Soft Skinned Armor support vehicles

I think I might have done some jerry cans in 1/24, but scale doesn't really matter. I can take a 1/16 piece and put it in a software called Cura and that allows me to scale it to any size I want. It will scale by size or percentage, and I can never remember and have to do the math every time (I really should write it down) but I think 1/16 to 1/6 is 256%. It not a problem to take a file that was designed in 1/16 and convert it to any scale I choose. For me the biggest problem is that I'm not very good with computer stuff. Fortunately I know some very smart guys that are, and even more fortunately they like me enough to share. 

garylee

5 mile & Telegraph

 

5 mile & Telegraph

I like your builds. Good to see a fellow Detroiter on here. Where about do live in Detroit?

Thanks, but no.  I already have a couple or three of those sets.  I will never go through all the M16s I have.

Heavy arty, I found a couple sets of the M-16 family.  After removing the A.F. weapons and with and without the M-148 launchers, I woun't need the rest,. Since you reminded of them, need the left overs?

I like that trailer. That looks like a good project for 3D printing. I have an sla printer that makes really great parts, but I usually work in 1/16 or 1/6 scale. But I'll bet my printer would be great for stuff like jerry cans and fuel drums in 1/35, maybe that would be a good way to earn my keep around here. I already do my best to help out at my tank forum (RCU Tank Forum, in case anyone wants to have a look, my screen name there is Crius) and I've done quite a bit of stuff for fellow RC Tankers, like an M47 turret I did for a guy for a custom build (right now no one makes the M47). Now, don't think I'm nuts but I always try to do stuff for fellow hobbyists at cost. Makes me feel like I'm contributing something good to the hobby that gives me so much. I'll have to take a look at 1/35 prices to see if I can help out here. With the 1/16 stuff the popular vendors usually sell jerry cans starting at about $1.50 each, but I can make them cheap so I give them to fellow forum members for $0.50 each. Now, please don't think I'm advertising and I didn't come here to sell anything or make any money, but I do get a kick out of helping others in the hobby so I try to do what I can, as cheap as I can. This is the kind of stuff I've been printing, the parts on the left are axle housings for the M3 scout car I'm working on, I just use the internal components from the wpl drive train and shorten them to whatever I need. The new housing puts the spring perches in the right place, they're too wide on the stock housings. 

Here's a WPL M-35 6x6 being converted to a cargo tractor to pull a modified Bruder trailer to haul my Sherman and Pershing around. 

And here it is with the trailer. 

The photo of the gun truck above has Nancy on the side and that made me smile because this is my Hot Nancy, just decals and dry transfer I got at the model railroad shop for the lettering. 

To be completely honest, I'm really hoping to get a few guys here to add RC to their skill set. I've seen some really awesome armor models here, King and Jagdtigers are especially good candidates for RC in 1/35 scale, and Tamiya even makes a universal gearbox set that works perfect in those types of projects. I was looking at Tojo72s next project, the King Tiger, and I have a feeling he'll produce a great model, now imagine that model moving under it's own power, the turret traversing and the gun elevating, all by remote control. Call me crazy, but I think that would be seriously cool. With the advances in miniaturization (sp? can't find the spell check button!!) and electronics you'd be amazed at what you can do nowadays. And the prices have come waaay down in recent years. I did all the hobby grade RC conversion on that M-35 tank hauler for under $100, and that includes the transmitter. And the trucks themselves are cheap, starting at about 40 bucks. 

And fair warning, I fully intend to copy a few photos of some choice armor from this forum and post it at RCU so I can show some of those guys what proper weathering looks like. I swear, some of those guys get waaay carried away with the rust, until their tank looks like it's been sitting out in a field for 70 years. I keep telling them these were well maintained machines and the crews kept them looking very good, but they just don't listen so maybe if I show them some proper good work they'll get a clue, eh?

garylee

I saw this online and that's where I got the M-35A3 but I think this was originally a 6x6 and had it's second rear axle removed. 

That is exactly what it is/was.  The bed is the M105 trailer I was talking about too.  It usually looks like this.

Good to know about the M-35s. I saw this online and that's where I got the M-35A3 but I think this was originally a 6x6 and had it's second rear axle removed. 

WPL also offers the 6x6 as well as a bunch of other trucks, and we're 3D printing a few. too. Here are a couple of the 3D printed works in progress, the WC51 and the WC64 ambulance variant, both will be fully operational with lights and engine sounds. Still a long way to go on both.

And yes, that's a 1/6 scale Sd.Kfz.250 in the background, and by the time I'm done it will also be fully RC. 

