After serious deliberations with myself I decided to take the plunge and try my hand at becoming a merchant at Renderosity. First items I will provide are very detailed military firearms (I think I'm good at it). But, as I'm only allowed to come up with three packages at the beginning I would like to have your opinion on the matter of choice. I was thinking of putting together two packages with WWII small arms, grouped by manufacturing nation (i.e. from USA: Garand, US Carbine M1-M2, Thompson, M3A1, Colt 1911A... from Germany: Mouser 98K, MP44, MP40, Luger parabellum, Walther P38 etc) and one with modern ones, also grouped by manufacturing country (Belgium, France, England, USA, Israel, Russia etc). What are your thoughts? Would you prefer two packages of modern weapons instead? What weapons would you like to see? I'm open to any suggestion. :)

Hmm..actually, take it from another angle; look for the sites for Questor, Maskdamask (Mascara del Poser), freebies here, etc., and see what's already been done. There are some really detailed units out there already, the best course of action would be to 'fill in' models that haven't already been done. I think there's already a 45, M16, AK47 (actually more like 47 of them), most of the Civil War's guns (Questor), a whole host of sci-fi weaponry (in one week we managed to do 3 different version of one raygun..;) there could be a call for mausers, FN-fal's, etc. Just see what's around first, and find the need and fill it..can't be too many versions of weapons out there..;)

I think that, on the whole, the provision for modern guns is ample. My own bias is towards British weapons, but it might be worth thinking about something which would support as wide a use as possible. 9mm Browning Hi-Power -- used by both British and German troops in WW2, and replacing revolvers in post-war British service. MP18 and Lanchester -- early German machine pistol, the Lanchester was a copy manufactured in Britain and used by the Royal Navy. A similar, if not identical, design was used by Italy. I can never recall the names, but how about that Russian sub-machinegun with the drum magazine. PPSh? The FN FAL -- one of the standard 7.62mm rifles of the post-WW2 era, used all over the world. You haven't mentioned machineguns, but the German MG42, in improved form (details such as ammunition feed, and a change to 7.62mm NATO) is still in German service. Also, if you do the Bren gun, remember the later reworking to fire 7.62mm -- obvious differences are the magazine and muzzle. And the Lewis gun. Which was carried by an Imperial Stormtrooper of Mos Eisley in the original Star Wars movie.

Hmmm... maybe I should think of a mixed WWII collection plus a modern one for starters. Antonia, the 9mm Browning is an old favorite of mine and so is the FN FAL --both will be included. The MP18 was a clumsy WWI model and didn't make it to the WWII, the British Lanchester Mark I was much better, so maybe I would include it. As for the PPSh there already exists a magnificent model (in the 3D free stuff here) and I see no point repeating it. I shall leave the machineguns alone for the time being for they involve a great deal of hassle in design and accessories --I'd like to see first how this project evolves. Thank you both for your feedback --any more suggestions are always welcome. :)

I think there's already a 45, M16, AK47 (actually more like 47 of them) I haven't seen a single M16. I see some M4s called M16, but not any M16s. DAZ has the M16 that i have seen. I'm not impressed by it, but its there. this is an M16 http://www.colt.com/mil/M16.asp this is an M4 http://www.colt.com/mil/M4.asp

I vote for more British gear as well. How about a .303 SMLE..or ( drool!) a complete Vickers heavy machine gun with it's tripod and ammo, etc ?

While there are many AK47's for Poser, I have not found one with a decent working folding stock, or with the very destinctive bayonet.

The weapon used by Israel, South Africa, Argentina, Finland, etc, is not available anywhere, in any format that I can find. It was designed by Israel Galili, and bears his name, called the Galil, or the R4 in South Africa, picture attached.

I think most of the ones you mentioned have been covered. I would agree that the Japanese types are scarce, Nambu, Arisaka etc. They may be more difficult to make but I think the MGs would really fill a need, Browning .50 cal., the old U.S. water cooled model with the barrel jacket, etc. You might also look at what uniforms and other equipment are available and plan accordingly.

