M-41A3 Walker Bulldog - ARVN Vietnam 1970s - Build

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lmcq11
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Re: M-41A3 Walker Bulldog - ARVN Vietnam 1970s - Build

Post by lmcq11 »

Son of a gun-ner wrote:Slow up man, I just broke my pencil.
I try, believe me, I really try.

Now, slowly continuing with the front glacis detailing.

Heng Long missed providing the highly visible front fender's support. In 1/35 scale, we would normally just put a plasticard strip but closer analysis of the real thing shows that this part is actually made of 2 metal sheets folded at one point, joined and bolted together, and pretty crude in term of finish. In 1/16 scale, this part merits extra attention.
M41 Walker Bulldog front glacis
M41 Walker Bulldog front glacis
I therefore decided to use 6.5mm wide brass strip to repro the elements. Basic shapes are created and later refined when positioned. No need for special tools, I created the whole metal work on the M41 with a couple of hand metal files, a pair of pliers and superglue.
M41 Walker Bulldog front glacis
M41 Walker Bulldog front glacis
Left fender. I built them exactly as I saw them... no dimensions were available. They look ok. Also noticed the HL round hook that was beefed up with a couple of layers of superglue applied to them. The front fender tips were inaccurate and needed to be reshaped to be closer to reference pictures. Be aware that early M41 models had squared front fenders, and later ones had this angular type starting with tank number 2,593.
M41 Walker Bulldog front glacis
M41 Walker Bulldog front glacis
This is behind the right fender. Meng nuts are used. These are small details that are fun to add and brings a lot of value.
M41 Walker Bulldog front glacis
M41 Walker Bulldog front glacis
Front right fender
M41 Walker Bulldog front glacis
M41 Walker Bulldog front glacis
The HL horn is centrally placed behind the left headlamps, the bad hole at the back is filled.
M41 Walker Bulldog front glacis
M41 Walker Bulldog front glacis
Capture7.JPG (90.55 KiB) Viewed 3243 times
I notice that some parts seems to have changed since the first release of the M41 by HL. For the glacis supports for the hatch when it is open, only 2 sticks are now provided, which both must be augmented with a plasticard to repro the stand on which the hatch rests at the different position.
M41 Walker Bulldog front glacis
M41 Walker Bulldog front glacis
Capture.JPG (90.42 KiB) Viewed 3243 times
The HL molded and very stiff shackles should be replaced by better looking M26 shackles from Tank Modellbau. On order.
M41 Walker Bulldog front glacis
M41 Walker Bulldog front glacis
But their base need to be created in plasticard in the proper shape.
M41 Walker Bulldog front glacis
M41 Walker Bulldog front glacis
Capture8.JPG (63.75 KiB) Viewed 3243 times
Overview of the model as it stand today. Somehow, everything seems to fall into place so far. It should be a good looking and pretty accurate M41 when it is finished. I have to say that there is a lot of potential in this HL base for a good model and some variants.
M41 Walker Bulldog front glacis
M41 Walker Bulldog front glacis
I just got my Plastruct half round strips in 0.8mm, 1mm and 1.5mm wide versions. So next step will be able to select the right type to finish the embossed stiffeners on the fenders. And then I will give attention to the rear where there is still a lot to do.

Regards, Louis
Last edited by lmcq11 on Thu Sep 20, 2018 3:13 am, edited 3 times in total.
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BarryC
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Re: M-41A3 Walker Bulldog - ARVN Vietnam 1970s - Build

Post by BarryC »

Nice detail work Louis. :thumbup:

I agree it's the little details that add so much to the overall build.

Cheers,
Barry
"Details make perfection, and perfection is not a detail."
Leonardo Da Vinci
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PainlessWolf
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Re: M-41A3 Walker Bulldog - ARVN Vietnam 1970s - Build

Post by PainlessWolf »

Good morning,
I could not agree more. Heaven ( or the Devil ) is always in the details. Following along.
regards,
Painless
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wibblywobbly
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Re: M-41A3 Walker Bulldog - ARVN Vietnam 1970s - Build

Post by wibblywobbly »

ng Long missed providing the highly visible front fender's support. In 1/35 scale, we would normally just put a plasticard strip but closer analysis of the real thing shows that this part is actually made of 2 metal sheets folded at one point, joined and bolted together, and pretty crude in term of finish. In 1/16 scale, this part merits extra attention.
Yes, I noticed that....cough, cough, splutter.... :shifty:
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lmcq11
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Re: M-41A3 Walker Bulldog - ARVN Vietnam 1970s - Build

Post by lmcq11 »

Hi !

For a change, presenting some parts that started to arrive.

