Israeli Centurion - Sho’t Kal C (Gimel) - IDF 1980s - Build

[lmcq11]

Some extra pictures.

I admit it takes some courage to put your work next to a picture of the real thing. I would have to work using measures in tenths of mm in order to be exactly similar to the real thing. I also realized that using 1/35 measurements has its limits with small parts and these can be wrong.

1/16 RC Centurion Shot Kal Gimel Build

Capture11.JPG (51.91 KiB) Viewed 2565 times

1/16 RC Centurion Shot Kal Gimel Build

Capture12JPG.JPG (70.18 KiB) Viewed 2565 times

1/16 RC Centurion Shot Kal Gimel Build

Capture13.JPG (79.16 KiB) Viewed 2565 times

1/16 RC Centurion Shot Kal Gimel Build

Capture14.JPG (67.77 KiB) Viewed 2565 times

1/16 RC Centurion Shot Kal Gimel Build

Capture15.JPG (56.54 KiB) Viewed 2565 times

1/16 RC Centurion Shot Kal Gimel Build

Next step is to work on the fender's storage bins.

Regards, Louis

[tomhugill]

Exceptional!!

[43rdRecceReg]

Most impressed by the build mission details, Louis, and the listing of materials and parts to be used. These are invaluable to future have-a-go scratch-builders. Love the improvised clapboard grills too.
Sheer genius

[BarryC]

Hi Louis,

The Filter Boxes and Fender Supports look great!

I encounter the same issues trying to replicate using photos without measurements backed up with 1/35 kit parts. I have found though that simply relying on the old "Calibrated Mk 1 Eyeball" for material thicknesses and small parts usually serves me well. I go with .060" = 1", then just divide down through .015"= 1/4". Using .060", .030" and .015" thicknesses I can create just about any scale thickness needed. If the piece is less than a 1/4" then I us a thickness that will make the part appear scale but yet manageable from a handling perspective, but sometimes it is not easy! The good news for me is that unlike aircraft, tanks usually use pretty big hardware and fairly thick materials!

Barry

[lmcq11]

Hi, thank you Tom, RecceReg and Barry.

relying on the old "Calibrated Mk 1 Eyeball"

Good one Barry. And visually comparing yesterday's work against pictures the following day with a cool head also makes me want to redo stuff. Taking close up pictures of eyeballed scratchbuilding is unforgiving. I can see for example that some of my Meng nuts size decisions were wrong, either too small or too big, or a corner here is too sharp or a strip is missing 0.5mm. I have to see the work on pictures to realize it. Yeah, armor plates are rough and can be corrected with a knife and a good sanding. But it is fascinating when you embrace the concept instead of feeling sorry when reworking areas.

Overall, I am satisfied with the result so far. Whatever happens, there will never be another one exactly like it.

Regards, Louis

[BarryC]

Overall, I am satisfied with the result so far. Whatever happens, there will never be another one exactly like it.

Regards, Louis

As well you should be and I'm quite certain you are correct about no duplicate.

Barry

[lmcq11]

Hi, here are the fender's stowage bins.

The Sho't fender bins are complicated with moving parts, many angles, hinges, embossed stiffeners on top, light posts at the front, etc. Spent 14 hours on these and I have left some of the small detailing for the end, such as the clamps, light and cables.

1/16 RC IDF Centurion Shot Kal Gimel build

Capture.JPG (53.72 KiB) Viewed 2511 times

1/16 RC IDF Centurion Shot Kal Gimel build

Capture2.JPG (35.63 KiB) Viewed 2511 times

The 1/35 kit is essential as models for the 3 bins that need to be crafted. Then it is just a question of slowly making the same thing in 1/16, using reference pictures to complement.

1/16 RC IDF Centurion Shot Kal Gimel build

1/16 RC IDF Centurion Shot Kal Gimel build

1/16 RC IDF Centurion Shot Kal Gimel build

1/16 RC IDF Centurion Shot Kal Gimel build

Hinges are non working. A 0.5mm brass rod, plasticard and 0.8mm Meng 007 bolts are used.

1/16 RC IDF Centurion Shot Kal Gimel build

The light posts at the front of the 2 large bins are made in brass with simple tools (pliers, metal saw, a file), that's it.

1/16 RC IDF Centurion Shot Kal Gimel build

Capture8.JPG (73.95 KiB) Viewed 2511 times

1/16 RC IDF Centurion Shot Kal Gimel build

The small rectangular flat tip for the post is glued with superglue, then filed and polished. I have found that superglue is as strong as any soldering result I could manage in keeping brass construction together, and it is much faster.

1/16 RC IDF Centurion Shot Kal Gimel build

Capture10.JPG (79.33 KiB) Viewed 2511 times

Continuing on following post

[lmcq11]

Here are the bins installed on the Centurion chassis

1/16 RC IDF Centurion Shot Kal Gimel build

The embossed stiffeners on top are made with Plastruct 1.5mm half rods

1/16 RC IDF Centurion Shot Kal Gimel build

The 3D printed clamps will be installed on the bins only at the last minute before painting. These fragile items would otherwise certainly be destroyed by myself manipulating the hull during the build. I am showing them on the following post.

1/16 RC IDF Centurion Shot Kal Gimel build

Capture12.JPG (88.03 KiB) Viewed 2509 times

1/16 RC IDF Centurion Shot Kal Gimel build

Capture13.JPG (99.99 KiB) Viewed 2509 times

1/16 RC IDF Centurion Shot Kal Gimel build

The lights will be installed before painting.

1/16 RC IDF Centurion Shot Kal Gimel build

Capture15.JPG (98.81 KiB) Viewed 2509 times

At one point, it is interesting to see how the large turret fits on the hull.

1/16 RC IDF Centurion Shot Kal Gimel build

You can see where this build is going.

1/16 RC IDF Centurion Shot Kal Gimel build

All clear.

1/16 RC IDF Centurion Shot Kal Gimel build

Capture18.JPG (91 KiB) Viewed 2509 times

1/16 RC IDF Centurion Shot Kal Gimel build

Continuing on following post

[lmcq11]

Here are Shapeways items that will help me with the build

These are the "German U-Clamps" that i am planning to use as a base for the clamps for the fender's bins. They are pretty small but very detailed. I think i can modify them to remove the single strip that closes the latch and replace by a loop in brass rod, i'll see. In any cases, i think there will look good on fenders and turret bins.

Shapeways 1:16 German U-clamps

Some more Shapeways items: M2 60mm mortar tube for the turret (yes, the Shot has a 60mm turret mounted mortar next to the commander's cupola), British fire extinguishers, M41 tail lights, some Sherman head lights, and more German clamps for the tools.

Shapeways 1:16 items

I am a bit tired of scratch building stuff. It is time to do something different and finally use some kit parts. My attention is therefore moving to the suspension and road wheels.

Regards, Louis

[BarryC]

BRAVO Louis!!!! The Stowage Bins look great.

Keep up the Great work!
Barry