RC Tank Warfare community hobby forum

Hi All,

The plywood sheets have turned up from the laser cutters, nice job as ever. Only issue is the ply was bent and I have had to leave it to flatten back out. Well I say leave it... actually I left two sheets to flatten as I couldn't resist making a sponson up.

There was as I expected a few faults. Bound to happen with all the redesigns and all the hassle I had getting my ancient TurboCad to produce DXF files without moving parts randomly around. The main thing is it went together, even with bendy ply parts.
Even my little 5mm gaps in the cut lines worked and all the parts stayed put in the sheet. A quick cut with a stanley both sides of the ply and the parts were free.

The bendy roof and floor are a bit annoying, but should be better on the next one I did let flatten out. Once metal is added to the sponsons the roof and floor should be fine.

Now I have a sponson in my hand I can work out how how to hold them in place. Thinking maybe four spring loaded toggle latches at the moment.

Helen x

Not added to this for a bit. Things are progressing as and when the time allows, looking a bit different now with a full skin of metal on the model. Still loads more to do though.
Helen x
Hi All,

Little update, just started adding the metal panels to the sponsons and with luck get time to do a little work on the gears this week.

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Good Evening,
A work of art. It's really amazing.
regards,
Painless Wolf

When I first viewed this build I doubted using such material as ply would give the requisite rigidity, there are times in ones life when it is good to be wrong. I am sure you have studied the original photographs of the various stages of build of the prototype in the factory and the similarity to your stage in the build is remarkable. I am enjoying this lots. shaun

Thanks Guys x

Shaun, I will be honest with you and admit I wasn't sure if the ply was going to be thick enough myself.
Basically I took a risk that the aluminium skin would stiffen it all up. Then the stiffening strip that runs around the edge of the real tank would do the trick for the model.
The accuracy of the laser cutting is a big part in this model coming together so well, the rest was lots, and lots of trial and error on the CAD program.

The way the real tanks go together pretty much design the model for you. I did though get carried away with authenticity at one point, until a word from one of the guys on Landships reminded me it had to work as a model.

I'm out with the model boat guys at Eastney Pumping Station this weekend so will try and get some up to date photos.

Helen x

Oh Helen how I smiled when you spoke of authenticity, It has to be one of the hardest decisions in a build, Do I make this Tank absolutely as prototype or as a practical working example? It is not so tough when building 1/16 for you can make a rivet counters dream for the shelf and a working model, but larger scale really does not give you that choice, making the point where you stop the embellishment that much harder. And we do this for fun!!!!! Keep going, a lot of people are looking foreward to the finished build, ps Try not to do too good a job other wise some of us might lose heart. shaun

Hi All,
Just a quick update set of pics.
Helen x

I really like that "RAW" metal look...

Nice work... what kind of machines are you using to do the dovetailing cutting and drilling ?

I saw a similar build on YOUTUBE...in 1/16 scale....it was just as impressive... but his drillings weren't as precise

ALPHA

MK1 Nut wrote:Hi All,

The plywood sheets have turned up from the laser cutters, nice job as ever. Only issue is the ply was bent and I have had to leave it to flatten back out. Well I say leave it... actually I left two sheets to flatten as I couldn't resist making a sponson up.

There was as I expected a few faults. Bound to happen with all the redesigns and all the hassle I had getting my ancient TurboCad to produce DXF files without moving parts randomly around. The main thing is it went together, even with bendy ply parts.
Even my little 5mm gaps in the cut lines worked and all the parts stayed put in the sheet. A quick cut with a stanley both sides of the ply and the parts were free.

The bendy roof and floor are a bit annoying, but should be better on the next one I did let flatten out. Once metal is added to the sponsons the roof and floor should be fine.

Now I have a sponson in my hand I can work out how how to hold them in place. Thinking maybe four spring loaded toggle latches at the moment.

Helen x

Apologies... I didn't see this post till now...I have the answer to my previous post.....have you heard of 3D printing...once you finish this prototype... if you have plans to put it into production... it might be a good process to get familiar with ...I've heard the compounds are getting stronger everyday...and the final product is really something to be seen

ALPHA