"ClearHorizon Minis - Concept Art - Power Armor" Topic

Hi everyone,

While my drop pods, figures and other projects continue to move along (I should have the drop pods in hand, and ready to sell very soon!) I had my concept artist mock up some power armor for me:

What do you guys think?

I'm leaning towards one-piece, cast in metal, and three poses. Not sure about the shoulder weapon, or just attach a 2-missile micro-missiles launcher to the other arm.

Three to a drop pod, or can be dropped from orbit (much more risky) with a detachable ablative shield. Also designed for ship boarding actions or urban combat.

What poses would you like to see?

(blog : link)

wham bham

thank you maam

Very nice indeed!

I like the over the shoulder weapon you can see.

Id go all three advancing

Looking good! Is the pilot riding with it's (helmeted) head exposed?

The proportions look spot on except for the arms. I like the bulky chest with the little head. Maybe add an optional or flip up extra armor bit for the head. Easy enough to put a mini cockpit like armored piece on the top. So the guy can flip his lid to talk to people or keep eyes/ears on his surroundings but the first shot and he drops the blast shield and keeps his head from being too exposed.

You could probably look into how those guys made the life sized space marine outfits. That might help with the arms. They used extensions to make the arms longer and that would work for power armor but the tricky part is where to put the elbow. Basically his hand has to be in the top part of the forearm.

When the pilot gets in, the torso comes down and then the pilot puts on the helmet.

The helmet is very similar to what the SpecOps (non-PA) troops wear, but is slightly bulkier and designed to create a airtight seal with the armor. It also is powered by the armor, as opposed to having it's independent power source, since it has an upgraded sensor suite.

A separate helmet also allows for up to 90' improved field of vision than a fixed vision slit.

As a design-point I wanted something to tie them, stylistically, to each other and to give a better sense of scale.

For the helmets, the face shield part can actually kinda roll-up to expose the face, if he wanted to show his face while talking to someone, especially useful for officers when talking to indigenous personnel.

I see what you're saying about the arms, yet i'm hesitant to make them smaller. What if the pilot has his/her arms basically in the shoulder part attached to the controls. Almost in a "chicken-wing" position with the hand gripping a joystick or something similar? This would leave the arms free for ammunition and motors and such, and would protect the pilot's arms better.

Who's going to be making the comparison soldier in black/gray on the far right???

Looks very cool!

Dan

Those are being sculpted by Rod at Highlander Studios for me (ClearHorizon Miniatures clearhorizonminiatures.com ) as we speak!

He's just about done with the dollies, and then it's on to making full figures (about 6 poses) and then off to casting.

I Really have a soft spot for PA, and your's is exellent MrHarold!

I see what you mean about the helmet. To me it just screams sniper target! It might just be that my vision of the roll of PA is different. To me they are fire support and a tactical battering ram. They have the armor and the firepower to take positions but need the troopers to hold it.

So to me he needs two modes. Patrol and fire support requires better situational awareness and you need the extra visibility for that but when your charging an MG nest then you'd want to put a few more inches of metal between your face and the bullets :) A proper face shield would also protect again explosions and fire.

As far as arms are concerned, It could be feasibly that they are in front of him operating controls or like you said in the shoulders. I wasn't really referring to shortening the arms but changing the point where they bend. To me it looks like the hand is in the middle of that flex joint but it depends on how you look at it.

It's still one of the best designs I've ever seen :) I'm just being picky.

I like 'em so far, and Rod should be able to pull off the sculpts with style.

I see what you're saying about the arms, yet i'm hesitant to make them smaller. What if the pilot has his/her arms basically in the shoulder part attached to the controls. Almost in a "chicken-wing" position with the hand gripping a joystick or something similar? This would leave the arms free for ammunition and motors and such, and would protect the pilot's arms better.

As far as arms are concerned, It could be feasibly that they are in front of him operating controls or like you said in the shoulders. I wasn't really referring to shortening the arms but changing the point where they bend. To me it looks like the hand is in the middle of that flex joint but it depends on how you look at it.

Making it more obvious that the arms are waldos rather than armored sleeves is probably a good idea. Maybe lengthen them to more ape-like proportions, so the elbow isn't where the hand would be if the arm was extended into it. If it's literally capable of knuckle-dragging while standing upright, the suit would be better able to use both hands and feet for support in situations where spreading its weight is important (like, say, the inside of light civilian structures). Longer arms also equate to more "punch" if you have to take a swing at something – potentially handy in a close quarters battle with acid-drooling xenos.

I would like to see shoulder mounted weapon something along the line of the Kryomek SWAT armor recoilless rifle. I would also like to see a hand held antipersonnel weapon. I believe ArmiesArmy had something in the works but I have yet to see it.

