"(1:100 scale) 15mm BM-27 and T-55 Enigma" Topic

Hi all,

As some may have seen, I've asked a couple of people over time to look into the possibility of some of the more unique / near on one-of-a-kind units being produced. There's always been one problem though, economic viability, which is understandable.

As such, and as one other fellow has noted previously, I started talking with a fellow by the moniker AOTRS Shipyards to get some models made for 3D printing.

This is the finished product.

1. A 15mm BM-27 rocket launcher – perfect for those who are using the STOPPING THE RED TIDE rules for Cold War Flames Of War

and

2. The T-55 ENIGMA, an Iraqi modification of the T-55 to incorporate massive chunks of armour.

Each model is modelled to as close to exact 1:100 scale/ 15mm as I could get using real world dimensions, and as good as AOTRS could make the files, which he has done a brilliant job on!

The BM-27 model comes with both stowed and raised rocket launchers, and as such is an expensive commodity, especially to Australia where I live.

The T-55 ENIGMA does suffer some mis-printing of the attached DSHKM (I replaced mine with a Battlefront T-34/85M DSHKM gun), and doesn't have the rear turret counterweight on this print, but still is closer to dimensions.

As can be seen, it fits reasonably well, and the BM-27 especially so. The T-55 is a little wider than a T-62, but without an actual T-55 to compare against this is the best I can do.

Units in each comparison shot are the following:
QRF Chieftan tank
QRF T-62A tank
Battlefront King Tiger

Here is a shot of the units next to a 15mm mini as well.

BM-27 raised

BM-27 lowered

T-55 ENIGMA

QRF T-62 turret atop ENIGMA turret for size comparison (yes, the ENIGMA turret is slightly malformed from a totally round turret, the price one must pay to get majority accuracy)

Rather than keep these exclusively to myself, I've offered them to all, so these models are now available via AOTRS SHIPYARDS on SHAPEWAYS.

I am currently hoping to get a couple of Chinese modern vehicles made up as well, stay tuned as we slowly build on our numbers!

Enjoy! :)

I salute your dedication mate. These look quite good.

looks very nice indeed.
much better than some 3d prints i have seen.
good luck

Chatticus Finch,
I am confused about the not round T55 turret comment. From looking at the pictures and plans on the net the basic T55 did not have a round turret to start with, unless its a very early versionI have not seen pictures of. I's very dissapointing thet the rear block did not come out. I have just run the 1/144 version using a "TOOTHPASTE" printer (replicator 2) and it came out. Can you glue a block on?

the turret shown over the t55 enigma is a t62 turret which is a different shape than a t55 one, no wonder they differ.

Hi folks! On the one hand, I'm very pleased that the models (especially the BM-27) have come out well – but I'm also very disappointed and rather annoyed that the Enigma didn't. The 144 Enigma model – and the T-55 on which it was based – have printed fine both at Shapeways and on our Replicator 2, down to the MG being useable even on the latter. I've double checked the file I sent to Chatticus Finch, and it's all there, so it clearly is his print house. (I'm going to send him the Enigma split into all three pieces, rather than one file. Unfortunately, due to all the chaos around home at the moment, it didn't really sink in he wasn't using Shapeways, and his print house may not have coped with the file as it was, with the turret and MG spaced above each other. That's really the only reason I can think of why it didn't print properly.)

The parts should come out at Shapeways (they bloody *ought* to, since the 144 came out fine and they're smaller and more fragile!)

I'm also a bit puzzled by the comment on the turrets, myself: T-55 (and therefore the T-55 Enigma), unlike the T-62, doesn't have a totally round turret in the first place (if it did, it would have made making the model soooo much easier!), so they shouldn't match if done accurately…!

the shapeways prints seem the more "fluffy" finish, can you comment on the different print types?

AOTRS, is all good mate, I'm not fussed by it, just putting the info out there for all, as mentioned in our own discussions, this was going to be printed on 3D printers I have personal access to (the wonders of being a govt. employee! ;) )

The issues with these prints are purely with my prints alone, and I'm still EXTREMELY happy with what's been provided :)

I utilised a non-shapeways print due to availability to me, so I expect there is some hiccups from that, but I'll survive.

As for the turret comment, that would be my mistake then, I admit that I thought it was a misprint by the printers, not the actual turret design (I didn't notice the elongation on the model you sent me :) ) Happy to claim ignorance on that one, and will edit it out.

So yes, TO ALL, I wholeheartedly recommend the models that AOTRS puts out – my ones I've printed just happen to be the ones I have got through my own means.

Ah, well, on that basis I don't feel too bad about it, then! (As on the basis, I imagine you haven't had to pay much for it!) If it had been a printing house you'd been paying commercial rates for, it would have been another matter.

No worries.

I can still send you the Enigma as seperate .stl files if you think if might help.