I think the problem is sometimes that there is a misleading name attached. For instance, I'm sure I've seen a Galil package in the Marketplace, but it's centred on, and named for, the sniper version. There were sniper versions of many of the standard WW2 bolt-action rifles. Movies such as "Saving Private Ryan" and "Enemy At The Gates" show examples, while the British Army used their WW2 model, re-worked to 7.62mm, well in to the Eighties. I don't know if the scope changed.

Nope, the Galil is a 5.62mm assault rifle, the calibre isn't big enough for a sniper rifle. The barrel is too short, the ammunition too light and the housing on top can take a night sight, but not a scope. The Crowfoot stuff is nice for background props, but I usually make animations, so I like to make all the parts move, have people loading and clearing jams, etc, and the Crowfoot stuff isn't quite up to close up render standard. It is a really nice collection though.

Just as a FYI on the standard rifle model. There are three basic configurations of the Galil, all available in calibers 5.56mm NATO or 7.62mm NATO: The ARM is equipped with a bipod, wooden handguard and carrying handle. It is intended for use as an assault rifle and squad automatic weapon. The AR is equipped with a high-impact-plastic handguard without a bipod or carrying handle. The barrel length of both, in caliber 5.56mm NATO, is 18.5 inches with the flash suppressor (and 21.0 inches for the 7.62mm NATO models). Both are available in semiauto-only and selective-fire versions. The SAR is a short-barreled version of the AR model. It has a barrel length of only 13.5 inches in 5.56mm (15.8 inches in the 7.62mm version) and, as a consequence, is available in the United States as a selective-fire weapon only. Its gas tube and piston are 1 1/8 inches shorter than the other models. The 5.56mm NATO Galils all have six-groove barrels with a right-hand 1:12-inch twist for the M193 ball projectile. All three are normally issued with a folding stock, although a wooden buttstock is an available option.

Image shows the sniper configuration available in 7.62 (edited to add) You can find out a bit more about the Galil at IMI http://www.imi-israel.com/ and specifically the Galil here... http://www.imi-israel.com/imi/doa_iis.dll/Serve/item/English/1.1.2.12.2.2.html You'll note the first image in the rack is the sniper version. :)

Message edited on: 11/02/2004 03:07

I spent 2 years in the South African special forces, where the rifle was called a R4, also available as a R5 and R6 version. The South African military only used a 5.56 mm version, which explains why I thought it wasn't available in other calibres. The snipers rifle I was issued with was a modified Belgian FN 7.62mm. The South African version of the Galil was very different, as in the picture above that I pasted. It came standard with a folding bipod, which doubled as a wire cutter, had a folding aluminium stock, had some of the internal parts in aluminium, where they where apparently steel in the other country's versions. It was an amazing rifle, could fire underwater, was virtually indestructible, and very light. I did a weapons course and qualified with 22 infantry weapons, but that was twenty years ago, so my knowledge is very rusty.

One thing I don't think I've seen is shotguns. And yes, they were used in WWII and Vietnam. You have trap, side-by-sides, over/unders, pumps, auto and combat. For Western work the old 'Greener' would be useful.

I have a fairly nice Remington pump action I found somewhere. I think it's in 3ds. I'd have to saw the barrel of to make a good trench gun.

I was under the impression that(since WW1) shotguns were banned as weapons of war under the Geneva Convention ? Of course .. that only applies if it is a 'declared WAR'..they are legal in "Police Actions". Maybe some-one more knowledgeable on this can comment? It's all a bit ridiculous..a shotgun is classed as 'inhumane'..whereas as a flame thrower is permissable ??

Cool, thanks!! I hear stagecoaches LOL

Attached Link: http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0IBW/is_1_3/ai_103384455

Bla Armory has a collection of weaponry in the marketplace and another one has grenades and rocket launchers.

Shotguns were not outlawed by any international law, only objected to by those on the recieveing end. I would like to see a MORTAR, poseable GATLING GUN and a MAXIM or BROWNING or a VICKERS water-cooled HeavyMachineGun. Why do designers of the electric Minigun NEVER make one on a MOUNT with spade grips like it should be?

Gimme a howitzer any day.... :D