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

[philipat]

Excellent work!

Can I ask what gauge of wire you used for the auxiliary muffler? To represent the pipe from the hull to the muffler (black in photos) and the final exhaust pipe out the front (red in photos)?

[HERMAN BIX]

Incredibly comprehensively planned and executed Mr cq11
For a relatively simple requirement, this turret alteration is an epic rivaling that of Ben Hur !!

[lmcq11]

Excellent work!

Can I ask what gauge of wire you used for the auxiliary muffler? To represent the pipe from the hull to the muffler (black in photos) and the final exhaust pipe out the front (red in photos)?

Hi, i searched through my modelling scrap yard for various sizes of old electrical wires that would look right. The one I selected seems to be 2mm wide. What is important is that the pipe be a bit smaller than the connector on the muffler.

M41A3 muffler

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Regards, Louis

[lmcq11]

Continuing with the turret

The book Walker Bulldog by David Doyle and Squadron M41 Walk around have pictures that need to be analysed in order to properly reproduce the shark head shape of the cast nose turret section where is connects with the rolled steel section after the weld joint. Be aware that there are 2 kinds of M41 turret, the very early turret has a different weld joint design. You will see pictures of both and they must not be mixed up. My M41 is the standard production turret.

Heng Long M41 Walker Bulldog 1/16 turret fix

Prominent joints need to be reproduced.

Heng Long M41 Walker Bulldog 1/16 turret fix

Notice the armor going down at a specific point towards the rear area.

Heng Long M41 Walker Bulldog 1/16 turret fix

The HL turret shape needs to be corrected around the commander's cupola.

Heng Long M41 Walker Bulldog 1/16 turret fix

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Various plasticard strips are superglued on both sides of the new front bottom in order to build the solid structure that will be the base for the top section. Do not use putty for that. It would be much simpler if this was a static model but I need to make separating turret halves in order to install and service the electronics inside.

Heng Long M41 Walker Bulldog 1/16 turret fix

Although ugly to see at first, it dries fast and can then be sanded right away, but slowly to the required shape.

Heng Long M41 Walker Bulldog 1/16 turret fix

Reference pictures and the Tamiya 1/35 kit were used as reference.

Heng Long M41 Walker Bulldog 1/16 turret fix

Preparing the turret to install the side armor plates. Strips of various thickness are used to create support the armor. The armor plates need to be glued to each strip but cannot be glued to the bottom section of the turret.

Heng Long M41 Walker Bulldog 1/16 turret fix

The top of the turret is sanded, and a rule must be used to ensure all the support are properly aligned top to bottom in a strait line to have a flat armor.

Heng Long M41 Walker Bulldog 1/16 turret fix

It is easier to start with this side. After a approximative plasticard part is created with lots of buffer on each sides, and lots of dry fitting, the back area of the armor is glued first to the turret with superglue.

Heng Long M41 Walker Bulldog 1/16 turret fix

Continuing on following post.

[lmcq11]

Continuing with the turret

The armor plate is rolled and glued in 3 steps (rear, middle, front) towards the front. The key nose area need to be sanded at the right height and shape before gluing, ensuring no glue reaches the bottom section. Then all sides are roughly trimmed at this point. It is a bit tricky but it went well.

Heng Long M41 Walker Bulldog 1/16 turret fix

Starting the same process on the other side.

Heng Long M41 Walker Bulldog 1/16 turret fix

Notice how much bigger the nose section. This was created in order for the turret to be of the right size at the front. The top and bottom used to be screwed together in the past... Now, there is a big gap that will be hidden by the new armor plate. This will also allow for more room for the recoil unit and much better elevation.

Heng Long M41 Walker Bulldog 1/16 turret fix

Notice the sanding around the cupola.

Heng Long M41 Walker Bulldog 1/16 turret fix

Same process starting with the back, although this side is more tricky because it is not as flat.

Heng Long M41 Walker Bulldog 1/16 turret fix

Both armor plates are now installed. The front area and mantlet will be dealt with later. Need to install the recoil unit and elevation unit before tackling this area.

Heng Long M41 Walker Bulldog 1/16 turret fix

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Weld lines were made with 1mm half rod, and scraped a bit. The welding will be finalized later.

Heng Long M41 Walker Bulldog 1/16 turret fix

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This is the new armor shape around the cupola.

Heng Long M41 Walker Bulldog 1/16 turret fix

Heng Long M41 Walker Bulldog 1/16 turret fix

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The turret is about 4mm wider on each side, and the angle of the armor is correct.

Heng Long M41 Walker Bulldog 1/16 turret fix

More pics on following post.

[lmcq11]

Continuing with the turret.

The big plastic surgery job is over. Although there is still a lot of finetuning to do, I am satisfied with the results. I spent most of the weekend on it, i had to finish it to see if my plan worked. 10 hours of work in total and now I can relax. It was the most dirty and dusty job I ever did. If you ever do this, make sure you do it outside, and even then, wear a N95 mask for protection.

Heng Long M41 Walker Bulldog 1/16 turret fix

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Heng Long M41 Walker Bulldog 1/16 turret fix

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Heng Long M41 Walker Bulldog 1/16 turret fix

Heng Long M41 Walker Bulldog 1/16 turret fix

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Heng Long M41 Walker Bulldog 1/16 turret fix

Regards, Louis

[BarryC]

Excellent results Louis!

Barry

[philipat]

wow!

[square4]

detailing to the nth degree ,superb looking.

[lmcq11]

Hi, thank you !

Continuing with the basic turret structure, without going into too much fine details at this time because these details would be damaged in the heavy construction and manipulation.

Here is the rear turret bin.

It is difficult to find reference picture of the attachment between the bin and the turret, but it seems to be attached with what seems to be soldered round pipes. In any cases, it is definitely not back to back with the turret as represented in most models.

1/16 Heng Long M41A3 Walker Bulldog rear basket fix

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I removed the plasticard sheet that I had temporarily attached for the previous pictures, and I cut the bin from the turret using a metal saw blade. Putty is applied for later sanding.

1/16 Heng Long M41A3 Walker Bulldog rear basket fix

The bin is redone, holes are plugged, and the improvised attachments are prepared.

1/16 Heng Long M41A3 Walker Bulldog rear basket fix

This is how the new bin looks like, minus the fine details (lock, tie downs...) that will be added later when I am done with the heavy construction. I did not like the look of the lid on the old bin. The embossed stiffeners are again done with 1mm half round

1/16 Heng Long M41A3 Walker Bulldog rear basket fix

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1/16 Heng Long M41A3 Walker Bulldog rear basket fix

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The front of the commander's cupola need to be rebuilt as per specs. Before I added the 6mm extension, the whole area was cramped and Heng Long had to reduce the size of the turret front in order to fit the allocated space. I can now build it like it should be, using pictures and my Tamiya kit as reference for size and placement

1/16 Heng Long M41A3 Walker Bulldog cupola front

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1/16 Heng Long M41A3 Walker Bulldog cupola front

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The base is created.

1/16 Heng Long M41A3 Walker Bulldog cupola front

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Section of plasticard are glued together to create a body that will be sanded to the required shape. I know many builders like to design 3D parts but considering that it took me 1 hour to build the part to its finalized state, it remains a personal choice as to which method is simpler and faster.

1/16 Heng Long M41A3 Walker Bulldog cupola front

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The cupola frontal area.

1/16 Heng Long M41A3 Walker Bulldog cupola front

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Continuing on following post