1/6 1943 Stuart M5

[PainlessWolf]

Carl!
Yes it does, my Friend, yes it does. ;o)
regards,
Painless

[Markocaster]

WOW ! It’s looking great! Super work!


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[sassgrunt]

It's nice to see it sitting on the tracks again! All the hard work you put into modifying the bogies, road wheels, and idlers makes SUCH a difference to every other Stuart you see out there. It really is coming out to be a reference for other builders to use as a guidepost.

[PainlessWolf]

Good morning!
Markocaster, thank you, Sir. Mike! Thank you again, Doc. ;o) A tiny bit of detail work left on the lower ( tow shackles and some rubber plugs for the screw ports in the idler mounts ) then I drop into fitting up the exhaust vents and start ordering all of the electronics.
regards,
Painless

[PainlessWolf]

Speaking of Exhaust Deflectorsfor the Stuart. I've been working with a fellow off of Shapeways ( providing dimensions and examples of what the exhaust covers should look like ) and he built a 3D file for them and is ready to print. Cost is very reasonable considering what building these in metal or styrene would be in terms of time spent. They come without the wire covers since the 1/4 and 1/8 size wire mesh needed is available for a few dollars on EBay. So if you are looking to save a little time on your mid to late war 1/6 Stuart, go check these out.
URL: https://www.shapeways.com/product/MVD59 ... areProduct ...and here is the wire mesh: https://www.ebay.com/p/Estate-AMACO-Wir ... 0005.m1851
regards,
Painless

P.S. Before I forget, John from East Coast Armory is also going to come out here very soon with a set of these Exhaust Deflectors in cast resin ( I believe it is resin ) His work is excellent so there you go guys, Options!

[Max-U52]

Sorry Painless, but if you think that's a reasonable price the only question I have is ... What are you boys smokin' out there in the Rockies, cuz I'd sure like to get some!

Seriously, though, I guess I'll just never understand how people can keep using shapeways. In my humble opinion, they're a bunch of crooks. Their mark-up must be well over 1,000%. I've said it a thousand times and I'll say it again ... There's a difference between making a fair profit and rippin' people off. It actually makes me mad to see great guys like you, Painless, getting gouged that way.

[PainlessWolf]

Good morning Max!
I have used this fellow before for small detail parts for Crazy Joes M36-B1 Build. His work is as clean as 3D printing can get. I know these Deflectors will come out looking grand!. Yeah, 130.00 is a bit ( cost of a Heng Long Tiger ) perhaps but I am factoring in the time spent to build these in 3D. I did this sort of work back around the turn of the Century and it can get pretty grueling. Also, unlike cute figurines and simple toys, the demand for 1/6 scale WWII Mid to Late War Stuart tank Exhaust Deflector sets is going to be plenty small. I guess that I am just happy that someone was willing to put in the time to make something rare as hens teeth available for a build. Same goes for John at ECA. The work required to cast all of the stuff that he does to make his inventory up in resin or metal is brain boggling to me. I may seem ignorant or befuddled at times but the work required and the parts received are worth it to me. ;o) Thumbs up, Doc. Thanks for looking out for me and others here on the Forum. That is always appreciated too.
regards,
Painless

[Max-U52]

All I can say is that one day I'll learn to design my own parts and then we'll have a better option. Of course, just the printing can get frustrating sometimes. Right this minute I'm printing an M47 turret for a friend, and it's really giving me fits.

I love what you're doing with the Stuart, it just pains me that I still can't design stuff to save us all a ton of loot. Shapeways is right up there on my crap list with lawyers and insurance companies! Just wait until I achieve World Domination. The sharks with the laser beams on their heads are gonna have a lot of work to do!!

[Aljones34]

They will make a great addition to the model but at the price they are charging I think I’ll have a go at scratch building at sometime down the road. With the the standard of your build they will look great with a exhaust smoke discharge from them. It would have been idle for a half set only having the lower set.
Great work can’t wait to see the fitted.

[Aljones34]

Morning from the UK, any updates on the Stuart? Not got much further with mine except collecting parts. Decided to model it on a British one 3RTR, 11 Armoured Division.