Small Scale Military Headquarters

Hey fellas.
Don't get excited, i'm just curious who would be interested in a 1/18th British 25 pound gun?
I have no idea of prices at this stage. Just want to get a feel for feedback before committing to drawing it up on the computer. It will be via Shapeways.com
Any feedback welcomed.

I do interested in 25 pound gun. This gun always exist in my wishing list!

I'll do the 25, if you do some figures for it

I think so! The gun need crews to use it.

I'm aiming to start drawing it up this weekend. I'd need to get it drawn and uploaded so I can see how much it'll cost anyway.

coolio

Bring it on! I'll bite.... And bite BIG!

Hd

Hey fellas, just an update.
Yes, i'm still working on modelling this thing up in CAD.
It's currently a long four day weekend here in NZ so I have some time off from work, which means I can get stuck in.
The frame is pretty much modeled up. the shield is done in basic form, as is the barrel.
I'll post some pics of what the computer model looks like within the next 2-3 days.

The only British thing i have in my 1/18 collection is a Sherman firefly and a WWII British paratrooper made by Dusty Trails.
I always wanted British armor or artillery specially since i have so much U.S. and German anyways. If the figures are made,interest will be double.
We need more British and Russian Armor,figures,support vehicles etc.
The 25 ponder is a start.

WOW!! What timing for your topic! There's a great photo and discussion on the 25 pounder mounted on barges in Burma here.

http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2012 ... l#comments

I've been trying to get stupid photobucket to upload the images but they get re-sized to a smaller size. I'll try and find another photo host site tomorrow.

I've put the initial parts through Shapeways (as you see in the images) and it is currently running at $170. I haven't "shelled" any of the parts yet though. Just the main chassis/frame alone came out at around $59.
I was hoping to get it under $100 so i'm feeling a bit dejected but will just keep going forward. Hopefully i can get the Chassis and Wheels/tires down in price by removing some inner mass.

Looking good! The tires are a great source from which to remove cubic volume. Make sure to leave a small hole as Shapeways won't recognize a hollow object if the hollow space is entirely contained. You can also really trim a lot out if you stay at or really close to the .7mm wall thickness tolerance. 1mm is a good place to end up if you are worried about printing integrity. The gun shield, barrel and frame look thick.

Another possibility in addition to hollowing the frame, is to open the underside of the chassis and frame. It makes it more like a toy if anyone ever looks under there, but it's another great spot to reap a lot of volume from and unless it's flipped on it's back you can't see it. You can always add it back as the prices drop or offer multiple versions for those that are prefer price over detail, detail over price, etc..

If you plan to allow the wheels to roll, perhaps using a printed or a metal axle rod, you save material tunneling through the chassis to create the axle cavity.

Oh and make sure to open up the chamber so you can insert the "optional" shells!

Looking great! I'm looking forward to see 25 pounder in 1/18 scale.

grunt1 wrote:Make sure to leave a small hole as Shapeways won't recognize a hollow object if the hollow space is entirely contained.

Ahh! Yes, I did hollow a tire out but when I went to upload, it came out at the same price. I never opened it out so it was an enclosed shell. I'll go back again and leave a small hole. Thanks grunt.

A small victory. I've shelled the frame part of the CAD model. The original "solid" version came out at $57.42, the new hollow version came out at $28.46. This represents a cost reduction of roughly half. Works continues.........

Nice work Jay!

Will the barrel be positionable? If not, then I would definitely make it look elevated like it's dialed in on a german panzer! lol


Great work my man!!!!

flyboy_fx wrote:Will the barrel be positionable?

That's what i'm aiming for - moving parts. The biggest question will be if I can get the swing arms to work so you can raise or lower the firing platform. Maybe that can be add on parts.

Just an update guys. I've been busy with work recently, but i have been doing little bits and pieces.
I've shelled the larger parts. Just have a lot of little detail bits to model up.
I'll hopefully have some updated images and price within a week.

Can't wait!

Currently running at $166US. The only major parts still to go are the control fixtures / handles etc that are attached to the left hand side saddle
Another thing I've been thinking of is to use this as a master to take moulds off. However, because i'm in New Zealand, shipping costs would also factor into the equation. So maybe buying direct from Shapeways would just be easier....i'm not sure at this stage .

Ok, some soul searching going on in the background where I asked myself would I buy this for $166+. The answer is "no".
I've been doing some rough estimations around a hybrid kit. This would involve two materials:
Resin casting those parts which lend themselves to this process ie parts that can be easily cast in a two part (or half and half) mold. This would be parts like the wheels, gun left and right saddle, shield etc.
3d printing the more complicated parts ie main chassis, Trail and sliding barrel (bored out).
This has come out to about $50 for a kit. This is solely for the actual kit materials and does NOT include various shipping costs, casting materials and labor costs.
It may be an option to just sell the resin parts from my end, and have the 3d parts ordered separately.
I did originally want to do an actual boxed kit with art work and printed instructions so this would allow me to indulge a little in that department.

Ok, Time I should tie this thing up.
I've been busy recently with other things, but now i'm slowly getting back into hobby stuff.
I have had a few other possible projects getting lined up but this has been sitting stagnant for awhile so......
Here we go................"$$$"...............I'm thinking of leaving the large Firing Platform (The big round thing that's slung underneath) as an option. That should bring the price down a bit.
I'm back to finishing off the small details like the various control mechanisms/adjustment handles.
Hopefully leaving the Firing Platform as an option will offset any remaining prices for parts not yet finished.
I have to also set aside some money to get a possible prototype shipped down here to NZ for review.
I've added a poll to get a feel for what you guys think.

After a brief poll, the response has been to get it under $100.
At this point in time, it's not possible. Just due to time and work involved.
I'm going to pretty much put this in the virtual garage and put a car cover over it. I will hopefully get back to it at some stage but for the time being it's going into hibernation.
I do have some other projects lined up (as time allows).

*Side note. First in will be a set of scale correct, main landing gears for the 21st XD Corsair. Mine suffered damage during a recent move, so i'll be getting a replacement set anyway.
Will be good to see the Corsair on more chunkier tires as well.