VK 16.02 Leopard

This section is for builds that are not strictly Tamiya or Heng Long. For instance, replacing the electronics from a WSN or Matorro, or even a scratch-build.
User avatar
Edumardo
Private
Posts: 84
Joined: Sun Feb 28, 2021 9:34 pm
Location: Cartagena, Spain

Re: VK 16.02 Leopard

Post by Edumardo »

Hello friends,

The project is not stopped, but I am late in translating the progress from the Spanish forum. Besides, the acquisition of my 3D printer and other projects have kept me busy :haha:

Lately I've been working on the rear part of the tank: the different access hatches to the engine and the stowage bins. As there are no original plans for this part, I have been mainly based and inspired by the panther/jagdpanther.
First of all, the layout I am looking for, designed in 3d:
rear110.jpg
rear110.jpg (61.52 KiB) Viewed 1442 times
With the corresponding measurements, I built the engine access hatch. To do this, I cut two 1 mm styrene discs and make the 8 octagonal holes, being very careful not to damage the edges. I glue them and bevel the edge. Then I place the 1.8 mm Meng screw heads (from the A large set) in each hole. With a 2.5 mm rod I make the black protrusions, using an electric screwdriver as a lathe to get the recess. Finally, I cut out the smaller hatch that goes on top and use 2.1 mm screw heads to finish it:
rear210.jpg
rear310.jpg
The next step is the two hatches on each side. I print a drawing and cut it in 0.4 mm styrene as a template, both the big and the small one. Now all that's left is to cut it out in 2 mm sheet and complete it with the screws. The template in use:
rear410.jpg
Makin copies:
rear510.jpg
Already glued in place:
rear710.jpg
As for the stowage bins, they are smaller than the original panther ones, but I designed them being as faithful as possible. I 3d printed the basic shape and with 0.4 mm styrene and patience I make the X flanges and try to simulate hinges and latches:
rear810.jpg
rear910.jpg
General appearance:
rear610.jpg
:wave:
User avatar
Herr Dr. Professor
Lieutenant
Posts: 3456
Joined: Mon Apr 22, 2019 10:48 pm
Location: Southern Wisconsin USA

Re: VK 16.02 Leopard

Post by Herr Dr. Professor »

Thank you for the update on your unique Leopard project. "Besides, the acquisition of my 3D printer and other projects have kept me busy." Great! You certainly will be able to make excellent use of the 3D printer.
User avatar
Edumardo
Private
Posts: 84
Joined: Sun Feb 28, 2021 9:34 pm
Location: Cartagena, Spain

Re: VK 16.02 Leopard

Post by Edumardo »

Hi!

I have designed some early panther exhausts and 3D printed them. With Meng's nuts and bolts set of the appropriate scale I give them the final touch:
img_2062.jpg
img_2064.jpg
I have also taken the first steps with the sides of the hull, where the upper hull will rest. As the bed size of my printer is only 180x180, I had to do it in two pieces:
img_2063.jpg
img_2065.jpg
2022-010.jpg
2022-010.jpg (67.32 KiB) Viewed 1396 times
Regards :wave:
User avatar
Edumardo
Private
Posts: 84
Joined: Sun Feb 28, 2021 9:34 pm
Location: Cartagena, Spain

Re: VK 16.02 Leopard

Post by Edumardo »

Hi,

I already have upper hull 8) . I printed again in PETG and I used a PEI sheet to to achieve this rough aspect in all the visible faces:
img_2067.jpg
Detail of the interlocking of the armor plates, as they are individually designed and printed, it is not necessary to simulate the joint:
img_2068.jpg
The driver and radio operator hatches are made with 2mm styrenne and brass wire for the handle. The periscope guards are printed in resin:
img_2069.jpg
The armor intake guards were very wide, therefore I designed boxes to avoid it (I painted before gluing them):
img_2070.jpg
img_2071.jpg
As you can see, I had the same problem with the fan holes. I had a couple of 3010 fans and I couldn't resit to fit them look as real as possible. The best part is they are functional and maybe I will power on :haha: :
img_2072.jpg
I have also made progress in the rear deck with different details. It is a pity that the photos do not show the detail obtained with resin printing!. Functional engine hatch hinges, armor casting for fans, fuel filler cap, coolant filler cap and antenna base:
img_2073.jpg
Like all previous parts, they are designed in 3D and will be available to everyone in the near future:
2022-011.jpg
2022-011.jpg (77.86 KiB) Viewed 1362 times
2022-012.jpg
:wave:
User avatar
HERMAN BIX
Brigadier
Posts: 10234
Joined: Sun Jan 12, 2014 12:15 am
Location: Gold Coast,Australia

