Beyond The Sprues
Current and Finished Projects => Physical Models => Land => Topic started by: Kerick on December 14, 2024, 03:35:11 AM
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Well I’ve been threatening to do this for a long time now so why not now! I’ve been hacking at two Tamiya M41 Walker Bulldog kits for a couple of days now. I also have the 90mm gun from a deceased M48 tank. Plus many other spare parts that might fall off the shelf and get glued onto this puppy.
The idea is sometime in the 80s the Soviet horde comes thru the Fulda Gap and starts over running Western Europe. Every armored vehicle imaginable gets thrown onto the battlefield. A 76mm M41 is pretty useless and there is not much ammo left for them anyway so the vehicles get upgunned to 90mm. There is no time for designing a new turret and it would be too heavy for the M41 hull and drivetrain anyway. So flashback to WW2 and how the Germans used the StuG for infantry support and eventually for anti tank purposes. Factories in Belgium and Denmark began converting M41s to assault guns using 90mm guns from 30 year old stocks. One problem was the 90mm gun proved to be a problem to mount properly without hacking up the entire upper hull so the expedient solution was to cut two hulls in two different places and put them back together so that it now had six road wheels on each side instead of five. This left two hull pieces which when welded together had four road wheels on each side. (More on this later!) This solved the gun mounting issue without having to redesign the drivers position. Other usable parts were included as they became available.
In reality, (bad word, I know) the Tamiya M41, Academy M48 and an Academy Bradley are all donating parts for this. It’s surprising how the Bradley tracks are almost perfect replacements for the iffy M41 tracks. At least the Bradley tracks have detail on both sides compared to the M41 tracks. I also have different types of track skirts to try out as the new hull gets built. I’ll have to snap a few pics and post them up soon.
Thanks to chalkline for getting me inspired to do this.
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There's some free M41 tracks on Cult 3D
This sounds awesome, at this rate you guys will have to open an M41 category in 'Land' :)
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Something a bit like a Kanonenjagdpanzer?
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A little bit. I found a base for something from Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea that might provide the sloped sides.
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Time for a photo dump.
Here's the chopped up hull.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54207439254_ba385d3cd2_c.jpg) (http://"https://flic.kr/p/2qA8i8C")
Hull parts glued back together to make one six wheeler and one four wheeler.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54207193381_f2d256cd07_c.jpg) (http://"https://flic.kr/p/2qA733r")
The four wheeler may get armed with a TOW or some other system.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54207432893_155e52465d_c.jpg) (http://"https://flic.kr/p/2qA8geX")
Here is the front and rear upper hull parts. I've since cut the top grills off and will use those for exhaust grills M60 style.
I widened the Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea base to fit over the fenders. I may square off the back once I figure out how long it needs to be.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54207438549_e91378fa24_c.jpg) (http://"https://flic.kr/p/2qA8hVt")
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54207610290_b658864926_c.jpg) (http://"https://flic.kr/p/2qA9aYw")
Here's the M48 cupola set on top. WOW, that's fugly!
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54207608445_67ae60e941_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2qA9aqH)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54207191276_d34ecd5645_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2qA72q9)
That thing is just huge! Using that might be a crime against humanity............
Or it might be fun........
Big problems yet are building out the fenders, putting together the new engine deck, mounting the gun barrel and deciding whether to use ERA panels or not.
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Wow! That's some major plastic surgery! Looking good.
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ERA panels are out unless these vehicles get sold to the Israelis sometime in the 90s. I’ll stick with welded on armor on the front and side skirts to cover up the now too short tracks.
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I’ve built out the crew compartment. The back is squared off now and the top and sides are covered in new plastic to complete the squared off area. It seems a wrecked M48 was brought back and judged too broken to repair so the cupola, loaders hatch and air vent are being repurposed. The M41 toolboxes have a new home on the fenders next to the engine deck. The rear fenders have been salvaged and put back in place. Also a whole new engine deck has been installed. Looks like I need to do a photo dump here tomorrow.
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ERA panels are out unless these vehicles get sold to the Israelis sometime in the 90s. I’ll stick with welded on armor on the front and side skirts to cover up the now too short tracks.
By 1994 the USA, the UK, Germany, France, Belgium & Spain were offering ERA, however it was pretty much the same as IMI Blazer so not even as good as Kontakt 1 and I can't find a single vehicle that used any. Like most first generation ERA it could really only go on armour as thick as an MBT or when it detonated it'd buckle or crack the armour. Russian ERA for light vehicles only really appears with Relikt in the early 2000s. There was an Soviet version of ERA for light vehicles, Kaktus 1, but it went on the backburner for 15 years after the dissolution of the USSR but if you don't have that it'd come into production in the late 1990s.
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Time for some photos. Here's where we are so far.
The crew compartment and front driver's areas are not glued down so far. I want to install colored plastic in the driver's periscopes but I'll have to figure out how to mask them when I paint.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54215273276_1705f746f6_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2qAPrUY)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54214365247_a277bb997d_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2qAJMZi)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54215273346_4b33b47c27_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2qAPrWb)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54215505939_329439fdea_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2qAQD5p)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54215501778_a5b3eea4de_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2qAQBQE)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54215506894_924f89d89f_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2qAQDmS)
It's possible a TOW box launcher may get installed. My first thought might not work out as the exhaust of the missile will shoot straight into the air vent.
