In my opinion basing vehicles is a cardinal sin against wargaming. Based vehicles usually look crap no matter how well painted because they simply do not fit into the surrounding terrain properly.
Feel free to bash me if you think I've got this wrong!
:)
I base them, purely because it brings the vehicle to the same height/scale as the foot groups, and also helps to protect the model from damage during storage.
I don't like to base vehicles generally for roughly the same reason -- they don't seem to mesh well with the terrain on those overly large bases.
I will base vehicles, however, if they're part of a larger set of something (i.e. a vehicle acting as a tow for a gun.)
Here's an example I made for AK-47. I left my technicals unbased but I based the pickup helping haul around the AA gun.
(https://s30.postimg.org/shcqhecu9/20170106_153057_1.jpg)
I have started to base vehicles in order that they don't get bashed when in their boxes for transport. It also helps with smaller vehicles so they don't get ignored.
It can be useful to make sure they occupy enough area and don't get pushed into track to track . I also base all of my guns because the rules allow the crew to be integral and not removed separately
It can slo help to make a plastic tank heavier by sticking something to the base. Those Zvezda plastic tanks are far too light for my taste.
Just thoughts
martin
Other than matching the foot figures' heights, I'm not a great fan of vehicle bases visually.
Having said that, I have based all of mine for protection purposes. I stick some steel sheet on the underside of the base too, so that they grip firmly to the magnetic sheet I use to line my boxes (as I have done with figures, unless they are on magnetic coins or washers).
I agree that it's hard to match the base to the terrain, but then foot and cavalry figures have the same issue. Basing vehicles at least helps them match those figures' bases, and makes it clear that they are units to play with rather than part of the terrain itself.
Thanks guys, you've given me some positive reasons for basing vehicles which I will mull over, but I doubt I will be changing my mind on this topic anytime soon.
I do not like basing vehicles if it can be helped, like if the vehicle is modeled with an integral base as some resin ones are.
The main reason for this is the same as why I don't like those big detailed bases figures have. That being that a soldier or group of soldiers would not be carrying around a lump of masonry or group of tree stumps with them,similarly that truck would not have a wall or tree etc travelling along the road or over the field next to it.
I just don't like the idea.
I base all my vehicles. It means you can pick the model up by the base instead of touching it, same as with figures. As others have said, it also protects them in storage. And if the base has to be long enough to cover the gun, then so be it!
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C229MGjXAAAAZtJ.jpg)
Duncan
Every soldier should carry around a brick wall for personal protection. That is a no brainer
martin
Is n't it a grand thing that we do not all like the same thing.
Amen to that!
I have started to base some of my AK47 vehicles, as it makes them more 'robust' on the table and less susceptible to being knocked over.
I also like the idea of them being 'part the terrain'.
(http://i.imgur.com/C3sVr8q.jpg)
HELL NO !!!! you might as well play with unpainted miniatures........enough heresy spoken.