Build Time! M1a2 Sep V3 AUS

[Jib]

I have the metal ring with the metal turret rotation where the motor hangs down. It is definately faster than stock. Only issue I have with the metal rotations units is that they don't have clutches in them. They have no give if you run into something. They can't be turned by hand either, only under power of the MFU.

The one I have allows you to spin the turret freely by hand, which is super nice. I wonder if there are different versions?

Below is a picture of the one I bought. Apparently the store I bought mine from doesn’t have any more at the moment.

[tankme]

There's two rotation gearboxes there at the bottom of the pic. The one I have on my Abrams is the one on the right.

[Jib]

Yeah I have the one on the right as well, on a Taigen Leopard 2A6 with the metal turret rotation ring/gear. Pretty sure I remember being able to move it by hand, maybe only when it’s powered off? Not sure, I haven’t fiddled with it in a while.

[11C]

The elevation servo is something I am after, I am not a huge fan over the elevation gearbox that comes preinstalled. I'll have to take a further look into this hardware this week!

[11C]

Alright,
More progress, very basic stuff completed. VCSU ducting is done

VCSU Ducting.jpg (844.33 KiB) Viewed 2946 times

Turret Underside VCSU Ducting.jpg (664.12 KiB) Viewed 2946 times

, It can use a bit more fine tuning for fitment, however at this time it can work. Fwd tow hooks have been completed

Fwd Profile.jpg (780.05 KiB) Viewed 2946 times

. They are built with the idea in mind that the upper and lower portions separate when removing the upper hull for maintenance

Tow Hooks Lg.jpg (1.81 MiB) Viewed 2946 times

. To keep the spacing even and remove some of the guess work on adding the smaller tow hooks, I ended up building a jig that locks into the latch hole on the lower hull

Jig in use.jpg (927.47 KiB) Viewed 2946 times

, the spacing unfortunately wasn't even so this took a few tries getting it right. This imagine shows both the V1 and V2 variants

Jig.jpg (946.57 KiB) Viewed 2946 times

.
Cut the rear side skirts out and glued them into the open position, And love the look from it, something about showing off the drive sprockets on the M1 just feels right

Sideskits.jpg (872.68 KiB) Viewed 2946 times

.

New headlights are up next once I stop procrastinating that is, and after the headlights are completed its back to the rear to add the last bits of details (Communication boxes, rear tow hooks, and mudflaps).

Thanks once again for checking in!

[11C]

Almost forgot!
SEP V3 Kit is on its way finally, so The turret should be completed once that arrives. If its missing anything else I'll add that to the laundry list of parts to make

[Herr Dr. Professor]

11C: I admire your skill as is repeatedly demonstrated in this build. I am so far from such skill that I have to tell myself not to compare my puny triumphs to work of the caliber of yours (and others here on RCTW). Gee, I don't even have any idea what "VCSU ducting" might be.

[Jib]

Almost forgot!
SEP V3 Kit is on its way finally, so The turret should be completed once that arrives. If its missing anything else I'll add that to the laundry list of parts to make

Did you order the one from DKLMRC, or somewhere else? That’s the one I got, but scaled up.

What design program are you using to create your parts? I’m trying to get into learn one of them, but not sure which one. I’m laying around with design spark now, but someone else recommended TinkerCAD. Also played around with Bambi’s design program a small amount.

[11C]

11C: I admire your skill as is repeatedly demonstrated in this build. I am so far from such skill that I have to tell myself not to compare my puny triumphs to work of the caliber of yours (and others here on RCTW). Gee, I don't even have any idea what "VCSU ducting" might be.

Thank you! Those are inspiring words to hear, and I greatly appreciate it

[11C]

Almost forgot!
SEP V3 Kit is on its way finally, so The turret should be completed once that arrives. If its missing anything else I'll add that to the laundry list of parts to make

Did you order the one from DKLMRC, or somewhere else? That’s the one I got, but scaled up.

What design program are you using to create your parts? I’m trying to get into learn one of them, but not sure which one. I’m laying around with design spark now, but someone else recommended TinkerCAD. Also played around with Bambi’s design program a small amount.

Yes the sep v3 kit is from DKLMRC. I am using blender for my software. It's more for organic 3d models like characters or game models but you can get away with making smaller stuff if you can get measurements and scale right as it doesn't really correlate well within the software like fusion 360 or something similar.