Beyond The Sprues

Current and Finished Projects => Physical Models => Land => Topic started by: Frank3k on February 21, 2024, 11:20:12 AM

Title: 1/35 Articulated tank
Post by: Frank3k on February 21, 2024, 11:20:12 AM: While building the Apocalypse tank (https://beyondthesprues.com/Forum/index.php?topic=10709.msg207280#msg207280) I considered articulating it, but it just wasn't feasible with the location of the turret and the thickness of the plastic. Still, it sounded like a good idea.

I considered the Meng Toon tanks as a source for an articulated tank, but I wasn't sure of their size. In-box reviews of the (probably a type 99) Meng Kids New "Chinese Main Battle Tank" (https://www.scalemates.com/kits/meng-kids-mvehicle-001-new-chinese-main-battle-tank--961587) showed that it was pretty big.

(https://www.scalemates.com/products/img/5/8/7/961587-11890-13-pristine.jpg)

I found a great build on Armorama (https://archive.armorama.com/forums/243293-page=1/index.htm) showing that this kit can look pretty nice in the right hands.

During a sale at Sprue Bros, I got two of the tanks and sure enough, the tank is about 3/4 the length of the Tamiya M41. As seen in the Armorama link, it would have been easy to slap two of the tank hulls together, articulate them and modify one of the turrets.

Yeah, well, that's not what I did. I didn't like the (not very visible) simplified Russian/Chinese style road wheels, so I modified the tracks to accept 1/35 M1 Abrams wheels, provided by Jeff Fontaine (thanks, Jeff!). That was a pretty easy mod, but the tracks now looked like crap... so I cut off the track connectors from several runs of the Abrams tracks and made cutouts in the Meng tracks (very soft plastic, so easy to do) for the connectors.

For the articulation, I had a ball joint that I'd designed for an LED light (for my Donegal visor), so I modified the design and printed out a version to connect the two tanks. It worked well:

(https://i.imgur.com/Y7FdZUG.jpg)

I extended one of the kit turrets and used one of the left over barrels from the Apocalypse tank and got this:

(https://i.imgur.com/0PTznSC.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/zYxL4BA.jpg)

Ehhhh...

I thought an unmanned turret might look good, and I found this image in a Secret Projects Forum thread (https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/threads/unmanned-and-overhead-turret-mbts.32911/):

(https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/data/attachments/160/160612-7b9187031c1880b42ebc2440ec6887fa.jpg)

So I started cutting plastic while watching a marathon of old episodes of Mystery Science Theater 3000 on Youtube. I also modified the turret connection to bring the turret up a bit:

(https://i.imgur.com/KWYn0iQ.jpg)

Climbing the piles of junk on my desk:

(https://i.imgur.com/DvIKwpt.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/HY5i46F.jpg)

This is where I am today. The M113 hatch is just a place holder :

(https://i.imgur.com/iFcpLTY.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/Z7YacJb.jpg)

I have to figure out a crew layout - the tracks are pretty wide, so the crew will either need a tandem seating arrangement (driver, tank commander, gunner) in the front half or driver and tank commander side by side with the gunner behind them. Moving the gunner to the rear hull may also work.
Title: Re: 1/35 Articulated tank
Post by: apophenia on February 21, 2024, 11:32:21 AM: Great approach for an articulated tank, Frank! And love you ball-and-socket joint :D
Title: Re: 1/35 Articulated tank
Post by: Buzzbomb on February 21, 2024, 04:55:22 PM: Thinking outside box :D :D

Love the idea
Title: Re: 1/35 Articulated tank
Post by: LemonJello on February 21, 2024, 09:54:21 PM: That is looking sharp!
Title: Re: 1/35 Articulated tank
Post by: Old Wombat on February 21, 2024, 10:02:49 PM: Interesting. Looks to be a contender for a UGV/Autonymous AI Tank.
Title: Re: 1/35 Articulated tank
Post by: Frank3k on February 21, 2024, 11:58:42 PM: Thanks, guys. It's a pretty big vehicle now.