Tonight I might just figure out how to mount the gun.
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That engine deck is amazing
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This is great to see it in plastic. Nice bit of parts wrangling on the engine deck and rear
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@Ken. I really like your approach to the engine deck and rear grill. Nice! :smiley:
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@Ken. I really like your approach to the engine deck and rear grill. Nice! :smiley:
Those grey parts may look familiar. IIRC you sent them to me a few years ago.
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@Ken. I really like your approach to the engine deck and rear grill. Nice! :smiley:
Those grey parts may look familiar. IIRC you sent them to me a few years ago.
I kind of suspected that I may have been the "source" but parts such as that are easily forgotten about once they are removed from the parts stash. Glad to see the bits being put to a good use.
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Cool! 8)
Engine deck & rear are excellent! :smiley:
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I mounted the gun last night. I made the mantlet from slabs of plastic armor chemically welded together. A couple of other slabs as side armor to the mantlet. The right fender is done and I found the bag of confetti I use for the colored glass on the drivers periscopes.
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Interesting project. Looking forward to seeing he end results. I also just saw your post on The Mediocre Modelers group on FB too.
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I like how this is going. The engine deck looks fantastic.
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I glued together all the big parts. I figured out how to do the drivers periscopes. I glued plastic blocks in the open spot slightly recessed into the opening. When I’m done painting I’ll install the colored plastic rectangles to the blocks I put in the openings. I have vision ports in the cupola that I need to do something with eventually.
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So far so good. Like what this is becoming :smiley:
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Thanks everyone!
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@Ken - After some thought on this I have an idea to share regarding the twin tube TOW ATGM launcher. Instead of trying to mount the launcher on the casemate proper, why not mount it on a rack at the rear of the casemate so that it is located over and above the engine deck? This gives you the benefit of the missiles not interfering directly with anything on top of the casemate and allows you to place the fire control component of the TOW ATGM with a clear field of fire with the missiles behind firing over the top of the vehicle.
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I took this build to my club meeting tonight. The guys were very intrigued with it. Some suggested the TOW be located on the roof while some liked the Bradley style mount.
I’m not quite sure what you mean about mounting the box launcher over the engine deck. Too high will get it knocked off by a tree. Maybe some sort of scissor jack system to raise and lower it. I’m thinking it would have to be on the roof in front of the loaders hatch or as you say behind the loaders hatch and cantilevered over the engine deck. By TOW fire control do you mean the box like device on the top of both Bradley and Abrams vehicles? I have a couple parts for that and I can build the rest. At least placing the box launcher above the engine deck will keep most of the missile exhaust out of the air vent!
I was planning on placing a .30 cal pintle mount in front of the loaders hatch. We’ll see what happens.
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@Ken - You are on the right track, mounting at the rear of the casemate on a frame of some kind that would allow the launcher box to raise up for firing would be the best option. I did not consider the issue of trees or other low-hanging things becoming issues during travel or maneuver but yes, that is a valid point to also consider. As far as frame construction goes, I would think that something made from plastic rod or plastic card stock would give you the right shape for the frame. The TOW fire control optics: "box-shaped device" as you described can be remoted from the launcher. The M901 ITV (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M901_ITV) for example features the optics next to the two missiles in the launcher apparatus and it also carries a standard TOW system within the vehicle for a dismount option. You would not need the dismount equipment (the tripod, battery, and fire control optics) so what you plan on with the optics being remoted from the launcher box should be feasible if it can be done on the M901 then it should be available for something like your project.
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Kerick, are you in Australia? I have a M27 TOW cupola for a LAV-TOW I could send over.
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Great concept and beautiful work. Bravo Sir! :smiley:
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Jeff
Ok I think I get it. I’ll start some impromptu engineering and see what happens.
Kerick, are you in Australia? I have a M27 TOW cupola for a LAV-TOW I could send over.
Sorry, I’m in the US. Chicago area. But that would be interesting.
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I’ve added armor plates to the front and fiddly bits to the sides and back end. Not much else going on except Christmas prep. Friday I’m going to the aircraft restoration company I went to last year. They have an F4U Corsair taken apart right now so that will be interesting. I’m sure some other stuff in pieces around the shop. I’ll take lots of pics.
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Here's a few pics of the latest progress. Welded on front armor, lights, searchlight, gun barrel, lifting hooks on the back, need some for the front. And drill out the vision ports on the cupola so I can fill them with UV resin. I have some violet paint that might look good painted inside of the ports. I was going to mount a .30 cal MG in front of the loaders hatch but now the searchlight looks to be in the way.
I think I will pass on the TOW box on this build. I still have the shortened hull to deal with. TOW might work well for that.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54231091986_c6853057f0_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2qCdwgm)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54231334789_d96e6ed69b_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2qCeLrB)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54231091911_54585c99e1_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2qCdwf4)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54231091996_9baf53040d_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2qCdwgw)
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Is so gooood so far :smiley:
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Thanks!
I'm going to have to think about paint pretty soon at this rate! Road wheels first.
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Coming along nicely.
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Looking very nice
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That's quite the change from the original M-41. Looks very impressive.