Shapeways gun lock, a rare luxury.
Shapeways M41 gun lock
Shapeways M41 gun lock
Shapeways tail lights
Shapeways M41 tail lights
Shapeways M41 tail lights
Capture2.JPG (71.49 KiB) Viewed 3184 times
Shapeways Turret vent, supposedly of the right size.
Shapeways M41 turret vent
Shapeways M41 turret vent
Capture3.JPG (76.81 KiB) Viewed 3184 times
Shapeways M41 wheel hubs, with the 4 bolts, but requiring a lot of preparation.
Shapeways M41 wheel hubs
Shapeways M41 wheel hubs
Four superb Reedees Miniatures M-16A1 rifles for the ARVN infantry riders.
Reedees M-16A1
Reedees M-16A1
Prepping for the ARVN tank crew and infantry. These will be extremely pleasant to design and assemble, a very good challenge. Here are some key parts being assembled.
- Three 21st Century 1/18 infantry flak vests, ARVN are small size...
- Three 21st Century 1/18 tank helmets, although ARVN tank crews seem to have been using regular infantry helmets in the pictures I have seen. But these are too cool to pass.
- Legs with jungle boots, will require downsizing.
- 1/16 Vietnamese face from the Verlinden NVA figure, the only Vietnamese figure in this scale. Some other crew will obviously look Japanese (JGSDF, Imperial marines...) but at least they will be Asian and some should be ok wearing sunglasses.
ARVN crew and infantry parts
ARVN crew and infantry parts
Regards,
Louis
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lmcq11
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Re: M-41A3 Walker Bulldog - ARVN Vietnam 1970s - Build

Post by lmcq11 »

Hi,

continuing with the hull.

From Squadron M41 walk around, this is the tool rack at the front that needs to be replicated.
M41A3 lower hull 1/16 RC
M41A3 lower hull 1/16 RC
Although the HL part is acceptable in term of basic dimensions and shape, once you start putting brass on a model, it becomes hard to stop because the construction and level of details needs to remain consistent.
M41A3 lower hull 1/16 RC
M41A3 lower hull 1/16 RC
Capture.JPG (98.25 KiB) Viewed 3160 times
Here is the empty new tool rack made up mainly of 3mm wide corner brass trips. A small assortment of brass strips of all size and shapes is required to get into that business, I get mine from Knupfer in Germany. It could be sometimes frustrating because components may need to be redone twice or more, but it is fun if you start with simple items. I use simple hand tools. The HL tools themselves are good and will be added after some modifications and painting.
M41A3 lower hull 1/16 RC
M41A3 lower hull 1/16 RC
M41A3 lower hull 1/16 RC
M41A3 lower hull 1/16 RC
M41A3 lower hull 1/16 RC
M41A3 lower hull 1/16 RC
Capture4.JPG (95.48 KiB) Viewed 3160 times
The embossed stiffeners were all done in 1mm half round rods. I previously started a week ago with what I thought was 1mm half round but I noticed yesterday that they were actually 1.5mm half round. After some analysis and although my calculator was telling me they were only a bit above the right size, I determined they looked too big. Look is important, so I have removed what I had done and they were redone in 1mm half rods now. Notice the tow cable holders on the side, all hand made in brass as per reference.
M41A3 lower hull 1/16 RC
M41A3 lower hull 1/16 RC
M41A3 lower hull 1/16 RC
M41A3 lower hull 1/16 RC
There are variants of the tow cable storage arrangements, so you need to pick one and try to do something similar the best you can. Next to it will be added the spare tracks once I am at that stage.
M41A3 lower hull 1/16 RC
M41A3 lower hull 1/16 RC
Capture5.JPG (88.41 KiB) Viewed 3160 times
That big X on the side is really important. It is a trademark and recognition point of the Walker bulldog. I recommend that builders remove the inverted V that Heng Long incorrectly molded on the model sides and spend an hour of work getting at a minimum the X correctly with 1mm half rounds, such as Plastruct 90880 available for a few dollars on ebay.
M41A3 lower hull 1/16 RC
M41A3 lower hull 1/16 RC
The hull front and sides are completed. Next step is the rear hull.
M41A3 lower hull 1/16 RC
M41A3 lower hull 1/16 RC
Regards, Louis
philipat
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Re: M-41A3 Walker Bulldog - ARVN Vietnam 1970s - Build

Post by philipat »

Wow! Amazing work! Not sure how I missed this build until now.

Someone else has done some great detailing, AFV Aficionado on Hobby Havoc. But, he hasn't cut down the hulls yet. Either way, I offer his work as some ideas and research for you.

http://www.hobbyhavoc.com/forum/index.p ... board=27.0
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square4
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Re: M-41A3 Walker Bulldog - ARVN Vietnam 1970s - Build

Post by square4 »

Some great work going on on this, looking forward to more. :clap:
I never finish anyth
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BarryC
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Re: M-41A3 Walker Bulldog - ARVN Vietnam 1970s - Build

Post by BarryC »

Excellent, Excellent, Excellent! :thumbup:

I really like your rendering of the tool storage rack. :clap:

Barry
Last edited by BarryC on Thu Sep 27, 2018 6:59 pm, edited 1 time in total.
"Details make perfection, and perfection is not a detail."
Leonardo Da Vinci
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BarryC
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Re: M-41A3 Walker Bulldog - ARVN Vietnam 1970s - Build

Post by BarryC »

Son of a gun-ner wrote:
BarryC wrote:Excellent, Excellent, Excellent! :thumbup:

I really like your rendering of the toll storage rack. :clap:

Barry
You have to pay to use it :think: :crazy:

I agree with Barry, superb rack you have there Louis :clap: :clap:

Barry, looks like you have competition ;)
Mick,

When I grow up I hope to be as good as Louis and perhaps as prolific. :thumbup:

Barry
"Details make perfection, and perfection is not a detail."
Leonardo Da Vinci
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