Beyond The Sprues

Current and Finished Projects => Physical Models => Land => Topic started by: Alvis 3.1 on April 24, 2015, 11:33:16 AM

Title: M-41 "Light Tank"
Post by: Alvis 3.1 on April 24, 2015, 11:33:16 AM: So....
We start with this...
(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g102/Alvis3_1/DSCN0586_zps85gdpoq4.jpg) (http://s54.photobucket.com/user/Alvis3_1/media/DSCN0586_zps85gdpoq4.jpg.html)

Being as the mounting rings for the turret are molded as a solid disc on the hull, that was carefully removed and rounded out...
(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g102/Alvis3_1/DSCN0560_zpswkdbet6t.jpg) (http://s54.photobucket.com/user/Alvis3_1/media/DSCN0560_zpswkdbet6t.jpg.html)

The turret, as attractive as it is, was slated to be the donor for this special project, so sadly, it fell under the knife as well.
(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g102/Alvis3_1/DSCN0562_zps1fsqaxes.jpg) (http://s54.photobucket.com/user/Alvis3_1/media/DSCN0562_zps1fsqaxes.jpg.html)

The bits were sourced and placed aside for later.
(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g102/Alvis3_1/DSCN0563_zpssjtvklef.jpg) (http://s54.photobucket.com/user/Alvis3_1/media/DSCN0563_zpssjtvklef.jpg.html)
Title: Re: M-41 "Light Tank"
Post by: Alvis 3.1 on April 24, 2015, 11:40:10 AM: I chose this particular vehicle and maker due to the simple nature, and ease of build. I am by nature, a lazy modeller, so if I can take the easy route to completing a kit, so much the better.
(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g102/Alvis3_1/DSCN0573_zps9wbfnuv4.jpg) (http://s54.photobucket.com/user/Alvis3_1/media/DSCN0573_zps9wbfnuv4.jpg.html)

Ugh...wheels!
(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g102/Alvis3_1/DSCN0574_zpszukvpr6t.jpg) (http://s54.photobucket.com/user/Alvis3_1/media/DSCN0574_zpszukvpr6t.jpg.html)

Hull assembled and painted, with a quick wash on the engine deck.
(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g102/Alvis3_1/DSCN0575_zpsmozddywk.jpg) (http://s54.photobucket.com/user/Alvis3_1/media/DSCN0575_zpsmozddywk.jpg.html)

(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g102/Alvis3_1/DSCN0576_zpsyom3tucz.jpg) (http://s54.photobucket.com/user/Alvis3_1/media/DSCN0576_zpsyom3tucz.jpg.html)
Title: Re: M-41 "Light Tank"
Post by: Alvis 3.1 on April 24, 2015, 12:08:32 PM: Subject: One Craft Store Xmas Ornament:
(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g102/Alvis3_1/DSCN0564_zpsr3a4wabz.jpg) (http://s54.photobucket.com/user/Alvis3_1/media/DSCN0564_zpsr3a4wabz.jpg.html)

Disassemble and mark out opening:
(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g102/Alvis3_1/DSCN0566_zpsqi2qhi76.jpg) (http://s54.photobucket.com/user/Alvis3_1/media/DSCN0566_zpsqi2qhi76.jpg.html)

(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g102/Alvis3_1/DSCN0568_zps6rrbguvz.jpg) (http://s54.photobucket.com/user/Alvis3_1/media/DSCN0568_zps6rrbguvz.jpg.html)

The opening was carefully drilled out and sanded until more or less round.
(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g102/Alvis3_1/DSCN0570_zpsbjurqem3.jpg) (http://s54.photobucket.com/user/Alvis3_1/media/DSCN0570_zpsbjurqem3.jpg.html)

The turret bits were then attached, and a barrel was fabricated from three diameters of styrene tubing.
(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g102/Alvis3_1/DSCN0572_zpswflj08kr.jpg) (http://s54.photobucket.com/user/Alvis3_1/media/DSCN0572_zpswflj08kr.jpg.html)
Title: Re: M-41 "Light Tank"
Post by: Alvis 3.1 on April 24, 2015, 12:24:11 PM: Turret painted.
(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g102/Alvis3_1/DSCN0577_zps3acwzmja.jpg) (http://s54.photobucket.com/user/Alvis3_1/media/DSCN0577_zps3acwzmja.jpg.html)

Gun and mantlet attached.
(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g102/Alvis3_1/DSCN0580_zpsodigozlb.jpg) (http://s54.photobucket.com/user/Alvis3_1/media/DSCN0580_zpsodigozlb.jpg.html)

Unfortunately, due to the weight of the gun, and the fact the turret isn't held in by anything, the turret developed a serious case of the droops. So, I fixed it with the wonder of magnets!
One in the hull:
(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g102/Alvis3_1/DSCN0613_zps2ewlhzja.jpg) (http://s54.photobucket.com/user/Alvis3_1/media/DSCN0613_zps2ewlhzja.jpg.html)

and a rare earth one on the bottom of the turret.
(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g102/Alvis3_1/DSCN0614_zpskkhnr46a.jpg) (http://s54.photobucket.com/user/Alvis3_1/media/DSCN0614_zpskkhnr46a.jpg.html)
Title: Re: M-41 "Light Tank"
Post by: Alvis 3.1 on April 24, 2015, 12:33:06 PM: Huzzah! It works!
(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g102/Alvis3_1/DSCN0615_zpskfwvdj8p.jpg) (http://s54.photobucket.com/user/Alvis3_1/media/DSCN0615_zpskfwvdj8p.jpg.html)

