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M47 custom build
I finally started this project. Its going to be a major build for sure. I have always loved the M47 as it was my first tank toy when I was a kid. Really it was a motorized 1;35 tank kit my dad built for me. Also I see one every month at my armory where I am stationed out front on display since an armor unit used to be the main unit there for a long time until the M60a3 was stolen from our armory in 1995 and driven on a rampage around town....
The major work started with the glacis as that is one of the two major rebuild jobs to the hull to make this model. I had to cut out the MG port and the hull vent and start making measurements to lengthen the front a little and make it lower slope. I have photos of 3 tanks I took and there are some slight differences around the MG port and lift rings and such. Im part way through extending the glacis out further and then I will graft the MG port back into the glacis and blend it into the glacis. https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...bde13b9e71.jpg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...0757a9bf37.jpg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...404fc0fb68.jpg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...f2c7b772a5.jpg |
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...c3464ccab8.jpg
M47 - Contoured Glacis https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...65afd9af13.jpg M47 - Concavity in turret wall below TC https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...b4f362f19c.jpg M41 - Similar concavity below TC, buttressed cupola https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...8f5c3a6c5f.jpg Late M41, Smooth Cupola, note rounded front https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...109af8a528.jpg M41 smooth cupola from above https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...da58441e01.jpg M41 (HL) rounded front, smooth cupola - WIP https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...193bd01a05.jpg Standard HL cupola before sanding & trying Fabric paint as weld https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...fbdf0565ac.jpg Early M41 with upper hull casting with cast numbers https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...ae50d699d0.jpg Upper hull casting from side https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...1d69cc4efe.jpg AVRENZE - AVRE on Early M41 What if Hi Rich Interesting choice. Is that the 3D print from the German guys? Looks like it has the buttress-less or smooth cupola, as fitted to very late M41. I'd wondered if M47 had got those too, but haven't seen any photo's of them as yet. Can't tell from the angle whether they've got the turret concavity below the TC? The glacis on the M47 is a highly contoured casting, rather than a flat rolled plate. You'll have some fun doing that - a bit like the early M41 with cast upper hull - pics of some of mine attached Mal |
Hi Rich, is that the tw modelltechnik turret?
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I got it from someone that had it loaded to shapeways a couple years ago but it was not purchase-able because he did not have a liscense to sell in his country, Germany I think. So paid him the files and Cirus printed it for me. I only bought a license to print them for myself. So I cant sell them or share them.
As for the glacis, yes I have photos I took of 3 tanks that I am using. I will get the shape pretty close. The right side is as flat as a sheet of steel up to the hatches but the contoured curves all around the mg port are going to be fun. Most 1.35 models get this all wrong. Several of the tanks I have seen show evidence of lots of welding and griding around this slope around the mg port. I hypothesize that maybe early tanks were cast with a port similar to the pershing which was later filled in all around with welding and ground to shape. Just maybe... |
This is the m47 m building. It has no evidence of the trailing tentioner wheel and the turret I believe it the late model as well.
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...4e24be0d91.jpg |
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...37f30875e5.png
Hi Rich Cool. Never liked the tension-ing jockey wheel, always looked like an engineering afterthought. That one has the buttressed cupola, but rounded front. Is that a M85 on the pintle? Mal |
I think most of us might agree you need to consider painting it in one of it's "Hollywood Roles".
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...d389838fae.jpg BATTLE OF THE BULGE https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...4a84d9036a.jpg DEVILS BRIGADE https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...6b05f1e049.jpg COMMANDO |
Nah man, Im gonna do a reugular old US Army Olive Drab M47 marked for the lineage of the 185th Armor BN that I marked my M60a3 for. This will be the major armor predecessor of the 185th, the 1st of the 140th Armor in the California National Guard circa 1950s 60s. It shared the same regimental crest, the Fulmen Jacio. Prior to that in WWII they were the 540th TD battalion. I have affinity for this unit because when first joined the Guard I was in a support company for the 185th with the Fulmen Jacio RDI.
Got that 60 degree slope down and the front of the tank extended out to the correct measuremnts. Its nice being able to stop on your way home and check a couple things with a tape measure lol. https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...bcabeed216.jpg https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...a7dc546573.jpg https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...a9835b6570.jpg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...11c7952255.jpg |
Hi Rich
Glad you're not going the Hollywood route. Wondered when the bog would come out, that's what I use to do cast areas. Lots of sanding in your future.... Mal |
I've been wondering when you would get around to this. It looks pretty good so far.
