3D model description
Here you will find a remix of the brilliant "Tuna" model by the excellent Tau designer Benjamin Tan. As excellent as his original work was I felt the proportions of the limbs and overall scale required some fine tuning in order to make it look better when standing on the table top!
Here is a brief overview of my changes.
- This model is correctly scaled and requires no additional scaling to use at the standard 28mm table top scale
- Additional details have been added.
- The size / thickness of the legs / body / shoulders / weapons has been adjusted to make it much closer to the original model
- The shoulders have been adjusted to magnetise to the body
- The arms / Body / POM guns now peg together to make gluing and alignment easier
- I have added a fully articulated ankle to make posing the model easier.
- I have changed the fit / tolerance on many parts to ensure they fit together easily (I have left the thrusters a tight fit but these are easy to sand and glue in).
- There is a new head which personally I prefer. Its quite close to one of the original heads
- There is a new Hip Armour (I call this loin cloth) which again matches the original model.
- I have made the calfs high poly so they are actually round.
- There are 2 options for the waist. 1 which is solid. And another that splits in the middle for magnetisation.
Update Please Read / 09/03/2021
I have had some feedback from some one who has printed it to say the legs are over sized compared to the original model They provided some photo evidence as they were lucky enough to know some one with the original model.
I believe the overall height and over scale dimensions to be accurate (I own the actual torso so can vouch for its correct width). I have provided a side by side picture with a ruler next to the forge world model for comparison. I would hate to mislead anyone as to the accuracy so please feel free to take a look and decide for yourself if you fancy printing this beast!
** End of update**
Update 05/05/2021
I have finally uploaded my supported version , which is the 3mm hollowed files I used to print my own model. I still need to support the tri-ion Cannons and tweak a few things (some of the fit is tight on the ankles) but these are the files I printed from personally so they work well enough. Apologies for being so late to provide these. The quest for perfection is the enemy of progress.
Update 26/06/2021
I have added some new shoulder mounted Missile Launchers which might look familiar for anyone well acquainted with this type of Battle Suit... There are supported versions of which I have test printed mostly. The exception being the vent covers which were very fragile on my first test print. I have modified them to be tougher - but I havent had chance to test them - but they should be ok. The unsupported files are there, however you will have to mirror the mounting bracket and the cover. I imagine most people will just the pre supported files tho!
I have personally printed and fitted all parts except the ION cannons. The fit / tolerance of the parts can vary with print orientation. In the next week or so I will provide my pre-supported files to make life easy. I have included a hollowed / supported version of the fusion cannon as this took me some time to achieve and it printed perfect. I have also included a hollowed version of the POM base , as I did a custom hollow in blender to prevent some parts of the model being weak. I have also included solid versions of these parts for anyone who wants a solid print.
The model fits nicely on a 160mm round base (same as the real thing). I havent included a file for a base as it doesnt fit in many small resin prints.
Update Please Read 17/06/2023
This model slices and prints flawlessly in Chitubox - I cant vouch for any other software.
3D printing settings
I have only printed with model in resin personally. I recommend printing this model with a "tough" resin blend. I used 90% Elegoo ABS and 10% Siraya tech tenacious.
I hollowed most parts to 3mm thickness. But I recommend printing the following parts solid.
1)POM Barrel
2)Thrusters
3) SMS / Sensor / Burst Cannon
4) Head
5) Shoulder Joints
6) Ankle Joint
7) Feet
8) Calves (I felt printing feet / calves solid put some weight lower in the model which will prevent it tipping over)
It is possible to print the whole model with very little print damage if you are careful.
I recommend gluing it together with 2 part epoxy / Araldite or something thing very strong!