Roadrunner Posted May 9, 2015 Author Posted May 9, 2015 Leveling pads now look much better, though post diameter is too small, so I'll add some plastic tube there.
Roadrunner Posted May 9, 2015 Author Posted May 9, 2015 Dragon has molded a strange lip onto the frame that needs to go, so out will come the trusty Dremel.
Roadrunner Posted May 9, 2015 Author Posted May 9, 2015 With that lip now ground off, I have added the bolting plates to the cast gusset mount. Not absolutely correct, but a definite improvement.
Roadrunner Posted May 9, 2015 Author Posted May 9, 2015 Well, the first of the two boxes (whatever they may be for) is installed now. Small pieces of .030 strip used to represent the skip welding frequently seen.
Roadrunner Posted May 9, 2015 Author Posted May 9, 2015 Scale reference (I still can't get over the size of this beast).
Agent G Posted May 9, 2015 Posted May 9, 2015 Looking good. Hope you have the space to display that! I think the boxes were used to store the sights and calibration tools during transport. G
Roadrunner Posted May 10, 2015 Author Posted May 10, 2015 Looking good. Hope you have the space to display that! I think the boxes were used to store the sights and calibration tools during transport. G That makes sense. As to display space, I'll have to figure that out when I get there.
Roadrunner Posted May 10, 2015 Author Posted May 10, 2015 And the work drags on. This area (gunners seat), has the support arms molded as solid blocks, when in fact they should be open, so I'm rebuilding this area.
Roadrunner Posted May 10, 2015 Author Posted May 10, 2015 Elevation and traverse hand wheels are receiving some corrections and additional details, but this is just the beginning.
Roadrunner Posted May 10, 2015 Author Posted May 10, 2015 There's a hinged door with footing ridges on it, right under the gunners area. I have no idea what it's for, but I'm faking it in anyway. Overnight, two of my little hinge pieces moved, so I'll replace with new ones (better spacing).
Roadrunner Posted May 10, 2015 Author Posted May 10, 2015 All three leveling leg locations are bogus representations, but this aft area is the worst culprit, and will require a complete rebuild.
Roadrunner Posted May 11, 2015 Author Posted May 11, 2015 I have just been made aware of yet another book that I need to throw on the pile, this Nuts & Bolts volume. I have 15 or so N&B books, but unfortunately, not this one.
Roadrunner Posted May 11, 2015 Author Posted May 11, 2015 Work on the gunners' seat support continues (almost done with this area now). Though not technically correct, I've added brass rods under the .030 seat adjustment brackets, as I felt that the .030 strips would twist and warp over time.
Roadrunner Posted May 11, 2015 Author Posted May 11, 2015 Gun sight gets some additional embellishment (as well as some ejector pin "patches").
Agent G Posted May 11, 2015 Posted May 11, 2015 All that added detail is looking real good now! How much paint is this going to take? You better stock up on Krylon. I think you are on a roll as well. G
Roadrunner Posted May 13, 2015 Author Posted May 13, 2015 Thanks, G. I figure about two bottles of Tamiya, max.
Roadrunner Posted May 13, 2015 Author Posted May 13, 2015 Work on the rear of the base is proceeding nicely. I guesstimate about two more hours will see this area finished.
Roadrunner Posted May 15, 2015 Author Posted May 15, 2015 With the back end of the base ground fairly square, the connection looks as if it'll work out OK.
Roadrunner Posted May 15, 2015 Author Posted May 15, 2015 An overview of the gun sight mechanism, with extra detailing added.
Roadrunner Posted May 15, 2015 Author Posted May 15, 2015 Owing to some new information (and a better interpretation of the photos I do have), I've decided to completely rebuild the entire front end of the base.
Roadrunner Posted May 15, 2015 Author Posted May 15, 2015 Hand wheels (molded open on the bottoms), get some card stock added so that they now appear solid. I had been dreading this step, but it really wasn't that bad.
Roadrunner Posted May 15, 2015 Author Posted May 15, 2015 I had earlier decided that the molded on stiffeners on side of mount were OK, but changed my mind and replaced them with .080 half round. Look much better now I think.
Roadrunner Posted May 15, 2015 Author Posted May 15, 2015 As it turns out, all three legs are identical, so I'll be rebuilding all three.
cobraman Posted May 15, 2015 Posted May 15, 2015 The extra work you are doing is really going to make a difference.
Roadrunner Posted May 16, 2015 Author Posted May 16, 2015 The extra work you are doing is really going to make a difference. Thanks. I certainly hope so.
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