Re: VK 16.02 Leopard

Post by HERMAN BIX »

Just loving the progress on this and the innovation
HL JAGDPANTHER,HL TIGER 1,HL PzIII MUNITIONSCHLEPPER, HL KT OCTOPUS,HL PANTHER ZU-FUSS,HL STuG III,HL T34/85 BEDSPRING,
HL PZIV MALTA,MATORRO JAGDTIGER,HL F05 TIGER,TAMIYA KT,HL PANTHERDOZER,HL EARLY PANTHER G,TAIGEN/RAMINATOR T34/76,
HL AN-BRI-RAM SU-85
User avatar
c.rainford73
Major
Posts: 6104
Joined: Thu Aug 25, 2016 7:34 pm
Location: Connecticut USA

Re: VK 16.02 Leopard

Post by c.rainford73 »

The build is fantastic, love the combination of plasticard and 3D printing. The additional fans are such a great idea!

Sent from my moto g stylus 5G using Tapatalk
Tanks alot.... :wave:
User avatar
Kaczor
Warrant Officer 1st Class
Posts: 1756
Joined: Fri May 18, 2018 9:58 am
Location: Ciechanow, Poland
Contact:

Re: VK 16.02 Leopard

Post by Kaczor »

Using working cooling fans is genius ;)
User avatar
Edumardo
Private
Posts: 84
Joined: Sun Feb 28, 2021 9:34 pm
Location: Cartagena, Spain

Re: VK 16.02 Leopard

Post by Edumardo »

thanks guys! :{ they really aren't very visible, but these little details charm me
User avatar
Edumardo
Private
Posts: 84
Joined: Sun Feb 28, 2021 9:34 pm
Location: Cartagena, Spain

Re: VK 16.02 Leopard

Post by Edumardo »

Hi again friends ;)

From the beginning of the design it was clear to me that I wanted to use neodymium magnets to hold hull and upper together. It seems to me a practical solution and much less cumbersome than screws. In addition, as I also knew that I was going to assemble and disassemble the tank a few dozen times, this system would come in handy.
After trying several distributions I opted for 5 points: 2 at the back, 2 at 1/3 from the front, and 1 on the glacis. I only had at home 4 magnets of 5mmx2mm and 2 of 4mmx3mm, and that's what I used. In the 3D design all have the same hole.
In yellow the magnet points:
magnet hull.jpg
magnet hull.jpg (88.71 KiB) Viewed 1288 times
magnet upper.jpg
magnet upper.jpg (89.6 KiB) Viewed 1288 times
img_2074.jpg
img_2075.jpg
After so much assembling and disassembling the wheels, the obvious has happened and one of the arm supports has broken (it was printed in PLA). After replacing it with another one printed in PETG I have drawn two conclusions:
  • I had a hard time removing the broken one from its place. I like this because it means that my plan of gluing it all together (revell contacta) is working for now.
  • I have printed the replacement as it is mounted, vertically, instead of lying down. This makes the piece firmer as the layer arrangement is no longer prone to separation.
img_2076.jpg
I also glued both mudguards:
img_2078.jpg
img_2079.jpg
And why not, more photos:
img_2081.jpg
img_2082.jpg
img_2080.jpg
:wave: :wave: :wave:
User avatar
HERMAN BIX
Brigadier
Posts: 10234
Joined: Sun Jan 12, 2014 12:15 am
Location: Gold Coast,Australia

Re: VK 16.02 Leopard

Post by HERMAN BIX »

Damn thats nice ;)
HL JAGDPANTHER,HL TIGER 1,HL PzIII MUNITIONSCHLEPPER, HL KT OCTOPUS,HL PANTHER ZU-FUSS,HL STuG III,HL T34/85 BEDSPRING,
HL PZIV MALTA,MATORRO JAGDTIGER,HL F05 TIGER,TAMIYA KT,HL PANTHERDOZER,HL EARLY PANTHER G,TAIGEN/RAMINATOR T34/76,
HL AN-BRI-RAM SU-85
Post Reply

Return to “Other Builds”