(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g102/Alvis3_1/DSCN0584_zps0kildckl.jpg) (http://s54.photobucket.com/user/Alvis3_1/media/DSCN0584_zps0kildckl.jpg.html)

(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g102/Alvis3_1/DSCN0585_zpsrljwvoff.jpg) (http://s54.photobucket.com/user/Alvis3_1/media/DSCN0585_zpsrljwvoff.jpg.html)

It's the General Electric/Westinghouse "Tesla" Light Tank. Despite being a bright idea, due to the overly high profile and short range due to the extension cords pulling from the outlets, they never were fully operational.

Alvis 3.1

(Decaling and weathering to follow)
Title: Re: M-41 "Light Tank"
Post by: Claymore on April 24, 2015, 03:10:47 PM: What a fun design... I love it. :)
Title: Re: M-41 "Light Tank"
Post by: Alvis 3.1 on April 24, 2015, 03:26:23 PM: I have to admit, I saw this idea online a few months ago, I wish i knew where, I'd like to acknowledge the originator.

Alvis 3.1
Title: Re: M-41 "Light Tank"
Post by: finsrin on April 24, 2015, 05:48:20 PM: Way up there on originality scale. So creative and dang nice build 8)
Title: Re: M-41 "Light Tank"
Post by: The Big Gimper on April 24, 2015, 06:29:47 PM: Watt can I say Al? Your ideas are illuminating. Your are pole-volting whiffing to the next level. You have a modelling magnetism.
Title: Re: M-41 "Light Tank"
Post by: Camthalion on April 24, 2015, 08:11:59 PM: Cool. Nice work
Title: Re: M-41 "Light Tank"
Post by: taiidantomcat on April 25, 2015, 01:23:21 AM: SPECTACULAR :-*
Title: Re: M-41 "Light Tank"
Post by: Kerick on April 25, 2015, 03:56:53 AM: Quote from: Alvis 3.1 on April 24, 2015, 12:33:06 PM

due to the overly high profile and short range due to the extension cords pulling from the outlets, they never were fully operational.

Alvis 3.1

(Decaling and weathering to follow)

You need a wire out the back either pulled taut or broken! ;)
Nice work. When I saw the photo were you attached the turret bits to just the upper half of the bulb I thought you were going for something Soviet style. Nice surprise!
Title: Re: M-41 "Light Tank"
Post by: GTX_Admin on April 25, 2015, 04:24:31 AM: ;D :) :) :)
Title: Re: M-41 "Light Tank"
Post by: Steve Blazo on April 25, 2015, 05:56:41 AM: OK I am now rolling on the floor !! Great concept and build !! ;D ;D
Title: Re: M-41 "Light Tank"
Post by: Cliffy B on April 25, 2015, 07:40:52 AM: Brilliant!!!! ;D
Title: Re: M-41 "Light Tank"
Post by: Rickshaw on April 25, 2015, 10:30:40 AM: Interesting and intriguing!
Title: Re: M-41 "Light Tank"
Post by: Buzzbomb on April 25, 2015, 10:32:54 AM: Wow :o

I was cruising along nicely, saw the half globe with the bits and went yeah this is interesting.

Then the full painted jobby with the full Globe .. wow

Brings a whole new meaning to BFG.

Great work
Title: Re: M-41 "Light Tank"
Post by: elmayerle on April 25, 2015, 03:10:41 PM: Beautiful work!! Let me guess, the chief mechanic for this one is an American Indian named "Many Hands"; after all, "Many hands make light work!"

Okay, I'm leaving....
Title: Re: M-41 "Light Tank"
Post by: Weaver on April 25, 2015, 09:11:00 PM: Love it! ;D ;D ;D 8)

Too late now, but you could have done the gun barrel as a three-barrelled gatling gun with the barrels painted blue, brown and yellow/green stripes (or whatever colour the wiring is in your part of the world).
Title: Re: M-41 "Light Tank"
Post by: Alvis 3.1 on April 25, 2015, 11:14:07 PM: I kicked myself after getting this far on it then realising i really should have installed a super bright LED in the barrel. I may still be able to work that in.

Alvis 3.1
Title: Re: M-41 "Light Tank"
Post by: Weaver on April 26, 2015, 05:29:30 AM: It would be funny if there was a really bright light inside the "turret" that blazed out through the open hatches....

OhYeahAnd, one of the crew REALLY needs one of these T-Shirts:

(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rf9S3GkkeyI/S84PppYeOXI/AAAAAAAAZ24/h59HjY_NS1w/s1600/Tank+Girl+v1+03+-+12.jpg)

;)
Title: Re: M-41 "Light Tank"
Post by: Dr. YoKai on April 30, 2015, 02:00:59 AM: I can see it appearing in one of the late Vaughn Bode's "Junkwaffel" comics...Neat bit 'o work, Al!