Wednesday, September 9, 2015

Photo review of Shapeways 1/100 scale pre-World War 2 US tanks

I've always been interested in the U.S. Army immediately prior to WW2. I have a book of tanks that was my father's that gives details on the pre-war tanks that never saw combat. When Flames of War 1st Edition was out (I played the free web version originally), there was a supplement that included stats for those very same tanks.

Recently, something made me scratch that itch and I saw where some enterprising soul has them on Shapeways in sizes from 1/100 up through 1/48. They are NOT cheap.

But I ordered one each M1 and M2A2 light tanks, and M2 and M2A1 medium tanks. They arrived Tuesday.
 
First up is the M1 Combat Car:
 
Here is a link to the digital render on Shapeways
 
Components

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Hull
Bogies
Next, the M2A2 Combat Car, later Light Tank.
 
Here is a link to the digital render on Shapeways
 
Components
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assembled
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Front
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Rear
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
This is the M2 Medium Tank.
 
Here is a link to the digital render on Shapeways
 
Components

 
 

Assembled
 
Close up of one of the four barbette machine guns
 
 
Quarter view 
 
 
And finally, the M2A1 Medium. Note how delicate the gun barrels are. In fact, I broke off the 37mm barrel when I picked up the turret to put on top of the tank. My fault, but still easily done.
 
Here is a link to the digital render on Shapeways
 
Components
Assembled
Glacis
 
All of these tanks are available in other sizes, including 1/48, 1/56, and 1/72. They are by Arctic Skunk Designs by mpennock
 
I hope you find these pictures useful.