V150 3D Printing
 

We've just gotten the first 1/56th scale V150 today from Shapeways, woot!

The eventual plan is to have the 20mm turret version, along with a version having no top hull plate and no wheels -- that way you can ( a ) make the various command, mortar, APC etc. versions, and ( b ) buy or provide your own wheels. The wheels/tires are a surprising amount of the cost, and there are other sources for approximately 1/56 scale 5-ton truck wheels/tires. I imagine we'll also sell the wheels/tires as a set, too.

I'll post some more pictures when I get them.

--
Michael B.

Source for this product, and why in 1/56th scale?

http://www.shapeways.com/model/13932...search-results

Yes, "nomuse" is the handle for our 3D artist.

1/56th scale is the best fit for 25mm figures. There are some useful vehicles among the items offered by these manufacturers:

http://www.companyb.biz/

http://sloppyjalopy.com/

http://www.diewaffenkammer.com/index.html

http://www.warlordgames.com/us-store...l?___store=usd

http://www.agnminiatures.com/

http://www.brigadegames.com/WW2--Vehicles_c_194.html

http://www.westwindproductions.co.uk...hp?cPath=26_79

http://www.sandsmodels.com/

Of course, for every "modern" vehicle, there are a half-dozen Second World War vehicles from those makers ... A fair amount of die-cast modern commercial vehicles are available cheaply in 1/55 or 1/56 scale.

If you prefer 20mm scale, S&S is very strong in that category. And if you want truly long-range engagements, you can go to 1/256th scale.

--
Michael B.

T50 style turret
http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j...82492113939016
http://www.mheaust.com.au/Aust/Resea...T50/t50top.jpg
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5wulxXhDCo...PURCELL+68.jpg

Cadillac Gage 1 Meter Turret
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8kQad2SFgf...00/lvtp_28.jpg
http://patentimages.storage.googleap...S4577546-1.png

Folding roof four weapon station with raised protection.
http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/sha...-1234P-042.JPG

Roof folding fore and aft, without raised protection
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b2...OW/V150tow.jpg

"The Starving Theater Artist" (aka nomuse) has posted to his blog about the 3D print:

http://brian-the-techie.blogspot.com...will-come.html

Keep in mind we deliberately left off:

• the gun barrel (too small to print well, we'll use some metal rod)
• the grille on the exhaust
• various jerry cans (we'll stick on some from the parts box)
• the spotlight over the main gun
• external weapons at the crew hatches (also coming from the parts box)

Note also that, for my campaign, the V150 hulls are fitted with the raised 'collar' around the rear hatch, to allow the fitting of better gun mounts. I'm also adding a mesh 'basket' on the rear of the turret, for some external stowage.

Found a couple useful images -- destroyed V150 in South Sudan:

http://joergboethling.photoshelter.c...000x0Yvpsfnqw0

and as far as I can tell the only way to carry a spare tire (I've heard of this before, this is the first picture I've seen):

http://alo3drv.blogspot.com/2010/04/m706-commando.html

--
Michael B.

It is held on by the winch. Which is how you lower a tire that weighs probably 150-200 lbs.

Don't forget PIVAD

http://indomiliter.files.wordpress.c...pg?w=300&h=256

nomuse has turned the Shapeways print to 'buyable':

http://www.shapeways.com/model/13932...html?li=aeTabs

There will be a very slightly revised version 8 in a few days or a week or two, with some really small tweaks (thicker lifting eyes so they don't break off, for one).

I will ask him what he thinks of the other (more expensive) material options. Heh, who wants a stainless steel V150!?

--
Michael B.

Isn't 1/56th scale more analogus to 28mm?

Well, there's no central authority. In any case, we're going with 1/56th, it seems to fit our wide range of figures accumulated over the years.

"Scale creep" over the last 30 years has led to some quite notable differences in size of supposedly "same scale" human figures.

--
Michael B.

Yeah in 1:285 scale (6mm) the humans are about the size of hill giants. Still it works for gaming even if it looks weird for dioramas.

A couple of quick pictures taken this morning.

--
Michael B.

Version 8 will have sturdier lifting rings (they're on the digital model, but broke off in shipping) and probably switch the driver and observer hatches to the side-swinging type, instead of the plain "up and over" door type. I am gonna hunt around for a MAG58 to add on the turret roof, and some jerry cans and the pioneer tools. I need to also scavenge up the little spotlight that is mounted above the main gun.

--
Michael B.

Look for the M706 kit for V-150s in U.S. or Philippine service.

Lots of pictures on the Philippine Defense forum as V-150s have been in service there for decades and still going strong.

http://www.timawa.net/forum/index.php?topic=11482.15

Very nice work, I have some 28mm Army Rangers from Gripping Beast that would look good with that.

So the final version of the 20mm cannon armed V150 is up at Shapeways.

http://www.shapeways.com/model/13932...s&materialId=6

"Nomuse", our 3D artist, is willing to make the "no turret or top deck" version if someone wants to scratchbuild their own V150 -- you can contact him through Shapeways.

--
Michael B.

$50.00! :eek:

Well, that's 3D printing for you. These sort of things cost $25 to $30 as low-production rate resin kits (see the Sloppy Jalopy website, for example). I see the price of a 4-wheeled armored car for WH40K is £33.00 ... $52.80.

http://www.forgeworld.co.uk/Warhamme...T_VEHICLE.html

And you don't need groups and squadrons of Project vehicles, heh.

Our 3D artist spent quite a while on research and modeling; and printed out the prototype. He's not gonna break even till he's sold at least half-a-dozen of these (I plan to buy at least one myself).

The various "bad guy" vehicles are mostly die-cast or plastic toys, bought at the flea market or dollar store, torn apart and repainted. So ... I save money there.


--
Michael B.

I don't game with miniatures anyway. I like the concept though.

I do game with minis so this holds an attraction for me. Just need to have the money to pick one up and paint.

I've convinced "nomuse" to post up the 'scratchbuilder' version also: no turret, no top deck (the level, rectangular area behind the driver/co-driver hatches, ahead of the sloped engine deck). It should be a few bucks cheaper, and ready for you to make an APC, mortar carrier, command vehicle, or (if you're super-ambitious) the armored recovery vehicle.

It may take him a week or two to create the new model and post it to Shapeways. You can put it on your holiday gift list!

--
Michael B.

We're waiting to receive one of these:

http://www.shapeways.com/model/16479...&materialId=60

It's got the more typical side-swinging driver/observer hatches, open top hull, and open rear cupola. The cupola hatch from Company B miniatures prolly fits pretty well on there (we'll know when we have the print).

"Nomuse" (the 3D artist) says that washing the print, possibly in acetone, is wise before assembly and priming.

Anyway, you'll be able to make the APC, mortar carrier, etc. with this. We saved a few bucks by not printing any sprues; hopefully Shapeways won't lose any loose bits.

--
Michael B.

Note that the interior is NOT detailed, though of course the exterior armor and wheel-wells form a lot of the interior surfaces.

--
Michael B

Currently "nomuse" only has the 'regular' V-150 model available; some changes to the way Shapeways handles printing made it too difficult to maintain multiple varieties of vehicle. That said, cutting out the top "plate" wouldn't be too hard. I see the cost is down to $40 after a few years.

Here's a V-150 with the "command pod" upper hull from the Commando Scout kit by The Honourable Lead Boiler Suit Company; rear hatch and MAG-58 from Company B; M2HB from the parts box; figs from TAG Industries ...

--
Michael B.