Please forgive me, I am confused. Are you saying that the pictures of the model you show, are not historicaly accurate?.  But you are going to create the needed accurate parts?

Then, will you be scratch building the entire tank?  or only replace the not accurate parts so that when completed, the customers tank will be accurate to the tank S33 at Kursk?

I hope I have not made you upset but I am interested  and the work you show on the wheel looks very professional

Hi Steve,

we are building according to the customers specifications. That is the tank you see with turret number S33.

This model that our customer wants us to build did not take part in this configuration at Kursk. Therefor it is not historically correct to put this turret number on a tank this configuration.

The tank itself will be historically accurate, just the turret number is not.

But we have to make the customer happy so we build it exactly the way he wants it.

So when finished, it will be an accurate replica, only turret number and camo will not be historically correct.

Hans

Molds being made for the track links !

First cast of the track links...

The lower hull get in shape !

Being that it is 1/4 scale is the guy going to haul it around on on a flat bed truck and build a new garage to keep it in. This thing is going to be huge and heavy I would imagine.

The weight will be above the 500Kg mark. A ramp and a trailer will do the transport I guess....yes, it is huge !

Big Tanks of America

The weight will be above the 500Kg mark. A ramp and a trailer will do the transport I guess....yes, it is huge !

Wow, yeah when I first saw 1/4th scale I was thinking this thing would have to be about the size of a small car when you're done! 

Impressive as !!!

Please keep us posted, I want to see how she turns out! 

Big Tanks of America

Molds being made for the track links !

What is the material you are using to make the mold?

matt

Big Tanks of America

Hi Steve,

we are building according to the customers specifications. That is the tank you see with turret number S33.

This model that our customer wants us to build did not take part in this configuration at Kursk. Therefor it is not historically correct to put this turret number on a tank this configuration.

The tank itself will be historically accurate, just the turret number is not.

But we have to make the customer happy so we build it exactly the way he wants it.

So when finished, it will be an accurate replica, only turret number and camo will not be historically correct.

Hans

AH yes the customer is always right, no matter what the rest of us think

The material for the molds is a special composite mix that is also heat resistant for the casting.

The process took several hours to be completed.

Good to see this progress;

Quite impressive.

clanky clanky clanky

Uh, this is insanely great work. 

How much do you estimate this completed build will cost?

I will make no reference to the price since too many people get upset with the price tag.

Fact is that custom made work is a class of its own and so are the customers.

Nice work! 

Out of curiosity, what brand / model  metalworking machine (s) and milling / cam software are you using to produce the parts?

Production of parts and programming is partly outsourced and manufacturing and prototyping and masters are made in house. It would go too far to explain details about machinery and software revisions used since most people do not even know what that is...

We also like to keep some information all for ourselves and we do not share copies of our (original) plans, not even for money.  We get requests like that frequently.

So please enjoy the work in progress just for the fun of it.

Thanks for your understanding.

Big Tanks of America

Production of parts and programming is partly outsourced and manufacturing and prototyping and masters are made in house. It would go too far to explain details about machinery and software revisions used since most people do not even know what that is...

We also like to keep some information all for ourselves and we do not share copies of our (original) plans, not even for money.  We get requests like that frequently.

Thank you for sharing your build with me and all the others who are following along.

I   seem to sense by your answer to Sprue-ce Goose, that though his questions were doubtless asked in the modelers spirit in which we all are prone to ask  "how'd ja do that?" ;     You, on the other hand, have doubtless had experiences with the side of creativity where proprietary information is a larger issue. 

 A view for which we all, I'm sure, can respect.  So, regardless, Thank You For Sharing  Your Work  as you have.  

 Cheers

That statement was solely preventive for other readers, it was not an answer to your question at all.

No harm done.

Don't feel too bad, Goose.  He didn't really answer my question either.

photo.php?v=155936657885217&set=vb.338068299608143&type=3

Real welding !

Note the stoppers on the lower hull and the tool to change the drive sprocket !

Idler wheel

The drive sprocket and transmission cover in the raw !

Radio controlled drivers visor !

More real welding !

Right now we are stuck redoing the re-casting of the track links that were not up to our quality needs, new molds and new castings take their time and money.

You can also find many more info checking us out on Facebook, look for Big Tanks of America !

 This is an awesomely epic display of engineering and resources. It's almost as close to building a real one as I believe you can get.

  Thanks for letting us know how it's going.

Here a little update for those who do not follow us on Facebook:

Test fitting of some more parts, not yet finished...

test fitting of parts raw road wheels and idler wheel, bump stop with real rubber !

test fitting of parts raw road wheels and "Vorgelege" Outer Gear with bullet protection ring, bump stop with real rubber !

Some turret details, not yet finished...

Some more parts and test fitting...

Just out of curiosity... will this thing be able to fire  "live" ammo?