The ball joint holds well, but is easy to pull apart. I had to sand down the ball to make it less stiff.
Title: Re: 1/35 Articulated tank
Post by: robunos on February 22, 2024, 12:04:14 AM: Looks good . . . :smiley:
I was thinking, get two more, join the hulls together, and use your modded manned turret . . .
cheers,Robin.
Title: Re: 1/35 Articulated tank
Post by: Jeffry Fontaine on February 22, 2024, 01:09:02 AM: Out of the box proportions of the hulls certainly makes this articulated vehicle a very smart move. Definitely like the ball-joint connection to mate the hulls together. Simple and brilliant! :smiley:
Title: Re: 1/35 Articulated tank
Post by: Story on February 22, 2024, 01:15:53 AM: Quote from: Frank3k on February 21, 2024, 11:20:12 AM

I thought an unmanned turret might look good, and I found this image in a Secret Projects Forum thread (https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/threads/unmanned-and-overhead-turret-mbts.32911/):

(https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/data/attachments/160/160612-7b9187031c1880b42ebc2440ec6887fa.jpg)

Totally TWILIGHT 2000!
(https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O7E2N-EgnSk/WLRZ0EPnNpI/AAAAAAAAIGE/4FUPIpdoiO0keqxXVjFkReyOLNzsM0jrQCLcB/s1600/USA3.jpg)

I still want to see your take on the French design
https://beyondthesprues.com/Forum/index.php?topic=1791.msg211374#msg211374 (https://beyondthesprues.com/Forum/index.php?topic=1791.msg211374#msg211374)
Title: Re: 1/35 Articulated tank
Post by: Frank3k on February 22, 2024, 02:04:29 AM: If I flip the rear hull as suggested over at What-if, then by default this will have to be a French tank, like the Panhard EBR
Title: Re: 1/35 Articulated tank
Post by: Frank3k on February 22, 2024, 10:24:20 AM: I reversed the running gear on the rear hull and printed a new articulation. Not sure if this is better or not; the gap between the two hulls seems excessive:

(https://i.imgur.com/9k7J2ac.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/6LDCMha.jpg)

I can try shortening it by 10mm or so, or move the turret support over the end of the rear hull; that will reduce the gap by quite a bit. I'll try it tomorrow.
Title: Re: 1/35 Articulated tank
Post by: Old Wombat on February 22, 2024, 04:12:42 PM: Frank, if the "reversed" look doesn't gel with you, don't worry about it.

It is your build, after all, mate, not ours. ;) :smiley:
Title: Re: 1/35 Articulated tank
Post by: LemonJello on February 22, 2024, 08:41:30 PM: If I may offer my 2 centavos of Etherium;

I like your first iteration, though maybe move the turret back and then the forward crew compartment could detach and leave the damaged turret behind in the event of combat damage.

This would also suggest different rear unit variants: Air Defense, Recovery, Mortar, Logistics...

Agree with you that the gap is too wide in the 2nd interation. Either way, please proceed with this project. I'm interested in seeing where this goes.
Title: Re: 1/35 Articulated tank
Post by: Dr. YoKai on February 23, 2024, 11:30:19 PM: The pushme-pullyou configuration isn't bad, and I like it for symmetry. The greater gap between hulls might make it a little more nimble? But I wish there was something besides a gun in the turret. Even my 'thats SO COOL' sensibilities rebel at that much weight and recoil on such a flimsy joint.

Quibbles aside, it is a great concept, and the execution will be a marvel as usual. :smiley:
Title: Re: 1/35 Articulated tank
Post by: Frank3k on March 01, 2024, 11:57:02 AM: I put down a layer of Stynylrez primer - looks close enough to the various desert sand colors.

(https://i.imgur.com/4e3c2WH.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/BYIG8Cm.jpg)

I'll probably add another layer (especially on the turret) and add some stripes/blobs of middlestone, dark green or both. I thought about doing a digital camo pattern... but I'm not (that) insane. I wanted to add a M1151 Remote Weapons Station, but despite all those flat surfaces, there really isn't much room - best place would be on the box at the rear - like a "stinger" it just barely clears the turret.
Title: Re: 1/35 Articulated tank
Post by: finsrin on March 01, 2024, 02:31:07 PM: Delightful strangeness :smiley: Another marvel of styrene engineering taking form.
Title: Re: 1/35 Articulated tank
Post by: apophenia on March 02, 2024, 09:28:05 AM: Quote from: Frank3k on March 01, 2024, 11:57:02 AM
I put down a layer of Stynylrez primer - looks close enough to the various desert sand colors...

Very nice :smiley:

Quote from: Frank3k on March 01, 2024, 11:57:02 AM
... I wanted to add a M1151 Remote Weapons Station, but despite all those flat surfaces, there really isn't much room - best place would be on the box at the rear - like a "stinger" it just barely clears the turret.

How about mounting the RWS on top of the main turret? Perhaps where the little vent sits now?
Title: Re: 1/35 Articulated tank
Post by: Frank3k on March 02, 2024, 10:31:14 AM: Tanks, guys!

