"Not-WWII tanks?" Topic

I'm looking to do some Imagi-nations work in an alternate world that's at a level of technology equal to our's at the start of WWII. Does anyone know of any manufactures that make 15mm not-WWII tanks and other vehicles? Or would I be better of kitbashing from existing models?

Zombiesmith's Quar are roughly WWII, but their tanks definitely look odd compared to human designs. I think you're going to have to kitbash.

-Will

You could try interwar tanks. There were lots of wacky designs.

Or lesser known WWII tanks, particularly if you can find never-built or rarely built variants. The Hungarian Turan series comes to mind.

-Will

I'd go the kitbashing route. Do some turret swaps.

Kitbashing and interwar tanks sounds like a good idea!

tobsen77.de/index.php

Tobsen makes some great light tanks.

I've also scratchbuilt my own using 1/72 treads:

link

Edit: Sorry, thought you were asking for 28mm, not 15mm.

IF the tech is just PRE – WW2 then there are a lot of interwar and early war tanks out there in in HO or 20mm scale, plus all the FOW and similar stuff.

If you go kit bashing then 20mm is not much of a stretch for donor parts – for instance 'universal carrier' track units would allow you to make a wide variety of light (and not-so-light) AFV's and support vehicles. Japanese WW2 tanks have a strange look to modern eyes, weird track & wheel arrangements and are mostly descended from Interwar British designs.

Minarions have a range of 20mm SCW vehicles including one off armoured cars – another technology that much was expected of but didn't repay the investment made.

If chopping up a lot of relatively expensive kits doesn't appeal you could try either ordering the spare track units and wheels or start casting your own in white metal.

Is this sort of thing strange enough to the eye for you?

There were a few dead end designs pre war, the Vickers independent gave rise to the multi turreted tanks from the small T26/Vicker 6 tonner lines twin turreted up to the monterous land cruiser-esque Russian T35. These could be a good basis for turret swaps.

Japanese tanks have an unusual look. The Hungarian Turan series has had a mention already.

Hunt around for Axis and Allies Miniatures cast offs The later series (with dates/years in the names) are close enough for many 15mm wargamers. If you can score some commons dirt cheap, they will do nicely for hulls to play with (the turrets tend to be more a rubber like material).

alternatehistory.com

These have speculative afv boards. worth joining.

You can get some very strange-looking tanks just by swapping Brit turrets onto Russian hulls (and vice-versa).

You can find some odd interesting 3d printed tanks on Shapeways

Job lots of part-built or damaged fully built kits on ebay may be a good source of hulls and turrets – I find Airfix at 1:76 only a slightly too big against 'larger' 15mm figures. Zvezda 1:100 early WWII tank kits can also be picked up at reasonable prices if you shop around, particularly some of the less popular types, and they do a T-35.