The USAF mobile Ground Launched Cruise Missile was developed as a counter to the mobile medium- and intermediate- range ballistic nuclear missiles deployed by the Soviet Union in Eastern Bloc European countries. The USAF GLCM and the US Army's Pershing II were the incentives that fostered Soviet willingness to sign the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF treaty), and reduced the threat of nuclear wars in Europe. It was deployed during 1983 and fully removed from service by 1991. I served as an assistant flight chief assigned to the 487th Tactical Missile Wing at Comiso Air Station, Sicily.
The Transporter-Erector Launcher (TEL) carried 4 BGM-109G Gryphon cruise milles (USAF variant of the US Navy Tomahawk) an was towed by a large MAN KAT1 8x8 tractor (prime mover). The strongback which housed the missiles would elevate 45 degrees to launch the missile over the tractor cab. Doors were provider at the aft end of the strongback that could automatically open as the strongback was raised to allow for solid rocket launch assist blast ejection.
The TEL model strongback can raise up (use the LIFT to support) and lower down. The aft doors can be open (strongback raised up) or closed (strongback lowered down). The legs were used to support a TEL that is disconnected from the prime mover. I have included replaceable legs- Leg Up when the TEL is joined to the prime mover, and Leg Down when the TEL is disconnected from the prime mover (or you just want more model stability).
For the TEL model, you will need to print the following:
1 x TEL 3D Aft Left (door)
1 x TEL 3D Aft Right (door)
1 x TEL 3D Hinge (joins the strongback to the trailer)
2 x TEL 3D Leg Down
2 x TEL 3D Leg UP
1 x TEL 3D Lift
1 x TEL 3D Strongback
1 x TEL 3D Trailer
4 x Trailer Wheel
The models are real world size to make it easier to print to a desired scale.
Resize to:
0.4545% (1:220 scale, model railroad Z scale)
0.5000% (1:200 scale)
1.0000% (1:100 scale)
1.1494% (1:87.1 scale, model railroad HO scale)
1.3889% (1:72 scale)
1.5625% (1:64 scale, Hot Wheels and Matchbox scale)
2.0833% (1:48 scale)
2.3256% (1:43.5 scale, model railroad O scale)
2.7778% (1:36 scale)
3.1250% (1:32 scale)
4.1667% (1:24 scale)
Print Settings
Printer brand:
Creality
Printer:
Ender 3
Rafts:
Yes
Supports:
Yes
Infill:
25%
Filament_brand:
Inland PLA + 1.75 mm
Filament_color:
Brown
Filament_material:
PLA
Notes:
A friend printed this and let me know his print settings: Printer - Creality Ender-3 printer using specs for an ender-3 pro for more build volume. Slicer - Ultimaker Cura 4.6.1 Filament Inland PLA + 1.75 mm Brown Nozzle .4 Infill 25 percent Layer height .20 Wall count 3 Top and bottom layer 7 Temp 210 and 60 I use a skirt for all prints Trailer - Flat on bed with tree supports Strongback - Flat on bed upside down NO supports Doors - Flat on bed NO supports Hinge - Flat on bed NO supports Leg up - Horizontal NO support Leg down - Horizontal NO support Lift - Horizontal NO support Wheels - Flat on bed NO support
Post-Printing
Post printing notes
Clean up of support material is needed. For the hinge and hinge area of the strongback and trailer, may need to use a suitable drill for your print size to get the hinge pin to insert. For the right an left aft (doors), may need to use a suitable drill for your print size to get the pin to insert and allow the doors to rotate open when the strongback is elevated,
How I Designed This
Worked from an AutoCAD 2D multiview drawing for the basic modeling and finished in Fusion 360.
