discussion 1/16 M41 'GORILLA' MGC

[eddiesolo]

Although this is a tracked piece and is armoured I think it is better suited to this section.

I am working on a 3D printed top hull of a M41 'GORILLA' Motor Gun Carriage.

This is the granddaddy of all the US tracked artillery pieces, it was the first and was developed at the back end of WW2 but was primarily used in Korea but, not by the US afterwards, although the French continued using it. Its design helped to shape other US self propelled artillery pieces.

It had a 155mm Howitzer that fired two stage ammo, shell and bagged charge. Had a crew of 5.

Now, I did not print this myself, I managed to get it but it needed some severe re-modelling. I have had to make many detail parts, latches, catches, elevation and traverse wheels, breach, rear lights and guards, etc etc. As for the electrics, as this is going to be RC, the MFU board has a burnt out transistor so it will only go forwards-this is all being scrapped and a new system is to be fitted.

The chassis should be a modified M24 Chaffee but, they do not do one in 1/16 so, a modified Walker Bulldog one will be used and another lower hull used for donor parts, forth return roller is one part and suspension.

So, not much to show in pictures, apologies for that but, here are some of the top hull put together, with some of the detailing parts and a first coat of high-fill primer. The last picture is a scratch made spotting scope.

 

[Dave Ward]

Wow, that's a lot of resin! Were there any problems with warping? ( I wondered what the curly thing on the end of the barrel was, until I realised it was masking tape! ). Will you have any problems with weight?, resin is rather more dense than polystyrene, so the upperworks will be quite heavy.............
Dave

 

[eddiesolo]

Wow, that's a lot of resin! Were there any problems with warping? ( I wondered what the curly thing on the end of the barrel was, until I realised it was masking tape! ). Will you have any problems with weight?, resin is rather more dense than polystyrene, so the upperworks will be quite heavy.............
Dave

It is very light Dave, the whole top is 3D printed as resin is not used. As it is layered instead of mixed and poured the weight is hardly anything. This has good and bad points, lighter means more run time however, 3D can snap more easy and, due to the layers drilling can be a faff, a slow setting and various drill sizes used. I have a flash unit fitted in the barrel so did not want any paint getting in.

DAVE...UPDATE. If you read this, I thought you were referring to a resin mould casting and not a resin printed version. This is a filament print, hence the lightness.

 

[scottie3158]

Si,
That's a serious looking conversion and coming on nicely.

 

[eddiesolo]

Si,
That's a serious looking conversion and coming on nicely.

Hi Paul, this is my first and last 3D printed large build, pain in the bum. Turning out okay though.

 

[Guest]

Wow, that's a lot of resin!

Going by the lines in the model, it was made with a filament printer, not a resin printer.

 

[eddiesolo]

Going by the lines in the model, it was made with a filament printer, not a resin printer.

Yep, filament printer Jakko. I have seen a resin printer and I think this is what Dave, was referring to, as opposed to me thinking he meant a poured resin mould casting.

 

[Dave Ward]

I was thinking pf the UV setting type of resin
Dave

 

[eddiesolo]

I was thinking pf the UV setting type of resin
Dave

Right, heard of that, never used it though.

 

[eddiesolo]

UPDATE

I have got some paint on, weathering and some detail pieces and decals. The spotting scope and MG are mounted on magnets so they can move but, hopefully, they will not fall off when the vehicle is running, also I can stow them away safely when in storage.

There is still some more bits to do, the chassis to sort and then the electrics.

 

[Jim R]

Hi Si
Way beyond what I would attempt. A huge undertaking but you seem to be well on top of it. Really looking good.
Jim

 

[eddiesolo]

Hi Si
Way beyond what I would attempt. A huge undertaking but you seem to be well on top of it. Really looking good.
Jim

Cheers Jim, getting there, hoping to get the front lights and guards fitted today and, with the weather being okay for spraying outside, a matt varnish coat.

 

[Airborne01]

Eddie,
That is good!
Steve

 

[eddiesolo]

Had a disaster...was finishing up some detail parts and was hoping to get a varnish coat on to protect the decals and paint, while the parts were drying, I looked into the electrics and while faffing with this dropped the top hull.
The right hand side, as you look from the back, has all come away. Cheesed off is a understatement, I have got the bits together, set them down and just came out of the workshed. I don't know how bad it is yet so, will tackle that bit later, for now I just want to leave alone.

 

[eddiesolo]

I have repaired it and have done some more detail parts, electrics now to do...:upside: