sounds like BS to me Pascal. Here is a 1/35 3D printed Helicopter pilot, and it looks pretty smooth to me:

Wow Graeme! That pilot looks great!

Pascal, you're right, the theme of Shapeways quality needs to be discussed. The Shapeways must be responsible for the quality of its work. They disappoint customers, and me too.
Surprisingly, the Shapeways does not notify me about problems with the printing of my models. Models rated "100% printability".
The printing of turret (set SPM-35-040 MCATS turret) was produced in the Shapeways NL Eindhoven the Netherlands. Head office - Shapeways HQ New York USA.
Print option in Pascal’s case Frosted Ultra Detail FUD (lower price category, the thickness of the print layer 0,029mm). Also available print option Frosted Extreme Detail FED (upper price category, the thickness of the print layer 0,016mm).
So I have a question to the community:
- Did anyone have any problems with the print quality of models are produced by the Shapeways HQ New York USA? Perhaps only the Shapeways NL Eindhoven the Netherlands is not able to provide adequate quality control.
- Did anyone have any problems with models printed in the option Frosted Extreme Detail? FED print option from the upper price range, thickness 0,016mm.
As far as I know, the print option FED gives good print quality and defects have not been identified.

Concerning 3D printed model of MCATS turret, the smooth parts of surface are of good quality. But the smooth surface should be at the entire model. Areas with rough surfaces is a classic example of printing defects. If you ordered set on Shapeways and have received a defective model, there are two ways to resolve the situation. Replacement of defective models or refund all your cost. In any case, it is the additional costs for the Shapeways. Possible solutions for the Shapeways: to solve the problem of quality and provide high-quality of printing of models, or not to provide a service with poor quality. Otherwise, the Shapeways will have to work at a loss.
Maybe they are every time ready to return the money, and operate at a loss;-))…
I sent a letter to the Shapeways with demand to explain the situation. When the response is received, I'll voice the position of a Shapeways on the subject.

I ordered 1/35 SPM-35-040 MCATS turret in Frosted Extreme Detail and this is what I got. I did not think it was all that bad as on similar I used Future and primer to fill in any steps. Have not tried that here yet. This is as delivered.

I added a quick squirt of Tamiya Fine Primer on part end to try to improve the photos



I order from the US website for Shapeways. I assume that is a US source? Hope this helps. All the best!

Have anyone here bought the Lockhead Gyrocam? If so does it look the same in the printing like the Mcats turret?
The small things i have bought are not like this as they look very good

Stuart, thank you for your comment and photos!
Can I ask you to show a model of the turret after the cleaning and painting? And could you describe in more detail the cleaning technology of model? Correct names of Future and primer to fill in any steps.

And to Shapeways, I am in contact with the Frosted Detail Plastic team of SW. Over the past week, we exchanged a few letters. The generalized sense is about the:
“…We do not want anyone to have a bad experience with us and I am very sorry for any frustration or inconvenience we may have caused to customers…”
“…The reason that the texture is different on the part is because some parts of turret model needed support material while others did not…”
That is, if the supports of the carrier wax touch the plastic, the plastic surface of model becomes rough.
My conclusion: with the technology of the printing of Frosted Ultra Detail material and uses of the carrier wax supports, the model is not suitable for use in scale modeling due to strong surface roughness.
If you ordered set on Shapeways and have received a defective model, there are two ways to resolve the situation. Replacement of defective models or refund all your cost.
When printing options is Frosted Extreme Detail and uses of the carrier wax supports, the roughness of surfaces is moderate and modelers themselves can be cleaned surfaces of printed model. Cleaning recommendations:
http://interurbanmodels.blogspot.ru/2015/04/how-to-clean-shapeways-frosted-ultra.html
Possibly, model can be printed in FUD option without the using supports of wax, if create additional plastic supports. Consequently, the surface will be clean. On this issue, I will consult with the SW team.

And a few words about the joint project with Ant. The model of MICO Pack gunner and models of accessories are available on the http://ant-shop.com/ . Models are casted in resin, photos of actual sets you can see on the http://ant-shop.com/ .
References of uniforms:
Interceptor Body Armor (IBA)
Interceptor Body Armor (IBA)
Operation Enduring Freedom Camouflage Pattern (OCP)
Operation Enduring Freedom Camouflage Pattern (OCP)
Army Rangers
150123-A-RU412-011
But possible various variants for figure painting:
Uniform: MultiCam, RangerGreen, Khaki, Coyote Brown, Black (for “Night force operations”).
MicoPack Machine Gunners Assault Pack: Coyote Brown (primary), MultiCam, RangerGreen, Khaki, Black.

Great photos Peter! Thank you. Yes if I ever complete a project ( ), I would be happy to post results. Recent IT issues with my Gallery on the website preventing new photos, but I do have the Gyro Mast as well. I think the finish on the mast looks better. For example the mast pole fits into the hole nicely. Good tight fit without sanding. Interesting insight from Shapeways with the "support wax". Thanks for posting! All the best

I did order Peter's gyro cam from shapeways in the Frosted Extreme Detail option. Hope you can see my three photos attached. I think this offering is very nice, but I have
not prepared or painted this one yet. Best of luck

Thanks Stuart for the photos, the gyro cam looks very good... Well done Peter, will order it asap

Hi Peter
Was very happy to see you're added M2A1 50 Cal ammo boxes to your 1/16th range, and have ordered a set of both the open & closed boxes.
Picked up a set of your M19A1 30 Cal ammo boxes in 1/16th a month or two ago, very impressed with those too.