Another thing I've gotten into in 1/16 scale is the figures, so I'll be picking the brains of our figure painters if they let me. 

No issue reworking these into RC models and detailing them.  It is still modeling.

garylee

Interesting that you should mention the M-35. That was also released as a 4x4 variant, like the M-35A...

As to the M35A3, it is not a 4x4 version.  These 4x4 M35s were never used by the US military and are made w/surplus vehicles by off-roaders.  They may look cool, but are pretty impractical for military use due to their short wheelbase and smaller load bed, usually a M105 trailer or cut down bed.

The M35A3 was an upgrade to modernize the vehicles that was done by the Army National Guard since they couldn't afford newer LMTVs that replaced the M35A2s in the active US Army at the time.  These updates included a new engine; larger, external air filter; larger tires w/CTIS; new exhaust; and a new grill and headlights setup.

M35A3

Interesting that you should mention the M-35. That was also released as a 4x4 variant, like the M-35A3, and the 4x4 is the first truck released by WPL a couple years ago. I kind of hesitate to post this stuff, since most of the guys here are serious modelers building finely detailed scale models, whereas I'm basically just dressing up toys, so if this kind of stuff is inappropriate for this forum I'll understand, you guys just need to let me know. 

Anyway, my first WPL truck was a 1/16 scale M-35 and I took it from toy grade to a true hobby grade RC vehicle. The lights on the bar are fuctional and can be turned on and off from the transmitter and the entire bar can be removed for a more realistic look, it has head and tail lights and engine sounds, and there's a tiny little camera mounted in the passenger seat so you can drive it FPV with goggles (like a racing drone) or you can watch the action on a tiny little screen I have, interestingly enough called the Little Pilot. It's pretty much finished, but those aren't the final tires and rims. Those are actually from a 1/12 Jeep, but since the photo was taken I put on 3D printed tires and rims, originally designed for the Diamond T military wrecker, another truck on the list to 3D print and build in 1/16 scale. The M-35 is a real kick to drive FPV at night, and with all those lights you get a nice clear view. 

I know I can learn a lot about detail and technique here, and if any of you are interested in making your models move you might pick up a thing or three from me. I know there are a lot more 1/35 kits available now that are at least motorized, and they can be a real treat when they actually drive through that diorama you spent so much time on. Photos are great, but there's just something about video of models that move, ya know? 

And if it's OK to go off topic for just a sec, can anyone tell me how to make a video appear right in my post, as opposed to just posting a link to youtube? I checked stuff like FAQ but I can't seem to figure it out. 

Some of our M-16s and G.A.U.s mounted the M-148 40 mm grenade launcher...

Dragon's M16/AR15 Weapons set has M16A1s and GAU5As/M177E2 w/M148s on them, among other weapons.

Who makes a decent 1.35th Vietnam war duce 1/2.  It would make a good K-9 or Base Defense vehicle.

The only 1/35 M35A1 model out there is by AFV Club as the Nancy guntruck.  It is an excellent model and has all the parts to build a standrd M35A1 from it, just leave off all the guntruck parts.

Some of our M-16s and G.A.U.s mounted the M-148 40 mm grenade launcher, mostly for vehicle commanders, although once in a while someone at a entry point might be seen with a launcher.

Then there was this little gem:

The XM-174 automatic launcher, capable of launching its full clip of 12 40mm low velocity grenades in about 5 seconds.  We had them assigned to our armored vehicle's 13 man teams to provide extra firepower to their 2 M-60s.  It looks a bit like a WWII 30 caliber machinegun and I think that may be where they picked up the grip and trigger assembly but it did a good amount of damage for its size.  A couple things we found out was that it had no safety, just single shot and full automatic and there were no spare parts supplied with them. All in all it was still a good weapon and kind of fun to shoot.

I'd like a 715 as well.  While not in 1/35, Revell does have the Jeep p/u in 1/24-5.  That would give the hood and basic cab and fenders.  Would have to scratch the bed, flares interior and swipe a 6 cylinder from something else or do a curbside.  Tires might be a problem.

ikar01

We also carried the G.A.U. with the collapsing stock, not bolt assist, and long flash suppressor.

Yup, the GAU-5A.

That version was tested by the US Army and USMC as the XM177 or CAR 15 (Colt Automatic Rifle).  The one they bought was the M177E2 with the forward assist and chromed breech like an M16A1.  It was mainly used by Special Ops units.

These are the predecessors to the modern M4 Rifle which became a common rifle among regular Army units in the mid-2000s.

I too would love a kit of the M715.  It is definitely a significant missing vehicle from the Vietnam/Cold War period.

