1/6th scale Bren/Universal Carrier - Scratch Building

Well, been a bit but I have actually started two new projects. One is a 31 Ford sadan, the other is a WWII Bren/Universal Carrier.  Both are commission builds, although I have created enough parts, measurements etc to build more if needed.

This carrier is a late war, welded hull version.  It will be Green in color with a small box in the back.  The new owner will have the fun of weathering it etc.

This build is a bit different in that I do not need to scale up a model, I already have a 1/6th scale carrier, made by Harold (pzwest) on various forums.  When Harold built mine, him and Geoff (Johnny Cannuck) used real world 1:1 scale measurements taken from a real bren carrier, so I am confident that my new one will be as accurate as the real thing.

a few WIP pictures....

More to come

Cromwell build update #3

Well hello again, just a quick update.  I was able to do a little more to the tank this week and was able to get all the wheels on it, including the axle caps, which i used brass screws to hold them in place, just like the real thing.  I have to admit, this tank is my favorite vehicle and build so far.  Its just a super cool looking tank and I am so happy with the way it has turned out.

Now the tracks are another story.  I am currently casting them as I write this but its going to be slow going as the mold i made can make 5 track links as a time.  As there are 125 links per side...thats 250 track links I need to cast.  So far I am averaging about 15 a day so if I calculated that right, it will take me about 16.6 days to finish.  That is only if I get a full 5 tracks each pull....

Update pictures....

Cromwell build update #2

Hi again, was able to do a little more work on the Cromwell this week.  I have all the wheels rebuilt and sized (width wise) properly.  It was a lot of work which again, i could have avoided if I had just waited a few weeks to receive the tracks...oh well, lesson learned.

I was also able to add the sprockets and paint most of the wheels.  I say most as I ran out of paint with 2 wheels left ...ugg!  For the paint, I am am using Leak Seal in black for the tires.  I came across this tip from a good friend who used it on his road wheels for his Sherman.  The leak seal dries quickly, leaves a really nice finish in almost the perfect color for tires.  I tried it on my 2nd Sherman build and really like the look and feel of it when dry.

Here are a few pictures .... 1/6 figure there to show the size of this...

1/6 Cromwell Tank build-update

So I was able to do a little work on the Cromwell this week.  Nothing major as I am still in the process of casting the tracks and finishing up the road wheels.  There was a nice calm day so I took advantage and got some painting done.  Here are a few pictures...going green!

I also added the hatch padding to the gunners side as well attached the front idler wheels. My goal is to have this completely finished by Nov as there is a toy and model show I want to display it at.

next up...Weathering of the lower suspension area etc...

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...