WW2 Tank Minesweeper "Sherman Crab"

thingiverse

This is a highly detailed *1/35 model* of a *WW2 American Minesweeping flail*. Known as the *"Sherman Crab"*, it was deployed on the front of a 75mm short gun Sherman tank and spun 24 chains with small weights at the ends. These weights detonated mines in front of the tank, clearing the way for infantry or other tanks. This minesweeper is specifically designed for 1/35 scale models of WW2 Shermans but can be modified to suit other minesweeping tanks. It is compatible with 75mm short barrel Shermans but I have successfully attached it to a 76mm long barrel Sherman in the photo above. Notably, the sidehull dimensions are exactly the same. I apologize for the chain size; it's a bit large for the 1/35 scale, but it won't move properly if printed smaller. The project requires: -A soldering iron (or crazy glue, although the iron is more effective) x1 -Mk1 Sidearm x2 -Mk2 Hydraulics x2 -Mk3 Detail x2 -Mk4 Inner Spinner x1 -Mk5 Outer spinner x1 -Mk6 Flail Chain x24 -Mk7 Spinner Cap x1 -Mk0 Mine Shield x1 -Tamiya xf-62 and x-1 (optional) To assemble the minesweeper: 1. Start by soldering one end of a sidearm to the inner spinner, ensuring that the brick on the end is on the far side from the spinner. 2. Solder the hydraulics to the sidearm, making sure they are attached at two points (refer to the images). 3. Print 24 flail chains and make a small cut in the last link of each chain using a hobby nipper or knife. 4. Use the cut to slide the last link of the flail chains onto the hooks on the surface of the Outer Spinner. 5. Slide the Outer Spinner (with chains) over the Inner Spinner (which is now attached to the sidearm). 6. Insert the Spinner Cap into the opening on the open end of the Inner Spinner (now with the Outer Spinner over it). 7. Repeat step 1 using another sidearm and repeat step 2 with a new hydraulics. 8. Solder the Mine Shield between the two sidearms, ensuring that it is close enough to the spinner for realism but far enough from the spinner to allow space for attachment to the tank hull. 9. Attach the Minesweeper to the tank and admire your model! As I always say, a model looks best when painted! I recommend Tamiya x-1 (black) for the Outer Spinner and all flail chains, and Tamiya xf-62 (olive drab) for everything else. If you don't want to purchase a model tank or just want a challenging 3D printing project, I suggest printing one of the many M4 Sherman models available on this website! Here is a particularly good one: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2318834/files If you encounter any issues with printing this project or any of my other projects, feel free to message me!