1/16 scale Boxer reconnaissance vehicle

[GMK]

Jumping between 1/16 projects at the moment. This will be a design, 3D print, & build project, much like my Bushmaster & M113s. 

 

The Boxer combat reconnaissance vehicle (CRV) is a ~40 metric tonne 8x8 armoured roller skate being introduced into service in the Australian Army. Not without some hiccups along the way, it should mature into a capable truck in time. 
 

 

This was the vehicle that prompted me to learn CAD in the first place, with the initial intent to convert a flat pack styrene “kit” of the flat top Boxer. Turns out it’s easier to design the whole vehicle. 
 

Roughed out the basic hull…again!

 

 

The lower hull geometry is complicated, to say the least. 
 

 

Only modelling one half at the moment. The lower hull is symmetrical, apart from minor details. 

 

Boxer is modular insofar as each vehicle comprises a drive module & an interchangeable “mission module”. The Lance turreted mission module is uniquely Australian. Time will tell whether that’s a good or bad thing!

 

Trying something different for the turret interface that’ll clip in and allow 360 degree rotation. 
 

 

This design has taken a daily session over the five days. When I started CAD 18 months ago, this would’ve taken months!

 

 

[GMK]

Thanks @MARU5137 - definitely not going to be a quick one. 
 

Sadly, this week’s efforts have been hampered by software licences #goodtimes.

 

Still, some progress made on roughing out the turret/hull interface. 
 

The plug & click method was stolen from a 1/72 kit of a turreted Stryker. The turret fits into the mission module thusly.

 

 

Turns out the turret has to be taller from the mission module roof to avoid bumping the driver’s hatch cover appliqué armour, which comes to an apex higher than the hull roof. 
 

 

Barring unforeseen work & software issues, I should have the bulk of the basic shapes & how they interrelate sorted this week. 
 

 

 

Front left three quarter elevation:

 

 

Rear left three quarter elevation:

 

 

Thanks for looking. 

Edited September 19, 2021 by GMK

[Uncarina]

This is going to be epic! 

 

Cheers,  Tom

[GMK]

Thanks for stopping by, Tom, I appreciate the support!

 

Finally managed to find a “single point of truth” that showed both the hull and turret in the same illustration. Sadly, the pic is tiny.

 

Scaling it to known dimensions showed that my earlier rendition had the turret that was 10mm too far forward on the mission module, 6% too short in height, & 3% too short in length. You can see the previous construction highlighted in blue. 
 

 

After fixing all that, started on surface detailing. 
 

 

I’m putting off attempting the suspension. Probably finish the driver’s hatch cover & glacis details this coming week. 
 

 

Until then. 

Edited September 26, 2021 by GMK

[GMK]

Well, the driver’s hatch cover & glacis didn’t wind up happening, I did however start the main armament & coaxial machine gun box. 
 

 

Have had some learning moments regarding objects vs. components and how they interact or decline to. 
 

 

Also added some surface details to the turret body, which improves the look. 
 

 

After being distracted by surface details over structures & shapes, I can understand how professional kit designers can zero in on details at the expense of shapes. 
 

 

Well, thanks for stopping by & see you next week. 

[Panzerwomble]

Didn't know AUS were buying Boxer ( I haven't got out much recently )  , thought you were more LAV people ! Congrats ! 

 

UK is buying them 18 years after leaving the consortium ....and having mucked around spending £450 million following the FRES nonsense ( didn't deliver a single vehicle ) ..so we now are paying full MRP instead of the  Crowdstarter price .  Don't get me going with AJAX , six vehicles for £3.5BN ....smart money is on the whole project being written off shortly ....aka Nimrod 3 ...just need a election to bury it in . 

 

An 8 wheeled German armoured car, what's not to like ? 

 

Look forward to your build , I'm going the easier route with a Revell 1/35 modded to UK spec when we get proper pictures . 

 

 

[GMK]

13 hours ago, Panzerwomble said:

Didn't know AUS were buying Boxer ( I haven't got out much recently )  , thought you were more LAV people ! Congrats ! 

