I have an idea for a mid to late winter start (Jan-Mar)campaign...Improvised Ingenuity, as in military conversions. You can imagine tanks converted into minesweepers, recovery vehicles, bridge layers, bulldozers,fascine carriers, any example of a military vehicle that was "assigned" and re-configured to serve a secondary purpose.
A lot of examples are out there, and the theme might be ripe for scratchbuilt and/or reasonable "what-ifs"...
Any interest? I'm guessing it would run like Feb-July...;-)

WHO IS BUILDING WHAT:

bwiber- Hippo BRV
Tmoon- Bergetiger
barkingdigger- Leopard 1 Shop Tractor
dioman13- Vietnam Gun Truck
Namabiiru- IT-28 Bridgelayer *FINISHED*
iakarch- Bergepanzer Tiger I
d111298pw- Bruckenleger
petbat- Panzer IV Fahrgestell
LinusB- M32B1 TRV
ltb073- Bazooka Jeep
TimReynaga- Grant Recovery *FINISHED*

Hi Clayton: I think this is a great idea. I also think you should eliminate the What-if because otherwise it essentially becomes a what if campaign. Keeping it to actual improvizatons still leaves it wide open. Would you include things like tank track added to a turret for extra armor or do you want it to be a completely different version of something? Perhaps the way to narrow this down would be to pick a certain type of improvization like extra armor.

Cheers!

Chris

Sounds interesting. I am in if its a go.

Sounds cool, am interested in this one. If what-ifs are no-go, and the subject vehicle not being well known (i.e. Berge-xxx, Churchill AVRE, etc) -- then I'd suggest a pic of the converted / improvised vehicle be posted together with the start pic. Though encouraged, one doesn't necessarily have to build it as per pic, as it is more a proof such vehicle conversion existed.

I am encouraged by the early responses! True, the "what-if's" could go nuts...If I read Tat's response right, he suggested a reference pic to verify any severely unusual conversions, How's about that?
And creative armor additions would seem to fit...The guys in the battles sometimes took it upon themselves to alter vehicles to preserve their own lives....

Thanks Clayton. Yes, that is what I wanted to say, just so to prove it's not a what-if. Re-reading my earlier post I now realize the examples I gave were contradictory -- my bad, do strike that off the record your honor! The caffeine fix was a bit slow this morning

I'm always down to build a mine sweeper, you twisted my arm

;)

I might be interested in this. To be clear, the idea is portray a vehicle that has been converted and or completely re-purposed to something other than the role for which it was originally designed, correct? We're not talking about slapping some extra steel plate on the side of a vehicle, right?

I think Tat's suggestion of needing a photo for vehicles that are not already well-known would be pretty essential.

"Portray a vehicle that has been converted and or completely re-purposed to something other than the role for which it was originally designed"

Mark, I think you put more eloquently than I did! And yes,providing some sort of photo reference would have to be part of the build...

This sounds like too much fun to stay out of. I have nothing specific in mind but I'm sure something will present itself . . .

And I would venture to add that prototypes would be accepted, even if they were never pressed into service...

Doing a little research shows a lot of kits that would fit this Campaign, more than I thought...a Bergerpanzer Tiger I, anyone?

I'm game, as long as there is a decently-long time frame! Got tons of conversion ideas I've been meaning to build...

Yes, I think this will be a minimum 6-month long campaign...That's 8, looking for two more and I can submit!

Clayton, I am in. Sounds fun.

Field-conversions or factory-conversions?
If the latter, I'd be willing to join with an IT-1 (T-62 converted to a ATGM dedicated tank destroyer), if that's within the allowed conversions. As it is a technically different role than the T-62 was intended for

So, would a tank with a mine plow/roller attached count? I wouldn't think so since it could be easily detached and go back to being a tank.

This would be perfect campaign for IDF stuff like Achzarit, Nagmashot, Puma, Nakpadon, etc.

I would accept mine rollers, detectors, even if the equipment was "removable", as these fit into the spirit of the Campaign Concept and are hard to fit into other campaigns. Not so much a conversion from "gun" to "bigger gun"...that said, if the reference photos are significantly different from the original object, that would be a plus...we're looking for unusual stuff here!

Sounds like stuff like Hummel, Nashorn, Sturmgeschutz, Hetzer, Marders, Jagdpanzers would count?

Well, I want to keep this different from Tank Hunters, which are often just different turret/gun combinations on previously used chassis...I'm thinking of AFV's that are configured to do other things than just "F", even if just temporarily, if you get me...;-)

So, is that a yes on IT-1? Unable to link a picture right now, but the turret was replaced by a lower profile turret with an autoloader. And then there's the guidance equipment in the hull.
Not exactly 'just' a gun change. Infact the 115mm isnt mounted on it.
But, worst case, I've got a Merkava with a mine roller to build. Despite my original plans to not build said roller.
Edit: looking at the post that happened while typing, I assume that's a no.

That IT-1 is right on the borderline, I'm loving that thing, it's definitely a prototype that failed the test...I would say that it is significantly different from the original tank....I feel a 10 coming in here......

Would this include vehicles converted to civilian use There have been several threads here the last couple years with a plethora of photos of former military tracked and wheeled vehicles being used in construction, fire fighting, farming, logging, etc. I'm not up on how to insert links but if you type in "demilitarized" or "civilian service" in the search box above you're going to get a ton of inspiration!

If I see a tank converted to a logging operation in peacetime, I'll be willing to bet that they were converted in wartime first...;-) If it's got a good photo reference, why not, we're looking for unusual...
P.S. I sent in the formal Proposal, so hang on!