Again - HISS Redesign, Take Two (Remember, Still Just Rough Sketches)

[minstrelboy]

So, forgoing the Warthog AAV7-A1 design, I took it back to the original HISS and worked out something that's more loyal to that design. There's a side view and a top view, and also a sketch of what the HISS driver's uniform would look like. Remember, these are all VERY rough ideas, and the driver looks like he has stubby legs. As this progresses, they'll be a lot more detailed and better looking.

Top View;
http://s304.photobucket.com/albums/nn195/dtkordish/?action=view&current=scan0002.jpg

Side View;
http://s304.photobucket.com/albums/nn195/dtkordish/?action=view&current=scan0001.jpg

Driver;
http://s304.photobucket.com/albums/nn195/dtkordish/?action=view&current=scan0003.jpg

[Amberbratt]

I like the uniform and the over all design way better this time...

only thing i would suggest re examining... is making the front canopy a LITTLE bit longer... because if he crashes we has no protection :)

[minstrelboy]

Here's a quick version I drew up on CAD:

http://s304.photobucket.com/albums/nn195/dtkordish/?action=view&current=scan0004.jpg

[Omegawrath]

So, forgoing the Warthog AAV7-A1 design, I took it back to the original HISS and worked out something that's more loyal to that design. There's a side view and a top view, and also a sketch of what the HISS driver's uniform would look like. Remember, these are all VERY rough ideas, and the driver looks like he has stubby legs. As this progresses, they'll be a lot more detailed and better looking.

Top View;
http://s304.photobucket.com/albums/nn195/dtkordish/?action=view&current=scan0002.jpg

Side View;
http://s304.photobucket.com/albums/nn195/dtkordish/?action=view&current=scan0001.jpg

Driver;
http://s304.photobucket.com/albums/nn195/dtkordish/?action=view&current=scan0003.jpg
Now THAT'S a HISS tank.

[nervous]

Nice man, I really dig it. It that a front hinge to make the canopy open forward? If so, very cool, and it gives the look of some nice fangs!

[CG23]

I really like the chain gun under the cockpit.

[MAJOR WOLF]

That Chain Gun looks Deadly!!!!!!!!!!!

[Dream]

Wow! That thing looks like a monster!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nice work yet again!

[C.I.A.D.]

Now THAT'S a HISS tank.

Amen!

[apacolypse]

Very cool!!! I like this as a HISS tank upgrade.

I still like the other sketch...don't toss that one away.

[minstrelboy]

Nice man, I really dig it. It that a front hinge to make the canopy open forward? If so, very cool, and it gives the look of some nice fangs!

yeah - there's a hatch on the top, which also has a view port to look out of. but the whole canopy hydraulically raises - it is not transparent, though. I was also thinking of making it a 2-seater.

[minstrelboy]

Here's a better version of the HISS driver:

http://s304.photobucket.com/albums/nn195/dtkordish/?action=view&current=scan0005.jpg

[Dark 5cythe]

Why a pilots mask?

[minstrelboy]

Why a pilots mask?

since the canopy isn't transparent, i thought it would be better for the driver if he had a visor that captured 360 degrees around him. this is what he would use to drive with mostly - the armored windows in the hatch are more for if the visor or the cameras malfunctioned. it'd have integrated targeting, range finder, vehicle diagnostics, etc. - all that built into it.

[minstrelboy]

forgot to mention that the rear of the vehicle can hold around 6-10 deployable foot soldiers, and would have a crew of around 3-5. so it would be a bit larger than the conventional HISS.

[Flint]

VERY VERY COOL !
This is a HISS, I like the old drwing as well but not for a HISS, this thing is very cool, I also love the crew's uniforms. Love the over vests, they remind me of the Cobra mechanics in the movie, and I love the boots with the Cobra sigils on them. Plus tankers are on the shorter side anyway, I believe you had to be 5'10" or less to be a tanker, or atleast you used too.

[paulpratt]

Think about the tank in modern military terms and approach it as a government and designer would with limited funds. Even the US government with our emphasis on military is ALWAYS looking to save a buck. Translate that into the comparatively small Cobra organization now. That group may not just need to save money, but it needs efficient and low costs parts that are probably "off the shelf" and the ability to take on several missions in any environment. It might also have to based upon an existing (older) design, probably from the Russian or Chinese inventory. Parts that couldn't be embargoed by the United States and her Allies.

One thing to remember is profile. The Abrams and the T-90 tanks are both very low profile to make for a small target. Granted these are both main battle tanks. Cobra would probably just purchase Russian tanks for this type of duty.