 

UK is buying them 18 years after leaving the consortium ....and having mucked around spending £450 million following the FRES nonsense ( didn't deliver a single vehicle ) ..so we now are paying full MRP instead of the  Crowdstarter price .  Don't get me going with AJAX , six vehicles for £3.5BN ....smart money is on the whole project being written off shortly ....aka Nimrod 3 ...just need a election to bury it in . 

 

An 8 wheeled German armoured car, what's not to like ? 

 

Look forward to your build , I'm going the easier route with a Revell 1/35 modded to UK spec when we get proper pictures . 

 

 

Yeah, the decision was made a while back. 211 vehicles, 133 turreted, will replace the ASLAV fleet. They’ve broken the delivery into Block 1 (25 vehicles, 12 w/Lance turrets, 13 without) & Block 2, so that Army can access a beta version of the vehicle quickly, rather than wait for perfection. The first 25 trucks will then be brought up to Block 2 standards. Pretty smart, imo. 

 

I’m not a huge fan of German vehicles in general. Luckily for Boxer, it satisfies rule 1 & looks good!

 

Will be interesting to see how the British Army trucks turn out. They always come up with the unexpected. 

Edited October 4, 2021 by GMK

[GMK]

On 10/5/2021 at 3:52 AM, MARU5137 said:

Coming along steadily  but beautifully. 

Too kind, @MARU5137 - it’s good to make some progress.

 

Only time for a quick Sunday morning session this week, with the focus on blocking out the stowage. Australian Block 1 Boxers have unique stowage on the hull sides (yet to be done), the hull rear, & bustle racks on the turret rear/sides.

 

 

As the turret isn’t symmetrical, the stowage isn’t either. 
 

 

The rack on the rear of the hull is also asymmetrical, for extra fun. 
 

 

Some footage of the first Combat Training Centre-Live rotation of the Boxer’s from 2/14 Light Horse Regiment emerged this week, allowing for this comparison. 
 

 

Time permitting, more to come. 

[GMK]

Another time-constrained week, so the stowage on the side was used as a bite-sized project to keep the momentum. 
 

 

The most difficult shape to get right is the brush-deflecting chevron on the hull sides. 
 

 

The two twin jerry can holders are more tedious than tricky, though the corrugated backing plate required a bit of thought. 
 

 

Almost time to return to the hull proper. 
 

 

Overhead shot for proportions. 
 

 

Thanks for looking in!

[GMK]

After a bit of a break, I’ve managed to start on the suspension mounting points. Not much, but just easing into it. 
 

 

Each suspension station has an axle, an ‘A’ frame that mounts on either side of the axle, plus two vertically oriented shock absorbers. This week was the shock absorber mount’s turn. Locating these will allow the detail & structure of the lower hull to be completed. 
 

Then production of the lower hull can commence. 

[Uncarina]

This is simply amazing to see unfold! Alchemy at work. And what a great vehicle choice!

 

Cheers,  Tom

[petrov27]

very cool subject and some great 3d modelling going on! Just curious, what is the structure with the holes in it that surrounds the turret gun barrel? Just support structure?

[GMK]

3 hours ago, Uncarina said:

This is simply amazing to see unfold! Alchemy at work. And what a great vehicle choice!

 

Cheers,  Tom

Thanks, Tom. I’m self taught, so I’m a CAD hack, tbh. 
 

1 hour ago, petrov27 said:

very cool subject and some great 3d modelling going on! Just curious, what is the structure with the holes in it that surrounds the turret gun barrel? Just support structure?

 

Thanks  The barrel shroud acts as a barrel support. It also protects the muzzle fuzing system that programs airburst rounds as they pass through the inductor. At least, that’s what I’ve deduced!

[GMK]

Turns out incremental but regular progress is good for both the project & my headspace. Who’d have thunk it?

 

More work on the suspension locators this week. 

 

 

This work is critical for the alignment of the suspension itself, as well as ensuring all of the wheels will touch the ground!

 

 

Making my mistakes in CAD rather than in real life is much more efficient. All going well, I’ll be able to get the drive module on the printer before Christmas. 
 

Thanks for checking in. 

[Uncarina]

Great work as always!

 

Cheers,  Tom