Cadillac Gage V-150 Commando with 90mm gun turret - Build
- Von Mooflesaaa
- Corporal
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Re: Cadillac Gage V-150 Commando with 90mm gun turret - Buil
Jeez that is impressive, the level of scratch building is great, been watching and following with great interest. If I may, where did you get the plans and how did you scale them so that you could build such a perfect machine from scratch?
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Re: Cadillac Gage V-150 Commando with 90mm gun turret - Buil
Hi, this is the Chris Ludwig basic kit, see link below. At 98 Euros (minus the 19% VAT for non European), its one of its least expensible and complicated kit to build. As a basic kit, it provides the core shell of the vehicle in plasticard plates. The dimensions are comparing well to the 1/35 kit, but you have to use references and scratch building skills to fill the gaps. I usually take measurements in mm from a good 1/35 kit (gun length, width, mantlet size, turret lenght, etc) and use the following formula to extrapolate to 1/16 dimensions (1/35 kit measurement divided by 1/35, then divided by 16). For the powertrain, I recommend scavenging available WPL truck upgrade material on the market and use imagination in adapting it to the shell. For modellers who expect parts to match perfectly and cannot handle 1 or 2mm trench like gaps between parts and interlocking joints, then Ludwig kits are not for you.Von Mooflesaaa wrote:If I may, where did you get the plans and how did you scale them so that you could build such a perfect machine from scratch?
It is my second 1/16 Commando model. I created different versions and also adapted a different running gear on both. This is the fun part of a Ludwig build. After a couple of Ludwig builds, it is difficult to go back to regular mainstream kits and feel challenged.
http://www.ludwigs-hobby-seite.de/M1117 ... 0Gage.html
Re: Cadillac Gage V-150 Commando with 90mm gun turret - Buil
Hi,
Here is turret update.
After analysis, i decided to reuse the Ludwig hatches by rounding some corners, and also decided to reuse their base. They are cut from the discarded Ludwig turret roof and prepared to be transposed on the new turret roof.
Grinding plasticard with a hard (cement type) file allows for better precision. It slowly remove plasticard material by burning it instead of chipping, and it makes no dust. The new position on the commander's cupola is prepared.
Here is the new turret roof, with a commander's cupola and the gunner's hatch slightly put backyard as per references.
The commander's cupola is made of plasticard roundels. Easily made with the right dimensions by borrowing your kid's geometry kit. The periscope on the commander's cupola is a Shapeways US M17 type Periscope with a plasticard cover on top.
The Ludwig hinges can be used but must be reduced in size and adapted to match references.
This is the gunner's sight made of solid plasticard plate glued and filed to match the shape. 1.2mm brass rods were used for the guards, assembled with superglue and then polished. Its more solid than any soldering that I would be able to manage.
The coax machine gun is made of brass tube and 1mm fibre optics. Notice the cable holder, purchased from Robotshop.com at the same time as the fibre. Its works well in keeping the 5mm LED aligned with the fiber, its worth the 50 cents.
The coax machine gun, of an undetermined type, is installed.
The V150 in Royal Thai Army service are equipped with a German MG3 machine gun on the commander's cupola. The base is scratch built and I tried to mimic it the best I could.
Continuing on following post
Here is turret update.
After analysis, i decided to reuse the Ludwig hatches by rounding some corners, and also decided to reuse their base. They are cut from the discarded Ludwig turret roof and prepared to be transposed on the new turret roof.
Grinding plasticard with a hard (cement type) file allows for better precision. It slowly remove plasticard material by burning it instead of chipping, and it makes no dust. The new position on the commander's cupola is prepared.
Here is the new turret roof, with a commander's cupola and the gunner's hatch slightly put backyard as per references.
The commander's cupola is made of plasticard roundels. Easily made with the right dimensions by borrowing your kid's geometry kit. The periscope on the commander's cupola is a Shapeways US M17 type Periscope with a plasticard cover on top.
The Ludwig hinges can be used but must be reduced in size and adapted to match references.
This is the gunner's sight made of solid plasticard plate glued and filed to match the shape. 1.2mm brass rods were used for the guards, assembled with superglue and then polished. Its more solid than any soldering that I would be able to manage.
The coax machine gun is made of brass tube and 1mm fibre optics. Notice the cable holder, purchased from Robotshop.com at the same time as the fibre. Its works well in keeping the 5mm LED aligned with the fiber, its worth the 50 cents.
The coax machine gun, of an undetermined type, is installed.
The V150 in Royal Thai Army service are equipped with a German MG3 machine gun on the commander's cupola. The base is scratch built and I tried to mimic it the best I could.
