Panzer 3 early rear idler

[Gigantohawk]

The PZW3 early rear idler is starting to take shape. The measurements aren't exact as I'm just getting the workflow sorted out at this stage.
Finding decent detail pic's of an early idler isn't as easy as I thought. So I just wondered how you think the dished section of the wheel should be modelled. The part with the oval cut outs. I have the angle ticking upwards a bit and now I'm wondering if that section should be flat to the XY plane. It would make sense if it was flat to the plane making the reinforcing fillets and the wheel easier to produce during WW2.

Cheers,

Nick


download/file.php?mode=view&id=115931&s ... 18db4f992c

[Tiger6]

Hvae you looked here? https://tanks-encyclopedia.com/ww2/nazi ... iii_ausf_e

also about 3 mins in here:

phpBB [video]

[Gigantohawk]

Wow good resources Tiger6, the encyclopedia is great. I looked at the Saumur site but I must have missed the video. It's good to see the idler on the video too.

Cheers,

Nick

[sassgrunt]

I remember that several years ago, there was a discussion that the stock Pz III idler wheel (by all manufacturers) was the wrong diameter. No matter who made it, it measured 43mm in diameter; where it was supposed to be 47mm in diameter. Somebody way back then, somehow enlarged the diameter of a stock idler and it really did make a big visual difference. But, I've never seen the discussion about it come up since then, and it's always made me wonder. If, in your research, you find out what it should be in 1/16 scale, please post it. Thank you.

[Gigantohawk]

Hey sassgrunt, yeah that thread was mine and my friend 971(wright) Pete. We had figured out the dimensions of the idler to make it more scale. It was Pete's idea to use a Tiger 1 road wheel and graft it onto a PZ 3 idler. See the link below it's all in there. It starts out as a Stug 3 re-build thread and then it's all about the idler. Some good pic's though. It was a long time ago, way back in the days of the Credit Crunch and imminent Financial oblivion.
Hope the link works on here, it was originally posted on RCU

https://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/rc-tan ... build.html

[sassgrunt]

Hey Nick, Thank you! for sending the link to your thread! That thread was exactly what I was thinking of (has it really been 16 years ago?) that I had seen. Right after I read it, I wrote to Kenny Kong (through Patrick, who corresponds for him) about them making one in the correct diameter, (since they already make standard and early ones in the wrong size). I figured they'd jump on the idea, since they would be the only game in town for anyone having a Pz or StuG III. But alas; they weren't interested, and I've waited ever since to see if somebody would make a correct one. Thank you again. -Mike

[Gigantohawk]

Hi Mike(sassgrunt). My pleasure with the thread Buddy. I can't believe anybody can still remember it.
16 years tell me about it. Where have the years gone.
I get various development/prototype parts printed at work. Parts that are small and intricate and would cost a small fortune to CNC. I use an outfit based in London, their printing technologies are SLS and MJF. The parts I get back from them are accurate and perfectly formed with a fine sand cast finish on them.
I'm just working on measuring up a metal "late PZ3 idler" and using important dimensions to re-design an "early PZ3 idler" in Fusion 360. When I've finished the design I'll send the STL file off to the printers for a quote. It shouldn't be too expensive LOL.
I'll let you know how I get on.

Cheers,

Nick

[HERMAN BIX]

While you are at it, do a late version Pz IV idler too !!
They are available in 1/35th but not in 16th it seems

[Gigantohawk]

While you are at it, do a late version Pz IV idler too !!
They are available in 1/35th but not in 16th it seems

Yeah good idea, is that the idler with the tubular rims ?

I've made some progress with the Late PZ3 idler. It seems as there are some variations with these. Maybe different foundries having slightly different moulds.

Still making slight changes with this. I have to settle on what looks right, what will SLS print well and what will actually work !!

LatePZ3idler.jpg (283.25 KiB) Viewed 608 times