I just one small note, Rich, my screen name is Crius, not Cirus. Inspired by Erik's dog. You see, the dog is named Zeus, and in Greek mythology Crius was the uncle of Zeus, brother of Cronus, who was the father of Zeus. See, you learn something new everyday. ;) |
Cool project Rich. Here are some pix of the one over at Fort Carson. I'd offer to go measure stuff on it for you, but you seem to have one closer to measure. This one is 250 miles away from me. This one has the trailing tenisioner wheel.
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...d2d65dd515.jpg https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...4078413923.jpg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...918b074e56.jpg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...5c7c50bb38.jpg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...4e84abe8ca.jpg |
Having alreday the turret the more difficult area is the engine deck. Here some pictures of the work should be done
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...4452ac065e.jpg https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...7295072477.jpg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...8a8f5e4440.jpg |
Yeah that looks like it, did you build that up from styrene or is it a urethane casting? Did you complete the model yet? |
Originally Posted by RichJohnson
(Post 12566312)
Yeah that looks like it, did you build that up from styrene or is it a urethane casting? Did you complete the model yet? |
Hard work for sure. I will be stopping by my local m47 at my weekender garrison and measuring what I need to make the rear deck. I have 3d printed louvers for all the doors that are gonna be the biggest pain to build the deck around...
That build might have been the guy that I got my turret from. |
Really cool, interesting project and your about 20 years ahead of Tamiya Engineering too! |
Originally Posted by RichJohnson
(Post 12566424)
Hard work for sure. I will be stopping by my local m47 at my weekender garrison and measuring what I need to make the rear deck. I have 3d printed louvers for all the doors that are gonna be the biggest pain to build the deck around...
That build might have been the guy that I got my turret from. |
Getting closer to the final shape.....
I stopped by the armory yesterday to get a couple more measurements. Its a amzing when your working and you keep coming up with things you should have measured but didnt think about it till your making the area..... Any way a lady was getting in her car and started yelling at me. Keep in mind, the tank is nearly on the sidewalk and Im sure that kids play on it when the armory is empty. She was a soldier in a different unit that works there m-f and was leaving, in civilian clothes and freaked out that I am standing in front of the tank with a tape measure and a clip board... while it was raining... I get security and all. but sheesh its nearly on the sidewalk LOL.... I probably outranked her since she was a rediness NCO but I just told her what I was doing and what unit Im in and she looked at me strange and said ok you understand then, and walked away..... Just wait till Im up on the back deck measuring and drawing out the whole thing.....That will get some attention! https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...0792897b82.jpg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...5f006e2d9c.jpg https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...135c7737c2.jpg |
Originally Posted by RichJohnson
(Post 12566004)
I got it from someone that had it loaded to shapeways a couple years ago but it was not purchase-able because he did not have a liscense to sell in his country, Germany I think. So paid him the files and Cirus printed it for me. I only bought a license to print them for myself. So I cant sell them or share them.
As for the glacis, yes I have photos I took of 3 tanks that I am using. I will get the shape pretty close. The right side is as flat as a sheet of steel up to the hatches but the contoured curves all around the mg port are going to be fun. Most 1.35 models get this all wrong. Several of the tanks I have seen show evidence of lots of welding and griding around this slope around the mg port. I hypothesize that maybe early tanks were cast with a port similar to the pershing which was later filled in all around with welding and ground to shape. Just maybe... Best regards, Rudy |
Looks great so far!!!
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Originally Posted by MAUS45
(Post 12568308)
Rich how could we get one? Pay you a license fee and have Gary print one for us?
Best regards, Rudy |
Maus, Gary is correct, i merely bought a license to print them for myself however i want, but i was told i maynot sell the raw turrets or share the files. I did get him to exclude a tank it is mounted on, incase i ever had to or wanted to sell the model.
PM me if you want to do the leg work of finding him for a licesnse. |
Hi Rich
It's looking good. Don't quite get what the concern was with your encounter while measuring up - tape measure & clipboard aren't highly regarded anti tank weapons. Though for a new tank - think Chieftain on introduction & Soxmis - that was a concern. I've had a few odd looks while measuring up M41 components & the odd question, but fairly low key. Mal |
I am nearing completion of shaping the front. I hope to be done after sanding the last application of spot putty. Been lots of work but I think it really shows off how different the m47 is from the pershing hull.
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...2f303fac5b.jpg https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...db372c7c9e.jpg https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...bf0b7b664a.jpg |
Hi Rich
Definitely looking the part. Mal |
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