The turret is a lot smaller than it looks. The M1151 on top of the turret sticks out like dog's balls. On the front hull, it hits the barrel. It still comes close when pointed to the rear, but I figure that last 10 degree or so wedge cut out of the firing arc isn't significant.
Title: Re: 1/35 Articulated tank
Post by: Old Wombat on March 02, 2024, 06:20:38 PM: Quote from: Frank3k on March 02, 2024, 10:31:14 AM
I figure that last 10 degree or so wedge cut out of the firing arc isn't significant.

Until it is! :o ;)
Title: Re: 1/35 Articulated tank
Post by: Frank3k on March 07, 2024, 01:02:07 PM: I may have gone a bit overboard with the digital-ish camo... it's also not very straight, but most of the sins will vanish with the weathering:

The colors are Badger Stynylrez neutral (a sand color), AK Interactive middlestone and Tamiya NATO green. The colors seem greenish in these pictures:

(https://i.imgur.com/KnkNtLz.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/fDUM0EM.jpg)

I'll photograph it against the trees tomorrow. The camo is pretty effective at hiding the outline of the tank against the trees. Gaudy, but it seems to work.

I also plopped a RWS on top, just to see how it would look. A MK 19 grenade launcher will ruin anyone's day:

(https://i.imgur.com/Tv027yP.jpg)
Title: Re: 1/35 Articulated tank
Post by: Jeffry Fontaine on March 07, 2024, 01:55:32 PM: "Something Blurry This Way Comes."
That is one complicated camouflage pattern. Overall it makes the vehicle difficult to identify at distance.
Title: Re: 1/35 Articulated tank
Post by: apophenia on March 07, 2024, 05:13:05 PM: Quote from: Frank3k on March 07, 2024, 01:02:07 PM
I may have gone a bit overboard with the digital-ish camo...

No such thing!! I love it ... digital dazzle camouflage :-*
Title: Re: 1/35 Articulated tank
Post by: Old Wombat on March 07, 2024, 09:58:15 PM: You missed a word, Jeff!

Quote from: Jeffry Fontaine on March 07, 2024, 01:55:32 PM
"Something Blurry This Way Comes."
That is one complicated camouflage pattern. Overall it makes the vehicle difficult to identify at ANY distance.

Major, there's somethin' comin' outa the woods. Ain't got no idea what it is, 'coz my eyes go all fuzzy when I look at it, but it's big, it's loud & it scares the willies outa me! :o

I like it! :D :smiley:
Title: Re: 1/35 Articulated tank
Post by: Story on March 07, 2024, 10:03:48 PM: [South Park] It's coming right at us![/South Park]

(https://i.ytimg.com/vi/EUxnQFRis10/sddefault.jpg)
Title: Re: 1/35 Articulated tank
Post by: Claymore on March 08, 2024, 01:05:32 AM: That’s one complex but extremely effective paint job - awesome! :smiley:
Title: Re: 1/35 Articulated tank
Post by: LemonJello on March 08, 2024, 02:05:11 AM: That is seven flavors of awesomeness right there. The camo looks even better to my eye with the slight offset from vertical.
Title: Re: 1/35 Articulated tank
Post by: Kerick on March 08, 2024, 10:38:57 AM: It looks like three different vehicles
Title: Re: 1/35 Articulated tank
Post by: Dr. YoKai on March 08, 2024, 11:06:24 AM: I am struck by the similarity in effect between this cammo and the lozenge cammo used by the German Air Force in World War One. Excellent work, Frank.
Title: Re: 1/35 Articulated tank
Post by: Buzzbomb on March 08, 2024, 11:33:14 AM: Quote from: Frank3k on March 07, 2024, 01:02:07 PM
I may have gone a bit overboard with the digital-ish camo... it's also not very straight, but most of the sins will vanish with the weathering:

Well it is working, even against the build surface the shape is difficult to define... which is the entire point of camouflage
Title: Re: 1/35 Articulated tank
Post by: Frank3k on March 08, 2024, 12:42:31 PM: Thanks, guys. I think I'm about 80% done. I probably won't correct some of the paint errors, since they'll be under decals or toned down by weathering.

I took some pictures in indirect sunlight and one in direct sunlight, before the model was taken apart for a gloss coat. The Middlestone looks better in these pictures:

(https://i.imgur.com/7zSqhVI.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/LFz6Ekc.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/lXnBAGe.jpg)
Title: Re: 1/35 Articulated tank
Post by: Story on March 08, 2024, 09:38:53 PM: Next time you do that pattern, take progress pics and post with guidance?
Title: Re: 1/35 Articulated tank
Post by: Old Wombat on March 08, 2024, 10:04:06 PM: I wouldn't be worrying about the slight off-sets, if anything they improve the effect. 8)
Title: Re: 1/35 Articulated tank
Post by: Frank3k on March 09, 2024, 01:35:09 AM: Thanks, guys. @Story, I used an Infiniti cutting mat (https://spruebrothers.com/infit3001v1-infini-model-easycutting-mat-type-a-straight-lines-rectangles/) which is the easiest way to cut straight patterns in tape. I just put down some wide Tamiya tape (or Washi tape). It works best with a very sharp blade (I used a surgical blade and handle for most, but an OLFA H-1 utility knife with a brand new blade segment works well, too.