Very cool. On my wait for them to come out and then buy list… 8^)

These are looking great, call me a future customer buddy.

I'd want to have a big shoulder gun (or AT missile launcher), a rapid-firing antipersonnel weapon in one hand, and some kind of light weapon for the off hand. The light weapon could be a pistol, could be those forearm rockets (or both).

Essentially, a weapon for all occasions.

You're making my wallet weep for mercy, you realize?

Wow! Very nice can't to see how they turn out!

I love it! Don't change a thing!

Nice, 1 piece casting is ok, 2 piece would probably give more options though.

No y-rack, no jump jets, no hand flamer (Maser), and a shot trap big enough to drop a grenade behind the back of the wearer's head… Harumph! Ain't Old School enough for my tastes…

Leland R. Erickson
Metal Express
metal-express.net

I like the art, very well thought out!

I'm looking forward to seeing the master sculpts, not sure if my terminology is correct there?

So, will the PA be "delivered" in the drop pods too, or will they need a separate means of insertion?

I have to echo the concern over the helmet; it just looks odd given the bulk of the rest of the suit and the 'headrest' IS a shot trap. Maybe have at least a 'screen' that fits over the head area? The 'collar' is high enough to fit one over the helmet with minimum fuss. It could even be a solid piece with a few sensors, and project a HUD onto the soldier's face plate. Then we could assemble them 'buttoned up' if we liked.

-Will

I think they look awesome. The problem with everything being all sealed up is that eventually all miniuatures start to look the same, then you're just rehashing the same tired old designs that have been around since the 60s.

The helmet is unrealistic? So what? His arms don't really fit? Who cares? If you designed it so that a man could fit inside the suit it would look awkward and boring.

Not everything has to be 100% realistic. Half of the term sci-fi refers to fiction, on occasion you just have to let realism fall by the wayside and focus on cool.

Agree 100% AdmiralCrackbar!

Thanks guys! I appreciate the ideas concerning the helmet too.

There is a version that the Army Bomb squads use that has a completely enclosed upper torso, but the SpecOps pilots prefer the helmeted design for a couple of reasons:

1) Increased situational awareness. From extensive field testing the ability to quickly respond to potential threats before they become threats increases survivability a great deal more than an enclosed torso.

2) A helmet actually reduces potential concussive damage from grenades and explosions due to the head being better immobilized and cocooned in the helmet. While it's true it has a bit less direct stopping power, taking a bullet to the face is less of a possibility than a nearby explosion.

I tried to ask Sgt. J. Vaz (a pilot for the 32nd) about the possibility of a grenade getting placed behind the helmet and being lodged there, but he just looked at me funny and responded with "Maybe if I was sleeping." He then spit chewing tobacco on me.

Oh, and I managed to get some more pictures:

And yes, these power armor suits are designed to fit three to a drop pod and delivered in theater that way. They can also hot drop from orbit individually using ablative shields, but that's much more dangerous and increases the possibility of wide scatter.

Mr Harold, excellent response to the grenade-behind-the-head issue. Very diplomatic sir! Love the pics, can't wait to see them and the reg troopers.

I like the AT weapon better on the wrist. If these guys need anything heavier they could always carry a rifle type rig.

Only other thing I would like to see is a "jump pack" for when these guys are inserted directly instead of by drop pod.

if they were inserted directly with a shield, perhaps a small rocket pack is added on but falls off as they lose the fuel for it.

Also. cant wait for you to get some of these out.

I was thinking the same thing TheRatGod, but making a pack like that would let us make jump-capable troopers (Harold's fluff notwithstanding)

Accessory packs for minis not even out yet? I am all for it.

That's a great idea…

It'd be a great follow up release, a pack with some jump packs, and maybe shoulder mounted weapons?

I could even make a "shield" that they use to perform orbital descent, but could be mounted on the arm like a bullet shield.

indeed. Would be an awesome follow up release. Weapon swaps would also work well as would the little shield device. Maybe even something non combative for the shoulder mount, ie a big light or other things if they were going in( i assume with muscle like that they would also be called out on mundane things) to assist in disasters or civilian issues. Or even as a guard unit for miners going down a shaft or exploring some unknown ship. Just some food for thought.

Like them will buy home for sure.

Perhaps a canopy that covers the head, could be a shield generated, or thick drop shuttle canopy.

The hand and arm my guess would be near the body using Waldo systems to move the arms.

Or into the arms of the suit with the Waldo.

If you want a pro's view, my wife's Phd. Was on a Waldo system for astronauts suits. I can get her to look at bit.

Lee

I think that looks great and I love the idea of a Shield :)

I think I might have to do a shield up at the same time…