Civilian Vehicle Product Line

[pdxs3t]

Would be pretty cool if GHQ started a new civilian vehicle product line, that paralleled the military models. Releasing the models in May, July, September, November, January, and March. With 8 to 10 vehicles per release month. With the 3D printing capability that is currently available, It could now meet GHQ’s standard of quality. And bring to market models that have been requested for years. It’s wishful thinking but hey, never know, could happen.

[MechCommander]

thats an awesome idea, as I know some civilian vehicles I would like to have in micro armor scale, heres a list to start off.

1998 Jeep Grande Cherokee
1979 GMC Serria Classic (w/Camper).
The Terra Bus
Snowmobiles (Various Manufactures)
Personal Watercraft (Various Manufactures)
Tanker Trucks

[whoa Mohamed]

The reason its so hard for ghq to make civilian stuff is the dang car companies will sue for IP rights violations or demand a percentage of all sales. Ghq is dwarfed by car companies and can't afford to fight that kind of BS.

[Hoth_902]

whoa Mohamed,

If that is true, which I have no doubt you are correct, how do they get around companies like Boeing and General Dynamics. I see tons of toys out there, which are Boeing replicas, and they all say licensed by Boeing.. So they would have the same issue with all the vehicles they produce, would they not?

Just curious


** Editorial note.. I goofed with the "its not" and changed it to "you are correct".. Full disclosure.

[PolishGI]

True.

Even if licensing were not an issue (assume it will/could be), how profitable would this line be? I imagine GHQ have considered it and which era? WWII? Modern? Middle East?

You could produce some generic pick up trucks and vans and/or station wagons... but how many units would sell given the cost of the initial modeling, mold creation, having the models made, removing the vehicles from the mold and preparing the vehicles post pouring, packaging them and then hoping they will sell. Do we know if GHQ pours their own metal? Is it outsourced?

Intriguing idea though for sure...

[madman]

I think it would be nice to see a whole "civilian range" of figures.

WWII
typical autos
1910s to 1920s
1930s to 1940s
NWE civilians
Eastern Front civilians
refugees with horse or person drawn wagons

"Cold War"
European autos
1950s (beatles, topolionos, trabants, minis, etc.)
1980s (BMWs, Porsches, Fiats, Hondas, Golfs)
2000s (new minis, sleeker BMWs, Hondas, etc.)
High Value transports (think large SUVs with the men in black)
Semi trucks and trailers

You could make the autos generic, except of course the Beatles. A mix of 6 to 10 different vehicles per pack.

[whoa Mohamed]

Don't burn me at the stake I was just saying why I thought they have resisted making more civilian vehicles.

[Hoth_902]

whoa Mohamed,

I hope my comments did not come off as an attack.. I was just throwing out an idea. I sometimes write things and then wonder if people might have taken things the wrong way.. Sorry if it did in this case.

[panzergator]

I see only a very limited utility as scenery for civilian vehicle in the warfare environment. Maybe some diplomatic or car bomb use, maybe obstacles. Distracts from the military vehicle manufacturing effort.

[MechCommander]

Unless the Civilian vehicles where turned into improvised combat vehicles then it could work like the Toyota Technical. or certain military's who patrol the arctic do make use of Snowmobiles.

[Bruce Morris]

I see only a very limited utility as scenery for civilian vehicle in the warfare environment. Maybe some diplomatic or car bomb use, maybe obstacles. Distracts from the military vehicle manufacturing effort.

I have agree with Panzergator. He hit the nail right on the head!

[madman]

I see them very useful as stage dressing, obstacles (similar to civilian figures) and objectives (defend/eliminate the leader in the X vehicle). In the '50s to '70s the Generalissimo would be located in a block long Cadillac, the '70s to '90s a block long Mercedes, and in the '90s to today a block long SUV.

Also there are a lot of guys playing 6mm RPGs or solo gaming with individually based figures doing special ops type games. I see potentially lots of possible uses. Compare with the various versions of trailers or "office body" trucks and recovery vehicles. My understanding is most recovery efforts are post battle, while avoiding civilian casualties or involvement is during a battle. Also how often does your off-board artillery get attacked in a game? Convoys or headquarters OK but artillery batteries?

See a need fill a need.

[StarCruiser]

Might be an opportunity for GHQ to try out a bit o' modern technology on this...

They have a fairly broad range of HO and N Scale vehicles already. Obviously, most are US prototype but still...

3D laser scanning has gotten to a point where it's very precise and actually quite cheap - even if you buy your own equipment. They could scan the existing masters (or castings) and then rescale them in a 3D software package.

Take the resulting files to an outfit like Shapeways and have a very high quality master 3D printed. Might have to make a few alterations (as well as cleaning etc) before using it to make a tool but still..?

[panzergator]

I just don't anticipate looking down at my divisional motor book and seeing a reconnaissance battalion.equipped with Volkswagen Beetles.

[whoa Mohamed]

As a combat veteran I can assure you the battle field is strewn with civilian vehicles. In game turns they provide a source to break LOS and present the problem of movement when confronting refugees. There are many good reasons for civilian vehicles on the table top for instance try having a vehicle checkpoint with no vehicles to check. The battlefield is truly filled with civilians and all that comes with them.