DDG3D 1/72 Ford Model 1918 3 Tonner
By Matt Bittner
Overview
The Ford 3-Ton M1918 actually saw limited service during World War I but not in combat. To learn more about the tank read my First Look on the DDG3D kit. Plus, if you're looking for more information about the M1918, then The Online Tank Museum has an excellent page on the type.
Construction
Since there were only two parts in the kit for actual construction (an extra turret provided "just in case") construction didn't take long at all. One thing to be aware of, though, is the bottom of the tank is completely hollow. While DDG3D provides indentations to add your own sheet plastic to make it not appear hollow, I took the "easy" way out and mounted it to a base.
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As with a few 3D printed kits, the painting session will be the longest. Be aware there's hardly any print lines on this kit at all, so for me, no sanding needed. In fact, if you aren't careful there's a lot of printed detail you could lose if you do sand: for example, the hooks on the top of the hull. Very too scale and very easy to break off if you're not careful.
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It appears all 15 Ford tanks were painted "olive" so choose your paint and weathering devices and go to town. I stuck with the Vallejo Olive Green primer and just did washes and dry brushing over that, but only lightly. I wanted to portray a machine that wasn't heavily weathered. The base is one from a craft store, stained and sprayed with a varnish, then a piece of Heki grass mat was glued on the top, and my usual tuft added to give it some difference. The tank was glued to the base and voila! A finished Ford 3 Tonner!
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Conclusion
This is an excelllent 3D print of a little known tank. As one of the first US-designed tanks, it's important for those that want a representation of all US tanks. For me, it's a great WWI and 'tweener piece. This was definitely a fun build.
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Huge thanks to DDG3D for the review kit. Email them for information on how to obtain one for your self and/or ask for their catalog.