3D printed M3 LEE/GRANT running gear early

[dgsselkirk]

This is the first try with the 3D printed M3 early suspension and 3D printed open spoke wheels. So far so good! At least it didn't blow up on first try! running with a TK40S Clark board metal sprockets and idlers, HL plastic tracks...

Running videos for your entertainment...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XYYaz0 ... BXCF0_gQtE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=td_YrnM ... e=youtu.be

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7o4Bfd ... s_4ZQkynZk

[Max-U52]

Yeah, Baby, that looks groovy.

Those are metal sprockets? From the color I thought they were printed and I was gonna say how nice they came out.

Keeping things plastic will really help keep the cost down, too. I have two Shermans, one metal, one plastic, and I swear sometimes I enjoy the all plastic version better.

So what was the difference between the Grant and the Lee, if any besides what country they were delivered to, and which one did Bogey command in Sahara?

[tankme]

Looks like the track tension is really tight or the front suspension is softer than it should be as the first road wheel seems to be partially compressed all the time. It is a very cool conversion though.

[PainlessWolf]

Good afternoon, Max!
Sahara featured the Lee with the American style 37mm turret. The Grant was the excellent British adaptation with the bigger 37mm turret and additional stowage boxes. Both are amazing vehicles and really showed up at the right time when the Allies in Africa needed a big gun tank. With the Sherman M4 still in design, the Lee and the Grant filled a vital role.
regards,
Painless

[Xiaoshan_Sailor]

Nice! Would you be offering the wheel 3DP print files for sale? Been looking to replace mine with the earlier open version.

[Son of a gun-ner]

Oooh. . . .

So, can we get them with or without road wheels?
What road wheels will fit?
Which fitting do they have to fit to a chassis, will it be just Mato?
Do they have or require coiled compression or Heng Long type torsion springs?

[dgsselkirk]

Looks like the track tension is really tight or the front suspension is softer than it should be as the first road wheel seems to be partially compressed all the time. It is a very cool conversion though.

Plastic tracks very quickly stretch. There are adjustable idlers on it so wanted to get over the stretchy part quick. They will be a little looser on finished product...

[dgsselkirk]

Nice! Would you be offering the wheel 3DP print files for sale? Been looking to replace mine with the earlier open version.

sorry, promise made to designer, will not be sharing files...

[dgsselkirk]

Oooh. . . .

So, can we get them with or without road wheels?
What road wheels will fit?
Which fitting do they have to fit to a chassis, will it be just Mato?
Do they have or require coiled compression or Heng Long type torsion springs?

I won't really be selling these for a while till we get past the proof of concept stage and make sure they stand up reasonably. They are designed for HL tanks only, not Mato. Mato has a whole different set up as well as different size of course.

[dgsselkirk]

Good afternoon, Max!
Sahara featured the Lee with the American style 37mm turret. The Grant was the excellent British adaptation with the bigger 37mm turret and additional stowage boxes. Both are amazing vehicles and really showed up at the right time when the Allies in Africa needed a big gun tank. With the Sherman M4 still in design, the Lee and the Grant filled a vital role.
regards,
Painless

What Painless said.