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Looking good so far . . .
I'm still not sold on that cupola (but what do I know . . . ), but I'm in agreement about putting the TOW launcher on the smaller vehicle, you could call it, I dunno, the Weasel ?
cheers,
Robin.
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So what if the search-light is in the way a bit , the cupola works for me :smiley:
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Yep, the cupola works for me too (and kind of obviates the need for a loader's MG, anyway). And I too concur on the TOW launcher - moving it to the 'shortie' M41 is an excellent idea. :smiley:
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If I paired them up I could call them the Weasel and the Badger.
I need to find some grenade launchers.
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Some very sharp styrene work there - looking great! :smiley:
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If I paired them up I could call them the Weasel and the Badger.
I need to find some grenade launchers.
So "Moose and Squirrel" (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Adventures_of_Rocky_and_Bullwinkle_and_Friends) was not an option? :smiley:
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That might make good names for the individual vehicles! Assuming they act as partners on the battlefield!
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Badger, Weasel, Moose, Squirrel ... ? These are starting to sound like Canadian Army armour names ;D
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I chose 'weasel' as a play on the Bundeswehr's Wiesel 1A2 TOW carrier,
http://tank-masters.de/?page_id=4950 (http://tank-masters.de/?page_id=4950)
cheers,
Robin.
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Badger, Weasel, Moose, Squirrel ... ? These are starting to sound like Canadian Army armour names ;D
Now that’s an idea!
I chose 'weasel' as a play on the Bundeswehr's Wiesel 1A2 TOW carrier,
[url]http://tank-masters.de/?page_id=4950[/url] ([url]http://tank-masters.de/?page_id=4950[/url])
cheers,
Robin.
And a good one too! Canadian could happen.
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Not much to show tonight. I got the road wheels and drive sprocket cut out, cleaned up and put together. I’m looking for some US style smoke grenade launchers. I’ve been searching the web but no luck. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. If nothing else I could try some real two part casting. There’s a couple of other parts I would like to have a few more of. I would copy a couple of road wheels for spares and some radio antenna parts. The kit gives you these short stumpy things. Then time for a paint scheme. I’m thinking OD or the usual MERDC pattern.
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A small update. I've added some details to the front. I replicated the lifting rings with a couple of jewelry rings from some old necklace. They're not real silver. I fastened them in place with some UV resin hoping it will look like weld.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54239153571_4629f9cf08_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2qCVQGc)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54239384814_e02d67bc52_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2qCX2r9)
Compared to the real thing. I photographed this vehicle on display in front of a VFW hall. I might try to make the fender supports from brass.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54239563465_73e6af7ebe_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2qCXWxk)
A pile of road wheels. Twelve plus the idlers.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54239563535_7b9689f181_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2qCXWyx)
I made two spare road wheels from parts from another kit I bought at HL. I'll need it for a few parts for other things.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54239561745_d71563df3e_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2qCXW2F)
I've collected a few spare bolt heads. The dark brown is train parts, tan is from Academy's Bradley, the OD I don't know and the dark green says M-10 on it.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54238255977_e0957d59ed_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2qCReSr)
I don't know if bolts for the add on armor would be appropriate for a mid 1980s time frame or not. I'm thinking not likely, probably just welded on.
I'm undecided on a paint scheme. No surprise there! OD green, MERDC four color or NATO three color. I could make a case for each in the backstory. Considering Denmark upgraded theirs in the mid 80s and used a black and green camo that could work too.
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I don't know if bolts for the add on armor would be appropriate for a mid 1980s time frame or not. I'm thinking not likely, probably just welded on.
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Ken: Bolted applique armour was used on the RakJPz 2-to-Raketenjagdpanzer Jaguar 1 conversions starting in 1978.
(OT: Does anyone else recall a term something like 'gummipanzer' for those perforated armour plates backed by rubber sheet?)
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I don't know if bolts for the add on armor would be appropriate for a mid 1980s time frame or not. I'm thinking not likely, probably just welded on.
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Ken: Bolted applique armour was used on the RakJPz 2-to-Raketenjagdpanzer Jaguar 1 conversions starting in 1978.
(OT: Does anyone else recall a term something like 'gummipanzer' for those perforated armour plates backed by rubber sheet?)
I wasn’t sure. The bolts would add nice visual interest to the front of the hull.
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I drilled out the three vision blocks on the cupola. Now I have to figure out what to do with the ones on the riser. They are trapezoid’s instead of rounded on the ends like the cupola. Time to look for pictures.
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No joy on the hunt for the riser pics. If nothing else I'll just wing something.
I made brass headlight guards from left over framing from a PE sheet. Much better than the kit parts. I think the originals will go in the trash. There's no possible further use for them! The pink background is a post it note pad. I though it would make the parts stand out more.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54243596620_ab73236822_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2qDjBsu)
Glued thirteen bolt heads to the front today. What a pain! I had to drill a hole as there was a pin on the back side of the bolt head. I'm not sure how much help that was. I think the front armor is finished until after painting when it will get some spare track links.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54243416509_9d93a12140_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2qDiFV8)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54243596675_930a7d1190_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2qDjBtr)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54242277042_6283c3b034_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2qDcRc9)
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If you flipped those original headlight covers on their side they could go on the side of the turret as brush guards for antennae. I really like how you did those
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Love the details - those bolt heads really add a nice feature to the slabs of added armor.
