M-20 Prime Mover

[Chariots of Fire]

11 hours ago, hct728(Bob) said:

Bodywork brings it to life! Neat work on the grille and the curved hood, that's a long one! Triple hinges on the door - there's a lot to replicate, more than meets the eye in the photo, at first glance it's a simple truck, but no. I see lots of louvres in your future too, Boldly Go!

Amen to that, Bob!!  30 louvers to each side of the hood!  There are some adjustments to make ahead of that but they will come in time.

[Chariots of Fire]

A quick update on the M-20.   Finally the radiator, hood and cab have come together.  I can now locate the cab precisely on the frame with the two screws that mate the frame and cab floor.  Still some tweaking to do on the hood sections and the hinges need to be added so it can be opened.  The doors are now fully hinged for opening and the cowl vent opens with a lever in the cab.  Radiator side pieces can now also be installed in line with the hood sides.

[Gary Chastain]

Outstanding work

[Chariots of Fire]

Got some real work done for a change.  The radiator, hood and cab are now where they need to be.  The 4 hood pieces and the center section are all hinged to open.  Pins at the front and rear of the center section connect the radiator and cab.  Tires and wheels are now painted and installed.  Beginning to look a bit like a heavy duty truck now.

[Scott Eriksen]

That thing is sweet! Great build!

[Chariots of Fire]

Work commenced on the fenders today.  To start a fender outline was prepared and glued to the face of a block of Renshape.  One for left and one for right.  A bandsaw was used to get close to the top line of each fender and to rough cut the material from the bottom.  Then a disk sander was used to smooth out the top surface.  Next was to scribe a line front to back for the two sections of the fender.  I used a sanding drum in my Dremel to sand away the rough underside and to create a lip at the edge.  With this done the edge was sanded round by hand.  The right fender is done.  The left one needs the edges rounded off.

 I had to trim the curve of the hood side some to better fit the fender contour. Little things like this are almost a given in scratch building.

[Randy D]

Hello Charles,  Your metal work is just amazing !!  Those fenders are coming out great.  

Randy

[Chariots of Fire]

14 hours ago, Randy D said:

Hello Charles,  Your metal work is just amazing !!  Those fenders are coming out great.  

Randy

Hi, Randy.  Thanks for the compliment.  Renshape is wonderful stuff to work with as well.  Easy to carve, easy to sand, it's strong, glues up well with CA and takes paint very well after primer.

[Chariots of Fire]

Fenders are mounted temporarily.  A piece of brass strip stock was used for a bracket that bolts to the frame to hold up the top rear of the fender.  The front sits on a thin shelf glued to the underside of the bumper.  I need to add a stiffener to the bracket to keep it nice and square.

[hct728(Bob)]

Wow, such wide fenders, I thought metal was in short supply during the war. Guess they didn't fuss over aesthetics, either, LOL! Quite impressed with your quadruple-hinged hood, a whole lotta work in that one, a great detail faithfully replicated, kudos!

[Chariots of Fire]

Same comment from someone on the other board about the wide fenders.  Specs say 100 inches overall width.  From all I can tell it was straight from front to rear and it's good to remember that this is a 45,000 lb vehicle without a load!  It's big!

[hct728(Bob)]

On that other board I saw you mentioned raised portions on the upper dash and I may have a reference photo or two for your consideration - to me they look like tunnels for the front windshield winders. Not used on military units to save costs, maybe

Edited June 17, 2024 by hct728(Bob)

[Chariots of Fire]

That last photo is quite like the dash that is in the military version except for the windshield cranks.  The way the military opened the windshield was by the use of knobs and slotted bars that were attached to the cab A posts and the center windshield post.  The other difference is in the gage layout and the number of switches used on the M-20.  Thanks for posting the pics.  They help clear up what is not mentioned in the publication.

[hct728(Bob)]

6 hours ago, Chariots of Fire said:

  The other difference is in the gage layout and the number of switches used on the M-20

I like how the military version has gauges spread out all over the dash! then there's a map light at the top, looks like yet another knob

[Chariots of Fire]

I have the dash gage layout done in decals.  The instruction plates will be separate.  Knobs and switches will be made from common pins.  Almost ready for installation but right now I'm working on the side cab vents.  One is done and opens and closes.  Other side tomorrow (maybe).  Cowl vent also opens and closes.

[Bainford]

Brilliant work as usual, Charles. I really like checking out your WIPs. Always a delight.

[Bren]

Wow! This is scratch building at its finest. My hat is off to you. Terrific work. Following with interest…

[Chariots of Fire]

Work continues.  The side vents for the cab were finished and installed.  Hinges are soldered to the inside so that they can be opened or closed.  It seems strange to see the direction that they open in but that is what was done.  I would have thought they would open from the back so fresh air would get to the cab as the truck moved along.  No so according to the publications I have.  The drip edge on the cab was done as were two grab handles.  The dashboard was painted and the gage cluster was done on a decal.  Common pins used as knobs and switches.  Headlight buckets were cast and pinned for mounting.  Little things have been adjusted as the build goes along.

I found out that the hood only is hinged at the top and not at the sides, even though every photo shows a clear line of separation.  So I have to put in some interior braces to keep the sides from folding.  (wasted some small hinges making them fold!).  Every time there is a new learing curve!!?

[gotnitro?]

Incredible work as always ! Really enjoy your fabrication w different mediums especially the renshape 

[hct728(Bob)]

So one might say you've come "unhinged", LOL! I can see why, it's amazing the detail you pack into your build, continuous progress, thanks for showing what can be done

[Chariots of Fire]

I love a play on words!  One of those things which tickles my sense of humor!

[hct728(Bob)]

On 6/17/2024 at 10:03 AM, Chariots of Fire said:

That last photo is quite like the dash that is in the military version except for the windshield cranks.  The way the military opened the windshield was by the use of knobs and slotted bars that were attached to the cab A posts and the center windshield post. 

Wow, very primitive! Good luck making these Rube Goldberg contraptions

[Chariots of Fire]

I'm not doing the windshield swingarm bracket.  But I did do the cowl vent and will do the wipers.

[Chariots of Fire]

The cab finally got some paint and the dashboard is in place.  Still work to do on the inside of the cab with seats, pedals, levers and steering wheel.  The louvers on the hood sides are done and the hood is now set for latches that will hold it down in final position.  Progress is slow but progressing.  Windshield glass is in place but the right side piece needs to be removed and reset.  Photos really reveal flaws that are not apparent to the eye!!

[Chariots of Fire]

Did some adjusting last nite.  Fixed the passenger side windshield, added the wipers and the strip around the fenders that fits against the hood.