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We’ve seen fighters,
fighters,
fighters, and
more fighters,
science
vessels,
a frigate,
a racer, and
a power suit.
The first wave of space- and air-craft have proven their worth in combat against
PCS, Iron Reich, and Eastern Block forces. Now it’s time for the ground assaults
vehicles to show their might.
click pic for gallery when moderated
The Jade Empire Hong Hovertank is designed for all types of planetary surface
warfare, with a hover design that guarantees travel over most any terrain.
Whether the enemy needs to be rooted out of urban or jungle hideouts, or massive
forces are arrayed over plains battlefields, the hovertank thunders through all
opposition.
Two operators (one driver, one weapons) control the tank, which features a main
rail cannon, two side cannons, and two underside blasters. A rear hatch and
lowering ramp allows entry for the operators and up to two passengers. Two
additional troops can hitch rides on the platforms on either side of the tank.
Builder notes: This
started off as a spaceship. I had planned for it to be a large ship for Jade
Empire leadership.
Wings
came and went. A
clamshell cockpit design was abandoned. And finally the hovertank design was
established. The near-final version
featured a...trashcannon, for lack of a better name, but after some extremely
helpful weapon ideas
from Soren Roberts, the final version came into being. I also owe some thanks to
Gil and Jamie for the BIJoe concept, which factors a lot of playability into
mocs. I packed as much play elements as I could into this thing: weapons rotate
and tilt, can be easily removed for swapping in other weapons, troops have
places to sit/stand, doors open, top comes off, etc.
Deeplinks:
Rear 3/4 view
Side runningboard for troops
rear hatch and ramp
Underside rear 3/4 view
Thanks for reading/viewing. Comments/Criticism appreciated.
--Ry
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In lugnet.space, Ryan Wood wrote:
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The Jade Empire Hong Hovertank is designed for all types of planetary
surface warfare, with a hover design that guarantees travel over most any
terrain. Whether the enemy needs to be rooted out of urban or jungle
hideouts, or massive forces are arrayed over plains battlefields, the
hovertank thunders through all opposition.
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Wow!
If I remember correctly, the rounded cockpit tilted at 45 degrees first appeared
in an official Lego set, the Mega Core
Magnetizer. Other AFOL have improved on the original idea.
Patrick Justison’s
Enforcer comes to mind. But I’ve never seen a model that is so completely
dominated by the 45-degree tilt as yours. It’s sleek and unique!
Cheers,
John Ladasky
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OH...WOW! That thing is awesome! I was curious as to what a Jade Empire ground
vehicle might look like, and I think you built something that perfectly grasps
the essence of a machine of war built solely for destruction. And on top of
that, it’s a very original design, and also encompasses everything the JE should
have, you know, green cramped cockpit, dino tails, etc. It looks like a tank
that would fit well in an urban setting, dishing out punishment from all five
cannons in five different directions, not something you’d want to see rounding a
corner. My favorite part are the three main turrets, they just look built for
business, no messing around.
On a small note, the dino tails seem kinda stuck on, not as stuck on as say out
of place, just stuck there. I think some upturned ones around the main turret
would look good, but that’s just me.
Another beautiful MOC!
Chris McNamee
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In lugnet.space, Ryan Wood wrote:
<http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=95571>
Ryan,
Thanks for the history - I really enjoy reading the evolution of a project. I
especailly like the layout & canopy - the 45-degree turn worked out nicely. And
the auxiliary guns mounted on either side are great touches.
-nk
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Nice tank! I could see a division of these squaring off against a division of
Trade Federation tanks. I think the Jade Empire would win!
Bill Pfund
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In lugnet.space, Bill Pfund wrote:
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Nice tank! I could see a division of these squaring off against a division
of Trade Federation tanks. I think the Jade Empire would win!
Bill Pfund
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Actually, I’d like to see Ryan’s Hong hover tanks squaring off against
Leonard Hoffman’s Elefant
hover tanks.
Oh, wait a minute... the Eastern Block and the Jade Empire are sort of allies,
aren’t they...
Oh, wait a minute more... before Ryan’s tank appeared on the scene, Lenny had
designed a variation of
the Elefant in Jade Empire livery...
Never mind!
How about a two-against one fight? EB and JE tanks against
Soren Roberts’ PCS
tanks? Yeah, that would do. It might also make a fun BrikWars game.
Cheers,
John Ladasky
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In lugnet.space, John Ladasky wrote:
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In lugnet.space, Bill Pfund wrote:
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Nice tank! I could see a division of these squaring off against a division
of Trade Federation tanks. I think the Jade Empire would win!
