with 6 GAPC loaded in. Note the access crawl tube in the center (connects to the GAPC top hatches), and the bay doors on the bottom for delivery. Makes for fast insertion and extraction. No merc-cruiser should be without our exclusive six-shooter module

 

[far-trader]

Something with more kick?

Yes, we have that too. The same platform and taking up the same space, but swapping out the personnel capacity for a medium remote turret with your choice of weapons or electronics.

Just a rough layout to see how it fits, still working the details out before tackling this model

(off to bed now... )

 

[Vile]

Say, F-T, would you mind lending me that model? I just need the skin, not the interior. For much the same reason as you - how does all this Traveller gear fit inside one another?

Now, that 30 dton cutter module ... sorry, just thread-name-dropping. But it can't be a full cylinder, because you need a bit of cutter to connect the cockpit and the drives. That's why mine has a 500mm deep flat section on top. I reckon that's enough for SF-structural integrity and ignition cables.

 

[far-trader]

Say, F-T, would you mind lending me that model? I just need the skin, not the interior. For much the same reason as you - how does all this Traveller gear fit inside one another?

Sure thing, I'll get it on it's way tonight.

Now, that 30 dton cutter module ... sorry, just thread-name-dropping. But it can't be a full cylinder, because you need a bit of cutter to connect the cockpit and the drives. That's why mine has a 500mm deep flat section on top. I reckon that's enough for SF-structural integrity and ignition cables.

Yep, one more of those zero shrinkage nesting doll problems. Solved at some point by the spine you have, but I already had my own take by the time that came along. And of course my recent SU model is just a quick stab at rough dimensions. The hull thickness shown (20cm) would be about half module and half cutter (see my curtain note below). One of the things needing clarification in the model.

I have long been influenced by the W.H. Keith illos in The Traveller Book. There the module appears to actually be just a little smaller than the cutter diameter. So each is perfectly cylindrical. Of course I've also always envisioned a retractable "curtain" in the cutter spine so that when the module is dropped off you still have a streamlined shape (and still 50tons) and a way to get to engineering from the nose. Paying for a 50ton hull should include a full usable 50tons even if the use of that 30tons is limited to only carrying modules. That is, no filling the space up with cargo unless you have a module, the curtain isn't rated for that and it doesn't include artificial gravity, inertial compensation, or life support.

 

[Gadrin]

Firstly very nice work and visualization with the cutter module.

Here's the original G-Carrier (the top is from Ordeal by Eshaar) and the GURPS
Traveller art version.

I always liked the original and the GURPS version is a nice variant....

 

[far-trader]

Thanks Gadrin, for the kudos and the pics. They look familiar, I've probably seen them before, and the one I usually use is very similar. My take is influenced largely by the text though which differs from the art. And mine is much shorter (height), unlike the drawing in The Traveller Book (see below) and yours. More like the old lead mini I have that is modeled after it. Even with the small top mounted turret it'll drive onto a standard deck (mine and the mini). All the pics look too tall and probably more than 8tons (at a guess) or not as wide.

I have a long way to go yet to being happy with this little project*

*inside of a larger one**

** inside an even larger one

 

[aramis]

Moderator Note: Thanks for including the attribution on the image. Great example of doing it RIGHT!

That G-carrier image is the same one I call to mind every time. Is it the one in the Traveller Book?

 

[far-trader]

Moderator Note: Thanks for including the attribution on the image. Great example of doing it RIGHT!

I try when I can. Thanks.

Is it the one in the Traveller Book?

Yep.

 

[Gadrin]

Thanks Gadrin, for the kudos and the pics. They look familiar, I've probably seen them before, and the one I usually use is very similar. My take is influenced largely by the text though which differs from the art. And mine is much shorter (height), unlike the drawing in The Traveller Book (see below) and yours. More like the old lead mini I have that is modeled after it. Even with the small top mounted turret it'll drive onto a standard deck (mine and the mini). All the pics look too tall and probably more than 8tons (at a guess) or not as wide.



I have a long way to go yet to being happy with this little project*

*inside of a larger one**

** inside an even larger one

Ah, yes I'd forgotten about that one.

I like the wrap-around viewports and the lunar-lander type of feel the G-carrier gave you, with it's landing struts extended.

Will be keeping an eye on this thread.


>

 

[Ran Targas]

FT - That is a beautiful design and even sweeter application. I really like the economy of space. Very cool!

 

[far-trader]

Thank you Ran

I hope to have something more soonish.

 

[Jame]

Would it be possible to get a couple of different interior designs? Like some military and some civilian models (e.g. troop carrier, grav bus, grav motor home and ambulance)?

I am interested in printing them for use with my minis.

 

[Magnus von Thornwood]

*looks at Fred, shakes head, i mean Jame*

So, what Jame said, i dig them *fades slowly in to the background with plans on nabbing the thread for Personal AAB, later when no is looking and around*

 

[Jame]

*Quietly sets his network of computers and robots to observe Mssr. Thornwood so he can track down the AAB and visit*

 

[Magnus von Thornwood]

*Quietly sets his network of computers and robots to observe Mssr. Thornwood so he can track down the AAB and visit*

And Since Thornwood Enterprises Unlimited, LIC, specializes in AI system your System politely points to the Long String of Bilanidin at the bottom right of my .sig, gentlebeing.:alpha:

 

[far-trader]

Would it be possible to get a couple of different interior designs? Like some military and some civilian models (e.g. troop carrier, grav bus, grav motor home and ambulance)?

Possibly Some of those may be part of my project. Well two are at least. At the moment I'm working on:

GAPC (Grav Armored Personnel Carrier) (with option for small turret) - the classic G-Carrier basically.

GAFV (Grav Armored Fighting Vehicle) (with a medium turret in place of personnel) - the classic AFV but Grav instead. In slug thrower, energy weapon, and missile launcher varieties.

GASV - (Grav Armored Scout Vehicle) - instead of a medium turret weapon more computer and sensors/commo/ECCM

GARV - (Grav Armored Recovery Vehicle) - basically a flying tow-truck

GAMS - (Grav Armored Mobile Surgery) - an advanced ambulance/field surgery

...no civilian models are in the plans. And as I'm just doing this for nada but hobby joy you get what you paid for

I am interested in printing them for use with my minis.

Then you'll be interested to know that scale paper models (probably 15mm) of them are in the works as well To print, cut, paste and put on the tabletop! Now if I could only figure a way to sell them...

...ah but then I'd have to, like, "work" on them :nonono:

 

[Jame]

Then you'll be interested to know that scale paper models (probably 15mm) of them are in the works as well To print, cut, paste and put on the tabletop! Now if I could only figure a way to sell them...

...ah but then I'd have to, like, "work" on them :nonono:

Ah, but my minis are 28mm!

 

[Gadrin]

Then you'll be interested to know that scale paper models (probably 15mm) of them are in the works as well To print, cut, paste and put on the tabletop! Now if I could only figure a way to sell them...

...ah but then I'd have to, like, "work" on them :nonono:

"Skinned" versions would be nice like the Scout Courier in these...

http://www.tedlindsey.com/art/art/traveller_3d.html

 

[coliver988]

...Then you'll be interested to know that scale paper models (probably 15mm) of them are in the works as well To print, cut, paste and put on the tabletop! Now if I could only figure a way to sell them...

...ah but then I'd have to, like, "work" on them :nonono:

Wonder if you could create PDFs and sell them through various on-line places that sell gaming PDFs? If you can get your hobby to pay for itself (or at least partially), life is really good! While this is a limited market, other than your time you would not be out of anything regardless of that outcome.