HERMANS 'GERMAN SHERMAN' PZIV F2 'B11'

[Ad Lav]

If you need a hand collecting parts from Germany, and then a box with all the bits sent to you let me know. I'd be happy to help out.

[HERMAN BIX]

Thanks Mr Lav, thats a real nice offer.
I will sure keep that in mind for any further wish-list purchases.
I got my Zu-Fuss rockets here that way, but when I went to Asiatam direct - Ba-BUUUUhhhhh.

The damn combination of our low dollar and shipping costs just blow things out more than anything.
We are at 52 P/to the dollar

[HERMAN BIX]

Here gentlemen is a classic case of "check-twice, balls -up not" .
The Taigen running gear carry's the roadwheels to far inboard.
The centreline is way off.
They are pretty simple, all necesary spacers & washers are in place, but this is no good.
The drive sprockets seem to be in the correct centre line relative to the guards, and the return rollers are in line.
I'm starting to hate on this one
I will try adding suitable washers to the inside of the roadwheels & then see how far they are actually out.

[Raminator]

I had much the same problem with my T-34; trying to use Heng Long wheels on the Taigen chassis. You'd think they'd all be the same size and spacing, but that'd be too easy. Strange that there are such slim pickings for the Panzer IV, I would have expected a bit more love for the master race's most common war machine.

Base coat looks good though, looking forward to seeing you how you go with this red-headed stepchild of a panzer.

[HERMAN BIX]

Oh theres plenty of love overseas in the way of parts, but with our dollar more hammered than a Leicester City fan, and the postage, I will fix it myself !!
I did a cursory check of things once they were all to hand, and really did not notice anything, but thats my point.
Check twice=no balls-ups.
I cant get to a washer shop before the weekend so I will have to sit & shuffle for now.
The base coat is a real chameleon, takes on a different hue depending on the ambient light, and how you look at it.
Surely this stuff isnt exactly formulated to replicate the real stuff ??!

Odd you had trouble with your T34 running gear.
Hacks me off to admit it, but my Bed spring runs THE best of ALL MY TANKS.

Thanks for looking in Mr Raminator

[jarndice]

I have built 3 Panzer 4s and I am in the middle of assembling parts for a 4th, Every one of which has so far suffered the same area of aggravation, "Wheels and Suspension", Mounting and then aligning the suspension is a pain and then when I have the thing fitted I end up
drawing the conclusion that emulating the Prototypes suspension does not work when reduced to 1/16,
Reproducing the working of a leaf spring in 1/16 is asking too much of either plastic, or metal, The Heng Long spring comprises all but one of the leaves in either metal or plastic as an inert lump with the lower leaf in spring steel But it cannot possibly do the work of a multi leaf spring.
If the springs were truly independent leaves as per the prototype then the small size of the unit will mean that as the leaves flex
heat will build up and both plastic and metal in such small sizes will, if the springs are actually flexing as the springs on the Prototype do, FAIL, so of course they are designed to be accurate facsimiles but not truly effective as a form of suspension,
What you have is a swinging spring that does not absorb road shock through the flexing of the leaves but instead deflects it, by swinging the wheel away,
Little wonder so many people report spring mounting screws working loose and wheel problems.
The answer would appear to be the suspension of the M3/M4 which actually relies on the wheels being swung away from the area of road shock. But I don't think fitting the M3/M4 suspension to a Panzer 4 would be acceptable to most of us
Someone must have a better assessment of Panzer 4 suspension and I would like to hear it before tackling my 4th Panzer 4 build.
Shaun.

[Ad Lav]

From the looks of it my Taniya suspension works and aligns perfect. Not what you want to hear but I think some mods may help. I read on another forum somewhere how to upgrade/improve the suspension. I'll look for the link.

[HERMAN BIX]

I guess the biggest bugger is that it's base coated.
Now because I didn't check I have to piss fart around getting the suspension in line on a painted tank.

Open lesson for all PZ IV builders in HL or similar, check alignment early in the build.

[Ad Lav]

Piss fart - my me rofl

[wibblywobbly]

Is it just me that imagines the sound of a Panzer IV as it slams into a kitchen wall, when I read this thread?