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Thanks!
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Much better than the kit offerings.
The Etch frames are an underutilized resource, I have a drawer full for just for this reason
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What little PE I use still provides some left over parts and the framing. Just like sprues that are straight without too many nubs on them.
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I was just browsing Prime Portal and found a bunch of photos of M41s in Brazilian service. This would make a great conversion in itself. The paint scheme of Forest Green and brown looks simple and effective. I just need to make decals of the insignia. That shouldn’t be too hard.
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Looking for some 1/35th scale smoke grenade launchers. Either American or German style. I’m in the US so if we keep it in the US the postage will be reasonable for such a small couple of things. Or if anyone knows where to get aftermarket ones I’d appreciate that. PM me if you like.
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Looking for some 1/35th scale smoke grenade launchers. Either American or German style. I’m in the US so if we keep it in the US the postage will be reasonable for such a small couple of things. Or if anyone knows where to get aftermarket ones I’d appreciate that. PM me if you like.
What style of smoke grenade launchers? I may have some Army M1 Abrams types in the parts box.
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Those would work just fine. I’ll pm my address if you like.
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I built some fender supports from left over brass. Also some brackets to keep the drivers hatch from swinging around and bashing his face in. I cut the corners off the fenders to look like most of the M41 pics I've seen.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54253757109_8b1971be85_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2qEdFPk)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54253757114_0d1f656186_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2qEdFPq)
I found this pic of the Brazilian M41 which had a nice camo scheme which didn't look too difficult. Looks like there is some black between the brown and green in a few spots. That's hard to see in most other photos.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54253748283_e38e1541c3.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2qEdDca)
I decided to stock up on brass. One sheet is 0.016" and the other is 0.010". I could build a whole tank from the first sheet. The second sheet is closer in thickness to the etched brass bits I have. I'm sure both will come in handy.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54253749118_c73d749956_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2qEdDry)
I'm still debating on whether to drill out the headlights or not. Probably not. I'll just paint them and cover with a little UV resin to give it that glass look. Same thing with the cupola riser vision blocks. In the few photos I have found the riser vision blocks just look black. The cupola vision blocks are drilled out. I'll paint them violet later and fill with UV resin.
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Adding more fiddly bits.
I’m going to go with Badger for the assault gun and Weasel for the short TOW version as suggested by robunos. Then the individual names will be Moose and Squirrel as suggested by Jeff Fontaine.
I started hacking on the short Squirrel. I'm going to build an entire new front but I'm saving the drivers hatch in case I decide to use it on top. Trimming and reattaching the fenders turned out to be pretty easy. Fortunately it also removed most of the holes in the fenders meant to position the tools and spare tracks so bonus. I trimmed the fender corners and removed the mount for the gun barrel clamp too.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54257513064_c62518b3b0_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2qExWkb)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54257513084_c50cc8b53c_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2qExWkw)
I also ordered a set of new one piece tracks from AFV club. We'll see if they look better than the Tamiya tracks. Can't be any worse.
We are going away for the weekend so not much building going on until next week.
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The tracks arrived from AFV club and they are pretty darn sweet for rubber band tracks. Far better than the Tamiya ones. They are for the shorty version so there should be a few links left for spares.
I’m working on building the casement to house the TOW system and some spare rounds. I wish I had another box from a Bradley so that would give me four ready rounds. I bought some paint over the weekend so no excuses there. The assault gun is ready for paint but I’ll wait until the shorty is done so I can do both at the same time.
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Well the Badger is ready for paint and the Weasel is still a work in progress. I notched out a space in the top of the casemate and installed the drivers hatch there. I'm just finishing the installation of armor panels. I think I have enough of a different style of bolt heads that might be close enough to not be noticeably different. Hatches are done and I need to invent a way of installing the TOW box. I'm thinking of installing a set of TOW sights from a Bradley. Not sure if that's realistic considering the time frame but it beats having the gunner sitting on the roof with the jeep sights.
Just a couple of photos.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54282357839_5257897263_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2qGKgPn)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54282357354_926e628e18_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2qGKgF1)
The Sherman style lifting loops have been removed and will be reinstalled on the glasis plate.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54282544575_94552ccdf4_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2qGLejX)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54282542985_4859e58145_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2qGLdRx)
Lots of fiddly bits to go yet. Then paint. Maybe OD green and black stars.
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The Spanish modified some of there M41 tanks with TOW launchers called the M41E TUA Cazador. Could be a source of inspiration for some of the parts.
(https://forum-en-cdn.warthunder.com/original/3X/a/b/ab45d3f4fe93eeaec5c81e49cb648413c2626e67.jpeg)
(https://forum-en-cdn.warthunder.com/original/3X/a/7/a7cd083ecc248b019cbe863fa97ac9453b676d45.jpeg)
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Wow, I have that pic but I thought it was the German Kanonenjagdpanzer that was converted to missiles. Thanks for pointing that out for me. I know there was the HOT version and I thought some got converted to TOW. The pic looks like the TUA that was mounted on M113s and other vehicles. I was just thinking about mounting a .50 cal on the TOW set up so it could be fired using the TOW sights. The Weasel is going to be very cramped inside. I might switch to .30 cal just to carry more ammo.
