What scratch built large scale tank to build?

Vertigo · Post by **Vertigo** » Mon Jan 25, 2021 6:46 pm

Im tempted to build something large scale. 1/8, 1/10, 1/12.
Scratch built without major metal work.
Ive some thing in mind but thought i would see what you guys suggest. I do have a 3D printer but that shouldn't be a govening factor in what to build.
So suggestions please with some justification. Remember this is large and scratch built so there are practical considerations. Please don't just suggest your favorite tank.
Its not just the tank that im interested in but the reasons, as you may have considered something i haven't.
The simpler it is the easier to build and the easier for any of you to build.

Post by **Kaczor** » Mon Jan 25, 2021 6:54 pm

For big scale I would choose 1:10 as it's easy to convert dimensions form real thing

Or 1/6 because of lots of figures and such.
What is your experience with scratch building?

Post by **HERMAN BIX** » Tue Jan 26, 2021 5:57 am

I would look around at other parts that might be required, tracks, gearboxes etc, then decide on the scale based on that availability.

Vertigo · Post by **Vertigo** » Thu Jan 28, 2021 2:40 pm

I thought you guys would dive in with a whole load of ideas.
So heres some practical thoughts:-
Not a Tiger road wheel arangement = to many wheels.
Must not have a long barrel. This is a big tank so it will stick out and get damaged. They also look bad when the vibrate due to the terrain and without a stabaliser can easily dig in on rough ground.
Theres some great modelers on here but im lazy and don't want to spend years building this thing. So im thinking about a simple base and adding dress up details as an overlay.

jarndice · Post by **jarndice** » Thu Jan 28, 2021 3:04 pm

This is most certainly not my favourite Tank but with it's short barrel and primarily square and flat panels what about a Stug111/4 ?

Post by **Son of a gun-ner** » Thu Jan 28, 2021 3:09 pm

A 1/6th M4 Sherman 75 with VVSS.
Only 12 wheels, unless you add a couple more for stowage.
Short barrel, that doesn't overhang front or rear..
Simple upper hull construction.
I suggested 1/6th as there are tracks etc out there on the market.
And as it was a medium tank, it won't be overly huge.

Post by **Kaczor** » Thu Jan 28, 2021 3:12 pm

Vertigo wrote: im lazy and don't want to spend years building this thing.

I don't want to be mean but If you are lazy don't bother with scratch building. It's lots of time consuming, tedious work. And bigger the model, more time, money and effort it gets to finish.

Buy 1/6 Sherman kit from Dragon and convert it to RC.

Vertigo · Post by **Vertigo** » Thu Jan 28, 2021 4:44 pm

On the scale front:-
I did consider 1/6th but the bigger you go the more structure and weight you put in. Looking online 1/6th seems to be hard to lift/carry. Also a big tank is really big. The modern tanks tend to be longer than the WW2 era so scaled up thats a bigger issue. Hence its a which tank to build question. I personaly don't think i would do a 1/6th. Im thinking of 1/10th but you always want more.
I did look at the Dragon kit but concidered that asits only thin plastic, by the time i had rebuilt it to be functional i would have thrown most of it away.
But thanks for the input.

midlife306 · Post by **midlife306** » Thu Jan 28, 2021 9:36 pm

Do you have a budget in mind??

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MITCH · Post by **MITCH** » Thu Jan 28, 2021 9:56 pm

A scratch build is the result of personal choices. You need a look that you like, if there are complicated parts to make yourself, it is better that they exist on the market, for the rest, with 3D printing, anything is possible. On the other hand, I agree with Kaczor, it is better to have a minimum of patience and tenacity to get started in the scratch build... but it's pleasant!

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