1/48 M-3 Lee

[ghodges]

This is my 1/48 SS Models 3D resin printed M-3 Lee, built OOTB with all markings painted. As an airplane guy, I'm pretty happy with the result. By the way... I did add the radio antenna after seeing it missing in the pics! 

The kit is exquisitely printed with superb detailing. The only parts not seen here are a couple of tools, the lights, and machine gun barrels. Removing and cleaning up the casting sprues was easy, even if a bit tedious since there were so many. The surfaces were quite smooth without any resin ridges that needed sanding or smoothing. On to the rest of the pics...

As an aircraft guy, this was a bit of a departure and even the simple tasks of getting a decent "OD green" finish as well as painting and weathering the tracks and running gear took more thought and effort than it probably should have.

Critiques, comments, and questions welcome, as always!

 

Gil 

Edited November 5, 2024 by ghodges

[Mark Deliduka]

Most impressive Gil! I won't do 3-D printed kits but I sure do appreciate and admire a masterfully done job of finishing it as you've done here. Way to go!

[ghodges]

I find it odd that you seem to be outright rejecting 3D printed kits Duke. Not only is it a way to get some really rare, oddball items that will probably never be injection molded, most of them are much simpler and faster to build. That sounds like something that would be right up your production line!

 

Gil 

[Ron Bell]

Very nice. I'm surprised at the lack of those pesky surface ridges so often found on 3D printed models. They have kept me from purchasing several kits of rarer subjects that are out there but even in photos the ridges are very visible and almost impossible to eliminate and not take a lot of detail with them when you do. Painted the markings, eh? Very neatly done. 

[Mark Deliduka]

Gil, thank you. I do have some difficulty in removing the mounting posts and I also have issues with CA glue. I also have issues with the printing striations that are close to impossible to remove without eliminating detail like Ron said. When it comes to using CA glue,  I tend to cut myself deeply when using it because invariably, I glue something crooked and have to try and remove it. Debonder doesn't always help. In the case of 3-D kits; I also end up destroying parts that can't be replaced. In other words, most of the reasons for not doing resin kits applies to 3-D printed kits. That being said, I have no problem using 3-D printed items and accessories that don't need building, such as boxes, crates, barrels, furniture, etc. I'll use those seven ways to Sunday. I much prefer injection molded kits. I will say that I do have a few 3-D printed kits I acquired some time back; they may see time on the workbench but I don't expect them to look anything like my usual work.

 

Just call me Old School.......

[Firemodeler1]

I received a 1/25 scale D-7 bulldozer kit printed in 3D by Scale Collectibles.  The surfaces were almost glassy smooth with no sanding required.  The fit was nearly perfect with only a couple of minor adjustments to be made.  It came it two boxes, shoe box size, with 3 smaller boxes.  All of the parts were wrapped in bubble wrap for safe transport.  Great kit for sure.  

Here's what it looked like out of the box and before removal of the latticework support system for printing.  The tracks came if 4 pieces and went together with no indication of where the connections were made.  I used plastic rod pins instead of the printed pins to hold the sections together and you can see them in the photo.

[ghodges]

I was talking to a guy in our club at our meeting today who does beautiful 3D printing and the difference is LIQUID RESIN printing versus the original filament fed printing. The liquid resin printing allows for a very smooth flow as the print head works without the striations and print marks left by the first 3D printers.

Those who didn't like 3D printing because of the needed surface sanding need to take another look at the next generation of 3D printed kits and accessories, and they should only get better going forward!

 

Gil