"Montblack" wrote in message
...
("Dave Lyon" wrote)
Really? Don't tease me, I'm an easy target. It's like making fun of
Jerry's kids (Lewis, not Springer) , it just really should be done.

Anybody know where I can get some camo neoprene for cheap?


Unless I missed it, can you give us some more details on this project?
Some
history. Some past failures of prototypes. g

Possible size?
Number of people inside?

Weapons against it (mass, speed, penetrating power, rate-of-fire, etc?)

Budget?

Mission?
Special functions to incorporate into unit?

Tanks... :-)


Montblack-ops


How much history?

.....In the beginning.......

I've been into paintball for a few years. Probably as long as some of you
have been trying to get your planes built.
About 3 years ago, I built a tank for use at a big paintball event that
takes place each year in OK. They call it D-day, and try to get it as close
to June 6th as they can. The last time I went, there were over 3000 players,
and probably around 12 tanks. Most people make their tanks from 4 wheel
drive trucks. I decided that was too easy, so I pieced mine together from
scratch using plywood for the outside. There is a 5 mph speed limit for
tanks so kids don't get run over, so I used mostly lawn mower parts. It
sported a 3" main gun that would shoot 90 paintballs at a time like a shot
gun. Those cannot be used against people, only other tanks. At d-day, the
put a small box on the outside of the tank that hides a switch. There is a
1" hole in the box. If you can shoot a paintball inside the box, and hit the
switch, it disconnects the coil wire, and the tank is dead. The job is much
harder than you might think, cause while you're trying to hit that little
target, there are at least 2 guys inside the tank blasting away at you!.
Also, you can take out a tank with a "bazooka". Most of them are homemade
kinda like a potato launcher. They usually have a 2" pvc barrel, and shoot
miniature nerf footballs at 220 fps. Or, paintballs are allowed to be shot
at 300 fps.

I sold my old tank, and decided to build one that looks more realistic. I
started it over a year ago, but got busy on other stuff, so it just sat in
storage for quite a while The new one is modeled after a m1117 guardian, and
will look quite a bit like it. It will be about 14 feet long, and have a
crew of 3 people. A driver, a main gunner, and a crewman. My new tank will
serve a dual role. I have purchased some high end M.I.L.E.S. type gear, and
have been hosting birthday parties for people. The first turret I put on
there will be equipped with similar gear to replicate a 50 cal, and
automatic grenade launcher. I will use it as a promotional item in parades
and such, and also rent it out for private parties. I figure when I'm done
with the first one, I can build a new turret for paintball use, and hit some
of those big events too.

I've done a few more experimental lay ups. I've found that 2 layers of 10 oz
cloth is very strong. It may do the trick. I hit my small sample from 10
feet away with about 30 shots. It delaminated when it hit near the edges,
but not in the middle of the part. Since the tank won't actually have any
"edges", I think it may be ok. I think I'm going to finish the tank with 2
layers (3 if I have enough extra). Then I'll take a few shots in an easy to
repair area and see what happens. Besides, the actual tank doesn't have any
flat areas, everything is at an angle to deflect incoming shots hopefully
that helps some too.