Re: The Ground War Has Begun

[Frank Pittelli <frank-at-pittelli.com>]

In Reply To Doug Smith Who Wrote On 15 Nov:
>
> I suggest that you use the .40 calliber
> paintballs ( used in blow guns ).  They are approximately 3/8 " in diameter
> and would be easier to install and closer in scale than the standard
> paintball for a tank.
>

Actually, we don't have any restrictions on the caliber of paintball
used.  If you want to use .40 caliber, go for it.  Personally, I went
with the standard .68 caliber because it is more readily available and
most guns on the re-sale market are that caliber.  But, if you already
have the other equipment, or think it has more advantages, go for it.

FYI: the larger caliber balls make much bigger splatters ... which is
pretty cool when you see them in real-time.

> The only thing that kept me from tanks was the price.
> If I could find sources for the motors and track I would produce
> vacuumformed tanks for sale at a fraction of the cost of Taimya.  I am a
> firm believer that High detail is not important in combat fighting.  Just
> getting out there and having fun is.

I couldn't agree more on the fun vs. detail statement (as exemplified
by all my warships over the years ;-)  Fortunately, at our scale, it's
fairly easy to add detail to the tanks over time, making them look
better and better as time goes on.

On the issue of price, it should be noted that my tank has cost less
than a battleship at this point, especially if you don't make your own
warship systems.  The following is a rough list of the things that
can't be scratch built:

        6 channel Radio - $150
        Paintball Gun   - $100
        Batteries       - $ 75
        Speed Controls  - $ 70
        Motors          - $ 30
        ----------------------
                TOTAL     $425

Everything else, including the tracks, hull, wheels, turret, etc. can
be scratch built or borrowed from your warship (eg. CO2 tank)  I
haven't kept track of the cost of the supplies (does a modeler ever
keep track?), but raw materials are generally not very expensive.

The price also needs to be considered in light of the fact that there
is very little maintenance needed as the result of conducting a battle
and the systems are not subjected to the same harse environment that
the warships see, so very little corrosion damage will be seen. 
Overall, I think that the operating cost of the tanks will be less than
that of the warships.

Finally, the rules allow firing platforms, like artillery pieces and
rocket-launchers (ie. single shot guns) that are relatively easy to
build and can be built entirely from scratch (including the breach and
firing mechanism) with a little bit of ingenuity.  The entrance and
maintenance cost of those systems should drive the price within
anyone's grasp, while allowing them to enjoy the fun.  And if the law
of model warfare economics mimics that of real life, then we'll see
lots and lots of cheap, expendable weapons systems on the battlefield
for every tank.

        Frank "Costs Less Than One Trip To An Auto Repair Shop" Pittelli