T110E3

[DazzD]

I was building kits for years as a teenager and have always had an interest in armor (especially) the what if prototypes. I tried to make my own from scratch but the results were (now) laughable. Then a long while ago, I stopped building (ran out of room, got married, had kids, insert random life choices here..) and my dusty builds retired to a cupboard.

A couple years back, I found a few of the new kids on the block (Takom, Trumpeter, Amusing Hobby, etc) had started building all those tanks I had on my dream list as a kid. US T95, The Brit FV tank destroyers, IS7 etc etc. I promised myself I would start building again if anyone released those tanks... so I got back into adding to my old dust collection.

Fast forward to now and my kids are into several tank games (my bad), which I thought would be very cool to make. I made the mistake of telling them, if I ever got a 3D printer, I would have a go at making their favourites.

I say mistake because I Recently I got a 3D printer for work and had to start the steep learning curve in basic 3D design. The first few attempts have been very average but with every print, there has been an improvement. At least I am heading in the right direction!

I have made the master in 1/35 scale but mostly practising in 1/72(ish) scale. 

The tracks have been a nightmare to get right... too fragile... too thick... too much support tree... Anyway, here was the end result-


The hull was made in about 5-6 parts and glued together. Was happy with how it looked until the camera picked up all the streaking and bumps that are not as obvious to the eye-


Single coat-


Final paint job-


On to the next request....

[NARSES2]

That really does look good, well done 

Interestingly the running gear reminds me of some of the soft plastic wargames limited edition "kits" that were available back in the late 60's/early 70's. Your's just looks a bit more detailed 

[Pellson]

The hull was made in about 5-6 parts and glued together. Was happy with how it looked until the camera picked up all the streaking and bumps that are not as obvious to the eye-

That's my experience with every build I do. It looks great to me - and not so much to the camera..
Having said that, I think the consequence is that you should be well pleased. I build for my pleasure, not to please the camera.

[DazzD]

Thanks guys.

You make a very good point with "I build for my pleasure, not to please the camera". I am mostly the same but I guess when I pour enough hours into something, I start wanting more in return! I am lucky at the moment, that I am printing these for the kids. They don't really care about the finer details, just the fact that they have their favourite tank from a game, that cannot be brought in a kit yet. Lets me get better at the job before I print something I want!

I am slowly refining the details, using parts from other peoples designs, a few CAD programs and a ton of my own work in the middle. Hopefully in the next few prints I get closer to where I am happy with them.

Looks like next on my list is a real 'what if'. The Japanese type 5 heavy from world of tanks.

[Wardukw]

I think all you guys will know this..have you built something that to your eyes looks sweet as a peach and then takin a picture of it and then it looks terrible?.
I know I've done it and my problem is that if i see it look nasty threw a picture in my mind it will look nasty to anyone who sees it..its bloody annoying gents .
Its still a pleasure to build and when im done after the nasty pic work is finished im more pleased..guess that's me building for the camera..it dont help being padantic as hell 1hen i build a wiffy 

[NARSES2]

Had that happen a fair few times and it's annoying to say the least. On the very rare occasion though I've had it happen the other way around 

[DazzD]

Oh well, these things happen. It is not as frustrating as finishing my T30 model and finding the tracks were on backwards  That one hurt alot more!

On the up side, my kids love them. Saves them breaking kit models on the shelf, that cost far more and break far easier. The 3D printed models will never be the same quality as the kits (well not from my cheap printer) but is great fun. I have been printing out all sorts of random models that would otherwise never happen. When one comes out looking too ugly to use, just modify the 3D model and have another go. There are so many prototypes, that would never see a kit, that are now possible.

[Wardukw]

That's the thing in todays world..nothing stays crap for long .
3D printing is a good point..like yours in the beginning it wasn't that great and the mechines cost a fortune now theres printers out there that print with carbon fiber and titanium..just amazing technology and its mind blowing what they will come up with next..5 axis CNC machines are like black magic when you see what they can do .
Its the super smart cookies who think up these wonderful machines and then bring them into reality for us not so smart cookies to use that gets me smiling.
Just awesome.

Phill

[NARSES2]

On the up side, my kids love them. Saves them breaking kit models on the shelf, that cost far more and break far easier. The 3D printed models will never be the same quality as the kits (well not from my cheap printer) but is great fun.

There's two great reasons for doing it just there