Sitemap

The FIRST

4 min readJul 28, 2022

--

Press enter or click to view image in full size

Its a strange title, even an incorrect one because the Briggin was neither the first tank, nor my first commission, not even the first 3d printed mini, but it was the first commission that did count.

In July 2019, I stumbled over a request where a guy I never heard anything about before, asked for help with his tabletopgame. Looking for modellers to design vehicles, mechas and infantry.
Well full as I was of my self, I said yes: “Here, I’m up to the task, a tank is not an issue — “Ok I want a hover with two turrets” — s**t
Well, we talked a while, I signed an agreement, with a month of time. I didn’t do a hover before. And two turrets what madness is this?

Get Karl Streiger’s stories in your inbox

Join Medium for free to get updates from this writer.

Well for two of those 4 weeks I struggled to get anything clear — here are some of those shots — i guess you can feel my despair

Press enter or click to view image in full size
the first -> door between the drive units
Press enter or click to view image in full size
4th attempt
5th concept

Now those are three out of 5 iterations — and I guess the 5th was ok. So I started to work on this 5th concept

The Briggin is finished

Press enter or click to view image in full size
The Big Brig — 1st finished version

I think I still missed the “deadline” by some days. But I guess it would have not been me if I would have left it at this.
Instead, I just asked for some more time and started to refine it (in hindsight that laser turret was before its time — I really need to do it again)

Press enter or click to view image in full size
Render Briggin 2nd version

After some more time the Briggin as we know it was finished. I think for one year in blender it was an adequate result (even when the lightning on this render was off)
But the Briggin became the “tank” of the Union of Stars and his features are to be found in several artworks — and that's the special thing about the Briggin. Its one thing for you to finish some work and be proud of yourself, its even better in case you made a mini, when people like what they are painting, but it's exceptional when other artists use your doing and draw something.

Press enter or click to view image in full size
On the Hunt

The Aftermath

Rick is a very nice person and in earnest, he said look you have done two for the price of one, maybe we could use the first Big Briggin as something else.
Sure why not.
But those that know me would know what happened and those that don’t know me — well of course I completely rejected the Big Briggin and made the second hover based on the 4th attempt

The Vanquisher

I guess the description of the Vanquisher is the wet dream of every tanker — fast, highly mobile, solid armored and armed to the teeth even space ships would fear its might. Featuring a Rail Gun that was able to kill dropship in orbit or during re-entry. Also armed with 4 small caliber guns to fight slaughter infantry and a missile launcher to take out heavier units

Press enter or click to view image in full size
The Vanquisher

And do you think that's the end of the story?
No of course not…. because I had some issues with the Vanquisher from the look and Rick from how overpowered it was we reduced it a little bit. Better looking but still a menace the:

Press enter or click to view image in full size
Vanquisher MK II

That's the end of the story — yes?

NO, but why?
Well, while I don’t own a printer I love to paint minis but when I start to paint one I also want it to be done as fast as possible. And the Briggin with all its details was hard to paint. So I thought it would be better to have bigger details, sharper ridges, and deeper valleys for better results after washing.
With some other minimal facelifts and a sturdier structure for a better experience while gaming with it: we decided to make an MK II:

Press enter or click to view image in full size
Briggin MK II

Now that's the end… for now.

--

--

Karl Streiger
Karl Streiger

Written by Karl Streiger

IT-developer by profession; writer by recreation and 3d-artist by passion