Continuing on following post
Last edited by lmcq11 on Sun Nov 03, 2019 10:53 pm, edited 3 times in total.
Re: Cadillac Gage V-150 Commando with 90mm gun turret - Buil
The MG3 and mount viewed from the other side
The turret basket is a good challenge, here is the Hobby Boss 1/35 kit basket used as reference. Notice the angles.
I temporarily put a plasticard base with two drop of superglue for the telescopic building of the turret basket. The brass parts are solidly resting on the plasticard strip, the time for the individual components to be created and glue to dry.
The turret basket is raised telescopically, one part at a time, checking all angles as it go up, it went very well.
The finished turret basket, a two hour delicate operation. Not perfect but looking good. I will polish the brass once the superglue is fully dried.
The searchlight mounted on the mantlet is a metal T34 searchlight, dressed up to look similar to the one on the V150 1/35 kit.
The visors are made of plasticard, dimensions taken from 1/35 kit. They fully cover the location holes on the model.
The turret basket is a good challenge, here is the Hobby Boss 1/35 kit basket used as reference. Notice the angles.
I temporarily put a plasticard base with two drop of superglue for the telescopic building of the turret basket. The brass parts are solidly resting on the plasticard strip, the time for the individual components to be created and glue to dry.
The turret basket is raised telescopically, one part at a time, checking all angles as it go up, it went very well.
The finished turret basket, a two hour delicate operation. Not perfect but looking good. I will polish the brass once the superglue is fully dried.
The searchlight mounted on the mantlet is a metal T34 searchlight, dressed up to look similar to the one on the V150 1/35 kit.
The visors are made of plasticard, dimensions taken from 1/35 kit. They fully cover the location holes on the model.
Last edited by lmcq11 on Sun Nov 03, 2019 10:43 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Cadillac Gage V-150 Commando with 90mm gun turret - Buil
Turret visors are in place
There is only one visor on the other side of the turret, the Ludwig hole need to be plugged and make smooth.
Overview of the model as it stands today. Remaining to be created are the smoke grenade dischargers and the antenna bases.
Time to rest.
There is only one visor on the other side of the turret, the Ludwig hole need to be plugged and make smooth.
Overview of the model as it stands today. Remaining to be created are the smoke grenade dischargers and the antenna bases.
Time to rest.
Re: Cadillac Gage V-150 Commando with 90mm gun turret - Buil
Hi,
With the main components and electronics figured out, assembled and tested, the rest of the build will be more relaxed with low risks detailing.
Installing the gutters around the doors and hatches.
Installing the Shapeways MX6707 US antenna bases at the rear of the turret. They looked good on the M48A3 build so I ordered more of these. Will be useful for upcoming M113s.
Started to build the doors and hatches. I saw no point in making operating doors since there is no interior.
Inspection of the WPL motorized winch components for adaptation and internal installation into the slot at the front of the V150 Commando. As with the real vehicle, the winch maintenance hatch above it will be useful. This electric winch is available for a few dollars on eBay and is a nice diversion.
The vehicle as it stands today. This is going to be a good looking Armored Fighting Vehicle. I wish WPL could create AFVs instead of N variants of truck chassis. I personally find that wheeled combat vehicle are much more interesting to build and operate than simple trucks to drive around.
Regards,
Louis
With the main components and electronics figured out, assembled and tested, the rest of the build will be more relaxed with low risks detailing.
Installing the gutters around the doors and hatches.
Installing the Shapeways MX6707 US antenna bases at the rear of the turret. They looked good on the M48A3 build so I ordered more of these. Will be useful for upcoming M113s.
Started to build the doors and hatches. I saw no point in making operating doors since there is no interior.
Inspection of the WPL motorized winch components for adaptation and internal installation into the slot at the front of the V150 Commando. As with the real vehicle, the winch maintenance hatch above it will be useful. This electric winch is available for a few dollars on eBay and is a nice diversion.
The vehicle as it stands today. This is going to be a good looking Armored Fighting Vehicle. I wish WPL could create AFVs instead of N variants of truck chassis. I personally find that wheeled combat vehicle are much more interesting to build and operate than simple trucks to drive around.
Regards,
Louis
Re: Cadillac Gage V-150 Commando with 90mm gun turret - Buil
Hi, here is the frontal winch.
The winch can be seen here on the left of the lower front armored plate.
The WPL winch can be purchased on eBay for a few dollars.
The outer frame and rollers of the winch need to be scratch built.
