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Description

More 3D printer tanks! This time an american prototype that I've wanted to have a model of for years. The unique turret shape just looks so cool to me: T29E3. With these large "ears" (range finders) it looks like a ship's turret on a tank hull.

I learned a lot about how to better print tanks in the future. For example, cutting the model into two to three pieces allows printing them vertikal instead of horizontal, reducing the amount of support needed and improving the quality too. In the future I will probably also print the track and roadwheels seperately in order to prevent having to pry support out of the running gear. As you can see, there was still enough support material left to make another junk heap scenic base. I also used up support and failed objects from some other prints, they represent spare parts and other metal bits.

The "story" I thought up behind the base is that the tank is driving into a previously german-occupied town where cleaning up has begun, so soldiers have moved rubble to the side and "liberated" metal parts for use in repairs, lining them up on the side of the road.

Also, first time I airbrushed a tank camouflage! It's only the yellow that I sprayed on, but I think it shows.

Description

More 3D printer tanks! This time an american prototype that I've wanted to have a model of for years. The unique turret shape just looks so cool to me: T29E3. With these large "ears" (range finders) it looks like a ship's turret on a tank hull.

I learned a lot about how to better print tanks in the future. For example, cutting the model into two to three pieces allows printing them vertikal instead of horizontal, reducing the amount of support needed and improving the quality too. In the future I will probably also print the track and roadwheels seperately in order to prevent having to pry support out of the running gear. As you can see, there was still enough support material left to make another junk heap scenic base. I also used up support and failed objects from some other prints, they represent spare parts and other metal bits.

The "story" I thought up behind the base is that the tank is driving into a previously german-occupied town where cleaning up has begun, so soldiers have moved rubble to the side and "liberated" metal parts for use in repairs, lining them up on the side of the road.

Also, first time I airbrushed a tank camouflage! It's only the yellow that I sprayed on, but I think it shows.