Author Topic: 1/35 M-41 Waffle (Read 15930 times)

Frank3k · « **Reply #25 on:** December 05, 2024, 08:42:13 AM »

Almost screwed this print! I inadvertently made the walls about 0.6mm thick, so the print is paper thin. I broke some bits off removing the supports.

Compared to the original print. Missing chunk where the TC's optics are, but at least I didn't snap off the smoke grenades (although I knocked off the hatch handles):

Side view. Not as tall:

I checked with a figure and if the TC and gunner sit on the turret ring connection, they'll have enough room:

I also found a couple of figures. One is a guy on a cellphone. The other is of Steve McQueen. I scaled them to 1/35:

Here's the turret primed. It still needs some work, mainly removing some dust and smoothing out the CA I used to glue the broken bits:

Steve standing on the turret, because he's cool like that:

Closeup. From this angle it doesn't look like a good resemblance, but it really is:

Ramba · « **Reply #26 on:** December 05, 2024, 09:21:36 AM »

Coming along nicely. The smaller turret looks a lot better.

Kerick · « **Reply #27 on:** December 05, 2024, 10:36:29 AM »

I agree the smaller turret looks better. Both look great. I’m looking forward to see what you do with the rest of the hull.

Mig Eater · « **Reply #28 on:** December 05, 2024, 07:12:58 PM »

The new turret looks a lot better

The smaller size is more in proportion with the hull and having the connections between side plates angle backwards instead of forward makes it visually flow better IMO.

Kerick · « **Reply #29 on:** December 05, 2024, 10:45:19 PM »

You could put Steve McQueen in the drivers position. He loved driving whatever he could get his hands on. Or just have him standing along side. Steve McQueen could stand anywhere he wanted.

apophenia · « **Reply #30 on:** December 06, 2024, 04:37:26 AM »

Yep, that second-print turret looks sooo good! And Steve serves well to show the scale

Jeffry Fontaine · « **Reply #31 on:** December 06, 2024, 05:13:26 AM »

Really like the Steve McQueen figure. Definitely needs some B&L Sunglasses.

As far as the turret goes, the second attempt looks a bit more suited for the purpose. The first attempt was huge, especially in height over the original turret. Staying with the 76mm gun gives more credence to the reconnaissance/scouting mission with secondary role of infantry support. Pretty much what the original purpose of the M41 was intended for but with a better looking turret.

Frank3k · « **Reply #32 on:** December 06, 2024, 10:37:48 AM »

Jeff,
I was thinking of upgunning it to a 105mm, but it does look good with the original gun.

I did some work on the body and added another layer of primer to the turret. It's very delicate and I've cracked it twice already.

I added some armor to the front to protect the driver, as well as side skirts. I'll fix the tow hooks later:

I replaced the hatch handles with some sprue:

Frank3k · « **Reply #33 on:** December 06, 2024, 10:53:47 AM »

Here's the Steve McQueen I used. It's 1/32 but I scaled it to 1/35.

Jeffry Fontaine · « **Reply #34 on:** December 06, 2024, 12:32:23 PM »

I do like the idea of staying with the original 76mm gun. If there were a way to add a thermal insulation cover to the gun barrel that did not require any extra effort it would certainly give it an updated appearance to match the new fire control system.

Buzzbomb · « **Reply #35 on:** December 06, 2024, 12:46:53 PM »

Just great all around. The new turret works well, fully agree that smaller is better

Kerick · « **Reply #36 on:** December 06, 2024, 12:56:31 PM »

Steve is just so cool!
I think you’re on a great path here!

Old Wombat · « **Reply #37 on:** December 06, 2024, 02:10:38 PM »

Bullitt 2000AD

Kerick · « **Reply #38 on:** December 06, 2024, 08:57:43 PM »

Quote from: Jeffry Fontaine on December 06, 2024, 12:32:23 PM

I do like the idea of staying with the original 76mm gun. If there were a way to add a thermal insulation cover to the gun barrel that did not require any extra effort it would certainly give it an updated appearance to match the new fire control system.

