I'm quite happy with the mechanics behind this though, it now happily supports the .5metre long barrel in any position, and is all fairly sturdy.

Also started detailing the track unit with actual tracks on both side (gasp) and riveting has begun. Long job but it's already looking much better for it

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I've been working mostly on the structure for the barrell support. Not really done the aesthetics yet, just the actual meat. The support struts are based on some american spg I've got a model of, no idea what it is. Possibly in BF1942. Anyway, they're made of foamcore sandwiched between two sheets of plasticard. As such they're pretty tough. The cross supports are abs tube and again, like rock. It's all good. But then it has to be pretty tough, the assembled barrel (as seen in one of the gallery shots) is almost half a metre long! The pistons that will hold it up are going to take some serious thought, but I reckon I've got the design nailed.

Not show in any of the photos, but before I stopped work on this I had a go at detailing the interior at the front. Not sure how well that went really, so might end up scrapping that and just sealing it in. We'll see. Also need to come up with some sort of targeter turrets to replace the lascannons. I think perhaps we might be out of range for them on this. Heavy bolters are just in case they need to mow down any trees or anything

Like all my modules will have, this one is based around a pair of cardboard sides with notches cut in to fit over the pipes joining the track units. The fit is rather tight, which serves both to stop the module falling out, and also to improve the structural integrity of the whole thing (not that it really needs it, excuse the pun but it's built like a tank!).

These sides have been joined together in a rather rough fashion at the moment, I'm going to cover the back, front and top in plasticard so I've not gone far beyond the structure with cardboard.

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So work has now begun on the first module, despite the main track unit not being quite complete. But still, gotta go where the inspiration is, right?

I don't really want to give too much away on this until it's a bit more complete, because I think it might work out rather cool and I don't want to take anything away from it.

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I've started work on the back bit too, that's currently drying as I type. The white plastic thing with the mesh is just a 2quid air vent cover from B&Q. Hacked it to pieces with a hacksaw, and glued it in. I'll cover over the edges with plasticard, and hopefully have a rather smooth looking textured floor.

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