I put on some music or an MST3K marathon and cut away.
Title: Re: 1/35 Articulated tank
Post by: GTX_Admin on March 09, 2024, 02:12:53 AM: Quote from: Story on March 08, 2024, 09:38:53 PM
Next time you do that pattern, take progress pics and post with guidance?

Agreed
Title: Re: 1/35 Articulated tank
Post by: GTX_Admin on March 09, 2024, 02:13:34 AM: That paint job is outstanding.
Title: Re: 1/35 Articulated tank
Post by: Frank3k on March 11, 2024, 10:45:34 AM: I'm done with this one - I forgot to paint and add the coaxial .50 cal, so assume the barrel is internal.

The articulation point between the two tanks (and where the exhausts would be - I assume - since I didn't add any) would probably be an RPG magnet, so I added a shield in the form of Tamiya tape with some tulle cloth stuck to it, then painted:

(https://i.imgur.com/Zz5m4mf.jpg)

The anti-reflection coatings on the two imagers/targeting pods on the turret are Tamiya interference material. The coatings on the viewports are just clear red over Molotow chrome:

(https://i.imgur.com/pxsT45g.jpg)

Our French mechanic friend is pleased that the RPG shield is not pulled taut even when the two bodies are at their maximum deflection:

(https://i.imgur.com/JVEGU4M.jpg)

Thanks for all the comments!
Title: Re: 1/35 Articulated tank
Post by: Story on March 11, 2024, 02:41:24 PM: wow
Title: Re: 1/35 Articulated tank
Post by: LemonJello on March 11, 2024, 08:17:43 PM: (https://www.icegif.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/icegif-207.gif)

Very well done.
Title: Re: 1/35 Articulated tank
Post by: GTX_Admin on March 12, 2024, 02:34:18 AM: (https://i.makeagif.com/media/3-19-2017/9_9uCf.gif)
Title: Re: 1/35 Articulated tank
Post by: Claymore on March 12, 2024, 03:48:09 AM: Very cool! 8)
Title: Re: 1/35 Articulated tank
Post by: Frank3k on March 12, 2024, 04:05:50 AM: Thanks, guys. It sort of scratched a whif itch that I had: could no-scale/deformed tanks for kids be turned into a realistic 1/35 vehicle? I think the answer is a qualified yes: only the largest kits can be used, and they'll require a lot of wok.
Title: Re: 1/35 Articulated tank
Post by: finsrin on March 12, 2024, 10:44:04 PM: Late commenting on build. Impressive in all ways in pushing kitbash frontiers. Articulated configuration, turret placement, amazing camo :smiley: :smiley: :smiley: :smiley: :smiley:
Has a certain illegitimate legitimacy.
Title: Re: 1/35 Articulated tank
Post by: apophenia on March 13, 2024, 03:32:29 AM: Gorgeous build Frank! And I love your flexible RPG shields :-*
Title: Re: 1/35 Articulated tank
Post by: Kerick on March 13, 2024, 04:32:34 PM: Awesome!! I say that a lot but this is awesome!
Title: Re: 1/35 Articulated tank
Post by: Buzzbomb on March 14, 2024, 04:47:46 AM: Great finish Frank.

I love the concept and the finish is superb
Title: Re: 1/35 Articulated tank
Post by: Frank3k on March 15, 2024, 09:35:03 AM: Thanks, guys!
Title: Re: 1/35 Articulated tank
Post by: Frank3k on March 20, 2024, 12:53:47 PM: I added a figure from the Miniart 1/35 Israeli Tank Crew from the Yom Kippur war. I modified the uniform slightly to make him more generic and tested a different painting method that I either need to practice more or abandon:

(https://i.imgur.com/yAZBljC.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/szAH1Vv.jpg)
Title: Re: 1/35 Articulated tank
Post by: Dr. YoKai on March 21, 2024, 12:00:02 AM: I don't know what's different about the technique, but he looks pretty good to my eye.
Title: Re: 1/35 Articulated tank
Post by: Jeffry Fontaine on March 21, 2024, 02:56:32 AM: The figure bears a slight resemblance to an actor by the name of James Purefoy (https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0700856/mediaviewer/rm2268175104/) when he was a bit younger.