How about wrapping it with PVA glue soaked tissue?

LemonJello · « **Reply #39 on:** December 06, 2024, 09:53:24 PM »

Some fine modifications going on here. That turret just looks right on the M41.

Claymore · « **Reply #40 on:** December 06, 2024, 11:44:58 PM »

Quote from: Frank3k on December 06, 2024, 10:37:48 AM

I was thinking of upgunning it to a 105mm, but it does look good with the original gun.

Having gone to all the hassle of dramatically changing/enlarging the turret, it seems a little strange/unlikely that the owners would stick with the old weapon system. Whilst the Stingray turret did carry a 105mm gun, I agree that it looks a little overbearing on the M41 hull, so perhaps go for a midway solution and mount a 90mm gun…

Kerick · « **Reply #41 on:** December 07, 2024, 12:45:30 AM »

Don’t forget, it’s not just the size of the actual gun but the ammunition rounds too. A small increase in diameter of the shell usually carries a significant increase in the length. In the same storage space you would get fewer rounds of 90mm compared to 76mm and even far less 105mm. A big punch is great but if you’re out of bullets life really sucks.

Claymore · « **Reply #42 on:** December 07, 2024, 02:00:13 AM »

Quote from: Kerick on December 07, 2024, 12:45:30 AM

Don’t forget, it’s not just the size of the actual gun but the ammunition rounds too. A small increase in diameter of the shell usually carries a significant increase in the length. In the same storage space you would get fewer rounds of 90mm compared to 76mm and even far less 105mm. A big punch is great but if you’re out of bullets life really sucks.

True, but the Belgians converted some of their M41s with a new turret (considerably smaller than the Stingray) with the Cockerill 90mm gun (claimed to have a performance not dissimilar to the Royal Ordinance 105mm L7) and could carried 40-45 rounds (hull and turret) compared to the original 57 rounds of 76mm. The larger Stingray turret might have allowed a greater number of ready rounds to be carried, perhaps giving a total of 50(?) - not bad for the vastly improved performance…

Kerick · « **Reply #43 on:** December 07, 2024, 06:18:30 AM »

That’s such a small looking turret! Add a couple radios and sighting system and I can’t imagine getting much else in there!

Dr. YoKai · « **Reply #44 on:** December 07, 2024, 11:23:16 PM »

It looks terrific, especially the McQueen figure, though now I'm picturing the tank in a Le Mans paint scheme...

Frank3k · « **Reply #45 on:** December 08, 2024, 03:42:52 AM »

Thanks for the discussion so far. The 105mm gun might be a bit much; I think Jeff is right; as a scouting tank, it wouldn't need to be the biggest gun in the field; just enough to do a credible job against whatever it found, then scooting back.

Also, I don't have a suitable 105 yet. Claymore's image of the Cockerill 90mm gun let me to experiment with the existing barrel. The 90mm I have is for the smaller 2 man turret on the HobbyBoss LAV 150:

But with just minor surgery, I can make the existing barrel much closer to the longer 90mm Cockerill. Parts are drying now. I may add some thermal blankets to bulk it up slightly

Frank3k · « **Reply #46 on:** December 08, 2024, 10:14:42 AM »

Here's what I have so far. Some of the parts are not fully cured/set or even glued. The two part epoxy putty (ProCreate) is great; it stays somewhat flexible after cure (slightly softer than styrene) so it can be worked a bit afterwards.

The muzzle break and the barrel end are Kotobukiya detail parts that have been drilled to the right size:

Here it is on the turret:

Claymore · « **Reply #47 on:** December 08, 2024, 05:05:27 PM »

Marderman · « **Reply #48 on:** December 08, 2024, 09:31:30 PM »

Hello Frank,
It's amazing what you can do with CAD knowledge. The tank looks good.

Kerick · « **Reply #49 on:** December 09, 2024, 03:28:12 AM »

Looking good. This keeps giving me ideas.


Fabulous '50s GB

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Author Topic: 1/35 M-41 Waffle (Read 15930 times)