The ammo can holders on .50 and .30 cal guns are just basically sheet metal I believe. I might try making some out of brass. It’ll be a personal challenge.
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The Weasel looks great! It makes the M41 look shorter, but in a good way. I love what you’ve done with these old kits.
Is the driver standing up? There doesn’t seem to be a lot of room for his knees.
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Remember and liked M41 from 50s-60s, never thought of something like this.
Impressive plastic surgery :smiley:
Look forward to seeing progress.
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So many M41s, my head is spinning! :o
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I’ve been working on the TOW launcher system. I wanted it to rotate but I couldn’t figure out how to do it without complications. That’s until I remembered the refrigerator magnet that has been attached to my tool box for years. A couple of washers fit into the lower part and the magnet in the upper. Works great so far. And if it gets bumped it won’t break off. So far so good. Now I need to work out some arms to raise and lower the launcher. I found a spring perfect to raise it but no promises to make it work.
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No spring involved! Just friction fit. Here's the lowered traveling position.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54294541865_ee28ec69ee_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2qHPHGM)
The reloading position.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54294353019_49e8ee7f86_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2qHNKyP)
Firing position.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54293230892_46e4576759_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2qHGZZN)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54294364918_c43cb9c68c_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2qHNP6Y)
Now I have to build the sights, which will be a basic box, on the right side and a .50 cal mount on the left. It's a little too easy to move right now. I'm thinking the paint will stiffen that up a bit. I was really worried that gluing that green part over the ends of the lower pivots might leak glue and then harden the whole thing but I got away with it. This might be getting away from the "thrown together from spare parts in a war emergency" theory behind my backstory but oh well.
The static dispersing idea behind the aluminum plate on the desk is having mixed results. Of course it doesn't actually get rid of the dust but because of the cold here lately and running a space heater its so dry I don't think anything will get rid of the level of static.
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Nice work, the launcher look great.
I like to get things to move as well, helps tell the story :smiley:
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This way if I ever take it to a contest I can come back to it every half hour and move it and mess with people.
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That's awesome. What did you use for the launcher base?
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I’ve no idea what that part came from. It was in the giant box o’ stuff from Mr. Fontaine. Part of a hatch from something German I suspect.
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The part reminds me of the Hetzer's drive wheel mount...
(https://photos.kitmaker.net/review/8508/010.jpg)
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I’ve no idea what that part came from. It was in the giant box o’ stuff from Mr. Fontaine. Part of a hatch from something German I suspect.
It's definitely a final drive housing from an AFV, but my guess is probably modern(ish) with a sloping lower hull.
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I spent the evening sorting parts as I looked for pieces to make the gun support and sight mount out of. I finally got three parts glued on but at least I now have a plan!
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That's awesome. What did you use for the launcher base?
If memory serves me correctly that base for the launcher originated in an ancient ESCI/AMT-Ertl/Italeri T-54/55 as one of the turret hatches.
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If memory serves me correctly that base for the launcher originated in an ancient ESCI/AMT-Ertl/Italeri T-54/55 as one of the turret hatches.
Yeah here it is on the left.
(https://www.cybermodeler.com/hobby/kits/it/images/it_6540_parts2.jpg)
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That’s the one! Good call. I was thinking German because of the color of the plastic. I made me imagine North Africa.
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That’s the one! Good call. I was thinking German because of the color of the plastic. I made me imagine North Africa.
That was one of the things that ESCI (AMT-Ertl, and Italeri) are notorious for is the many colors of plastic used for their products.
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I have the gun installed and the sights built and attached to the launcher. Now I have to buckle down on the paint job. I might just keep it simple after the Junkyard Dog project. OD green with black stars and such might work.
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Looking great.
On the mount business, I think I have the same part in my, "this is a really cool bit" drawer, just waiting for this right use.
You have used it in what I consider precisely the right spot.
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Thanks, mi amigo!
I managed to get a couple of things accomplished. As stated the gun is in place and the sights installed including a FLIR sight on top. Bolts are in place on the front along with the headlights with brass guards. I'm not totally sure about the headlight setup, it may change. Grenade launchers from a Japanese Type 90 tank are in place.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54299963995_811cb777c1_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2qJivvM)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54299536166_7cb069df8e_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2qJgjkq)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54298661472_8f0530a000_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2qJbQju)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54298661312_b09d83c1d1_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2qJbQgJ)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54299537031_7361ab9cfb_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2qJgjAk)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54299536821_0d8de26165_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2qJgjwH)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54299537141_b02c9e4a18_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2qJgjCe)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54298662197_4511f1cc4b_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2qJbQwZ)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54299772849_aa8d3cfc51_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2qJhwGa)
I was one bolt short on the front armor. Can you tell which one? Once its painted it will be harder to tell.
So between the Badger and the Weasel there is the two M41 kits, Bradley parts and tracks, Type 90, T-54, Sherman, M48 Patton, some kind of German AA gun, an unknown tank engine deck, sprue, I think an M3 or M5 tank hull, bolts from an M10, part of a Scotch tape dispenser, engine hatch from an M113 and lots of unknown bits and pieces. That's not counting the Evergreen and Plastruct plastic. Plus some orangey-red Bondo spot putty. And I still have to paint and decal it. I do this for the fun, really, I do!
