Home Forums Sci Fi 15mm Sci-Fi DSG Sneak Peek!

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  • #54607
    Avatar photoDarkest Star Games
    Participant

    As 2016 draws to a close, I thought I’d throw out a bit of a sneak peek of one of the new models that will be released in January 2017:

    This is the 15mm version of the <u>Rinkhals</u>, essentially an MLRS for Federation 2nd line forces mounted on the Python/Cobra treaded chassis (which will also come in hover!).  There will also be the <u>Arbalest</u>, the same rocket unit placed on Scorpion wheeled chassis.  As with all of our turrets, it will fit onto any other vehicle that can mount a large turret, even Venturian units!  And there might even be a munitions carrier to go with it…

    Having molds made at the moment, so keep an eye on the Darkest Star Games blog, as well as the main page and forums here, for news of the release!

    "I saw this in a cartoon once, but I'm pretty sure I can do it..."

    #54618
    Avatar photoMike
    Keymaster

    I like it, like the way it has touches of the original metal model carried over.

     

    #54627
    Avatar photokyoteblue
    Participant

    I like this.

    #54628
    Avatar photoMr. Average
    Participant

    I love it!  Looks like it’ll fit in well with my Almost-SF3D set!

    #54651
    Avatar photoDarkest Star Games
    Participant

    Thanks guys!

    So this system works by having the top of each side be essentially a replaceable pre-loaded box magazine.  A munitions vehicle comes up along side and uses a robotic crane arm to pluck the used mags off and pull new ones from the storage bed and pop them on.  Takes about 2 minutes per pod, so pretty quick!

    I picture the rocket munitions used as pretty stubby, most types deploying smart-bomblets.  But there is one nasty one that dispenses these huge nets of monofiliment wire that basically shred anything they come in contact with short of an armored vehicle.  Great for destroying cover as well as troops in just about any kind of concealment (plain butchery if they’re in the open).  Nasty business.

    "I saw this in a cartoon once, but I'm pretty sure I can do it..."

    #54655
    Avatar photoMr. Average
    Participant

    I like that the design is wide and flat – typically, I’ve found that sci fi tank figures tend to stand a little higher than I prefer, for whatever reason.  Maybe because they’re using World War II models as prototypes?  Whatever the case, the trend in “real” tanks is flatter and more heavily sloped, and I like the look of this one!

    #54832
    Avatar photoDarkest Star Games
    Participant

    Thank you sir!  They were indeed designed with “low profile” in mind (except for the AAA turret, it’s a bit tall).  If you look at our 6mm versions you’ll see how the Cobra and Python turrets are indeed very slim.

     

    Now, in all honesty, these tanks are slightly smaller than an Abrams, which is a heck of a lot bigger than a Sherman or Panther!  I think a lot of the reason WW2 tanks look so tall is the proportions.  We are conditioned to think of tanks as these big massive things to be scared of but I’ve stood next to a Pnz III and it is tiny, you could put 2 end to end and still not be as long as an Abrams, which is also almost twice as tall.  Modern tanks are beasts!

    "I saw this in a cartoon once, but I'm pretty sure I can do it..."

    #55487
    Avatar photoDarkest Star Games
    Participant

    x

    "I saw this in a cartoon once, but I'm pretty sure I can do it..."

    #55489
    Avatar photoDarkest Star Games
    Participant

    Update!

    I have a set of pre-production masters in my hands.  Just doing a little clean up before painting.  In the pic below you can see (from left to right):

    Griffin IFV with hover skirt, Griffin IFV with tracks, turrets for Cobra and Python with guns, top is Cobra/Python hull with tracks, and same with hover skirt.  Below is a pair of the MLRS turrets and a trio of Griffin turrets, and to the far right is a pair of AAA turrets and some tools for stowage.

    [/URL]

     

    The caster is producing and I will be painting this weekend, might take me a week or 2 with family commitments, but watch this space, as you’ll see it here first!

    "I saw this in a cartoon once, but I'm pretty sure I can do it..."

    #55491
    Avatar photoMr. Average
    Participant

    Need any painting volunteers…?

    😉

    Serioysly great models from my POV! Will suit an SF3D milieu pretty well, maybe with some cables and greeblies added…

    #55572
    Avatar photoAnonymous
    Inactive

    What is “SF3D” mean, please?

    #55580
    Avatar photoRhoderic
    Member

    What is “SF3D” mean, please?

    That would be the sci-fi setting/story/aesthetic created by genius model-maker Kow Yokoyama in the 1980s, now rapidly growing in renown and popularity in the West. It also goes by several other names, “Ma.K.” and “Maschinen Krieger” being common. Between the numerous names and the fact that the original Japanese material has only made it to the West through various imperfect, “unofficial” channels, it’s easy to get confused about. But the aesthetic is quite sublime. I’m not sure I agree this particular vehicle is very SF3D in style, but I’m ill-versed in the setting myself. A few of the other 15mm vehicles from Darkest Star (the ones in the Colony 15 range) strike me as extremely SF3D-inspired, though.

    #55581
    Avatar photoAngel Barracks
    Moderator

    I’m not sure I agree this particular vehicle is very SF3D in style, but I’m ill-versed in the setting myself. A few of the other 15mm vehicles from Darkest Star (the ones in the Colony 15 range) strike me as extremely SF3D-inspired, though.

    I agree and Darby was extremely kind to let me base my Junker tanks on his very much SF3D styled models:

    http://www.darkeststargames.com/colony-15-sci-fi.html

    #55583
    Avatar photoMr. Average
    Participant

    It’s not as “organic” as some of the designs for sure.  I am using the other ones too though.

    #55611
    Avatar photoAnonymous
    Inactive

    What is “SF3D” mean, please?

    That would be the sci-fi setting/story/aesthetic created by genius model-maker Kow Yokoyama in the 1980s, now rapidly growing in renown and popularity in the West. It also goes by several other names, “Ma.K.” and “Maschinen Krieger” being common. Between the numerous names and the fact that the original Japanese material has only made it to the West through various imperfect, “unofficial” channels, it’s easy to get confused about. But the aesthetic is quite sublime. I’m not sure I agree this particular vehicle is very SF3D in style, but I’m ill-versed in the setting myself. A few of the other 15mm vehicles from Darkest Star (the ones in the Colony 15 range) strike me as extremely SF3D-inspired, though.

     

    Okay, thanks.  Will try and look this up to understand better.

    #55614
    Avatar photoRhoderic
    Member

    Okay, thanks. Will try and look this up to understand better.

    The official “fluff” might be a bit much for most people (myself included) to take in. I recommend you just spend a couple of minutes browsing image search results for “SF3D”, “Ma.K.” and/or “Maschinen Krieger”, and you’ll get a very good idea of what it’s all about, visually. It’s a heady mix of retro futurism, modern futurism, military realism and sheer mind-boggling bizarreness.

    It’s one of the several great sci-fi aesthetics to have come out of Japan in the 1980s. Another one is the equally popular VOTOMS. Oh but I love 1980s Japan 

    #55740
    Avatar photoDarkest Star Games
    Participant

    I agree and Darby was extremely kind to let me base my Junker tanks on his very much SF3D styled models

    And they came out great, I love the Junker tanks!  I need to take some pix of the ones I have painted up as soon as I get my office reorganized.  Seriously Michael, I dig them big time!

     

    I too have loved the SF3D aesthetic since I saw the FIREBALL and PK Gustav kits way back when.  I have a pretty good collection of sanctioned 1/76 resin garage kits as well as a lot of the 1/20 kits.  There are some talented scratch builders out there that do some incredible work.

    "I saw this in a cartoon once, but I'm pretty sure I can do it..."

    #55741
    Avatar photoDarkest Star Games
    Participant

    Oh, and Mr. Average, I have something in the works that you’ll like in 6mm (if you go that small)

    "I saw this in a cartoon once, but I'm pretty sure I can do it..."

    #55761
    Avatar photoMr. Average
    Participant

    I do, I do indeed! Can’t wait to see!

    #55815
    Avatar photoMr. Average
    Participant

    Going to keep me in suspense? What a showman! 😉

    #55825
    Avatar photoAngel Barracks
    Moderator

    Helloooo  Darby…..

    #55828
    Avatar photoDarkest Star Games
    Participant

    Going to keep me in suspense? What a showman!

    Yup, like a turkey, I’m afraid!  The 3d isn’t quite done yet, but I will tell you that it rhymes with Sand Stalker!  (I decided to depart from convention and make the hull symmetrical and the turret centered, as at 6mm it just looked funny doing it O.G.)

    "I saw this in a cartoon once, but I'm pretty sure I can do it..."

    #55829
    Avatar photoDarkest Star Games
    Participant

    Oh, and DSG releases will be slowing down some (or will be even slower I should say).  I recently won custody of my daughter, and now that she can finally participate in extra-curricular activities she has dove in headfirst, so my free time has compressed quite a bit.  Just FYI!

    "I saw this in a cartoon once, but I'm pretty sure I can do it..."

    #55838
    Avatar photoMr. Average
    Participant

    I will tell you that it rhymes with Sand Stalker!

    I just wet myself a little when I read that.

    #56094
    Avatar photokid bananas
    Participant

    Me too!

    #56347
    Avatar photoDarkest Star Games
    Participant

    Hey all, here’s 2 more sneak peeks!

    Triple 40mm AA turret:

    Picture

    And the laser armed version:

    Picture

     

    Though they are shown the python/Cobra chassis they will fit the Scorpion wheeled chassis, as well as any other DSG 15mm vehicle that can mount a large turret (basically everything but the Talin and Griffin!)

     

    New release is due imminently!

    "I saw this in a cartoon once, but I'm pretty sure I can do it..."

    #56387
    Avatar photoMr. Average
    Participant

    Leave the treads off, even.  Very “Traveller” look.

    #56480
    Avatar photoDarkest Star Games
    Participant

    Don’t know if that’d look too good, but I am working up both 1st and 2nd generation style grav options for a later release!

    "I saw this in a cartoon once, but I'm pretty sure I can do it..."

    #59199
    Avatar photoDarkest Star Games
    Participant

    All are now released!

    http://www.darkeststargames.com

     

    And there’s a coupon code for a discount in the Sponsoring Members forum to boot!

    "I saw this in a cartoon once, but I'm pretty sure I can do it..."

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