HL M41 Bulldog fat head

Post Reply
Jim Reeves
Recruit
Posts: 38
Joined: Sat Dec 15, 2018 7:52 pm
Location: New Port Richey, FL

HL M41 Bulldog fat head

Post by Jim Reeves »

I've been working on my Bulldog, trying to make the turret more scale size when compared to the hull. I'm a newbie to tanks and it's been many years since I modeled anything so the learning curve is steep, but I'm struggling forward. I've glued myself to the model many times!

I've seen several exceptional builds of the M41 by Louis and Greengiant here that were inspiring but way beyond my skill level or time to stay focused, but thought I might as well show what a half-assed modeler can do.

I started by adding 5mm hdpe strips and hdpe plate to the upper turret. I then added Plastruct as reactive armor plates on top with finishing nails. I guess it looks more Monitor or Merrimac than post WW2 but I'm okay with it.
After that I let it sit for a couple weeks but wasn't happy with the lower turret and finally built it out with hdpe strips and Plastruct sheet. My first time ever heat-bending Plastruct! This is still a work in progress and I notice that the more I work on it, the more invested in the project I become! It's almost as if my other tanks are too easy and this one is the difficult child that craves the most attention!
I'm not going for any particular Bulldog but building strictly from my minds eye. Enjoy the pictures and feel free to comment!

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

I also replaced the faulty airsoft unit and replaced the original barrel with a pantiger aluminum barrel. I like to shoot BB's! :D
User avatar
Jimster
Lieutenant
Posts: 3046
Joined: Mon Dec 10, 2018 1:51 am
Location: Illinois

Re: HL M41 Bulldog fat head

Post by Jimster »

That looks great! I also like to shoot bb‘s.
Jim Reeves
Recruit
Posts: 38
Joined: Sat Dec 15, 2018 7:52 pm
Location: New Port Richey, FL

Re: HL M41 Bulldog fat head

Post by Jim Reeves »

Wardog wrote:I like the idea,makes a big difference :thumbup:
Might be an idea to cut the pins,can be sharp in case you have to put your fingers inside.
But good work :thumbup:
Thanks. I did cut off the nails inside the turret, just didn't snap a pic. It kind of looked like a medieval torture chamber in there!
I also rewired the mantlet main gun LED to the 3 pin upper hull terminal for MG fire and added a small brass tube for it.
Last edited by Jim Reeves on Fri Apr 05, 2019 1:36 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Jim Reeves
Recruit
Posts: 38
Joined: Sat Dec 15, 2018 7:52 pm
Location: New Port Richey, FL

Re: HL M41 Bulldog fat head

Post by Jim Reeves »

Got some paint on the turret this weekend but I still haven't figured out an easy way to close the gaps between the top and bottom halves and still have them separable? Anyway, I had a good day with my Granddaughter on Sunday! Priorities are important!

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image
Jim Reeves
Recruit
Posts: 38
Joined: Sat Dec 15, 2018 7:52 pm
Location: New Port Richey, FL

Re: HL M41 Bulldog fat head

Post by Jim Reeves »

Wardog wrote:She's sweet,you mean you are unable to use the original screws
I have used the screws in the standard locations. I'm not happy with the seams. I may just have to reform the lower turret sections more carefully. Bending Plastruct in compound curves without deforming it too much is new to me.
User avatar
midlife306
Warrant Officer 1st Class
Posts: 2238
Joined: Sun Aug 27, 2017 10:34 am

Re: HL M41 Bulldog fat head

Post by midlife306 »

Cling film on the base, screw together & fill the gap
Enjoy
Wayne


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Jim Reeves
Recruit
Posts: 38
Joined: Sat Dec 15, 2018 7:52 pm
Location: New Port Richey, FL

Re: HL M41 Bulldog fat head

Post by Jim Reeves »

midlife306 wrote:Cling film on the base, screw together & fill the gapImage
Enjoy
Wayne


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Great idea! I just ordered some plastic putty! :thumbup:
User avatar
midlife306
Warrant Officer 1st Class
Posts: 2238
Joined: Sun Aug 27, 2017 10:34 am

Re: HL M41 Bulldog fat head

Post by midlife306 »

That’s exactly what forums are for


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Jim Reeves
Recruit
Posts: 38
Joined: Sat Dec 15, 2018 7:52 pm
Location: New Port Richey, FL

Re: HL M41 Bulldog fat head

Post by Jim Reeves »

More pics...

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image
Jim Reeves
Recruit
Posts: 38
Joined: Sat Dec 15, 2018 7:52 pm
Location: New Port Richey, FL

Re: HL M41 Bulldog fat head

Post by Jim Reeves »

Thanks Wardog! Can't say it's the end result though!
Post Reply

Return to “Modern Builds”