Straight from a time when video games still relied heavily on style and personality, and more specifically from the world of Metal Slug 3, here is the papercraft version of the Rebel Flame Tank, a small flamethrower-equipped vehicle that carries the distinctive and memorable look typical of the series.
I created this model using the original 3D model extracted from the game itself, which is available on the website The Models Resource, a well-known repository that gathers 3D assets extracted from both classic and modern video games, widely used by artists, fans and modelers as reference material for all kinds of projects.
Based on that model, I carefully adapted the shapes for papercraft, aiming to preserve the original proportions and overall look of the vehicle while simplifying the structure just enough to keep the assembly practical and accessible. I also chose to keep the original in-game textures, which is why some areas show noticeable pixelation. This was an intentional decision, meant to preserve the authentic appearance of the model, including the technical limitations of the era in which the game was produced.
The result is a well-balanced model with a good level of detail, especially in the tracks, the base structure and the flamethrower assembly, giving it a strong visual presence without making the build overly complex.
The model is made up of 67 individual parts, distributed across 17 printable pages, along with six pages of illustrated instructions that help guide the building process in a clear and straightforward way. Completing the set, there are also two additional pages, one in English and one in Portuguese, featuring general tips and basic information that make the model more accessible to both beginners and experienced modelers.
When printed at 100% scale on A4 or Letter size paper, the finished model measures approximately 17 to 18 cm in length, resulting in an approximate 1/24 scale. This makes it a great display piece, especially when placed alongside small figures, as shown in the third photo, where you can see the model still being assembled.
For those interested in building their own Rebel Flame Tank and downloading the free templates, as always, the files are easy and safe to access directly from Google Drive.
LInk: Metal Slug 3 Rebel Flame Tank Free Papercraft - by Papermau