Bill Pfund
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Actually, I’d like to see Ryan’s Hong hover tanks squaring off against
Leonard Hoffman’s
Elefant hover tanks.
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I was actually thinking the same thing. Especially since both Ryan and I went
for a non-traditional tank design.
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Oh, wait a minute... the Eastern Block and the Jade Empire are sort of
allies, aren’t they...
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used to be. Then the JE sneak attacked us and now we hates them dirties!
It was a sign of friendship that latter turned out very bad. *note to self,
never sell military technology to war hungry empires* man did that bite us in
the ar$e.
Awesome tank ryan! BRAVO!
-Lenny
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In lugnet.space, John Ladasky wrote:
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Wow!
If I remember correctly, the rounded cockpit tilted at 45 degrees first
appeared in an official Lego set, the Mega
Core Magnetizer. Other AFOL have improved on the original idea.
Patrick Justison’s
Enforcer comes to mind. But I’ve never seen a model that is so completely
dominated by the 45-degree tilt as yours. It’s sleek and unique!
Cheers,
John Ladasky
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Well hey thanks for the compliments and sharing those links..those are some
interesting ideas! I’ve seen neither before, but that is a stud orientation I
may have to play around with for future models.
--Ry
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In lugnet.space, Chris McNamee wrote:
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OH...WOW! That thing is awesome! I was curious as to what a Jade Empire
ground vehicle might look like, and I think you built something that
perfectly grasps the essence of a machine of war built solely for
destruction. And on top of that, it’s a very original design, and also
encompasses everything the JE should have, you know, green cramped cockpit,
dino tails, etc. It looks like a tank that would fit well in an urban
setting, dishing out punishment from all five cannons in five different
directions, not something you’d want to see rounding a corner. My favorite
part are the three main turrets, they just look built for business, no
messing around.
On a small note, the dino tails seem kinda stuck on, not as stuck on as say
out of place, just stuck there. I think some upturned ones around the main
turret would look good, but that’s just me.
Another beautiful MOC!
Chris McNamee
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There’s many more designs to be created for Jade Empire ground forces; this is
just one idea, in my personal building style! :) If you or any number of other
JE builders (or even new builders to the theme) took a stab at the concept, we’d
have a large variety of styles and vehicles.
I’m working on some effects pictures of the tank in a couple action scenes, you
can see those on Brickshelf in the next few days.
Your eye for detail is right on: those dino tails were just about the last thing
I worked on for this moc. I thought I worked out the tacked-on-ednessness feel
of the tails, but guess I didn’t :) I might change them someday but for now
they’ll do.
Thanks for commenting :)
--Ry
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In lugnet.space, Nick Kappatos wrote:
> Ryan,
>
> Thanks for the history - I really enjoy reading the evolution of a project. I
> especailly like the layout & canopy - the 45-degree turn worked out nicely. And
> the auxiliary guns mounted on either side are great touches.
>
>
> -nk
Thanks, 22. Glad you (and others) enjoy the progress shots.. all my mocs go
through such drastic design changes that it seems like a fun way to present
multiple ship ideas to the public when posting the final moc. Maybe someone will
see something they like in a scrapped idea and come up with a way to improve it
or go a totally different direction with it.
--Ry
(I drove through a hardcore neighborhood tonight and flashed your pic for street
cred. Thanks for lending a hand.)
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In lugnet.space, Bill Pfund wrote:
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Nice tank! I could see a division of these squaring off against a division
of Trade Federation tanks. I think the Jade Empire would win!
Bill Pfund
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The Federation tank has one main cannon and two puny side cannons. Theoretically
the curved front end of the tank fires a variety missiles, but all I see is
printing ;) I’m confident my hovertank would rip it to shreds.
Thanks, Bill. :)
--Ry
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In lugnet.space, John Ladasky wrote:
Sounds like an idea for an effects shot for me to work on..hmmmmm :)
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Oh, wait a minute... the Eastern Block and the Jade Empire are sort of
allies, aren’t they...
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Nope. Bwahaha.
As noted in my original post ;)
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Never mind!
How about a two-against one fight? EB and JE tanks against
Soren Roberts’ PCS
tanks? Yeah, that would do. It might also make a fun BrikWars game.
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A three-way fight would be even better. That would be an entertaining matchup
indeed. I’d like to tackle a PCS hovertank sometime soon, after another project,
so I will have a companion craft to do battle alongside Soren’s sweet moc.
Thanks, John.
--Ry
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In lugnet.space, Leonard Hoffman wrote:
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I was actually thinking the same thing. Especially since both Ryan and I
went for a non-traditional tank design.
