tankme

Looks like it ran well. What material is it printed in?

RichJohnson

Pla+

RiskyR

The project is progressing more and more every day.

Richard noticed that my T23 turret (he's got my first prototype) wasn't the correct shape compared to the real one, and even other models.
He gave me better pics and measurements and I think I can say I managed to design a turret that is way more accurate than the other one.

He's got some good idea's on other aspects of the suspension as well. I think we will get very accurate and good working conversion kits in the future.

Here you can see the old and new turret compared. The left one is the old and the right one is the new one. Compare these to the real T23 and you'll see it's a lot better.

RiskyR

Now printed, painted and assembled.

afv aficionado

Really interesting work going on here. Any chance of seeing the 3 versions of the T23 turret side by side?

Mal

RichJohnson

Mal, why would you want to see prior versions that are not proportioned correctly and shaped wrong?
Rick as worked very hard to get to the closest to accurate shape and dimensions as he can without actually mesuring a real turret.
This current model looks so good I cant wait to get my printer set up and make one for the prototype tank.

afv aficionado

Hi Rich
Not sure what's wrong with wanting to see that?
When Rick mentioned he'd resized the turret, I thought a side by side would be interesting to see the changes, then with the 3rd iteration, the desire to see all 3 strengthened.
Cool?

Mal

RichJohnson

Yeah ok I get it…. My head was somewhere else after all the work going into this stuff to get it right.
Rick will post the pics if he wants or has them, it’s up to him. It’s just been an immense amount of work for him with me saying no change this, change that, this dimension is wrong that is wrong… so I would just rather focus on success and where we are at moving forward that’s all.
But I get it, your curious…

afv aficionado

Indeed

Mal

RiskyR

Thanks for your concern Richard, but I don't mind taking and sharing some pics.

On the left you can see prototype T23, version 2. The resized item is in the middle and the completely new turret is on the right hand side.
Everything is taking a lot of time and work as Richard said, but I think it is worth the effort as it is getting better and better with each change.

Please don't mind the mess, haven't cleaned it up yet!

afv aficionado

Hi RiskyR
Thanks for doing that. Seeing them all together really illustrates the differences, which I could not readily see in the individual shots.
That is a vast improvement over the Mato T23 turret, too.

Mal

RiskyR

I sent the 3D files to Richard so that he could start making his own prototype.
A friend of his printed the turret with a resin printer. Very impressed with the end result.

ErikElvis

My Feedback: (2)

This 3d printing is amazing. Revolutionized the toy and hobby trade.

Fsttanks

That turret looks like it turned out really nice. Can’t wait to see how it looks assembled.

RiskyR

Not too much progress lately. Just spent some time on finishing some stuff on my prototype like the transmission cover.
Also finally replaced the suspension with the dual 4mm bearing per wheel design. This design is also the one I sent to Richard for testing.
I still had 2mm bearings fitted and already redesigned it a long time ago, but just hadn't done the upgrade to mine yet!

RiskyR

Bit busy lately and still waiting for some proper electronics so not much progress to share.
Had some spare time today so did some driving around in the garden. Suspension behaves brilliant. The motors in this tank are probably 280s so they definitely need an upgrade as it's lacking some power.

Crius

It looks just great, but didn't the E8 have a muzzle brake? Is that something you plan to add later? Have you found a good one in metal, or will you use a 3D printed brake?

RiskyR

Well I've got a design ready to print, but just haven't printed it yet

RiskyR

Some more test driving done recently. All still behaving well apart from a single broken shock absorber.
I made a slomotion video to show the 3D printed suspension doing its work.

RichJohnson

Very good timing as our first ten kits should be ready next week as I am making up the idlers right now.
just need to write up the assembly and instal instructions….. ugh that’s gonna be some work.
they will be available at
RC Tank Products

rb67mustang

I really like how this kit progressed through the various stages as it became more accurate at each step of the way. 3D Printing has come a long way. What a great job on such an Iconic Sherman.

rb67mustang

Very brutal and impressive desert training test of the new HVSS suspension. I've never seen a 1/16 Sherman drilling a hole in the ground before. All the sand that was churned up in the tracks, and it managed to drive away without an issue. Yes, it looks better than what Tamiya Sherman could do in that situation.

RichJohnson

The kits are available on my site RC Tanks I built and battles they were in