What version of the E-50 do we want?

[Ballardian]

Thanks for the vote of confidence Rabenga, but I don't imagine that I've access to any sources that Brent's isn't aware of, (note to self, never check the forum just before turning in, now I'll be up all night till I've found an answer!).
 Off the top of my head, the E-50s hull was supposed to have identical dimensions to the Tiger II, with only the glacis altering from that plan (I believe HL Doyles 'The Panther And Its Variants' states as much) so an overall length of a fraction under 7.4m, but I will have a good look at what sources I can find & try to get something more concrete.

[CompanyB]

OK,


I can scale it to match our original Panther F turret..that actually would bring it to about 131mm in length which is about 7.4m.

Next phase is to print this, so I want to make sure it's right!


-Brent

[Ballardian]

After looking at everything I can find, the only thing that seems to be generally agreed on is the the hull dimensions are pretty much identical for the E-50/75 & the Tiger II, so at about 7.4m 131/2mm seems good for 1/56. (as I stated earlier, the glacis is different, at a more pronounced slope of 30 degrees.) The 'technical drawings' in common circulation are pretty inconsistant as it looks a bit like they pulled their scaling bars out of the air as they'd produce a vehicle length of about 6.75m - certainly too small.
 (There's also still the reasonable point that, despite Jentz & Doyle pointing out that the original plan was to move to a rear drive system, the diagrams they supply for the hull aren't long enough to contain it, so we're left with a somewhat magical interpretation - but hey, this is a vehicle where the 'real' blueprints are nowhere to be found so supposition is the name of the game. The only E series we can have any certainty about is the E-100, since a hull was built & a good number of photos exist for reference - I think my favorite being the one with a Valentine Mk11 parked next to it looking like, given a ramp, it could just as easily have parked inside it.)
 If it were me making this, I think I'd be inclined to ask Ken Overby (of Cpl Overby fame) what numbers he used in creating his lovely 1/72 versions, as getting 'historically accurate' ones is like trying to nail jelly to a wall, so within those constraints simply going for something which looks right & doesn't immediately spit in the eye of rational engineering seems the way to go (oh, & if it looks cool too thats a bonus).
 Pull the trigger on this one please - I'm unreasonably excited at the prospect of pushing this around the table & beginning to make involuntary tanky noises

[Ballardian]

Brent - if you're reading this (hi!) - do you think there's a chance that it'll be ready in time for us to drop pointed xmas present hints to our loved ones?

[CompanyB]

the 3D prints are ordered and will be ready for casting Dec 18.  So It probably won't get into molds until after the holiday.

But since this is a self funded venture, I will probably post a reserve button to make a reservation for the model the week before Xmas.  The idea for the initial run is to break even on the masters and casting, then this goes into the company B lineup..but at a higher price point because hey, it's a business! So I'll be asking for everyone interested to put in a $10 reservation for the first batch.  The model will probably be in production before jan, and I hope to have price estimates before Christmas.

As a bonus, these first sets will have the IR sights and decals.

E50M standard turret, rear drive, IR sights X2, decals
E50 F turret, front drive IR sights X2, decals

[Ballardian]

Excellent 

[wolivant]

Great News, rally looking forward to this, it's my Christmas present to me ;o)

Wolt