Chariots of Fire Posted July 11, 2023 Author Share Posted July 11, 2023 Springs are now mounted on the frame and the rear axle is set at the proper height. Still work on the front axle to do in order to get the right location and wheel track. Here is where we are now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DRIPTROIT 71 Posted July 12, 2023 Share Posted July 12, 2023 Charles, your work never ceases to amaze me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J.B. Customs Posted July 12, 2023 Share Posted July 12, 2023 Your detailing is utterly awesome Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GLMFAA1 Posted July 12, 2023 Share Posted July 12, 2023 Did you find some brass for the springs? greg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chariots of Fire Posted July 12, 2023 Author Share Posted July 12, 2023 8 hours ago, GLMFAA1 said: Did you find some brass for the springs? greg Used what I had which is a tad narrow but it worked out ok. The real springs would require a 3mm width but all I had was 2.38 mm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Chastain Posted July 12, 2023 Share Posted July 12, 2023 Another outstanding build, well done Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chariots of Fire Posted July 13, 2023 Author Share Posted July 13, 2023 Another update. The front end is built up with the kingpins in place so that the front wheels turn. Tie rod is done except for final securing to align the front wheels. A few little things to secure before getting to that. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hct728(Bob) Posted July 15, 2023 Share Posted July 15, 2023 Pretty neat how those front wheels turn, I suspect sorcery! Saw a video about cutting brass strips from sheet by scoring and then fatiguing the grooved metal in a vise. The width of the vise was extended with aluminum angle but I have an inexpensive aluminum bending brake that would work too. Of course, stacked styrene strips for a leaf spring is an easy option for us hacks that can't solder, LOL So much detail going into this, thanks for sharing the journey! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chariots of Fire Posted July 16, 2023 Author Share Posted July 16, 2023 (edited) hey, Bob. I've tried styrene strips a couple of times but you have to roll the edges a little to maintain the look of individual leaves. That is the beauty of the brass in that the sides already have just the tiniest bit of roundness to them. Even painted the leaves still stand out. BTW, soldering the leaves is one of the easiest of things to do. I used a butane torch to heat just the ends one at a time to pull the solder in between them. Start with the shortest pieces first and build up from there. There's no solder in the middle at all. No sorcery in those steering knuckles. They all are made the same. Here's a pic of others that were used on a different build. One end goes into the axle and is secured with epoxy. The other end goes through the wheel that has a bushing in it. The wheel is secured with a small screw and washer. The screw goes into a plastic insert that is drilled out and threaded. Edited July 16, 2023 by Chariots of Fire Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chariots of Fire Posted July 16, 2023 Author Share Posted July 16, 2023 Fenders are secure to the cab sides. Lifting hooks added to the front bumper and brackets are installed for the headlights. Lights are there for location but won't be set permanently until they are painted, interiors done with Molotow chrome and covered with a clear lens. Tires were painted with Tamiya "rubber black". Best representation of a rubber color I have found yet. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GLMFAA1 Posted July 16, 2023 Share Posted July 16, 2023 Dang! You got the shrink machine working again. greg 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chariots of Fire Posted July 16, 2023 Author Share Posted July 16, 2023 11 hours ago, GLMFAA1 said: Dang! You got the shrink machine working again. greg ☺️ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chariots of Fire Posted July 20, 2023 Author Share Posted July 20, 2023 Finally got to the point of adding some paint. The frame has been sprayed with Rustoleum etching primer. Tires are painted with Tamiya TS-82 rubber black. Rims are Testors olive drab. The engine is Duplicolor gray primer which will be the base color. Detailing will bring out the hi-lights. Still have the fuel tank and tool compartment to add to the frame sides but painting it first helps keep the coats of paint lighter. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DRIPTROIT 71 Posted July 21, 2023 Share Posted July 21, 2023 Looks amazing Charles! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Payne Posted July 22, 2023 Share Posted July 22, 2023 Outstanding as usual, very fun and informative to follow along! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bronzekeg Posted July 23, 2023 Share Posted July 23, 2023 On 7/21/2023 at 8:17 PM, Paul Payne said: Outstanding as usual, very fun and informative to follow along! x2!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chariots of Fire Posted July 24, 2023 Author Share Posted July 24, 2023 The elves continue to be busy. The frame and running gear have been painted and the engine is installed. Exhaust has been added. A tool compartment is now behind the air tanks and the fuel tank is on the left side just behind the cab. All of the driveshafts are in position. I was able to get some 3D printed U-joints and put them on sections of brass tubing. They are very well defined and are easy to use. The hand brake is also now behind the transfer case. Got a few details to go on the cab with the air cleaner, fuel pump, 50 cal. mounting brackets, windshield wipers and motors and finishing up all of the details inside the cab. Plenty on the plate still to go!😃 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hct728(Bob) Posted July 28, 2023 Share Posted July 28, 2023 Wow, just look at that engine! It really stands out next to the olive drab of the chassis! Not sure if the chassis is weathered or not, but it looks great as is! Lots of little widgets that stand out too, the fine detail means little need for the washes often used to bring out such details, everything replicated in miniature, thanks for the sharp photos, too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lwwoodss Posted July 29, 2023 Share Posted July 29, 2023 Amazing work as always. Noticed the grab handles on the cab. did you make them or are they aftermarket? Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chariots of Fire Posted July 31, 2023 Author Share Posted July 31, 2023 On 7/29/2023 at 7:26 PM, lwwoodss said: Amazing work as always. Noticed the grab handles on the cab. did you make them or are they aftermarket? Thanks. Micro Mark items. Think they are actually made for doll houses but they fit the bill here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lwwoodss Posted July 31, 2023 Share Posted July 31, 2023 Thanks for the response. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redneckrigger Posted August 1, 2023 Share Posted August 1, 2023 Another mind blowing effort Charlie. You continue to amaze!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chariots of Fire Posted August 1, 2023 Author Share Posted August 1, 2023 Here's the latest pics of progress. Some additional details have been added to the cab and the interior is done. Rear fenders are in place along with the 5th wheel and the plates that direct the trailer to it. Tail lights are installed on each side of the pintle hook. Reflectors are on the outside of the frame. Decision was made to keep the cab removable, otherwise the engine detail would never be seen. I jury rigged a stand to set the cab on for display purposes. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chariots of Fire Posted August 1, 2023 Author Share Posted August 1, 2023 Just now, redneckrigger said: Another mind blowing effort Charlie. You continue to amaze!!!!!!! Got a dilemma, Tom. I ordered a Tankograd book for trailers that the Autocar pulled thinking that it would have some photos and details of the fuel tankers. No such luck! The have the open box type trailers in two types, and other rigs but no fuel trailers. So I may end up doing the 25 foot wood sides general materials trailer. They were used in hauling goods from the beachfront to the troops after Normandy. I do have some basic fuel trailer photos but not much of the undersides. May have to wing it! BTW the fuelers were made by Heil. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hct728(Bob) Posted August 1, 2023 Share Posted August 1, 2023 Love that engine! Too nice to hide, like most of this chassis I just found a potential spot for those checkerplate steps. how does one do those and wrap the edge Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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