Hover Tank

Years ago while I was in college (around 1983-4) Revell marketed several Japanese kits under the series "Robotech". They combined several of the Japanese anime vehicles into a single series for sale here in the US. One of the kits was an AT-AT looking vehicle that resembled a headless camel with a turret on it. Each side of the "camel" had a platform where troops could be carried.

This particular kit was extremely well engineered and had chrome suspension arms and springs inside. It was about 1/48 scale. I still have this kit and most of the other kits in the series. This one was my favorite though and was called "Commando". Some of the more well-read anime modelers may know what its true name was. It is the kit on the left of the photo.

very true... I bought the DVD and I still forgot. The M1 turret would look great on that. Not a bad idea Rob, though I should probably finish my current project first. I am having problems mating a Tamiya M1 turret to an AT-AT. It's proving more challenging than I thought.
Regards,
Jon

AMT/Ertl already did this very cheaply with the SW: The Phantom Menance Trade Federation Battle Tank. They were going for like $4.99 at various toy liquidators and would be the perfect to mate a modernized M1 turret to it.

If you're interested in trying a more "sci-fi" turret, try the turret from Games-Workshop's Tau tank called "Hammerhead." It represents a very cool rail gun, and it's about the same scale (22mm)

Just thought of another idea... how about bashing the land speeder from Star Wars with a T-80 and use some of that reactive armor?

please post pics when you are done, this project sounds cool. I also remember the article and still have the issue, now i'm going to have to dig it up and then see what tank and aircraft kits i would'nt mind bashing together.

yup, through much digging I have found the issue. thanks for the help!

I just saw the article, FSM Jan 92, pg78.

Good, luck.

Hey Philp, you hit the nail on the head! That is the article I was thinking about. I am going to use 4 engines that came out of a Monogram B-52 1/72 kit. I haven't decided on the spacing yet for them but that is for this weekend, I guess. I am scratchbuilding some detail on the M1A1 hull to make up for where the tracks were and I am using the turret that came with the Tamiya kit. I like your idea and I hope you'll post the pics when it's complete. Thanks again.

I remember the article you are talking about and probably still have it in the Mag Dungeon. The phone was a streamlined model with the receiver that set in the back, behind the dial pad. He removed the receiver, put a Tamiya 1/35 scale Sheridan turret over the dial pad, used some 1/48th scale A-10 engines where the ends of the receiver mounted and painted it a gray and green camo.
I am also working on a hover tank using a couple of serving dishes matted top to top and then have to come up with some top decorations and a turret. I picked up a couple of 1/48 scale tanks (M1A1 and Leopard M2A5) made by a Chinese company. Lousy kits but enough detail for me to work with for a large 1/72nd scale finished project. Just need to figure out how to cut up the turrets and put them back together so no one knows what kits I used :-).
Good luck on your project.

hey StevenQ, that would be much appreciated. The engines are still up in the air, so to speak. Sounds like a good idea to me. Thanks.
Jon

I've been kicking around modifying the wheels and turning them into directional thrusters(?) That way I can still use the hull. I've got some good ideas on making a bigger main gun with a little off-set of the tube. The gears are spinning as I write... Thanks for the input yall!
Jon

I have an old book called "Great Space Battles" and in it is a great pic of a hover tank with four large rocket type engines. Its got more of a Sheridan type turret, but that could be adapted. I can scan the pic and e-mail it to you if you'd like. Let me know.

As I said in the Armor thread.. M1 mated to a set of ATAT legs could be interesting..

Sounds like a Hammer's Slammers project in the works ?!?????? Hope you post the finished product when it's done!- Ed