3D prints and CADs Part 2 - by petition2God

Looks real nice. :+1::+1:

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So I’ve decided to build a 1/35 OG M1 Abrams tank with 105mm gun, using various spare parts from several different kits, as well as to finish my WIP M1 IP (improved performance) tank, which I started like 3 years ago…

While doing so, I’ve realized that the rear grill armor(?) of many plastic Abrams kits do not look that great (likely due to the thinness limitation in injection molding technology) or there is a lack of it (in my case of the ancient ESCI kit I am using). I found it interesting that no AM vendors attacked these.
Reference photo:

So I’ve CADed them and 3D printed them over the weekend:





Comparing their thickness to RFM M1A1’s grill armor:

Superglued them onto the ESCI kit part:

Compared to the good ol’ Tamiya grill. Please excuse the shiny reflections in the middle - superglue is still being dried.

More mounted photos:


Another nice thing about these is I can potentially bend those plates in CAD to depict more of a damaged look. This is a rough attempt:

And try to look like something below:

Thanks for looking.

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The only company I know that tried for a grill only set is Limes/Rescue Models.

Eduard had this fund torture device.

Enough about them, that is some really nice printing. Your thinnest to date I believe. :+1::+1:

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Thank you, Ryan. O, I wasn’t aware of the Limes/Rescue offering. The laser cut cardboard still looks a bit thick.
And Eduard… Not worth the hassle in my opinion.
These 3D prints are the time-saver! My “thinnest” - I need to work out a bit more to lose all that winter fatty belly. :smiley:

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Started something new. A rough draft CAD so far:



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M60 series rear bustle rack?

Correctomundo!
We all know how painful it is to make those bustle racks for M60A1-3. It would save a lot of time if this was made in one piece. The mesh will be tricky to 3D print though due to thinness.

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And yes, I am aware of FC Model Trend’s offering.

Not going to buy it when I can make it on my own and with less brittle resin.

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Anyone seen Feddie’s version? His parts are hit & miss accuracy-wise…

I have not seen it but, based on some of their other mesh type parts, I would not rush out and buy it. Their mesh is way over scale to compensate for potential of breakage/printability.