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If I’d thought up this moc and completed it before Fest, and somehow made it to
DC, that would have made for a fun battle in front of the JHoJ.
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used to be. Then the JE sneak attacked us and now we hates them dirties!
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Ah yes my Precious. Someday we’ll establish a backstory for Jade Empire and how
exactly this friendship was broken. For now me and the rest of the pantheon of
JE builders will keep making mocs to blow yours out of space, sky, and surface.
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It was a sign of friendship that later turned out very bad. *note to self,
never sell military technology to war hungry empires* man did that bite us
in the ar$e.
Awesome tank ryan! BRAVO!
-Lenny
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A dozen of the JE Elefants could probably hold their own against 4 or 5 of these
hovertanks. Your tank is still a very cool and formidable craft.
Thanks for the comments, Lenny! :D
--Ry
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In lugnet.space, Ryan Wood wrote:
Now it’s time for the
This is one of the coolest futuristic tanks I’ve seen on these boards. I love
how it’s not just a tank minus the treads, but a whole new asthetic. The 45
degree thing is just wild and practical too...I can see how shells would deflect
off of it, or light based weapons could refract off the oversized canopy (which
completely rawks, btw). The weapons, the add-ons. Dude...great build.
Cheers,
-Gil
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A dozen of the JE Elefants could probably hold their own against 4 or 5 of
these hovertanks. Your tank is still a very cool and formidable craft.
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Indeed, the Eastern Block’s technological paradigm is power in numbers. Our
designs tend to be small and affordable in such a way that we can field twice or
thrice the number of our enemies, and thus achieve victory.
Historical Note: During WW2 - the Russian T-34 Tank was smaller and less
powerful than the German Panther or Tiger tanks. However, the T-34 was a
simpler design and cheaper. In the end, the Russians were able to out produce
the Germans, thus even out the superiority of the German designs, and winning
the war.
-Lenyu
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Snippage
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Historical Note: During WW2 - the Russian T-34 Tank was smaller and less
powerful than the German Panther or Tiger tanks. However, the T-34 was a
simpler design and cheaper. In the end, the Russians were able to out
produce the Germans, thus even out the superiority of the German designs, and
winning the war.
-Lenyu
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The Russian winter gave the Russians victory on the Russian front, more so than
the T-34. Although having vehicles and equipment that could take the cold were
a large part of that equation.
Mike
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In lugnet.space, Mike Kollross wrote:
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Snippage
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Historical Note: During WW2 - the Russian T-34 Tank was smaller and less
powerful than the German Panther or Tiger tanks. However, the T-34 was a
simpler design and cheaper. In the end, the Russians were able to out
produce the Germans, thus even out the superiority of the German designs,
and winning the war.
-Lenyu
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The Russian winter gave the Russians victory on the Russian front, more so
than the T-34. Although having vehicles and equipment that could take the
cold were a large part of that equation.
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Russian Winters being what defeated the Germans is more myth than truth. Think
about it. Hitler attacked in late summer of 1941. Sure, the winter hurt his
Moscow offensive of that year, but Hitler remained in a commanding position in
Russia until Stalingrad, which was August 1942. Even then, Russians defeating
the Germans was no sure thing - as they only expelled the Germans in 1944/45.
That means the Germans survived three winters in Russia before being pushed out
- saying Russian climate had more to do with Germany being defeated than
superior Russian technology and production rates is just plain silly.
It was Russian guts to not surrender when everything seemed lost in 1941, and
then Russian ability to rebuild their infrastructure and then Russian ability to
take less materials and turn it into more tanks (Russians were quite a bit more
efficient than the Germans in materials-into-tanks equations) that equalled
Russian victory.
-Lenny
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In lugnet.space, Gil Shaw wrote:
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This is one of the coolest futuristic tanks I’ve seen on these boards. I
love how it’s not just a tank minus the treads, but a whole new asthetic.
The 45 degree thing is just wild and practical too...I can see how shells
would deflect off of it, or light based weapons could refract off the
oversized canopy (which completely rawks, btw). The weapons, the add-ons.
Dude...great build.
Cheers,
-Gil
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Here’s one that Alex
Peacock just posted on FBTB which he’s had on Brickshelf for a bit. Maybe he’ll
get around to posting it here. I don’t think it’s Jade Empire, but it certainly
could be! A very cool tank design, and more realistic than mine.
Thanks for the kind words, Gil. The oversized canopy is pretty impractical, but
in my mind it’s a thick translucent metal armor window, much like the clear
aluminum that M4rk posted about recently. And hey, it just looks rad!
Again, thanks. :)
--Ryan W.
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