Trumpeter Abrams 1/16

[FullArmor]

Started one big project for this winter. I mean massive😁....not in the number of parts...in scale.

[FullArmor]

Started with wheels. Wish me luck guys😬

[FullArmor]

Does anybody know are Abrams wheels steel? Or aluminum? Please comment.

[FullArmor]

https://astforgedwheels.com/heavy-duty-wheel-applications/tank-and-road-wheels/

So abrams wheels are Rotary Forged aluminium wheels? Have I understood correctly?🤔

 

 

[belugawhaleman]

Found this....

At very least the center sections are aluminum.

https://www.d2pmagazine.com/2024/06/03/u-s-army-selects-american-manufacturer-of-rotary-forged-wheel-blanks-to-manufacture-aluminum-road-wheel-inserts-for-abrams-tank/

[FullArmor]

5 minutes ago, belugawhaleman said:

Found this....

At very ...least the center sections are aluminum.

https://www.d2pmagazine.com/2024/06/03/u-s-army-selects-american-manufacturer-of-rotary-forged-wheel-blanks-to-manufacture-aluminum-road-wheel-inserts-for-abrams-tank/

Thanks🎖️. I will read this article.

[belugawhaleman]

How is the trumpeter kit? I remember hearing that there was a fit problem

with the tracks and sprockets and I discussed it with someone on this

forum and the AFV modeler replacement sprockets.. Was that you? I recently

Looked up aluminum tank wheels after reading that the wheels on the M113

APC were made that way.  I just preordered the 1/16 M113 from Andy's 

Hobby headquarters BTW. Anyway, I'm looking forward to seeing your

build and your Opinions regarding the Trumpeter kit.

[FullArmor]

41 minutes ago, belugawhaleman said:

How is the trumpeter kit? I remember hearing that there was a fit problem

with the tracks and sprockets and I discussed it with someone on this

forum and the AFV modeler replacement sprockets.. Was that you? I recently

Looked up aluminum tank wheels after reading that the wheels on the M113

APC were made that way.  I just preordered the 1/16 M113 from Andy's 

Hobby headquarters BTW. Anyway, I'm looking forward to seeing your

build and your Opinions regarding the Trumpeter kit.

Yes. We had discussed about this kit too small sprockets.

My co-worker promised try to 3D-print new bigger replacement. I hope that they will fit better.

And there are also other faults in this kit, but they are much easier to fix.

That Andys M113 looks cool👍

 

[FullArmor]

Just got my 3D printed parts🤩. I will share pictures soon.

[FullArmor]

New 3D printed part.

New part fitment.

Size difference to stock part.

Very poor fitting trumpeter part.

[FullArmor]

Some cleaning to do, but i am very happy with this new part.👍

[BlrwestSiR]

That's a big tank kit. 

The new sprockets are a huge improvement. At least the tracks won't look odd trying to wrap around it. 

[FullArmor]

17 minutes ago, BlrwestSiR said:

That's a big tank kit. 

The new sprockets are a huge improvement. At least the tracks won't look odd trying to wrap around it. 

Yes. Turret is bigger than whole 1/35 scale tank😬.

it's a big relief that I got this sprocket issue resolved.

[belugawhaleman]

Glad you got the sprocket sorted so quickly! Looking forward to the build.

[FullArmor]

I got new tool. Border models "fountain pen". I use this to apply tamiya panel liner.

Some wheels after panel liner. This tool is super precise.

[KevinM]

Thanks for the tip but I am thinking I can pic up in the art section of Hobby Lobby

[FullArmor]

11 minutes ago, KevinM said:

Thanks for the tip but I am thinking I can pic up in the art section of Hobby Lobby

Or "borrow" from spouses art/craft supplies 😉

[HubertB]

I would not have thought about using this tool that brings me back close to 60 years…

But I have preciously kept the Rotrings of my teenage years. If they have not any joint that may have dried (it’s a long time since I have opened one), I could put them to some use by using paint rather than ink, like for the trim lines on certain kits 🤔

Hubert

[belugawhaleman]

4 hours ago, FullArmor said:

I got new tool. Border models "fountain pen". I use this to apply tamiya panel liner.

Some wheels after panel liner. This tool is super precise.

Those wheels look great. I have a similar panel liner pen

made by Dspiae . Have not used it yet....but will. 

[FullArmor]

7 hours ago, belugawhaleman said:

Those wheels look great. I have a similar panel liner pen

made by Dspiae . Have not used it yet....but will. 

Thanks🙂

Yes Dspiae is identical with this one i think.

[FullArmor]

Suspension arms prepared for paint.

[FullArmor]

Tracks will be detailed and nice!

 

One track sprue done 9 to go😬

[BlrwestSiR]

Hopefully you get into a rhythm building the tracks. 

 

[GusMac]

Track details do look very nice. Hope the assembly isn't too tedious.

[FullArmor]

6 hours ago, GusMac said:

Track details do look very nice. Hope the assembly isn't too tedious.

Small touch ups with sandingstick. Need to drill end pieces hollow. Nothing major🙂

I will paint these in 5x segments and connect them in the end. It is much easier this way.