The Loose Association of Wargamers

Finally finished those 3D-printed 1/100th SKOT APCs (by Butlers Printed Models) and I'm very happy with the result. They're the first 3D-printed models I've ever seen firsthand, let alone painted and I was pleasantly surprised when I got them (the only reason for getting them was that SKOTs are not produced by anyone else in 1/100th).

My only real criticism is for the SKOT-2AP (with a high-angle turret), which looks like it's armed with a 105mm howitzer rather than a 14.5mm HMG... I suppose that's due to the limitations of current 3D-printing technology. I could and should have replaced them with a decent 14.5 barrel from another company... But then I'm a lazy bastard and not like you bunch of hyper-realism lunatics.

Something worth mentioning is their response to customer enquiries; After getting the first batch of SKOT-2s (unturreted), SKOT-2As (Soviet turret) and SKOT-2APs (Polish-built hi-angle turret) I asked if they were likely to do the SKOT-2AM (with a couple of Saggers on the turret-sides) or the command SKOT-R2 or SKOT-R2M variants... They were available for me to buy within FOUR DAYS!!! I suppose that's the great advantage of 3D-printing - you don't have to make master models or moulds - as long as you can tweak the CAD files, you can churn out all the sub-variants and make them available to customers for very little actual cost or financial risk to your business.



Oh and I got some Danish Cent Mk 5/1s done as well. These are metal models, not 3D-printed:

They look excellent.

Looks excellent, Mark. (Mind you, this is from someone who thinks CAD-file is a Mediaeval monk-cum-private detective, so take it however you wish.)

Was the Centurion not one of the most graceful tanks in history. Not as over muscled as the Chieftain, but elegant.

Yes, it looked 'right'. Mind you the Mk 1 with the earlier turret and without the turret boxes was a far uglier beast.





both from http://centurion-mbt.tripod.com/cent-mbt9.htm

Etranger wrote: ↑Mon Sep 03, 2018 12:54 pm Mind you the Mk 1 with the earlier turret and without the turret boxes was a far uglier beast.

The refuelling probe doesn't help, either. No idea how the RAF managed to get their Viscounts to fly that low. Or slow.

They used Buccaneers.

Wouldn't they just nick everything?

Cheers! Yes, the Cent is definitely the 'tankiest' tank in history. I've now got them in four armies - South African (where they were called 'Olifants'), Danish, Dutch and British (in AVRE 165 form).

Finished my East German battalion today and made a start on the Polish infantry to go with those SKOTs.

My understanding was the Olifant was based on the Centurion, and not actually a Centurion? They were produced locally by Armscor from memory. Or have I got that wrong?