Cromwell Mk 4 1:16 scratch build Ludwig kit

[43rdRecceReg]

Oh, and I forgot to mention how difficult it is to source components for WW2 British Tanks at this scale, even from Chris. Take the tow shackles, for instance. Nobody makes curvy British shackles. I did find, however, that
the Shackles on the KV1 look very similar. Schumo make them, but they're currently unavailable. Then I found that Heng-Long-Panzer.de do metal shackles for the KV1, and so I've just ordered some...

[tomhugill]

Shapeways has a load of stuff for the Cromwell, fairly reasonably priced!

[43rdRecceReg]

Shapeways has a load of stuff for the Cromwell, fairly reasonably priced!

Ah, yes, Tom. As it happens- and no doubt you've noticed- the Driver's periscopes are Wibbly's handiwork Any ideas on the best way of fabricating scale grab handles? I've ordered some staples that might do the trick. The hinges are another problem. The ones I've fitted are the nylon aircraft aileron type, cut down to size. Getting convincing 'T' shaped hinges just wasn't possible. 'Scharniere' (Asiatam and elsewhere)for German tanks look more the part; but unfortunately don't look remotely like the hinges on the Cromwell.

[43rdRecceReg]

Just found out that your tip was a better one than I'd imagined, Tom. I've looked at Shapeways before, and never noticed how wide a spectrum it covered. Then I found the Cromwell parts made by Warren. I'll be buying some of those..

Cromwell shackles on Shapeways..

Seek and-(if you're lucky!) ye might find This looks like a seam worth mining.

[Jake79]

Shapeways has a load of stuff for the Cromwell, fairly reasonably priced!

Ah, yes, Tom. As it happens- and no doubt you've noticed- the Driver's periscopes are Wibbly's handiwork Any ideas on the best way of fabricating scale grab handles? I've ordered some staples that might do the trick. The hinges are another problem. The ones I've fitted are the nylon aircraft aileron type, cut down to size. Getting convincing 'T' shaped hinges just wasn't possible. 'Scharniere' (Asiatam and elsewhere)for German tanks look more the part; but unfortunately don't look remotely like the hinges on the Cromwell.

I've seen a few people use paperclips for grab handles, I use 1mm brass rod.

[tomhugill]

Just found out that your tip was a better one than I'd imagined, Tom. I've looked at Shapeways before, and never noticed how wide a spectrum it covered. Then I found the Cromwell parts made by Warren. I'll be buying some of those..

Cromwell front hull parts.png

Seek and-(if you're lucky!) ye might find This looks like a seam worth mining.

Glad you found them! There are also some British antenna bases you'll need to search 1/16 Churchill. I'd second brass rod think for the Cromwell I'd probably go slightly thinner maybe 0.6-0.8mm.

[43rdRecceReg]

Thanks, Jake and Tom...lots of wee tidbits of useful info, build up to a body of useful knowledge

[43rdRecceReg]

Now, I'm trying to find the optimum layout for all the electrical gizmos. Given the unique interior of a scratch build job, planning the positions of wires and bits can take a fair bit of thought. Apart from the headlights and gearboxes, which are already installed, I though I'd begin with the basics: the On/Off Switch and the Volume control pan pot.
The engine hatch is openable (could still make all hatches openable...but that's for the future), and so this looks like an ideal place to plonk the switches.
First, I cut a plate out of 3mm styrene, and began making apertures for the switch and vol control. The battery cable also includes a remote charging port, and I may fit this here later too... I'm not phased by charging NIMH batteries in situ. If I graduate to LiPo, it might well be a different matter...

Power switch installation bits

Just to mention, at this point, to anyone contemplating a scratch build or to those newbies with lots of enthusiasm, and no tools- these are the budget tools I've used, and found indispensable:
Exacto saw; Trumpeter Mini Razor saw; Pin vice (cheap, but brilliant); Faithfull (sic) Engineer's small set squares; Safety cutting ruler; Tamiya scriber and a set of mini woodworker's sculpting chisels...

Cutting aperture for switch

Switch fits nicely

Same procedure for Vol pan pot pic D

Next, I clipped the cables in place so they won't foul the gearbox teeth , and cut two dovetails for mounting the plate onto (dovetail) supports I'd bonded into the hull..

Switch Plate ready for fitting

Here's what the plate will lock into..something I made earlier:

Dovetail fitting system for easy removal

Power switch and Vol control in screwless fitting

Power switch in place

Now, I have to see whether the Asiatam/Taigen recoil and elevation unit can be shoehorned into the compact Cromwell Turret. I note that Tom's model has the entire turret roof as a detachable fixture. I had bonded the rear part of mine, as per Ludwig build details. With hindsight, I might have deferred that stage until the gun components had been installed. Even now, I'm considering trying the Clark Universal recoil instead of the Asiatam one. For this reason, I'll wait to receive that unit, for comparison purposes, before fitting a unit finally in situ... Hmm, well, as you can see, I managed to get the bulk of the recoil unit in there..

Mighty tight squeeze

[c.rainford73]

Brilliant work with the switches and the excellent fitment of the opening hatch Super work all around. Well done

[Jake79]

Great stuff 43rd. I never knew of or thought of mini razor saws, one of those will come in very handy. Thanks for tip