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You might want an empty case-link deflector on that M2
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You might want an empty case-link deflector on that M2
I thought about that. That’s why I placed the gun farther from the launcher to allow some space. Now I have to see what one looks like.
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All you need is a thin sheet directly beneath the gun to deflect to fired cases away from anything you don't want damaged or clogged up under the M2, the force of ejection should be enough to throw the cases away from the top of the hull (where the hatches are).
The links will be the real problem, as they are ejected out the side of the MG but without any real force & tend to drop straight down as they get pushed off the small (feed) ramp on the outside of the gun, a collection box or bag might be useful in keeping the hatches clear of these.
These videos shows how the cases & links come out of the weapon:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l81HtTCUlGw (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l81HtTCUlGw)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l81HtTCUlGw (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l81HtTCUlGw)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPERpVa9p_s (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPERpVa9p_s)
[PS: Sorry if you already know this stuff, I just didn't want to assume it.]
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Interesting, I always thought the shell casings were ejected out the opposite side of the feed ;D
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Interesting, I always thought the shell casings were ejected out the opposite side of the feed ;D
Nope, as far as I'm aware, all disintegrating-link-belt fed machine guns eject the casings out the bottom & the links out the side.
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I learned something new! Awesome! Thanks.
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Interesting, I always thought the shell casings were ejected out the opposite side of the feed ;D
Nope, as far as I'm aware, all disintegrating-link-belt fed machine guns eject the casings out the bottom & the links out the side.
My understanding is that downward ejection for machine guns was comparatively rare. Examples that come to mind are those where magazines or ammo boxes can interfere with side ejection (eg: the old Bren) and MG34/MG42/MG3 series).
On the M2A1 in question, the ejection port is on the starboard side (aft of the feed port on the opposite side). Spent brass and links are both ejected out of that port. Spent links tend to eject at right angles but, because of the cartridge extraction process, brass tends to sprong off at about a 30° angle to the rear.
Most modern machine guns eject spent casings and links in the same manner as the M2 - ie: through a starboard side ejection port (eg: M60, MAG/M240, Minimi/M249, M2A1, etc.).
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The M60 & M249 Minimi do that, but not through the same opening as the links are ejected, both have an opening below the link ejector out of which the cases are ejected.
The MG42, L7A1/2 (FN MAG), the MG3 (the successor to the MG42), the M1919 & even the venerable Vickers (non-disintegrating link belt) eject their spent cases from the bottom of the weapon.
Slo-Mo cut-away video of the M2;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MX2Ea58K0VA (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MX2Ea58K0VA)
Slo-Mo is after the half-way mark & the links are being ejected with far too much force.
And Gun Jesus;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmLnwiJRr78 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmLnwiJRr78)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsuGLHGcuik (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsuGLHGcuik)
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Those were great videos!
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Looking at it now it doesn't seem to be that much of a problem. There's no inlets on top of the launcher for stuff to fall into and anyone accessing the upper hatch just has to brush the brass off. However if you do want one they look a bit like this although often curved to improve the passage of the brass to avoid blocking :
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There's also this link and cartridge collector:
(https://www.army-technology.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/10/FN-M3M-WM_studio-001-1536x960-1.png)
From https://www.army-technology.com/products/mounted-weapon-solutions/ (https://www.army-technology.com/products/mounted-weapon-solutions/)
Legend also made this 1/35 IDF Tank .50 Cal Machine Gun Set, which has solenoids on the handle to allow remote operation:
(https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/9AIAAOSwR0JUNzxZ/s-l1600.jpg)
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Those were great videos!
Yup! Thanks for the info and vids, Guy :smiley:
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This leads to another question I’ve wondered about for some time now. Are the ammo box holder and other attachments actually bolted or welded to the gun or to the bracket that holds the gun? I feel it’s the latter and model kit makers have taken a short cut for a long time. I try to build something and I’m not sure which way to go.
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It's a bracket attached to the mount not the actual weapon.
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That's what I thought. Anything else would get shaken to pieces!
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That's what I thought. Anything else would get shaken to pieces!
And put unnecessary torsional stresses on the gun, thereby negatively effecting its accuracy (not that the M2 is exactly a precision firearm).
Those were great videos!
Yup! Thanks for the info and vids, Guy :smiley:
Anything firearms related with Gun Jesus (Ian McCollum) in it is worth watching. :smiley:
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I read a story once about some GIs in Vietnam put a scope on an M2 and practiced enough where they could fire off on round at a time. They used it as a long range sniper rifle. It worked too.
Everything on the Badger and Weasel is OD green now. It’s been a long evening.
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Painting tracks and road wheels. You know the story.
The OD green looks good and some of the black preshade is doing its job. Next is some OD plus yellow highlights.
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So how do you guys paint tank tracks? I already painted the track pads NATO black. Some iron grey/black? Rust? I’ll dry brush a little steel last.
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Depends on the track material. You can cheat by painting it dust color with black track pads
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What Frank said, basically.