The winch has been assembled as per instructions but I removed two of the rollers as they have been replaced by custom ones, and cut a few un-needed brackets. A metal chain has replaced the provided cable.
The winch is installed inside the model with simple brackets, it just slides into place and can be removed if needed through the maintenance hatch.
The winch maintenance hatch is scratch built and provided with working hinges and closing latch.
I connected the winch to the TK40 gun elevation motor wires 5 and 6 of CN9 and is activation with the left stick up and down, which give the little chuck chuck chuck sound.
For gun elevation, the servo has been directly connected to channel 6 and is assigned the VRa knob instead of being controlled by the TK40 through sticks. I find that this arrangement provides better control over the gun elevation, but it mainly allows me to control the winch as well.
Here is the final look of the winch arrangement. The operation of the winch needs to be done carefully as to not burn the small motor or damage the gears. It add a cool RC component to the model. I'll replace the plastic WPL hook by a smaller metal one on order.
Regards, Louis
The winch can be seen here on the left of the lower front armored plate.
The WPL winch can be purchased on eBay for a few dollars.
The outer frame and rollers of the winch need to be scratch built.
The winch has been assembled as per instructions but I removed two of the rollers as they have been replaced by custom ones, and cut a few un-needed brackets. A metal chain has replaced the provided cable.
The winch is installed inside the model with simple brackets, it just slides into place and can be removed if needed through the maintenance hatch.
The winch maintenance hatch is scratch built and provided with working hinges and closing latch.
I connected the winch to the TK40 gun elevation motor wires 5 and 6 of CN9 and is activation with the left stick up and down, which give the little chuck chuck chuck sound.
For gun elevation, the servo has been directly connected to channel 6 and is assigned the VRa knob instead of being controlled by the TK40 through sticks. I find that this arrangement provides better control over the gun elevation, but it mainly allows me to control the winch as well.
Here is the final look of the winch arrangement. The operation of the winch needs to be done carefully as to not burn the small motor or damage the gears. It add a cool RC component to the model. I'll replace the plastic WPL hook by a smaller metal one on order.
Regards, Louis
Last edited by lmcq11 on Sat Nov 09, 2019 10:02 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- HERMAN BIX
- Brigadier
- Posts: 10300
- Joined: Sun Jan 12, 2014 12:15 am
- Location: Gold Coast,Australia
Re: Cadillac Gage V-150 Commando with 90mm gun turret - Buil
You’re really getting the hang of this now mate
HL JAGDPANTHER,HL TIGER 1,HL PzIII MUNITIONSCHLEPPER, HL KT OCTOPUS,HL PANTHER ZU-FUSS,HL STuG III,HL T34/85 BEDSPRING,
HL PZIV MALTA,MATORRO JAGDTIGER,HL F05 TIGER,TAMIYA KT,HL PANTHERDOZER,HL EARLY PANTHER G,TAIGEN/RAMINATOR T34/76,
HL AN-BRI-RAM SU-85
HL PZIV MALTA,MATORRO JAGDTIGER,HL F05 TIGER,TAMIYA KT,HL PANTHERDOZER,HL EARLY PANTHER G,TAIGEN/RAMINATOR T34/76,
HL AN-BRI-RAM SU-85
- HERMAN BIX
- Brigadier
- Posts: 10300
- Joined: Sun Jan 12, 2014 12:15 am
- Location: Gold Coast,Australia
Re: Cadillac Gage V-150 Commando with 90mm gun turret - Buil
That winch is an excellent addition to an already stash out build.
HL JAGDPANTHER,HL TIGER 1,HL PzIII MUNITIONSCHLEPPER, HL KT OCTOPUS,HL PANTHER ZU-FUSS,HL STuG III,HL T34/85 BEDSPRING,
HL PZIV MALTA,MATORRO JAGDTIGER,HL F05 TIGER,TAMIYA KT,HL PANTHERDOZER,HL EARLY PANTHER G,TAIGEN/RAMINATOR T34/76,
HL AN-BRI-RAM SU-85
HL PZIV MALTA,MATORRO JAGDTIGER,HL F05 TIGER,TAMIYA KT,HL PANTHERDOZER,HL EARLY PANTHER G,TAIGEN/RAMINATOR T34/76,
HL AN-BRI-RAM SU-85
- 43rdRecceReg
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Re: Cadillac Gage V-150 Commando with 90mm gun turret - Buil
...not normally lost for words, but I'm running out of superlatives for yours Stupendous will have to do, for the moment.
"Get your facts first, and then you can distort them as much as you please"- Mark Twain.