M3 Lee/Grant

[Woz]

After finishing my M7 Priest http://warrenhudsonmodelling.blogspot.c ... riest.html" I've decided to have a go at the M3 Lee/Grant to go on the Heng Long M$ Sherman lower hull.

I started with a Tamiya 1/35 Lee and a copy of George Bradford's WWII AFV Plans (British AFv's) which has plans for the Grant.

So to start I made thin card mockup of the 1/35 model to check sizes and angles.



Then draw it out in Openscad http://www.openscad.org/"




The hull is printed in three parts-



I had already done the back section as part of my Priest and the three piece transmission covers just need a small modification.

Then for the sponson-





I'm thinking of having a airsoft gun in the 75mm gun and IR in the top turret. That's if I can figure out how to get it all to fit.

Now for the hull top. This will be printed in four parts-





And the turret



hot off the printer



So far

[cannedheat]

I am impressed old chap

[Woz]

Thanks. This things flying along, only spent about five days working on it.

[SovereignZuul]

Wow dude, that is awesome. Wild what you can do with the right equipment.

[tankman]

Impresive build so far, looking forward to watching this progress.
Tankman

[PainlessWolf]

Woz,
I am astounded on a daily basis by what can be accomplished with the new technology. There is literally nothing tank wise beyond our reach. That is amazing!
regards,
Painless

[tomhugill]

Some awesome stuff woz! I'd love you to buy some of these parts, I've got a lee arv and what to have a swappable top for a standard lee/grant.

[Woz]

Some awesome stuff woz! I'd love you to buy some of these parts, I've got a lee arv and what to have a swappable top for a standard lee/grant.

Once I've got it all together and I know it all fits well then I'll start parts/kits.

Woz,
I am astounded on a daily basis by what can be accomplished with the new technology. There is literally nothing tank wise beyond our reach. That is amazing!

I think a lot of model manufactures are going to have to plan for more and more people having a 3d printer. In another decade or so you'll be able to download a tank and press print. I don't think every home will have one but I do think that a lot of modellers will get one or have access to one.

[971wright]

Hi Great work Nice choice of model always liked the Grant.

regards pete

[Woz]

So this weekend I sorted out the transmission cover


Did some more on the turret


The commanders copula slots in and can be rotated


Now the wheels


Test fit


Quite pleased with the result but then I though "what about rubber tyres". So after a bit of searching I found some rubber tubing thats 31mm diameter (25mm inner) the HL tyres are 31.5mm with a 27mm inner so I'm going to order some and see what I can do.