My version is earth brown or variation of, base, then depending on metal cleats or rubber pads the treatment changes to suit.
Invariably I also drop on a wash of darker brown to get in all the recesses to give depth.
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I like to paint my tracks with a dark brown primer and then randomly mottle NATO black over it for colour variations. I then use an uneven dark brown wash over the tracks and then follow up with dust and/or mud depending on the weathering I use on the hull and running gear.
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Thanks for the tips!
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Here's what they look like in green. It makes it look like something that could have been. The black preshade is showing up on the cupola.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54320923537_3233e53628_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2qL9W4c)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54320924167_fde9d483f8_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2qL9Wf4)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54322049104_4dc7ae4bec_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2qLfGDw)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54322049119_dfc172a6e8_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2qLfGDM)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54322230670_75b64de643_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2qLgCBY)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54321816446_693df75f6c_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2qLevub)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54322045253_4f1a31f0c1_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2qLfFv8)
Still painting tracks and getting ready to paint highlights.
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That's pulling them together! They're looking "real", now! :smiley: :smiley:
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The Weasel driver has to stand in his position.
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Such a neato concept and build combo :smiley:
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Nice paint job! What paint are you using?
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On the vehicles it’s been Testors flay olive 1165 and flat black. On the tracks so far has been Vallejo chocolate brown and Tamiya NATO black. Oh, painting tracks is soooooo much fun!
BTW, I cut the Testors 50/50 with lacquer thinner.
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That's amazing
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Lookin’ great! :smiley:
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I’ve been working on the tracks to make them look rusted and well used. I’ve also tried applying some to the road wheels and a few other spots. I’m up to the light rust.
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Liking it. Liking it a lot :smiley: :smiley:
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Here's what they look like in green. It makes it look like something that could have been. The black preshade is showing up on the cupola.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54320923537_3233e53628_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2qL9W4c)
I've always wondered how those vision blocks work. They look like they point up into the sky, there must be some sort of prism in them.
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I’m not sure myself but that was the best way I could drill them out. I’m going to paint the inside dark blue and fill it with UV resin.
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Images of the real thing;
(https://sg-wotp.wgcdn.co/dcont/fb/image/tank_research_m48_real_pic_4_1.jpg)
(https://mikesresearch.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/pattonvietnam-47.jpg?w=630)
(https://mikesresearch.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/pattonvietnam-29.jpg?w=630)
(https://www.slashgear.com/img/gallery/the-reason-the-u-s-military-retired-the-famous-m48-patton-tank/the-rise-of-the-m48-patton-tank-1698426160.jpg)
Judging from the image below & the Sherman cupola below that, they're direct vision ports &, therefore, should be drilled out horizontally.
(https://images.pond5.com/explore-interior-m48-patton-tank-276208772_prevstill.jpeg)
(https://www.baiv.nl/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Sherman-Commanders-Cupola.jpg)
EDIT: This is probably why in Vietnam the M48 tank had the cupola raised & placed on a ring of more & larger direct vision blocks. You will, also, note that they got rid of the crappy M85 machine gun from the cupola & welded a mount for a proper M2 machine gun on the cupola.
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I’ve seen these on real tanks before. If you’re looking horizontally through it, it’s just a small slit of vision. Not very useful in my opinion. The tanks on display I’ve seen usually have paint or a cover over them so it’s impossible to see.
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<SNIP>
EDIT: This is probably why in Vietnam the M48 tank had the cupola raised & placed on a ring of more & larger direct vision blocks. You will, also, note that they got rid of the crappy M85 machine gun from the cupola & welded a mount for a proper M2 machine gun on the cupola.
@Guy/Old Wombat: The M2 Browning MG was on the M48 Patton not the M85 MG.
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<SNIP>
EDIT: This is probably why in Vietnam the M48 tank had the cupola raised & placed on a ring of more & larger direct vision blocks. You will, also, note that they got rid of the crappy M85 machine gun from the cupola & welded a mount for a proper M2 machine gun on the cupola.
@Guy/Old Wombat: The M2 Browning MG was on the M48 Patton not the M85 MG.
The M85 was on the M60 IIRC.
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<SNIP>EDIT: This is probably why in Vietnam the M48 tank had the cupola raised & placed on a ring of more & larger direct vision blocks. You will, also, note that they got rid of the crappy M85 machine gun from the cupola & welded a mount for a proper M2 machine gun on the cupola.
@Guy/Old Wombat: The M2 Browning MG was on the M48 Patton not the M85 MG.
The M85 was on the M60 IIRC.
You are correct sir! :smiley:
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Well, whichever weapon it was, it didn't stay in the cupola for very long in combat.
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I think it was a matter of getting the weapon outside the vehicle where you could swing it around quickly to fire on the enemy.
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I think it was a matter of getting the weapon outside the vehicle where you could swing it around quickly to fire on the enemy.
Yeah, the problem is that the tanks were made with a sort obsessive 'got to fight the Soviets' view of fighting in Europe where encounter ranges would be at least 1,000m* and not the fighting they encountered. They really needed two cupolas, one for Vietnam and one for Europe.
*Although a Soviet study found that combat in Poland had a maximum engagement range of 1,300m due to terrain factors regardless of vision methods and the range would be even less in Germany.
