M3

[Exhibitedbrute]

Gentleman it is time to introduce you to the first prototype casting of my m3.

I haven’t followed the traditional material of resin and have instead opted for a form of plastic, my reason for this is the plastic seem much less prone to air bubble and has some flexibility so for those of us in clubs I’m hoping it will withstand impact from other tanks much better, the first casting is of the hull itself, no turrets yet.

[Ecam]

So a casting not a 3D print? Did you make a hull to make the mould? And yes, when I was doing casting I tried several types of plastic. Some were almost soft (wouldn't hold its shape) others were so hard/brittle that a sneeze could make them shatter. I was luck to have a company in Denver that was helpful. Even had classes on casting available.

Edit: I spelled mould originally, but spell check didn't like it and took mold. I thought I was right/wrong.......

[Son of a gun-ner]

Oooh, this looks exciting

[Jimster]

Nice looking detail. Can’t wait to see it painted.

[Exhibitedbrute]

The moulds are from haya he has stopped producing the m3 so I bought the moulds and have his permission to bring the m3 back into production how ever it will only be a self build kit as I don’t have time for anything other. I will how ever be making a second set of moulds at some point to replace these. Most likely from a casting.

There is both the grant and the lee turrets along with hatches and all that but none of that has been made yet as I need to test the hull strength

I am now I see how the moulds are made considering making some from my firefly, which if I go ahead will likely be upper and turret to fit hl hull with 3D printed hull extension but I will have to decide if it’s worth doing and get the m3 sorted first

[Herr Dr. Professor]

I have three of Haya's M3 tanks, some repainted, some not. The Lee turret does need considerable reworking, and I think the chance to install a servo for the gun elevation might be a real gain. I will watch with interest, cheering you on.

[Exhibitedbrute]

When you say re-working are we talking from the mould or errors, because after checking the moulds they don’t look in brilliant shape, I may need to make a cast to make a print to make a new mould, the grant moulds look ok though

[Exhibitedbrute]

More castings have been made, both turrets both guns mudguards and bins and transmission cover,

I will add photos later, the mudguards have been trimmed and filed and I find that though the material is tough and flexible it is also soft and easy to file, therefor I think it will be a very good material all round for these.

The guns wont look great when I post the photos they warped slightly because I took them out of the mould to early, but now they are properly set the barrels seem quite tough, but I will be putting brass tubes in the next castings.

As for the main gun I don’t have a mould for that but I would advise using a metal one anyway because of it overhanging the front of the tank

[Kaczor]

It's the same mould as Vandra's M3?

[Exhibitedbrute]

No it’s haya/ding ding moulds