Comet A34- Ludwig kit

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biertje
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Re: Comet A34- Ludwig kit

Post by biertje »

Hi
I thought you were doing a great job on the mantlet.
Still not sure how I'm going to mount mine.
Thank you I have been really pleased with how it is turning out so far.
Lee's cromwell is really good.
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43rdRecceReg
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Re: Comet A34- Ludwig kit

Post by 43rdRecceReg »

Thanks, Tim :thumbup: Yes, Lee's Cromwell looks like a labour of love; but these builds can also be a labour of hate at times... :problem: :D
Well, I have the mountings, finally. The gun-holding mantlet now moves with ease :thumbup: Phew...what a pain >:<
I'm using Mato Tiger 1 axles for the trunnion pivots/swivels. Finally, by using dividers, rulers, and No. 1 eyeball I located the optimum position for the pins in this setup.
Comet mantlet housing-Before...
Comet mantlet housing-Before...
Image
Comet Mantlet Housing- post-operative...
Comet Mantlet Housing- post-operative...
...and with the Mato Tiger axles fitted ( but not bonded in yet)
Comet Mantlet Trunnion Pivot pics...
Comet Mantlet Trunnion Pivot pics...
Image
Mantlet trunnion pivot-detail...
Mantlet trunnion pivot-detail...
I'm happy with the outcome so far. :) Why? well:
1. The assembly is now more like the real deal, in principle, anyway,
2. It actually moves smoothly now, and should allow about the right amount of barrel elevation and depression. :thumbup: Should being the operative word...
The mato axles will be shortened on the outside, to be flush with the mantlet surface. That's after being bonded in place with JB Weld metal epoxy.(Great stuff!!)
I could put bearings on the inboard shaft, an lock them in place with nyloc nuts. or, I may just use a nut and washer.
Overall, coming up with this solution has taken more time, and more patience than any other part of the project. But, semi-scratch building being what it is, it would surprise me one little bit (een lutte beten in Platt Deutsch)..if some other conundrum crops up to top this one for frustration. >:< :lolno:
Last edited by 43rdRecceReg on Tue Nov 05, 2019 7:13 pm, edited 2 times in total.
"Get your facts first, and then you can distort them as much as you please"- Mark Twain.
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jarndice
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Re: Comet A34- Ludwig kit

Post by jarndice »

I don't know where you get your fixings but I have dealt with http://www.modelfixings.co.uk for years with very positive results and I long ago discovered they sell Metric NYLOCs from M2 upto M6 with of course the complementary bolts and washers if they are needed.
Love the determination to get the Mantlet "Just Right", :thumbup:
Scale engineering far too often has to be a compromise so it is all the more satisfying when thought and guile produce a good result.
I think I am about to upset someone :haha:
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43rdRecceReg
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Re: Comet A34- Ludwig kit

Post by 43rdRecceReg »

jarndice wrote:I don't know where you get your fixings but I have dealt with http://www.modelfixings.co.uk for years with very positive results and I long ago discovered they sell Metric NYLOCs from M2 upto M6 with of course the complementary bolts and washers if they are needed.
Love the determination to get the Mantlet "Just Right", :thumbup:
Scale engineering far too often has to be a compromise so it is all the more satisfying when thought and guile produce a good result.
Many thanks, Maestro! Yes, well I make my own fixings (brackets etc..) mostly, or improvise them from disparate sources (for cars, domestic wiring, or whatever comes to hand). Fixings including Nuts, bolts, washers, sheet brass, styrene and so on are easily obtainable thought sources on Ebay. I wouldn't be surprised if Modelfixings is represented there, Shaun. Prime Miniatures is, and I've often used them for modelling-scale brass nuts, screws, grub screws and other fixings -nut drivers too. :thumbup:

I think there's not much point in building a scale model, unless it bears a decent resemblance to the real thing. This rider also applies to the moving parts as well: it's best if the scale model functions like its bigger brother.
This explains some of the determination, I guess. The rest is down to my own mildly nerdy, OCD nature. :D Thanks for the link, Shaun!.
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biertje
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Re: Comet A34- Ludwig kit

Post by biertje »

Hi Roy

Spend some time on the PC with the WOT files and i think I'm quite close to the oritginal now.
I'll try printing a set this week for a test.
Also found out that the resin mantlet and the one in the bronco kit are way to pointy and should be more of a flat plate.
One other important ting to remember is that the comet was armed with a 77mm gun and not a 17pounder so it should also have a shorter barrel.