Is there any chance of you producing the D90078 loading tray - http://www.usarmymodels.com/ARTICLES/MG%20Mounts/MGmounts%20page%205%20D6880.html - I have several of the Tamiya 1/16th M2HB but they are fitted with the earlier tray - http://www.usarmymodels.com/ARTICLES/MG%20Mounts/Final%20images/Figure_7b.jpeg - but the M41A1 I'm modelling was fitted with the later tray?

Mal

I don't know where you got your uniform info, but it isn't really accurate.

OCP does not stand for Operation Enduring Freedon Camo Pattern. It is the Operational Camoflauge Pattern and is the new pattern for all US Army Soldiers.



It started being worn on 1 Jul 15. There was a similar pattern previously worn only in Afghanistan that was known by the brand name Multi-Cam, but it is not the same.

The picture of the Rangers above is Multi-Cam, you can tell by the integrated knee and elbow pads. OCP does not have these.

Lastly, all the painting options are not accurate for US Army Soldiers. There is no RangerGreen, Khaki, Coyote Brown, or Black versions of the uniform in the official inventory. You my see them on sale at oufitters or used by airsoft dweebs, but not by actual Soldiers. The exception is Special Forces, who can wear pretty much whatever works for their mission and environment.

Stuart, thanks for the nice photo of gyro cam! On the next week I hope to start work on TOW scope module.
Maybe somebody can helps with info about measurements of turret for XM1167/M1167 ITAS/TOWMissile Carrier?

Gino, thanks for the clarification on the uniform! Painting of multi cam it is a complex process. Maybe someone would prefer a monochrome version of the uniform. It is for "What if", or non Army or Airborne fighter. As far as I know, Black Water used a monochrome uniforms and various combinations of equipment.

Malcolm, thanks for the helpful links on the D90078 loading tray. I'll continue the models of various options m2. But I have little information on the WWII period of m2 models. Maybe someone can help with the main dimensions and the detailed photos of the D90078 loading tray?

Sets m2 1/16, 1/18 scales on Shapeways:
spm_m2mk93m3_L_2
spm_m2mk93m3_L_1
spm_m2mk93m3_L_3

I received the M240D(really H models w/rail system) from Shapeways yesterday. They look great and should go well on the MH-60S I plan to hang them on.

any idea who makes the 3d printed pilot? (at the top of pg.5) looking for current pilots that would/could pass for mh-6m pilots.

thanks, bill

New company called Reedoak - http://armorama.kitmaker.net/forums/235626&page=1

Peter- Thank you for the excellent offerings and efforts! Always good to see more modern items. I am looking forward to seeing what you do with the TOW scope. Hope some here on ARMORAMA with more access to the actual equipment can help with measurements? Many thanks and much success to you.

Hi Peter
I don't have any measurements of the tray, but some pics can be found here - http://www.paratrooper.fr/en/pages/produit.aspx?cp=634711285614578824 & http://www.ebay.com/itm/30-50-cal-Browning-Mount-WWII-Model-used-Cradle-with-NEW-OLD-STOCK-AMMO-TRAY/221889853236?_trksid=p2047675.c100012.m1985&_trkparms=aid%3D444000%26algo%3DSOI.DEFAULT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D33421%26meid%3D6d714feb9a0c4fb28d7bedd6c1017cd4%26pid%3D100012%26rk%3D4%26rkt%3D10%26sd%3D221212210783
Mal

I have many photos of the turret on the M1167 TOW Carrier but I do not have any measurements. I'm currently not scheduled to be around an M1167 TOW Carrier until possibly August of next year.

Has anyone experience, with the Panther D details? I am looking at purchasing most of them, in FUD but do not want to pay for garbage(refundable or not; time constraints).

Hi Peter
Rec'd my order - a set of both the open & closed M2A1 ammo boxes. They look really good. The only downside is that they are a tad wider than the 1/16 Tamiya M2HB feed tray so won't sit in place properly. I have a couple of unassembled 1/16th Tamiya 50 Cals that I'll attempt to modify to fit.
Were those links to photos of the D90078 loading tray useful?
Mal

Mal, thanks for the order and links, those links to photos of the D90078 loading tray really useful! I collect information on WWII period versions of Browning .50cal, maybe later I will make these models. By modern .50cal ammo boxes, they are a little wider than the actual object. Width is tied to the length of .50cal cartridge, plus the wall thickness of 0.35 mm each for printing conditions. In real scale it adds approximately 12mm. I think it's possible to cut along Tamiya M2HB feed tray and fill the seam by plastic inserts.

Gino, thank you for your order of M240H, I'm glad that you liked it!

Brent, I took all the photos with M1167 TOW Carrier from www.hmmwvinscale.com, but if you have more photos, I will be glad to use them

And some versions of HK416 in 1/18 1/16 scales added on Shapeways.
spm_hk416_m320_1

The TOW Target Acquisition Subsustem (TAS) added on Shapeways
Stuart, thanks for the help with information for this model
http://www.shapeways.com/product/4U6T3UPNJ/1-35-spm-35-027-tow-01-tow-tas?li=shop-results&optionId=58072706&rc=SearchResults
http://www.shapeways.com/product/7QCM8CHWF/1-35-spm-35-027-tow-01-a-x2-in-set-tow-tas?li=shop-results&optionId=58072785&rc=SearchResults
spm_TOW_TAS_1

Nice work.
This is actually TOW-ITAS.

as in...
TOW (Tube-launched, Optically-tracked, Wire command-link guided) Missile System with Improved Target Acquisition System (ITAS) is a material change to the current ground TOW 2 system that will increase target detection, recognition and identification ranges. Yes!

I just placed my order with Shapeways. Thank you Peter as I am very pleased by what I am seeing! This is a very welcome offering! You even added the Position Attitude Determination Subsystem (PADS)as a separate part! Thank you. All the best- Stuart