Indiana Jones Tank 3D Print in 1:48 Scale

This is the tank from the chase scene in the 1989 film Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. This is printed on my Elegoo Mars 3D printer in Resin. I purchased the STL file download from https://cults3d.com/en/3d-model/art/indiana-jones-tank-1-35-scale-model created by user MATTORSILVER.

This was a very challenging build. I have never done a completely resin build of a tank from my 3D printer (and probably won't ever again). I purchased the STL files online and printed them out over the course of several months. None of the files were prepared for printing so I had to create all the supports in the software for them. There were approximately 45 separate pieces to this kit.

Several of the prints failed and several were partially deformed so I had to decide if I wanted to deal with it using putty or try again. Fortunately, some of the deformed parts would be hidden when fully assembled. Others required a lot of putty and sanding.

Many of the parts, like the track, were fragile and would shatter easily when removing the supports. Some of it I could be salvaged with super glue and other parts had to be reprinted. Several pieces like the hull and others had to be cut in half to fit on my printer. This required learning how to use Tinkercad software and getting the pieces to line up properly when printed. All of the pieces didn't fit very well together due to shrinking after the resin cured. A lot of sanding was required with a file, sandpaper, and a dremel tool. The first parts I started printing were grey resin but I ran low on that resin so I had to purchase more and acquired “slate blue” which looks more purple to me. This is why the parts have different colors, but it didn't matter to me for the final product.

The bags on the side are epoxy resin that I hand sculpted. The mesh netting on the top of the hull is surgical gauze formed with Mod Podge and the other stowage is from a Tamiya stowage set in 1:35 scale since I wanted the bags to be bigger. The antenna aerial and the flag pole are guitar string. The straps on the side stowage are Tamiya masking tape.

The paint is primarily Tamiya. XF-49 Khaki was used for the primary color with some green on the stowage and german grey on the netting. I used AK streaking grime for some panel lining and highlights. The wash is made using pastel chalks, dirt from my backyard, and dish soap. The chipping affect is Tamiya paints custom mixed previously for a Boba Fett ship build that is kind of an oxide red. The tracks are weathered using Life Color rust system and the final uneven dust coating is Tamiya Buff.

This is the reference I used for detailing the tank. I did not include all of the items on the outside. Maybe I will add those later on.

Although it was a lot of hard work and took several months, I won a gold medal at the AMPS International competition in the basic category last week.

9 additional images. Click to enlarge.