Another SAUNDERS SHERMAN

[PainlessWolf]

Alpha,
I hear you. Other than adding the canvas clamp system, you could massively reshape the mantlet with putty and sanding or make one out of metal. Anything to break up the lines of what Mato was attempting. Apologies in advance for the additional photos added.
regards,
Painless

[ALPHA]

Alpha,
I hear you. Other than adding the canvas clamp system, you could massively reshape the mantlet with putty and sanding or make one out of metal. Anything to break up the lines of what Mato was attempting. Apologies in advance for the additional photos added.
regards,
Painless

Actually Painless spent 5 hours last night solving the issue ...I was going to post some photos ...but it's raining here...so will have to wait till it clears up
No problem on the photos....I hope you don't mind that I took one of yours from your build

It really took awhile for it to sink in....especially the solution...I actually had part of it done already when I trimmed the bottom of the mantlet and reshaped the copper to fit...think I got it now ..lol

Thanks for the support Painless

photos will come soon

ALPHA

[ALPHA]

The rain stopped for just a little while... so I took some pics
Mantlet..Phase 2... extended 1/8th of an inch on each side... new elephant ear lifting hooks made and installed..mock pivot point installed for reference... kind of like it being there...so for now it stays...as I can machine it away later





can you tell the difference? I can... think it looks so much better now

With that said.. another major stepping stone out of the way...now the little stuff


ALPHA

[ALPHA]

OLD

NEW

ALPHA

[scalawag]

Looks better Alpha

[ALPHA]

Looks better Alpha

Thanks Scalawag... this time I don't think the photo's pay her justice...as the overall dimensions are now much much better visually over the stock Mato
Did you happen to notice the antenna.. I used the same technique as the FoV...but this time capped it with some heat shrink...it worked so well I put some on the FoV too

Thanks again Scalawag

ALPHA

[ALPHA]

Looks much better. Expect you to crack on now

I'm also hoping it's downhill from here lol.... only one more major obstacle..capping the light leaks ...it's pretty mind boggling how small those Mato light fixtures are ...not to mention how they don't insulate the wires connected to the LED....

Just wondering fynsdad. Have you ever entered into a project thinking it was going to be a breeze... and it turns out to be a Hurricane ?

It's kind of what this Mato / Heng Long merge has turned out to be

Carpe Diem fynsdad

ALPHA

PS.. just had a thought earlier today when I was posting the pictures... on your skirted build... how about the Persherman with the short urban barrel... it would be a paper tank...as I don't think one was ever made or conceived ... but if you think about it... very practical.. as it would be able to skirmish in tighter areas

[ALPHA]

Have you ever entered into a project thinking it was going to be a breeze... and it turns out to be a Hurricane ?

LOL...everytime...

.............

ALPHA

[ALPHA]

Just for the curious..and because I forgot details about the New mantlet... the 1/8th extensions were done with scrap plastic... a double layer on each side... the with the side contacting the mantlet side carefully glued in place avoiding the stock pivot point... once that is done.. a rough mock up ...is approximated and placed...once that is done... you can either leave it like I did... or carve it away... so it's more prototypical

ALPHA

[PainlessWolf]

Good Morning,
Alpha, you have solved the mantlet dilemma in grand fashion. ;o) It looks so much better dimensionally now against the turret. I did notice your antenna (almost typed umbrella for some reason) and the new heat shrink addition. Very Nice!, my friend. I have to build a non working version that is very flexible. Sassgrunt turned me onto a page that showed the how and why of that photo of the 'Mood' with the antenna looking like it was bent backwards on a ball or knuckle joint. Sgt. Poole just tied his antenna down to the .50 cal storage rack on the back of the turret. Probably to clear field of fire for the .50 cal. The angle we see is just the springs of the mount bent over. That was another 'Whew!' moment as I couldn't find anything like what we thought we were seeing. As Fynsdad noted, you are free and clear to move out to the finish with this Saunders Sherman now.
warm regards,
Painless