M10 Achilles Scratchbuild 3d Print

[AlwynTurner]

Thanks Ecam, it may appear easy but a great deal of work, headscratching, hair tearing out by the roots, lots of medicinal alcohol, and finally something that justifies it all. What I get a lot of pleasure from is then enabling others to build models that aren't available as retail, or as kits at huge cost. Basically I'm doing an Airfix act except people have to print their own parts before assembling them and that gives me a real kick.

Alwyn

[AlwynTurner]

Busy reprinting the hull skirts due to a snafu in the design, and while they are printing I designed the rear hull top

Still loads left to design
Alwyn

[AlwynTurner]

After a straight 19 hour print the new turret is looking good



and with the counterweights it looks even better



Onwards and upwards

Alwyn

[Ecam]

Are the counter weights solid? When I did my duck bill, it used a fair amount of Bondo and ended up balancing the aluminium barrel nicely. Not needed with our powered turret gear, but I thought it was cool.

[AlwynTurner]

The counterweights have 30% infill, if any counterbalancing is required you could always drill a hole in each and fill with lead shot. I am hoping to do a 3d printed barrel which will negate the need for counterbalance weight.

Alwyn

[Ecam]

I'm sure it's not needed. Have plenty of unbalanced turrets that have no issues. In fact, my duck bill is the only balanced one. But on the real M10 series they were all manual traverse (other than a prototype), the plan was to power the turrets but the war ended. No idea if the M10's that made it to Korea were upgraded.

[AlwynTurner]

The lower skirts are now on after a lot of unnecessary fiddling around, more haste less speed. The rear deck is also done and she's starting to look pretty.





I think that's it for today, the sun is shining (for a change) and I feel the need for some relaxing liquid refreshment at ease in the garden!

Alwyn

[Son of a gun-ner]

I forgot to post these two pictures, I hope they're useful without being too late

[AlwynTurner]

Thanks Mick, every picture helps to get the details accurate.

The front armour and mudguards are printed and fitted, I even managed to get the hinges in.




There's still quite a bit of detailing to do on the upper hull. plus I've got the driver hatches to do on the front of the upper hull. I'm trying to steel myself to make them open but it is going to be very complex as they open diagonally Dohhhh...

Alwyn

[c.rainford73]

Progress is really being made here Alwyn. Did these have the hull mounted track grousers like the M36 etc...

Also the tracks on the photos Mick provided look like panzer IV pieces, or did they also come with standard sherman tracks?