In allmy time in the Air Force we used the early versions without the bolt asist and either teh 3 prong or the bird cage flash suppressor, it just depended what weapon you were assigned when checking into your squadron.

We also carried the G.A.U. with the collapsing stock, not bolt assist, and long flash suppressor.

Do you know if anybody can make a model of the M-715 weapons truck in 1/35th?

Besides me, I know there are many people who would love to get a kit of this vehicle.

garylee

Yeah, that forward assist is a dead giveaway every time. I was in from 1978 to 1981 and my weapon had the forward assist and the later style muzzle flash but I still had the Triangular forearm grip.

You had an M16A1, which was an improved version of the above with the forward assist, barrel flash supressor (with slots on just the top), and a chromed breech to reduce jams that occured w/the original M16.

Yeah, that forward assist is a dead giveaway every time. I was in from 1978 to 1981 and my weapon had the forward assist and the later style muzzle flash but I still had the Triangular forearm grip.

Jon, I thank you for the info. I had already seen some of it but most of it is new stuff and very interesting so I will pass that along to our designer posthaste. If he still wants more info after that I will take your advice and post a thread specifically for the d-33.

garylee

Recently a guy I know in the UK who is a great CAD designer and does the files for most of our 3D printed stuff decided to do the Henschel D33 communications truck so I was looking for info on the interior. I thought this might be a good place to look so I came back, and decided it would only be courteous to post in the Introduce Yourself section since I've been away so long. In that thread it was suggested that our armor modelers might appreciate some of the stuff we've been doing and I'm sure the RC guys can learn a lot from you guys about detail and historical accuracy.

Superb work here, and the comments are informative.

I suggest you start another post titled something like "Request for info on Henschel D33 communications truck"

This will attract the attention of the 'Kenner' or those who know about German stuff. (not me )

These should give you some leads, or in not a 1/35th pattern.

Scalemates list Henschel 33 D1 Kfz.72 WWII German Radio Communication Truck ICM No. 35467 with reviews, but no interior

IBG have a 35004 - Einheitsdiesel Kfz.61 Fernsprechbetriebskraftwagen (Heavy Telephone Truck with shelter-type body) NOT the same variant, but these three Armorama links will give you a lot of links to references to the IBG kit and resin updates.

http://armorama.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=6251&mode=thread&order=0

http://armorama.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=7951&mode=thread&order=0

Some from Armorama:

Review of the NIKO Funkwagen Interior https://www.armorama.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=Reviews&file=index&req=showcontent&id=7558

https://www.armorama.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=Reviews&file=index&req=showcontent&id=7784

https://www.armorama.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=features&file=view&artid=4409

Good luck

garylee

And I was just looking again at the M-16 in the link above and that must have been an early model as it lacks the forward assist. 

Yes, it is an original M16 from the early Vietnam era with triangular front handguards, no forward assist, and three-prong flash suppressor.

And I was just looking again at the M-16 in the link above and that must have been an early model as it lacks the forward assist. 

No promises on how long it will take me to get to this, but eventually I want to try this in 1/6 scale on my sla printer. It won't be any trouble to scale it down to 1/12 and print an extra one. That's one of the great things about sla, you can print a whole bunch in the same time it takes to print one. With fdm, if one gun takes an hour, then two take two hours and so on, but with sla you can print one or ten and it takes the same amount of time. 

Thanks. But as you might figure, the .50 caliber machine gun and the 20mm are the big things. The only ones I've found thus far are for WWII PT boats, and they are the wrong model, in both cases.

1/12 is fairly rare, but try searching for 1/12 action figure weapons. I did that and came up with the M-16 at this link

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1-12th-Soldier-PCTOYS-Hacker-Killer-Neo-Weapon-M4-Model-for-6-Action-Doll-Toys/174388591731?hash=item289a5ebc73:g:MMoAAOSwuNVfMfne

I'm in dire need of 1/12 scale, Vietnam era weapons !!!!!

.50 M2HB, M-16, Navy Mk12 - M3 20mm, etc.

PLEASE !!!!!!

I can't finish my Tango boat without them (and I'd really like to finish this thing)

Mopar Madness

Now I want a Hetzer that shoots paint balls!

 

Here's a link to a short test fire

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0EfsIjeeDU

I still can't figure out how to embed a video

and here's a short video of her running

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MxmES9XarA

If you ever want to build one I'll help all I can. I was born and raised in Detroit so I feel compelled to help out anyone with Mopar in their name. One day I'll post a photo of my '68 Barracuda Notchback

Now I want a Hetzer that shoots paint balls!