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Published: 2010-09-01 00:54:48 +0000 UTC; Views: 25036; Favourites: 351; Downloads: 215
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Description
Been meaning to revisit this old design ( [link] ) for awhile now. Took major cues from the BTRs, obviously. It's more or less a short BTR with an autocannon. Read on for a canon description for Epiverse:The BTP-1 Skunk is an ASU Armored Personnel Carrier created in the '90s. Introduced as a shorter and more heavily armed alternative to the ASU's BTR-80, it served to bridge the gap between tracked BMP infantry fighting vehicles and the wheeled BTR transport.
It got the nickname "Skunk" for its poor exhaust system; it produced rancid plumes of diesel exhaust. The Skunk still used less fuel than other transports of it's class, but was technically inefficient for engine standards of the day. Analysts would later blame the oil boom of 1992 causing soviet engineers to become more careless about fuel efficiency.
With a smaller, somewhat lower profile, and a much lighter frame sporting only 3 sets of wheels, the Skunk was noticably faster than the BTR. Its small turret fit snugly around its shortened 30mm autocannon, which was coupled with a 7.62mm coaxial machinegun. The gunner sat under the turret in the more well protected hull. Steering with all four front wheels gave it unfamiliar, but maneuverable handling. Standard crew consisted of driver, gunner, and radio operator, with seating for 8 passengers in the rear. Cargo space was lacking, and often had to be compensated for in larger formations by additional support vehicles.
Smoke cannister launchers were integrated into several ports across the hull; this kept them more or less protected from combat damage, but the internal wiring in the Skunk was of lower quality as these vehicles were produced cheaply en masse. This lead to the Skunk becoming somewhat infamous for its electrical problems.
Overall, it did prove cost effective for the ASU, and they became well known throughout the Third War, especially towards the end when a great number of them drove soviet troops onto American soil during the US invasion.
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Comments: 19
KarenRonwood [2015-01-07 20:26:33 +0000 UTC]
Russia called. They want their BTR back.
Serious though, lovely work.
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Pyrosity In reply to KarenRonwood [2015-01-10 00:45:48 +0000 UTC]
Hehe thanks!
I actually did a redesign of this one awhile back that's a little less copy-cat: www.deviantart.com/art/Skunk-A… (gosh these are old now!)
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Pyrosity In reply to zachanscom [2014-07-04 18:34:14 +0000 UTC]
drives really well, what is engine?
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Dragon-Paragon [2013-05-26 15:00:36 +0000 UTC]
It's the details you put into these guys that make them so fun to read about it! Heh, APCs though. I see 30mm cannon (autoloader or not) and just go "Surely you jest". Vital for a mechanized front, yes, as tanks need infantry support but...Tank it ain't xD What's all this Epiverse business I keep hearing about? Other than, rather obviously, a mirror world of your creation involving anthros.
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Pyrosity In reply to Dragon-Paragon [2013-05-30 20:40:57 +0000 UTC]
Epiverse is the old name for what's now known as "Epicho". It's a worldbuilding project which I have been working on for many years. During that time, it has evolved through many many different versions, changing as I learn more about what I want it to eventually become.
The project is both done for its own sake (I love worldbuilding!) and as a world to place my artwork and stories in. Eventually I'd like to produce some sort of more finished media set in this universe; a novella, game, or somesuch.
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Dragon-Paragon In reply to Pyrosity [2013-06-02 13:09:27 +0000 UTC]
So, just how fleshed out is Epicho's history? I can only imagine the modern era receives a lot more love than what came before it. Is there anywhere I can go to read up on its history?
It's a worthy cause, for sure! There aren't enough good worlds out there. Is there any sort of media release you're particularly leaning towards?
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Pyrosity In reply to Dragon-Paragon [2013-06-06 23:33:14 +0000 UTC]
It's hard to say; I have a good idea now of what the world looks like and how I want various aspects of the history of the world to play out, but am ever-always in the process of ironing out more concrete details.
I actually spent a great deal of time working out a historical timeline of important major events for Epicho some months back, and then transcribed most of those into a visual graph. That graph can be seen here: [link]
It's still incomplete, but most of what is shown in this timeline I'm fairly confident will stay for good, or at least won't change much.
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Paintbait [2010-09-03 02:39:02 +0000 UTC]
You can definitely see the Russian wheeled apc heritage.
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Cymae [2010-09-01 20:05:04 +0000 UTC]
Any chance you'd be willing to drop the no derivatives work from your CC licence so others may model off it in 3D?
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Pyrosity In reply to Cymae [2010-09-01 22:30:08 +0000 UTC]
Sure, go for it. I release works under that license because I don't want just every dude who comes along to use my art wherever, but on a case by case basis I usually don't mind allowing something of that nature.
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