Heinrich - Prussians new super heavy landship - disaster on maiden outing

[Blodwin]

Prussian General Otto Von Below inspects his countries new super heavy land ship, named Heinrich.

The super heavy currently dwarfs all other land ships in existence and is therefore expected to dominate the battlefield for years to come and bring glory to the Imperial Prussian forces.

But unfortunate design flaws have recently become evident, the engine capacity is woefully inadequate resulting in that the mechanical arms cannot be operated whilst the land ship is in motion.

Also the lack of upper armament means that Heinrich's exposed boilers are very susceptible to attack from the air.

To counter the lack of air defence, Heinrich is provided with an escort of the hastily designed and built anti airship vehicle, code named Hilda.

The lack of power is unfortunately unable to be rectified and the operational capabilities of the land ship has had to be re assessed.

So far Heinrich has not seen action but it is expected to make its debut in the current offensive being planned against the forces of Queen Victoria in Western Europe.
IMG_1420 by james baldwin, on Flickr

IMG_1424 by james baldwin, on Flickr

IMG_1422 by james baldwin, on Flickr

The model is based on Dr Loveless's Derailer tank from the 1999 film, The Wild Wild West.

I managed to obtain the toy a number of years ago from eBay and the current enforced lockdown period was the driver i needed to actually start kit bashing it into something I could use in my VSF games.

I hope you like the conversion.

I actually have another Derailer tank which is awaiting refit - ideas welcome.


 

[OSHIROmodels]

That’s splendid 

Love the white and that fact it’s not overly powerful 

How about a dirigible for the other derailer?

[VSF Gamer]

A great job of conversion! Well done!

[The_Beast]

I hope you like the conversion.

No fear! I'd never have thought of opening up the back.

I actually have another Derailer tank which is awaiting refit - ideas welcome.

Sorry, more questions than answers. I'm curious as to the poor beastie that may have lost those 'arms'. Also, care to share on the parts that went into the archie carrier?

Actually, maybe dispense with the wheels altogether for an armoured dig? I favor the Hallmark Nautilus, but this would be interesting to have gunner/swordsmen on the top...

Doug

[Blodwin]

Doug,

Regarding the opening at the back - it’s actually the original vehicles front - I dismantled the Derailer and removed the front gun section that rises up, then turned the vehicle around - the main guns mantle is the original chimney socket.

I can assure you that no other toy, model or vehicle was harmed in the making of the Heinrich - the mechanical arms were both scratch built from plastic rods, figure bases, foam board and head phone cables.

They are fixed to the hull with screws so I can remove them for storage.

Your idea for the other Derailer is interesting. I had thought about adding tracks but might now rethink.

Thanks for the comments

[Captain Darling]

Great work on the conversion Blodwin!

Nice paintwork and markings to complete it.

The jaunty yet arrogant looking Prussian officer in the cupola completes the picture nicely.

😃

[The_Beast]

Regarding the opening at the back - it’s actually the original vehicles front - I dismantled the Derailer and removed the front gun section that rises up, then turned the vehicle around - the main guns mantle is the original chimney socket.

*facepalm* Total lazy comment on my part, I've had more than one. I know the 'open space' was the section that slid up, usual silly toy addition.

I assume, should you consider the dig idea, that you'd need that section to make a whole body.

Whether tracked or floating(did that suggest a boat as well?  ) still hoping to see some more awesome!

Doug

[gamer Mac]

Great work

[aircav]

That’s brilliant 

[Cacique Caribe]

Wow, what a beast!

[ragbones]

That’s a great scratch build in every way.  Amazing!

[Blodwin]

Well the maiden voyage for the Heinrich was a disaster for the Prussian military. Their new super heavy tank suffered a mechanical failure which left the Heinrich stranded whilst crossing a river.

British spies monitoring the trials of the new tank immediately saw the opportunity to capture the vehicle before it could be rescued.

1EF2E629-CEB8-4FED-9D61-5DB06C221145 by james baldwin, on Flickr

British scout flyers swooped in carrying infantry, technicians and battle suits.

2138CCBE-3707-489F-BBC0-EF64704A9821 by james baldwin, on Flickr

Anti airship fire from the Hilda failed to prevent the deployment of the infantry and the scout flyer circled overhead whilst the technicians and battle suit also deployed.

2FCD40B7-19B1-49C2-B08E-CF7D283D4A87 by james baldwin, on Flickr

The deployment for the technicians and battle suit unfortunately was not very dignified landing in the middle of a pig pen.

872CB5C6-80CC-4353-A7BE-9E3FC9DE9F77 by james baldwin, on Flickr

Prussian forces were slow to react and the only defence for the Heinrich was the skeleton crew and their fate was sealed by the arrival of torpedo tank which rammed the colossal tank causing her demise.

1FF1F6E3-98FD-4206-969E-A16901B75673 by james baldwin, on Flickr

The British technicians swarmed abroad.

67C3501A-1B69-410C-AAE6-FD5256778615 by james baldwin, on Flickr

The question now was could the Prussians arrive in time to prevent the loss of the technology or would The forces of Queen Victoria, gad bless er, triumph.

[Ray Rivers]

 

Well done!

The Heinrich is super impressive! Shame these damn machines break down so much. 

I've got one of those too... but haven't had the time to do any work on it. Yours came out splendidly! 

[gamer Mac]

They even have time for a cuppa
Very nice

[Blodwin]

Many thanks for your comments.

I’m looking forward to some larger VSF games with real life unpredictable eccentric opponents when we are able.

Solo gaming is great fun but I do miss the stupidity of others.

Blodwin