Pah co chu puk

I just got back from Arizona. We went to the DAK battle on Sat. and it was HOT! Snow is a good thing to have around.

Penguins could have pooped on those tanks when the snow was deeper...

So your not coming to Colorado? That means I don't get to meet your daughter? Lucky girl.

Max-U52

Let Paco remodel the guest room. Then we can all use it.

Rex Ross

[QUOTE=Pah co chu puk;


So your not coming to Colorado? That means I don't get to meet your daughter? Lucky girl.[/QUOTE]

~~~~~~~~

No problem ..... I can still arrange it so that you could meet my 56 year old daughter, her husband, her mother and her 4 brothers. Lucky you!
rex

Pah co chu puk

HUSBAND! Yikes! I'm gonna stay away from that kind of trouble.

Do her brothers build tank models?

Max-U52

If they're Rex's kids you KNOW they build tanks!!!

Rex Ross

No, they build 1:1 scale houses and Harleys.
rex

Pah co chu puk

That sounds like most of the guys around here.

Rex Ross

Excellent suggestion! I was getting ready to order that 3D printed engine from shapeways, and I got to wondering how hard it really would be to scratch one. After looking long and hard at the photos of that engine, it occurred to me that maybe I could do something acceptable. This afternoon I got busy and everything worked out pretty good for starters. Still a lot of work to do.


rex

Green Amphibian

Where there is a will there's a way! Excellent start Rex.

Herman

Rex Ross

Thanks ... I have never built an engine before and this thing has really got my interest and attention, and I want to do it right. First goof --- the pistons are wrong. There are 9. There are only supposed to be 7. Consequently, they are too small in diameter and I am now making new pistons - no big deal, I caught that early. I expect to get my new casting materials today from MicroMark for casting the suspension parts. Building the hull is a piece of cake. The suspension and engine are the frosting to me. Mixing a matching paint color for the hulls and duplicating the Antarctica background to match the photo are going to be the key to this project.
rex

Pah co chu puk

Amazing!

Rex Ross

When I consider how much of this engine will show and can be seen, I wonder why I am spending time on some of the details. I guess just because it's fun half of the time. The other half is tedious, repetitive, and labor intensive. Especially after I end up building something twice. This thing ain't perfect, it's just gone as far as I want to spend time on. Maybe a few more details are in order, but putting on more Penguin poop may be the answer for that.

Front and back of engine so far.



I will make some silicone molds and cast the resin suspension pieces this week .
rex

Max-U52

So these are the same tracks as what's on a Stuart? What about the rest of the running gear? Do you think the roadwheels from the stuart are the same? I guess I'll have to start searching for 1/16th stuart tracks. But it sure is small. I might be able to do static, but cramming electronics in this will be a real chore. Maybe I should explore the electronics they use for 1/35. But I really don't like messin' with electronics! I'd much rather be putting a new road in my little village, or building a new barn for it (this weekend!), or painting a tank, or ...

Rex Ross

From what I can see in Hunnicutts' Stuart book, photos of the Stuart and the all of the earlier prototypes and variations show the same, or similar spoked road wheels and flat pad track. I guess the Mato Sherman track would work if you wanted to spend a lot of time grinding off the chevron on each piece. On real Shermans the road wheels are a little larger than the real Stuart. How accurate do you want to be?
rex

Rex Ross

I started doing the resin casting of the road wheels, sprockets, return rollers and suspension frames, and put some on a 1/16th scale drawing to test the sizes and how they will fit together. So far, so good.

The neat thing about this project is ........

It is static, nothing has to work.
It will be all one color, even the track, except for the pads.
All I have to build is what can be seen in the photo.
No turrets.
No rivets.
No fenders, lights, accessories or exterior equipment.
A lot of rust, weather damage and a thick coat of paint, will cover up any crappy detail work. And, some advice somebody posted will be considered -----------"a heavy rust effect to cover the glue blobs he did not want to clean up" --------- is a really good suggestion

.
rex

.

Max-U52

I don't think I'd want to attempt an RC T3 unless I could get Stuart tracks and running gear, or at least the bogies and roadwheels. If someone comes out with a 16th stuart I might give it a go, but I ain't gettin' any younger.

I'll be watching your diorama, Rex, that's the kind of stuff I need to be doing for my village. Static dioramas that can be moved wherever I want them. I'm tryin' to get to a building this weekend, I want to copy this little barn by my shop. Then again, I did get a start on the detailed guardshack. So far I'm planning a pot bellied stove with smoking chimney and lights, so I'm open to additional suggestions.

Time to get out to the garage!

Rex Ross

I finished casting the parts I need, and now I can start the M2A2. The hull and body of the T3E4 are a different animal, but some of the suspension parts will work for it as well. This is M2A2 is going better and faster than I thought it would. I hope the T3E4 will go well too. It looks like everything will fit together OK.


rex

MAUS45

Wow!!!!

Airbrushler

always amazing work Rex Ross

Pah co chu puk

wow!

Rex Ross

Thanks guys ---- this diorama project really has my interest and determination to "do good". Besides building the models, I am starting to think about the background and my non existent photography skills. OMG --- what have I done???? I don't remember who came up with this idea, but I think he may have forgotten to take his medications that day. Maybe drinking distilled spirits or smoking a controlled substance had something to do with it. Oh well .....

Happy Easter to all.
rex

Rex Ross

Trying to build this diorama project to duplicate a photo is interesting and a real learning experience for me. I am definitely a Newbie on this WIP. The M2A2 is getting close to doing the tiny detail work, but I think I'm going to take a break on it for now and start the T3E4 for a bit of a change. I may do some practice photography to see if things will work out and I think I am in for some study and experimentation with perspective photography.


rex

MAUS45

Rex that is amazing. Add the detils and paint and you are there!!!

Rex Ross

I was thinking of taking a little break on this project, and I have. But it wasn't exactly what I had in mind at all. On Monday, April 12, I fell down and broke my hip. That is a definitely something that will make you say --- OUCH--- and a few other words that I learned in the Navy. I got fixed up really good at the hospital, and I am presently in a rehab and therapy center until Sunday morning, when I get to go home. My hip was repaired with medical grade super glue and a Titanim cap. They also used CA to close up the surgery ----- no sutures or staples. Medical technology is wonderful. Monday I will be back to work on my stuff.
rex

MAUS45

Wow, sorry you had a break from your work, no punn intended, but glad you are repaired and going home soon!!! Hope the repair work on your hip heals quickly.