Greetings Tankers!

It is now both November and cold!

I just want to showcase some turret improvements that we’ve come up with. Our original design was created by cheating the software and creating a visual representation of the turret, as we learn the programs better it was realized that that wouldn’t work for a few reasons. Reason 1: a sheetmetal/flatpattern print would not be able to be created from a lofted/shaped piece, so we had to recreate the bent plates with actual math go figure. To start with, let me show you the original designs that Tristan came up with.

There is a lot wrong with this turret, mostly because it was built purely off of a 1:16 scale model and most of the finer details are half measurements, half guesswork.

So now allow me to present the turret built off of our measurements from the Illinois Trip.

This turret has much more accurate placement, as well as more accurate models of the red components. We haven’t put together a cannon yet, all in due time.

This turret was created using better methods, better measurements, and better reference materials, the first one could pass for passable if you wanted to, but if that was passed up this new model passively passes easily and is much more accurate to the original.

The above view sort of demonstrates what I was talking about. The planes used to design the new bent side plate are accurate and true reference points, rather than the ‘good enough’ of the old methods. While our engineers may get rather annoyed at the constant insistence on accuracy, we wouldn’t distinguish ourselves in the same way if we were complacent.

So there you have it, the continuing progress continues! Look at how much prettier the drawings are getting!

In the background, I eagerly mention that in 3 months we will have a surprise that will most definitely shock and amaze you, because we are if nothing else, shocking and amazing. I don’t want to spill beans or loose cats but just let’s say that we’re working behind closed doors on something that I think you will all be thrilled to see.

IN OTHER NEWS

In terms of PR and marketing, we were given some suggestions by a certain Dean Clissa who has an enthusiasm for WWII. Those changes include

-QR codes for Patreon (it’s coming, don’t worry) and Facebook pages

-Email signup sheets at events

-Either a full scale or 1/4 mockup of either the turret or tank as an eye-catching piece

-More Events!

So look for those coming up as well.

And lastly, we’ve been given some great advice from a Mr. Crosswell from the PA Berks chapter of SCORE, a small business consulting group that offers free advice for small and starting businesses nationwide. The conversation revolved around the pros and cons of turning into a 501c3 vs an LLC, and other financial and organizational topics. I would certainly recommend looking into them if you’re confused about various aspects of small business management or operation.

That’s it for now, tune in next time for more tankery shenanigans!

-T.ankmann

P.S. if you’re wondering why the T.ankmann@project38.net email has a slow response rate right now, it’s because Tristan is moving between houses, and Beckett is in the National Guard doing exercises until mid-November, after that presumably regular response times will return. Thanks!