Author Topic: 16t Panzer "Laupen" (Read 4959 times)

Frank3k · « **Reply #25 on:** August 07, 2023, 12:54:02 PM »

That looks great! Are you going to try link and length or individual tracks? Or try for a run of workable tracks?

Mig Eater · « **Reply #26 on:** August 07, 2023, 03:13:04 PM »

I'm going to try & print the lower parts of the tracks in lengths & then the upper part as workable. That should cut down the amount of work needed but make it easier to fit the tracks & add some natural sag over the return roller.

Mig Eater · « **Reply #27 on:** August 13, 2023, 12:30:50 AM »

Slowly making progress with the build

I rescribed the weld/panel lines to make them a bit deeper (note to self, should make them deeper on the 3D model too). SSomething I was undecided about when I was making the 3D model was if I should add a weld seam between the front & side armour plates or were to put it, once I had the physical model in my hands tho I decided to scribe a weld seam along the sides. The weld seams were then filled with green stuff putty & a weld bead pattern added with a custom made tool. Lastly I used some Mr. Surfacer to fill in some unwanted marks & also add some texture to the hull, turret & gun mantlet. One of the handles on the engine deck broke off while I was handling the model

luckily some CA glue quickly fixed it, otherwise I would have had to replace it with some metal wire & if I had to replace one then I would have replaced all of them to make them match.

With that all the prep work need for the model is done, so I can finally start the building part of the project now

Mig Eater · « **Reply #28 on:** August 13, 2023, 08:38:21 PM »

I added the rest of the parts to the hull & turret, starting to look like an actually tank now

I haven't added the side skirts yet as I want to test fit the track first, which is the next thing on the to do list.

finsrin · « **Reply #29 on:** August 14, 2023, 01:32:36 AM »

Designing and printing all these parts is amazing to me.

Commendable job.

Going together well.

Old Wombat · « **Reply #30 on:** August 14, 2023, 06:39:55 AM »

Mig Eater: The Dark Lord of 3D Printing!

Fantastic stuff!

Mig Eater · « **Reply #31 on:** August 14, 2023, 04:47:18 PM »

Frank3k · « **Reply #32 on:** August 14, 2023, 11:52:31 PM »

Wow, the print came out great. Can't wait to see it painted.

Claymore · « **Reply #33 on:** August 15, 2023, 06:50:09 AM »

Just amazing and what a strange wee beastie it is too!

Mig Eater · « **Reply #34 on:** August 17, 2023, 11:11:39 PM »

So I spent several days working on the tracks...

I found a 3D model of a Hetzer track link online awhile ago, which I though was great as it saves me the time of having to model one myself. However this 3D model proved to not work very well when printed at 1/35 scale (I think it was originally scaled to 1/16), the links were too fragile & about 50% of them broke when cleaning up the holes for the track pins. To make a complete set I would have had to print hundreds of track links & hope that enough of them survive. To save my sanity I decided to give up on making workable tracks

Luckily I could still use the same 3D model tho, I just needed to fill in the holes for the track pins & then I could print the tracks in two long (upper & lower) sections pre shaped to fit around the wheels & sprockets. This was so much easier, taking only an hour to print & then fitted onto the tank in minutes.

Last things left to add are some brass rod for the machine gun barrels, wire for the radio antenna & some spare tracks to the front of the hull (I have about 100 spare track links

I could use)

2 days working on individual links...

An hour to print two complete sets of tracks.

apophenia · « **Reply #35 on:** August 18, 2023, 08:08:09 AM »

This is truly impressive work (and detail design)! Kudos

Mig Eater · « **Reply #36 on:** August 18, 2023, 04:09:06 PM »

Thanks, this was a very random spur of the moment build, but its turned into my best 3D print so far

Old Wombat · « **Reply #37 on:** August 18, 2023, 06:36:19 PM »

Mig Eater · « **Reply #38 on:** August 29, 2023, 08:58:04 PM »

I've added the last few bits to the model; Brass rod for machine gun barrels, brass rod for the radio antenna, wire for the headlamps, spare track on the front of the hull & side skirts scratch built from a aluminium drinks can. I'll paint the skirts separately & add them later as it would be difficult to fit the tracks with them attached.

Next step is to give the model a good clean to get rid of any resin dust or dirt, then I can start painting.

Old Wombat · « **Reply #39 on:** August 29, 2023, 10:13:13 PM »

Looking very good, there!

GTX_Admin · « **Reply #40 on:** August 30, 2023, 02:01:05 AM »

Quote from: Old Wombat on August 29, 2023, 10:13:13 PM

Looking very good, there!

Agreed

Mig Eater · « **Reply #41 on:** August 30, 2023, 04:03:43 AM »

Thanks

I'm planning to paint it in this Swiss tricolour camo scheme, currently going though my paint collection & seeing what I can use or mix together...

apophenia · « **Reply #42 on:** August 30, 2023, 04:34:57 AM »

Quote from: Mig Eater on August 30, 2023, 04:03:43 AM

...I'm planning to paint it in this Swiss tricolour camo scheme, currently going though my paint collection & seeing what I can use or mix together...

Awesome choice of schemes! Although that huge, bright yellow 'CH' does reduce its value as camouflage