Next steps

Fixes and mods for the HL Panzer III
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Mackem
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Next steps

Post by Mackem »

Okay, you've corrected the tracks and the TC's cupola. So what's next?
This is where you decide how far you want to go with the detailing of your Pz III.
I'm still dealing with basics here, but already you are at the stage where you will need some tools. A dremel or it's equivalent is the best option, although some sandpaper and a couple of small files will do the job.

Fixing the headlights

Image

This is a really easy and very effective mod. Take your dremel or a file and grind down the headlight LED's until they are flush. Make some round covers with small rectangular slits from styrene sheet and glue them to the headlights. If you don't fancy trying this you can buy ready made metal replacement headlights from a number of vendors online.
When done they should look like these......

Image

Cheers
John
HE/HL Leopard 2-A5, HL Pz IV-F1, HL Jagdpanther (WIP), M26A1 Pershing (WIP), HL Pz III M (WIP), Bandai Hummel (WIP)
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oz
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Re: Next steps

Post by oz »

yo john, do you mean dremel the actual glass on the led ???
Ex_Pat_Tanker
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Re: Next steps

Post by Ex_Pat_Tanker »

My dremel kit came with a fine grit wheel, a fluffy polish wheel and a tub of polish - now, I've not tried attacking an LED yet but those tools are great for polishing up the ends of fibre optics - they should fix up an LED just as well. (famous last words!)
Fine grit wet or dry might be a bit of a stretch tho...?
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oz
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Re: Next steps

Post by oz »

yo pat, so i sand down the led then polish it up again ?, i,m not sure how much to take off.......
Last edited by Anonymous on Tue Mar 24, 2009 11:30 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Ex_Pat_Tanker
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Re: Next steps

Post by Ex_Pat_Tanker »

Looking at a Pz IV here and the pic, it looks like you should grind it down until its flush with the face of the housing (which is slightly recessed), and then get a sheet of thin plasticard to make your lamp cover from.

But I'm not that good at that kind of stuff, so for now I just scrape a horizontal slot in the paint I sprayed over the LED lense... :-[
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oz
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Re: Next steps

Post by oz »

cheers mate, i,m gonna give it a go and if i screw things up john gets no coffee and biscuits at the club on thursday......... ;D ;D ;D
Ex_Pat_Tanker
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Re: Next steps

Post by Ex_Pat_Tanker »

lol! I don't mind having a crack at the LED, but cutting a new cover its a little beyond my talents - that said, I could just grind the LED flat and paint it, and scrape the slot... 8)
Something to try on my Sturmpanzer... ;D
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oz
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Re: Next steps

Post by oz »

it works! looks like john gets coffee and biscuits on thursday......... ;D
Ex_Pat_Tanker
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Re: Next steps

Post by Ex_Pat_Tanker »

cool! ;D ;D ;D
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oz
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Re: Next steps

Post by oz »

it works great, cheers john good tip easy and cheap.......... ;D
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