This arrived today. I thought the images on Ebay were enticing enough to spring for the model. I am astounded at the quality of this print. Ready to primer after a wash. Minimal clean-up and it’s all in places you cant see. No striations. The level of detail is stunning. I bought the XM246 from them (see my post in Cold War section), and it was decent but has required considerable fettling before the first coat of paint. This thing is paint booth ready out of the box. Everything was well packaged, delivery about three weeks. Includes a small decal sheet and some plastic tube. No instructions. The Ebay shop is Armored-Workshop. Security Measure | eBay
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They added this version recently. Wish I’d known, I would have ordered this instead. I like the turret…
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Looks really good…the problem with 3D-printed AFVs is that they might look like wargaming pieces if not careful.
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Well, surely not: I mean how so? If it’s in 1/35 scale it’ll be a model to be judged on its merits. And surely if is finished as a scale model, then I don’t see why any default perception should be “Oh look, a wargaming model” or have I misunderstood you?
Not to lock horns for the sake of it, but to me, and although I don’t model much modern stuff, at first glance I’d be very attracted to purchasing such a kit, for me to model it on a decent base, tinker with opening hatches and providing a crew perhaps, and so on. Is that what you mean perhaps be “being careful”?
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Perhaps speaking to the comment above about looking like wargaming models. I think I know what you mean. Comparing the print to the Revell Boxer kit, the print details look a little exaggerated, the injection molded a little softer and more subtle. WarHammer tanks etc., tend to have exagerated features and this appears close to that. The 1/72 print they offer even more so. The approach taken to painting, weathering, and finish will tell the final tale. I’ve seen that Revell will be issuing the RCT30 IFV version of the Boxer later in the year.
RCT30
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No, what I meant was that 3D printers currently can’t print clear “glass” for windows and doors so they are printed in resin and one has to paint them black or blue because there is no interior visible and never will be. That’s a wargame piece as most wargame vehicle pieces have solid opaque windows made of resin and no matter how one paints them, you cannot see any interior whatsoever. It will never look like a real model kit because of the solid resin windows so it resembles more of a toy or “resin paperweight” if one is not careful in how one views it. Is it a resin model kit or is it a wargaming piece? Please see the photo below and judge for yourself… 
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Gotcha Peter, I get where you’re coming from; and you’re right re the lack of glass etc - it does show, I wasn’t seeking merely to be combative(!)
I do think there is a healthy cross-over between what may start out as something for the wargaming lobby, then metamorphoses into something we can deal with - such as the models above, which obviously fill a gap. If there was something rare that we would never see the light of day in, in injected plastic, then I too would be tempted if it came into being no matter who it was destined for.
I think the same thing about windows/screens applies to hatches and doors. If you wish to populate these models you may well have a difficult time doing it.
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Got it. Depends on the model though…I’ve seen some 3D printed stuff with full interiors and they intend the modeler to use their skills to make windows themselves. As for me, you will note that my work is all buttoned up AFVs…I dont do interiors anyway, not printed ones anyways…
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The Boxer GTK Skyranger looks like an excellent kit. I bought several 3D-printed vehicles myself from eBay because they were not offered in injection plastic or even resin. 3D printing has really transformed the modeling business; however, I have developed a discerning eye towards which 3D printed kits I add to my collection.
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Indeed. Comparing the XM246 and the Boxer GTK from the same shop, you see quite a difference in surface finish and detail. I think two different process were used…SLA on the Boxer for sure, and FDM on the XM246. And we usually only have a small photograph to judge AND we dont know if the photographed item hasnt been pre-fettled or even a jpg of the 3D model! What encouraged me to purchase the Boxer was that they showed images of the print directly out of the printer with the “runners and sprues” in place.
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Do you have a preferred supplier?
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Do you have a preferred supplier?
I mainly buy 3D-printed figures now, not 3D printed resin AFVs or vehicles, so no, not for 1/35 AFVs because I don’t have the shelf space to model AFVs anymore, so I sold most of my AFV kits. Most times I need to see the actual photo of the completed 3D-printed vehicle model, and I don’t buy from any seller below 4.5 stars.
A lot of the 3D items on eBay are “Made In China,” and I was reluctant to buy from China, but as an Admin here posted, China’s 3D-printing quality is excellent, even if some of their kits are recast or copies of the resin original.
A problem with China’s 3D-printed figures is that they often sell in odd 1/18 scale, which is smaller and skinnier than 1/16 scale, and yet some sellers in China kind of charges 1/16 prices or higher so one has to be careful not to get ripped off. And it’s usually Free Shipping from China on eBay. I also shop on ETSY and that has more original figures than eBay.
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Here is one I’ve used before. I’ve ordered about 1/2 dozen (maybe a bit mores) 3D printed AFV’s in the past two years. As mentioned earlier some are quite good, but others not so much.
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I forgot this one… all received from this one has been very good quality:
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