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I’ve finished painting the tracks. They will get a little dry brush with steel just before I put them on.
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I designed some decals tonight for the Moose and Squirrel. I cooked up some I might use on the Alabama Slammer I’ve been thinking about for ages now. That project would be good for the kitbash GB as it combines an M113 hull on a five ton truck.
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Here's a pic of the decals I put together last night. The Moose and Squirrel names are in yellow which I thought would look good against the OD green. Everything else is black. Then there are the gun truck markings which includes the "BLOOD SWEAT AND TIRES" in color. Sweat should be in white but my printer doesn't have that so back to yellow.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54350991959_3921da9d1c_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2qNP3mg)
I just realized the Ace of Spades card image won't work unless I paint a white rectangle first. Drat!
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Decals look good! :smiley:
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I just realized the Ace of Spades card image won't work unless I paint a white rectangle first. Drat!
Very good work on these.
Another options might be to use a patch of white decal under the cards, may need two layers to get the coverage, depending on the location, might be easier than mask/paint.
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I just realized the Ace of Spades card image won't work unless I paint a white rectangle first. Drat!
Very good work on these.
Another options might be to use a patch of white decal under the cards, may need two layers to get the coverage, depending on the location, might be easier than mask/paint.
I could get some white decal paper and either print the card image onto that or just snip out some rectangles and place them first. Its not likely to get used on this project or the Alabama Slammer so no big deal. I just got carried away with the gun truck possibilities.
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Here's a pic of the dual rear wheels. One of these is the outside wheel and the other is the inside wheel. I don't know which is which and the instructions are unclear.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54357188558_2d79b06d59_c.jpg) (http://"https://flic.kr/p/2qPmNob")
The center hub is slightly larger than the other but otherwise are identical. Anybody out there build this kit and have this figured out? I'd like to get this right and not have the wheels too far out or too far in. Then there is the ridiculous mismatch between the two halves of the rim. I'll try to fill and sand that as best I can on the outside wheel and never mind the inside wheel. These wheels really do suck but the price of resin is totally insane. A die cast toy has better wheels than this. Otherwise things are coming together. I'll start on the back axles next. Maybe that will help get this wheel situation figured out.
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According to the online instructions & images for the Italeri M925 Shelter Truck the rear wheel inners are the ones with the more open hole & the smaller diameter lip on the raised side.
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I shortened the frame behind the rear wheels by 1/2" but there is still room for a platform behind the M113 hull. I'm considering using part of the truck bed for this. Should I use the front portion with the higher wood railing to keep people from falling off a moving truck or the rear portion with the handy tailgate? If the tailgate then I would have to add railings to it. That shouldn't be too difficult.
Here's some pics of the paint work so far. Decals are on too.
I sprayed some highlights on the upper surfaces.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54370271112_128f202216_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2qQvRns)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54371142721_06f4f5a353_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2qQAjtc)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54371349339_62795c302f_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2qQBnTz)
When I sprayed on the gloss coat some of the highlight disappeared. The areas that had more coverage held up but the light areas just blended in. My home made decals are working pretty good.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54371142016_cd0d7b0549_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2qQAjg3)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54371142716_8a7cb50366_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2qQAjt7)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54371377728_d41fe61fb8_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2qQBwk3)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54371377698_7d740b0533_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2qQBwjw)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54371377738_4f8b771100_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2qQBwkd)
Some matte coat and then the fiddly bits. The end is in sight!
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Matte applied. Kind of a satin finish. I might look for something really flat. It just doesn’t look quite right yet.
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Wow
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Matte applied. Kind of a satin finish. I might look for something really flat. It just doesn’t look quite right yet.
Maybe for this era, Satin is just about right.
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I found a can of good old dullcoat at a local craft store. Now I can make it look right.
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A friend from my club recommended Vallejo ultra matt polyurethane varnish. I tried it tonight and its looking good. Even some of the shading that had faded away from the acrylic clear seems to have reappeared. Its totally flat which is what I wanted. Now I can proceed with the detail work and the tracks.
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Dang; so much innovative design and great plastic surgery. 8)
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Now that I’m attaching the outer tiny bits I’ve discovered that when a part is pulled loose or tape removed the clear comes right off with it. I think the craft store gloss is the culprit. No worries as I don’t plan on removing stuff if I can help it. I’ve attached the side skirts and some of the fiddly bits. A few more to go. Antennas will be last of course. The spring wire I bought a few months ago is working like a champ.
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(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54371142721_06f4f5a353_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2qQAjtc)
:smiley: This looks really nice ! Probably a bit late to say so now, but there isn't much room for the driver's legs (unless he's an amputee) and that flat front cries out for some more ">" angle shape to deflect shells. ;)
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A war emergency design that made do with what they had. Actually the driver is sort of standing with his butt on more of a back rest than a seat. Many reported this was better on rough terrain than the cheap barely padded seats.
That’s my story and I’m stick’n to it!
Actually I attach the tracks before the previously mentioned side skirts. I had to pull the ends together with thread as neither were the right length. Fiddly bits are being painted and glued on. I have to figure out where to put the pioneer tools because I can’t stand the rack the normal M41 uses. One set is from a Bradley and the others are just spares.