An update on the AN/VIC-3 set: I've nearly finished the set. All I have left to do is 4 speakers and a little checking and tweaking and it can finally go up on the shop. Below the pictures will be a list of what is and will be included:

Top side:


Bottom:


The empty space in the back of the sheets will be taken up by 2 loudspeakers per side.

On top we have:

MCS - Master Control Station (also included on opposite side)


Front 4: FFCS - Full Function Crew Station


MOS - Monitor Only Station


Foreground: RIT - Radio Interface Terminal
Back: RRU - Radio Rebroadcast Unit

Now on the opposite side we have:

Front 2: FFCS/T - Full Function Crew Station Telephone


FFCS/D - Full Function Crew Station Data


Center: MOS2 - Dual Monitor Only Station


Foreground: RIT/D
Behind: ITS/R - Infantry Telephone Station

I wanted to include a Remote Access Field Telephone (RAFT) connection but I can't find any dimensions for it.

RAFT http://anvic3.com/cdci/pdf/RAFT-WS-DS-v1.pdf

Thanks.

This is working out well; it is shortening my anticipated build times thanks to your efforts. I have placed my orders for the 1/48 & 1/72 life raft containers. Will you be adding the LVTP7 hatches? I plan to purchase two or three sets of those too.

Also in my stash is another involved project that would benefit from 3D printed parts. This is a 1/35 project and where I didn’t have foresight to measure out everything on the 50’ work boat I went fore to aft with tape measure and ruler on the LVTA5 with intent to eventually build one.
Can the support roller mounts be duplicated with 3D printing or are they too small/delicate to do in 1/35? The wheels are not needed as they were (can be) sourced from another kit. I also need the driver’s cupola and raised area added to turret. I am fairly certain I have more than enough images along with the measurements to churn out an entire conversion kit if it can be done with 3D printing and based on the Italeri 1/35 LVTA4 kit.

LVTA5 Modified


Fwd return roller


Aft return roller

I can do the cupolas and the item on the turret. The roller supports might be able to be done. I'm not sure. They'd probably be too small if done to scale but can be done in the minimum wall size. I think I would have to include the roller as the assembly would be too fragile otherwise. The upside is that the roller could be made as a separate piece! Yes, you can have the roller and it can roll! So yeah, get me some measurements and I'll see what can be done.



Also, I've uploaded the 1/35 AN/VIC-3 radio set to Shapeways. I'm looking for someone to review it. It's still in development but far enough along to upload it. As I add more to it I'll update the product and provide the missing pieces to those who don't bought the set without. So please... Get a set to review... I get nothing from review sets as I drop the markup (which isn't all that much to start with). Reviews help me design a better product and then you get a better product.

I would suggest making generic hinges for doors, engine deck covers etc in different sizes so they can be used for different scales.

Hinges can't be done and probably would not be worth the money they would cost. They are best rendered in PE for the scale. Large scale like, say, 1/16 and up might be able to make use of printed hinges but the fact remains that the material would still be fragile unless designed to be printed in metal. Which significantly raises the cost. Many, many times more than any of the plastic for the same size piece.

Good points, I didn't think about the fragility of the material! Learned something today

Yep. But, although the material is fragile when thin, the more restrictive factors is that the part would actually be too thin to print and would be very cost prohibitive. There'd have to be many, many pieces on the sprue or wafer for it to be worth the cost... Kind of like new Dragon kits.

Now, because I'm a sucker for punishment and I like going insane over a 3D CAD program, I will actually attempt to go ahead with this T110E3 project. I found a problem, though, in my plans. The part can't be built on a M103 hull, instead it needs to be based on a M48A1 hull. The drawings for the proposed T110E4 show 6 road wheels while the M103 has 7. The proposed dimensions for the E4 match the M48 dimensions closely. So now I just need to somehow get some measurements, however doctored, for a T110E3 superstructure. I may have to design a new rear glacis for the set. For better or worse, I'll be using the World of Tanks game's model as a reference as it's the best I can get. The only book I have by Hunnicutt is Stuart.

To recap, I definitely plan on going ahead with a project to design the casemate superstructure of the T110E4 heavy tank known as the T110E3 tank destroyer in World of Tanks. It will be built on the hull of the DML M48A1 Patton (although I'll actually be using Dragon's M48a3 Mod B. kit for all of the dimensions and designing as it's what I have) possibly with a new engine deck. The commanders cupola will be the taken from the M48 kit. The drivers hatch might also be able to be incorporated from the kit. The rest of the hull possibly save the rear glacis will remain from the kit with some modifications to be determined as I design it.

So... Anyone interested in an never built, truly paper American tank?

I've started initial design work on the T110E3 conversion set. I'm starting out by laying out basic design plans on paper with specific dimensions so I can get a sense of where everything will be and what will need to be removed or changed in the final product. Like I mentioned before, I'm building this up based on DML's M48A3 Mod B kit. If anyone has the A1 kit and can mostly build up the upper hull and take some detail pictures of it and send them to me it'd help quite a bit in this venture. Also of note is that anyone buying this would also need to buy the 120mm M58 barrel set for the M103. I'm might try to include a barrel (or 2, 120 and 155) in the set as well but that's not until later. And there would be a good amount of sanding and filling of the drivers periscopes. More to come as I advance.

The LVTP hatches have been uploaded. Along with a desk statue/sign saying Don't Bring Me Down. Check it out if you feel inclined.

The VIC-3 components look awesome. I will have to get a set of them.

How about a VIC-1/2 system for older vehicles?

Ok. I'll put it on my list of future projects.

Michael, would it be possible to do mirrors for the front of an M-ATV? The panoramic mirrors that attach to the front of the hood might lend themselves to 3D printing.



What do you think? There are a ton of photos available of them on the internet.

Regards,

Eric

Yeah I could do that. Do you have any dimensions or more pictures for them?

No, I haven't done any real research yet. I am only in the very early planning stages of a model and haven't started to really amass very many photos.

Regards,

Eric

that would be really good if you could make them..

I ordered the P7 hatches, those will be a huge help toward m project. I am still tinkering with the LVTA5 Modified drawings/measurements but unfortunately schoolwork takes priority over anything fun. I am doing 1/35 and 1/40 (Adams/Snap/UPC/Life-Like releases) measurements.




Ditto on the VIC-1/2, I need several of those.

I just uploaded a set of 8 headlight guards for both Academy M3 Stuarts and the Tamiya Stuart. They are as thin as is allowed by Shapeways: 0.3mm.

Hey Gino. I assume you bought a set of the radios? When you get it could you do a review of it? I am very curios and interested to know how it prints as I can't actually buy any of my designs.

Will do. I'll let you know when I get it.

Ok. Thanks.

how about some modern mine sweepers???

What about the shell on a M944 Batmobile tool truck in 1/35.

Hi Michael,
How about some 1/35 scale WW2 German headphone sets? It would really help to detail the radio sets included in the AFV Club Mammut kit . Cheers!
Kenneth.