Another T34 Tank - 1/20 scale

prusaprinters

This is a 1/20th scale T34 tank, a rolling model. Tried to make it look like the late model t34-85 versions. I was not trying to create a historically correct model, just a model that would be reasonably fun to put together, look decent, and not send you to the hardware store for more pieces to complete.Everything needed to assemble is printed with the exception of some fast set epoxy. The track and suspension are held together with filament. A couple clamps are nice to keep a couple things aligned as I found plastic parts can warp. The normal print clean-up tools and a 1/4 " round file was good at cleaning up holes to provide smooth rolling.PLA+ was fine for all parts. While the model is fairly large the parts are sized to fit on a normal printer.Updated with the ring and pinion gear to add an UNO and make it an RC model.  Added a motor mount for a 12v motor.Noticed the turret was missing the commanders hatch, added to turret with openable hatch.Part ListFrameFront - 1Back - 1PlateFront - 1Back - 1Front Hatch - 1Front Hatch bracket hinge - 2TurretBase - 1Turret - 1Mantlet - 1Mantlet Pin - 2Gun Barrel - 1SuspensionTBlock - 1 for torsion bars...DriveDrive Sprocket - 2Half Axle - 2Idler Wheel - 2Idler Solid Axle - 2Wheel Road - 14Taxle left - 5 for road wheelsTaxle right - 5Wheel Lock - 404mm spacer - a lot (spacers are used as standoffs and to align and center track and wheels)1mm spacer - a lotTrack Pieces 10 per print - 12 (i cut 2 segments off last print to get proper length)Various Tank decorEngine compartment grateLeft and right fendersExternal Fuel barrelsfront machine gun barrelFender storage boxPost-PrintingGlue the front and back frame pieces together, clamps are best to hold tight while the glue sets.Assemble the 10 sets of road wheels. 1 axle, 1mm spacer against the frame, 1mm spacer against the inner wheel, 4mm spacer between the wheels and a wheel lock to hold together. Insert each into frame and secure with a clip.When all axles are in place slip the slotted tblock over the axles and glue it down, clamp or tape in place until set. The torsion of the axles makes the suspension.Slip the idler axles in place they should overlap and allow the axle to rotate to get proper tension on the track. Don't secure it until track is in place. Use spacers and a wheel lock to secure idler wheels in line with the road wheels.use the half axles and spacers to align the sprocket with the road wheels and lock sprocket on with a wheel lock. (If you are thinking of doing a RC tank you can use the pinion and ring gears printed. Add a 4mm spacer and ring gear to the axle in the pocket on the frame and the sprocket will need to be glued to the axle)Each side of the tank used 6 sets of 10 tracks. I removed 2 links from the last set. Assemble with additional filament. The idler axle can be rotated and glued to maintain proper tension at this point.Install Mantlet into turret with two pins. I tapered one end to help locate them into the holes in the turret. Then the turret base can be pushed into the top plate and the turret can be snapped into place. Should be fairly tight.The top plates should slide into place after cleaning them up. You might need to taper the ends of the top edge of the frame to get them all the way in, but they should fit snug.The barrel should slide in tight into the mantlet, might need to clean it up to get it to slide in.Attach the hinges to the front plate hatch with filament, and then use the hatch to locate and glue the hinges to the front plate.Glue on other adornments, grates, mantlet cover, machine gun, fuel tanks, fenders.That is it...I'll provide an update once I have motors mounted and driving tank.Category: Models