Cobra would probably design a vehicle like this to fulfill a specific mission role. Review how cobra operates in battles and designing a vehicle around those needs would be a good strategy to begin with.
I would suggest drawing inspiration from the Bradley Infantry Vehicle or the Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle. Something that can deliver troops amphibiously, and also work as armor support in taking beach heads and storming urban areas.
Since this vehicle will be Cobras first line of offense, it should be able to engage and disable main battle tanks in a limited capacity. The vehicle should probably have a weapon that is like the Bradley weapon where it can support troops that are exiting the vehicle and can also engage tanks with armor piercing rounds or even a limited supply of missiles.

Manpower is an essential question, especially in Cobra's case where troops are not easily replaced. Most of the turret operations should be automated with no more than a two to three man crew operating the whole vehicle.

As I stated above, Cobra is not an infinitely vast organization. Funds are limited and a "from scratch" development of a vehicle like this may be unlikely. You may want to approach it from an angle of a tracked Humvee. Armored, fast, and extremely mobile. The vehicle would be relatively light for transportation inside older Russian transport aircraft to boot(Or maybe inside tractor trailers and ice cream trucks, HA!). The vehicle would have a driver, and a gunner station not unlike the one found on the current HISS tank toy. Replace those guns with a modular system for dual mounted .50 Cals, grenade turret, or missile system. The tank would also need the ability to dismount 4-6 troops.

In cobras situation multi mission modules would be key, with effective swift transportation for infantry units to fight in any environment and the vehicle needs to be able to defend those units against most threats barring heavy armor.

I think your design is great and meets most any requirements one could lay down on it. I just wanted to see if any of this had been considered and, if not, see where the design could lead otherwise. In following these notes, I would say get rid of the chain gun up front and put it in the turret.

[minstrelboy]

I ALWAYS think about realworld practicality when designing stuff - not to say I think of everything, but I do try to imagine the design process and purpose and budget constraints that would go into making something like this a reality. However, the difference between reality and the world of GI Joe is vast, and I just wanted to make a cooler looking HISS.

I have another thread started (called "A New Line Of Action Heroes...") that proposes another line of action figures that does deal with real world approaches to combating terrorism. Unlike GI Joe, who goes into battle en masse firing away, these would be more discreet SEAL/Delta/Ranger/whatever-specially-trained-operative-fits-the-job teams of no more than 10 who would all be trained within a multitude of capabilites, quietly inserted into some third world country, topple a dictatorship, and just as stealthily exit.

I do appreciate the rundown of logistics as per how it would happen in the real world.

[paulpratt]

Glad to hear it. I'm not trying to break your balls or anything. I'm just a writer and I was looking for an opportunity to bloviate, sorry to dump on your thread.
I was thinking how neat it would be to do a story about GI Joe done in a real world scenario. Hmm...

[minstrelboy]

You and me both - I enjoy watching the cartoons for nostalgia, but I always prefered the comic book stories, because they seemed more plausible. While I don't call myself a writer, I enjoy writing stories when I find the time (which is few and far between). The hardest part is getting bogged down in the details. When I was a teen, I tried writing sci-fi stuff, but all I really accomplished was designing alien creatures and vehicles and planets... all the stuff that I had to establsih before I could get onto writing. By the time that came around, I was on to something else. I have books full of different designs. And I have several stories I started, but constant moving around has ended with all of that in storage.

[paulpratt]

Are you/ or have you tried to be a conceptual designer? It looks like you have the skills to pull it off.

[minstrelboy]

Are you/ or have you tried to be a conceptual designer? It looks like you have the skills to pull it off.

yeah - but the job market seems to be pretty small. i'm in school for computer drafting right now - there's a huge market. once i finish school and get back on my feet, i think i'll be looking into doing freelance stuff. i always loved the idea of designing stuff for movies, like mcquarrie did for star wars.

[sharke]

that looks very nice. you gots skills

[minstrelboy]

nothing new here, but i did finish the front view. i'll post a better picture later, and you can see some of the details (like the cobra front emblem)

http://s304.photobucket.com/albums/nn195/dtkordish/?action=view&current=scan0007.jpg

[Malcadon]

Your HISS tank is quite impressive! (how did I even miss this thread?) And the second Driver looks amazing! I like how you use sensor readouts for the driver's visuals. And the chainguns, railings, and intake? are a nice touch. Unfortunately, the whole look gets thrown when a saw the front view. It looks way to wide, the treads look a bit thin, and the two cockpits seem a little unnecessary. It all takes away from what is recognize as a HISS Tank - thin with wide treads. Otherwise, dame good work.

[minstrelboy]

Yeah - it looked different on the computer from the printout. I plan on widening the tracks. I made it wider purposely, though, because it doubles as a troop carrier, and would now be a 2-seater instead of a single. But that's why I post the pix here - to get them critiqued. I like feedback.