Oh and don't worry about the turret thing… It's not first time! UshCha had me do him some Fenneks. I showed him the design, drawn off the technical specs and he said "but that doesn't look like my Airfix (or whatever it was) models, the wheel base is wrong!" I gave him a hard stare and showed him the picture of the real one and there was a short pause, then: "my Airfix model is wrong, isn't?" So you're in good company!

Chatticus Finch, as Troop of Shewe wrote, can you tell us about your printer? It appears to be superior to Shapeways, or as Troop says "less fluffy"

Nice design's there, I feel myself that for 3D printed miniatures, that getting the 3D print and then having it cast and selling the casts still to me seems a much more affordable way and likely way to sell your miniatures too the market.

I really find shapeways ultra fine detail miniatures are way too fragile and just cannot stand up too all that can happen on the gaming table. Yes their resin prints can hold, but even with the masters I have from moddler I still feel It is better to get masters casted.

Anyhow though I also understand your point of keeping it nice simple and very cost effective for you to run your full store just on shapeways. I understand this fully I just have seen more than a few individuals go this root and their companies never get the sales and attention they deserve.

I wish you the best of luck, all I am saying is if you feel your selling well and their is enough attention to your products I would defiantly then consider using the master prints for casting ;)!.

with best regards – Shawn.

G'day Dragon6 and Shewe.

Sadly, as much as I wish I could help, I can't provide details on the actual printer. Reason being that I haven't actually seen the thing myself!

The printer used was offered to me because the operators needed to run the injectors to test the different heads.

What I can say is that it isn't a civilian available one, it's a government-controlled printer, and it's a large unit designed for work with science and technology development.

Actually quite powerful/accurate etc, but not meant for the more intricate parts… I found the BM-27 missing some bits as was the T-55 Enigma obviously.

Whatever she is, she's not built for absolute finesse, but it does have an obviously high resolution threshold.

If I were a betting man, I'd say it was some sort of big scientific printer. Probably worth 35,000 or something similarly stupid.

Under Fire wargameing,
Ultra fine detail is most definitely unsuitable and too expensive for gameing models. I use Strong white flexible. It does have a "rough" finnish but I would not call it unsuitable. Cavalier Books do lots of stuff commecially in a similar material to strong white flexible. With some vehicles its not cost effective to go the cast route. For instance the Fennek. Its a vital part of my moderen germans but I only need a few (4 at most). Its un-economic to master that sort of thing. |Its never goiung to bea big seller. The Replicator is pointing the way for wargames models, the raw material is a few pence. Its a bit slow but the next gen may get faster. The surface finnish is not great but fine for visual representation. As time goes by prints will get cheaper and you will customise your models before printing with baggage to your on spec from available items.
These are wargames models are not finescale models that are unsutable for heavy use. Some wargamers are modeler first and at the moment they would not be happy with 3D prints the fine detail is not possible and practical.

many thanks for clearing that up guys.

Enigma looks great! Cant wait to see the Chinese kit!

Hi guys…

Aotrs commander…I have been stalking your site in shapeways. (Not in the creepy way)

You have several vehicles on my wants list.

I like the hunter drones and the resistor tanks…

How do they scale in 15mmscifi. . I think u mention they are 1:72

The drones might be scale safe in 15mm.

Any hope on resurrecting this thread…w some more scale sensitive photographs next to that 15mm mini?

Wow these are really nice. Look forward to your Chinese armor. May I please request a Merkava MkIV just for fun? If you make one I'll buy at least 14 of them.

Hi guys, noting the threadomancy I though I'd stick my head in.

Sadly I cannot provide a more 'scale friendly' reference for the models, I only collect 15mm. However, once my gaming club starts up again (we're a military based group, so we've taken a break over the Christmas period, as most are either away with family, or being posted to different places), I'm sure I'll be able to look into that.

As for the Merkava IV, it is on the wish list personally as well, but like everything I ask to be made, it is on a "when-it's-done" basis.

Nevertheless, it is an option I'm looking at in the future.

Hi guys…

Aotrs commander…I have been stalking your site in shapeless.

You have several vehicles on my wants list.

I like the hunter drones and the resistor tanks…

How do they scale in 15mmscifi. . I think u mention they are 1:72

The drones might be scale safe in 15mm.

Any hope on resurrecting this thread…w some more scale sensitive photographs next to that 15mm mini?

Ators os out at the moment, but I will get him to repond as soon as he can.

The hunter drones are available at both 12mm (144) and 25mm scale.

The Resistor is 12mm, though given the absence of scalable items like hatches – they aren't driven by people after all – they could be used at 15mm as is without looking too much out of place.

Thanks guys for the answers. I may make my first shapeways purchase

Aotrs, since you have done the ENIGMA, would you consider doing some the North Korean tanks in 1:100?