RFCM

RFCM discussion => General discussion => Topic started by: martin goddard on October 14, 2019, 06:36:14 PM

Title: Electric in wargames
Post by: martin goddard on October 14, 2019, 06:36:14 PM
Obviously train enthusiasts use a lot of electrical items in their hobby.
What are your thoughts and experiences on electrical things in wargames. Demo or participation.


I once used tiny grain of wheat lights as foundation for building a head upon. Gave a figure with glowing eyes.
I like the idea of lit lamp posts and a windmill??
Title: Re: Electric in wargames
Post by: Stewart 46A on October 14, 2019, 07:36:04 PM
I have some T lights in coloured wool for explosions
Title: Re: Electric in wargames
Post by: Colonel Kilgore on October 14, 2019, 09:14:05 PM
I think you should be sculpting your tripod-mounted machine guns with provision for flashing lights to be mounted on the end of the muzzle, Martin.

Should be even easier in tanks.

And what about sounds too?
Title: Re: Electric in wargames
Post by: martin goddard on October 14, 2019, 10:25:00 PM
Many years ago when the levellers took a sci fi game to shows (1984?). We took a "sci f sounds" key ring for each player. They were allowed to press any of the sounds as much as they liked. Interesting background!
Title: Re: Electric in wargames
Post by: Matías on October 14, 2019, 10:54:00 PM
A windmill was what intermediately came to mind, but you had already mentioned it. It should be fairly easy to do with a reduced speed motor.
Title: Re: Electric in wargames
Post by: John Watson on October 14, 2019, 11:32:51 PM
Motorised tanks surely. If they can do it in 1/16th scale then 15mm should be a doddle.
Title: Re: Electric in wargames
Post by: Smoking gun on October 16, 2019, 06:55:25 PM
Hi,
I have seen radio control tanks in 1/72nd and I own a 1/55 scale R/C Tiger I but the batteries no longer hold a charge, it was a very good toy the turret rotated and when the main gun fired it rocked back on the suspension and a red led flashed in the muzzle, it also made mg firing noises.

Mechanisms are getting smaller you gat some very small model railway trains so it may well be possible to make 15mm motorised tanks but how long would the batteries last? You need two motors and gearboxes to operate the tracks, plus a third to rotate the turret.

Martin Buck
Title: Re: Electric in wargames
Post by: Colonel Kilgore on October 16, 2019, 07:49:18 PM
Quote from: Smoking gun on October 16, 2019, 06:55:25 PM
Mechanisms are getting smaller you gat some very small model railway trains so it may well be possible to make 15mm motorised tanks but how long would the batteries last? You need two motors and gearboxes to operate the tracks, plus a third to rotate the turret.

I think you might need to electrify the roads so that the tanks pick up the power from there. Very handy in discouraging folk from spilling their beer on your table.
Title: Re: Electric in wargames
Post by: FifteensAway on October 18, 2019, 02:29:08 AM
Since some have mentioned batteries (portable electric supply) I'll mention that I've used some "explosive illuminated puffs" to show a volcano in pre-eruptive state and I have dreams/hopes of doing something more elaborate some day - just need to create a way for delayed deposits of dry ice and then the great moment when the baking soda meets vinegar and red dye explosion (which has to be kept under some kind of control!).

The illumination for the buffs were the little flickering candles usually sold around the end of year holiday season.  Can't take credit for the buffs, another local modeler built them and gave me a cache.