1/6 1943 Stuart M5

[PainlessWolf]

Good morning, my friend,
This build is being done because I owe it to the tank after it sitting for so many years while I concentrated on 1/16 armor. Now is the time as some 1/6 scale parts suppliers are dropping the business, it gives me the chance to strengthen my own casting skillset. After the Stuart is complete and trundling around, I think I want one more 1/6 scale tank. I'll have to give serious thought as to which since they are a great deal of work to build and upgrade. Beautiful kits in metal are out there as well as Mark One Tanks so whatever it is that I want, it should be available.
regards and thanks for following along,
Painless

[PainlessWolf]

And then there were four! Using Tin Lizzy type line production methods, I built the final two bogies in roughly the same amount of time that it took me to complete one the other night. Pics:

[HERMAN BIX]

Glad you're doing it mate, coz I couldn't !
Sure is a complex system for a little tank, like the early panzers etc,

[sassgrunt]

The bogies look great Painless! Another great build from you in a whole 'nother scale!

[PainlessWolf]

Good morning,
Herman, Just trying to make them look a little less toy-like. They function the same, the resin add-ons from ECA give them realism and the solid road wheels and armored covers give them weight. Mike, thanks to you for those static version road wheels and masters for the wheel covers. This Stuart won't be as complex as say, Swamprat's build with an interior added in, it will hold its own in realism and running capability. Back to the Tiger this afternoon! ;o)
regards,
Painless

[tao]

Painless..do you have other 1/6 tanks? I have been looking at FOA out there in Utah and curious if you might ever be getting one from them at some point?

[PainlessWolf]

Good afternoon, Tao,
The Stuart is the only 1/6 scale armor I have at the moment. I would recommend that you speak with a friend of mine here on the Forum about FOA. Goes by the name of Saxon Dog.
regards,
Painless

[PainlessWolf]

Good morning all. The M36B1 has rolled off on patrol so it's time to move onto the next bit of fun. The Stuart has been sitting disassembled since before the move last year with only road wheel workups being done last September 2016. I guess it's time to get back to work. I have the first pieces of gear for a new Commander as well as a cool towed gun on the way. Per my usual, I'll start work on the Lower. This armor has even further to go than your standard HL to make the transition from toy to working RC Tank.
regards,
Painless

[PainlessWolf]

After work and before supper, I did a spray test with a couple of products that I thought might hold promise as brush on coatings for the Stuarts plastic road wheels. I'm thinking that the rubber bumper paint is the way to go as the undercoating smells horrible and still isn't dry. ;o) I also did a simple fix to keep the sprockets' shafts from cracking while in use. They are not the stoutest pieces and any help towards longevity is a big + Pics:

[c.rainford73]

Hi Mr Painless I see the wheel reinforcements. Could a very small stainless worm gear driven clamp work better to give you absolute security as some of those nylon zip ties do snap. Like a micro clamp?

The last I saw this was about a year ago so nice to see you getting into it again.