Another Sherman Tank 1/20 Scale

Check out Rev 2 of this if interested in this model.

Summary

This is a 1/20th scale Sherman tank, a rolling model. Tried to make it look like the late model upgunned versions. I was not trying to create a historically correct model, just a model that would be reasonably fun to put together, look decent, and not send you to the hardware store for more pieces to complete.

Everything needed to assemble is printed with the exception of some fast set epoxy. The track and suspension are held together with filament. A couple clamps are nice to keep a couple things aligned as I found plastic parts can warp. The normal print clean-up tools and a 1/4 " round file was good at cleaning up holes to provide smooth rolling.

PLA+ was fine for all parts. While the model is fairly large the parts are sized to fit on a normal printer I will post a split hull for that.

Calling this thing done unless someone finds a file I messed up. Ran out of light grey filament, so a two-tone tank...

Part List

Frame

Front - 1

Mid - 1

Back - 1

Plate

Front - 1

Top - 1 (or print in 2 pieces)

Back - 1

Front Drive Guard - 1

Turret

Base - 1

Turret - 1

Mantlet/gun mount - 1 (some reason won't display in the part pictures)

Guard Ring - 1

Gun Barrel - 1

Suspension

HVSS Bracket - 6

HVSS Pivot Axle - 12

HVSS Spring - 12

HVSS Shock 1&2 - 6

Drive

Drive Sprocket - 2

Idler Wheel - 2

Idler Holder track tightener - 2

Idler tightening nut - 2

Wheel Return Large - 8

Wheel Return Large Axle - 4

Wheel Return Small - 6

Wheel Return Small Axle - 6

Wheel Road - 24

Wheel Road axle - 12

Wheel Lock - 40

4mm spacer - a lot (spacers are used as standoffs and to align and center track and wheels)

1mm spacer - a lot

Track Pieces 11 per print - 12

Various Tank decor

Engine compartment grate

Rear Grate

Left and right fenders

Barrel yoke and brackets

Various grips

Fuel tank filler

Hatches

front machine gun barrel

Print Settings

Printer Brand:

ELEGOO

Printer: 

ELEGOO NEPTUNE 3 Plus

Rafts:

No

Supports: 

Yes

Filament: varied PLA+ 
 

Notes:

The nut for the Idler axle should be sliced at 110% on the X and Y axis and 100% on the Z. Freecad does not leave enough relief on the threads if you don't widen it. If you expand the z axis the thread pitch will be off. Also thickening the walls on the nut helps strengthen it.

Post-Printing =============

Glue the 3 frame pieces together. Clamps help hold them together.

Print and assemble six of the HVSS suspension components as pictured. Your favorite filament will thread the pieces together. If you desire to secure them pinch the ends so they can't slide out.

Add the road wheels to the suspension pieces. Each takes 2 axles, 4 wheels, 4 1mm spacers, and 4 wheel locks. Cleaning up the components and perhaps some dry lube will make sure the suspension and wheels roll cleanly. 1/4" round file for the holes works great.

The suspension modules can be glued to the frame into the locator slots.

Install solid axle and add drive sprockets with appropriate spacers to place track centered on road wheels.

Install return wheel axles and road wheels alternating the short small ones with the two larger double rollers. Use spacers to align them.

Install Idler with nut. I trimmed one side of the nut for clearance on inner frame. Tighten and glue once you get desired tension after installing track. All the wheels and sprockets use the same wheel lock to secure when you are happy with the alignment.

Join 6 pieces of track with filament per side. That should be the right amount to loop around the wheels at this time and secure with a final piece of filament.

Glue the turret base into the top sheet. Glue the turret guard around the base. If you printed the top sheet in 2 pieces glue together first. The turret should snap in fairly easily once dried. (original I posted was too tight)

The mantlet/gun mount should snap into the turret with some force, I did snip the sharp edges on the turret to widen the entry for the pivot. The barrel should slide in snugly.

Glue the Front plate and drive guard onto front of the frame. Use the top plate to help hold in place while setting. I never glued the front plate to the top plate. (sometime I will probably redo the front of the tank to accommodate motors so wanted to test leaving it openable)

Glue rear plate to top plate. Use the frame to help hold it while glue sets. Same as above I never glued the rear plate to the frame. So entire top of the tank top can slide off backwards.

Glue side fenders on top plate. Glue front fenders on front plate and drive guard.

At this point I think you are just adding some of the decorate items, tank fillers, hand holds, machine gun barrel, hatches, or whatever you decide to add...

Hope this covers it.

Updated model to make it possible for RC mod.  But decided to publish it as a separate revision.

Category: Models