M4A3 Sherman to M4A1(76)W HVSS

[RiskyR]

Well I've been trying different stuff lately, including designing a complete 3D printed M4A1 Sherman.
Even though that was my first goal, it seems that there's more interest in parts to modify the Heng Long Sherman, as it's a pretty good starting point to build something different.

With that in mind I modified my design somewhat and the results can be seen here.
I started with a normal out-of-the-box M4A3 Sherman, no professional edition, metal tracks or other things. Just the basic plastic one without electronics.
Now it's fitted with a fully functioning HVSS suspension system. Each bogie has dual springs and all the wheels are fitted with bearings. The rear idler is still not adjustable (yet), but this is something I'm working on. The complete suspension system can be fitted on an unmodified lower hull, with only the need to drill some holes for installation of the components. I've made it like this to create an easy conversion.

The tracks are Heng Long Pershing items.

The turret is my own design as well and adapted to fit the HL upper hull.
At the moment it's still an M4A3 upper hull, but this will be replaced with a cast M4A1 hull.

20221010_182824_1280x960.jpg (261.07 KiB) Viewed 2286 times

20221010_215242_1280x960.jpg (265.56 KiB) Viewed 2286 times

20221011_194108_1280x960.jpg (303.8 KiB) Viewed 2286 times

20221011_194112_1280x960.jpg (286.47 KiB) Viewed 2286 times

20221011_194116_1280x960.jpg (294.14 KiB) Viewed 2286 times

20221011_194126_1280x960.jpg (289.07 KiB) Viewed 2286 times

20221011_194135_1280x960.jpg (210.81 KiB) Viewed 2286 times

[Tiger6]

Nice!

[c.rainford73]

Very nice job, looks great!

[Kaczor]

Will you be selling bogies .stl files somewhere?

[RiskyR]

Nice!

Very nice job, looks great!

Thanks!

Will you be selling bogies .stl files somewhere?

I think I will, but I want to test some more to check how durable the design is. At the moment it has only done some 15min of running over flat ground and through long wet grass. It seems to hold up well, but want to see how it behaves in sand and mud etc.

[Son of a gun-ner]

This is really good

Small hatches or not small hatches, that is the question

Only kidding, I'm not sure if there were many small hatched A1's converted to E8's, I just like the idea of a small hatch cast being available

[RiskyR]

This is really good

Small hatches or not small hatches, that is the question

Only kidding, I'm not sure if there were many small hatched A1's converted to E8's, I just like the idea of a small hatch cast being available

Well there is something I'm working on

M4A1 75mm v45.png (301.49 KiB) Viewed 2239 times

[Son of a gun-ner]

Oh wow, that's excellent

Next you'll be exciting me with a small hatch composite. . . .

[tomhugill]

This is really good

Small hatches or not small hatches, that is the question

Only kidding, I'm not sure if there were many small hatched A1's converted to E8's, I just like the idea of a small hatch cast being available

There were definitely small hatch cast m50s

[Herr Dr. Professor]

Risky, do I see a small hatch, cast hull Sherman with a cast turret? Woo Hoo! Are you doing that 3D, too?