RC Tank Warfare community hobby forum

Thanks for kind comments guys. Although I never intended to do anymore than as accurate set of plans as I could manage for public use. The decision to build a model has pushed me into 3D CAD work and 3D Printing, it has also opened my eyes to how the real Tank was constructed and actually improved my ever ongoing set of plans.

Yesterday I managed to tag along with the guys of the local model boat club along to the Fleet Air Arm Museum's Model Show, had a great day talking Tanks once more to the public and other modellers.

Helen x

Hi Helen,
Thanks very much for updating the thread....I see that the tracks have now become shiney METAL
Earlier in the thread, with the "black tracks" they were 3D printed in ABS..... but that has clearly changed...
Please can I ask how and where you had these little marvels made ?

I have only just noticed this build, what can I say? It is absolutely brilliant. I have a 3D printer on the way and I'm hoping to put it to good use on my tank builds. I think that your approach to this build is excellent, the plywood is a sound base, and the alloy facing finishes it off nicely.

Keep the pics coming!

RobG

Dietrich wrote:Hi Helen,
Thanks very much for updating the thread....I see that the tracks have now become shiney METAL
Earlier in the thread, with the "black tracks" they were 3D printed in ABS..... but that has clearly changed...
Please can I ask how and where you had these little marvels made ?

Hi Dietrich,

The Track has been one of the hardest parts of this build, not just in their complexity, but because they had to be right! For me, the Track is key to getting the look of these metal monsters and I couldn't bring myself to compromise on the looks.

I think I got to version No8 before I was happy with the look and strength of the Track Links. The luckiest part of the track build for me was stumbling across a small metal casting company called Abbey Castings. Finding small casting companies that don't mind getting involved in the unusual is not easy.

The Track Plates again I had a lucky brake. A member on the Landships site kindly shared the technique he used to press his track for a 1/16 scale model he is building. All I have done is scale it all up and get the laser cutters to cut me some steel.
The Track Plates I had cut out of 1.2mm mild steel. The mould for the press I went with 8mm steel, well it had to survive nearly 200 pressings.

Unfortunately I don't get to work on the model all that often, so it will probably be a month before it rolls on its track for the first time. There will I'm sure be a photo or two and a video on that day.

Superb update, Thank You very much for the info and the photos.... Abbey Castings is fascinating they really do some impressive work.I think that a few people will be very interested to know what their rate is for one offs or small run numbers.
I have added a link to them below.
http://www.abbeycasting.co.uk/

I have to say this is a stunning build! Your are realy pulling out all the stops on this Tank! It is fantastic!
The engineering side of it all is inpressive to say the least!!!
If you are free in july you are more than welcome to come and display it at the Yorkshire wartime Experience in July
Our rc tank club is putting on a big display at the show we are 1:16 but we have a few 1/6 jeeps in the club but you are bery welcome to attend

That... Is beautiful!

Jeez that's good work

Hi All,

Thank you for all the kind words, it has been a long old build and it is good to see people still following and commenting. x

Not a lot to report right now, the track is getting close but still a few weeks off. In the next few days I will receive from Shapeways some fittings. They're basically the parts I drew up and printed first on the Makerbot 3D Printer done a tad neater.

Given spare time the build should now start to accelerate.

Helen x

Blows me away what you've done so far Helen bloody nice work