WWII Cromwell Tank Scratch Build 1/6th scale

Hi, been awhile since I last updated this blog.  been super busy with 1:1 life and well building the Adler 13 as well as my Cromwell.  In case you didn't know I really got the bug for building a British/Polish tank.  It was one of those projects that started as "can I do it" and morphed into "I can do this".
My technique was a little different on this build, I used the help of a 3d designer and 3d printed a number of parts for it.  This work out fantastic, although it did add some additional cost to the project.

The one area I didn't except to be so costly was the tracks.  I created a master and am currently molding and casting the rest.  125 per side to be exact.  I wanted to 3d print them, to save time and energy but the cost was way to high.  About $2500.00 to have then done though shapeways and about $1500 though a local printing service.  Out of reach for this build.  As it is I have about $300 or so invested in the wheels, tracks and other items I printed. Not bad for a tank this size.

The build itself was pretty striaght forward, i used a 1/35 scale model and some blueprints to get my measurements form.  The tank is complex especially the suspension.  It is housed between two plates and I used RC shocks to make it a working suspension.  Lots of fun and Im still not finished.

Here are a few WIP pics to show where I am at....

 3d printed sprockets

3d printed Idler wheels and tracks as masters














Good overall view of the tank before wheels, sprockets & Tracks are added...

I will update this page when the tracks are complete and the tank painted, hopefully sometime in the next month or so...