Keep up the good work and you wont need my help at all in the end ;)

Greetings Tim
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43rdRecceReg
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Re: Comet A34- Ludwig kit

Post by 43rdRecceReg »

biertje wrote:Hi Roy

Spend some time on the PC with the WOT files and i think I'm quite close to the oritginal now.
I'll try printing a set this week for a test.
Also found out that the resin mantlet and the one in the bronco kit are way to pointy and should be more of a flat plate.
One other important ting to remember is that the comet was armed with a 77mm gun and not a 17pounder so it should also have a shorter barrel.

Keep up the good work and you wont need my help at all in the end ;)

Greetings Tim
Thanks, Tim. yes, it's a common misconception that the Comet had the 17-Pounder installed. However, it did have a cut down version of it- the 77mm. It was still capable of knocking a Tiger out. In fact, I gave an account of a Tiger 1 vs Comet encounter earlier in this thread :)
The A30 Challenger had the 17-Pounder (76.2mm), and you've done a great job of recreating it, in your Cruiser Tanks thread! :thumbup:
I'm not clear about the Bronco kit, you mention. Is that similar to Chris Ludwig's design?

Edit: I just checked 'Bronco' online. I see that they specialise in 1/35 scale models. That probably accounts for why I'd not heard of them. The only 1/15 model I've ever built is Tamiya's Cromwell Mk IV- which I used as a maquette for the Ludwig 1/16 build. I guess, you use some of their products as maquettes too (artists' models).
https://www.wonderlandmodels.com/brands/bronco/
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biertje
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Re: Comet A34- Ludwig kit

Post by biertje »

I'll try to print a correct 77mm gun.
The actual caliber is 76mm but to avoid getting the ammo mixed up they named them as 77mm.
I once spoke to a gentleman that claimed he had knocked out 2 panthers (ore tigers not sure) with one shot.

Thanks for all the compliments on the challenger. It actually is my favourite tank.
Your doing a great job on the comet.

I almost always try to find a 1/35 scale model to help with the dimensions. That's why I have a spare cromwell, challenger and comet kit on hand.
They also com in handy when your rescaling the 1/1000 scales from World of tanks.

Greetings tim
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43rdRecceReg
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Re: Comet A34- Ludwig kit

Post by 43rdRecceReg »

biertje wrote:Hi Roy

Spend some time on the PC with the WOT files and i think I'm quite close to the oritginal now.
I'll try printing a set this week for a test.
Also found out that the resin mantlet and the one in the bronco kit are way to pointy and should be more of a flat plate.
One other important ting to remember is that the comet was armed with a 77mm gun and not a 17pounder so it should also have a shorter barrel.

Keep up the good work and you wont need my help at all in the end ;)

Greetings Tim
Going back to the suggestion, Tim, that the profile of the resin mantlet should be flatter, here are a couple of pics of the resin and real mantlets, in profile.
Comet Mantlet curve- in profile
Comet Mantlet curve- in profile
Here's the resin one. Note how the MG should be up by the centre line of the barrel (if not slightly above it). I'm going to saw it off and reposition it.
Click on pics to ENLARGE them...
Comet resin Mantlet- curve seen in profile
Comet resin Mantlet- curve seen in profile
Just to add a detail; the mantlet moves perfectly now, and should allow about the right amount of elevation. :thumbup:
The next stage, is to find some means of attaching a recoil, and elevation unit, to the barrel and barrel tube housing. That will take some though, but I may begin with Christian's flatpack solution.
"Get your facts first, and then you can distort them as much as you please"- Mark Twain.
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43rdRecceReg
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Re: Comet A34- Ludwig kit

Post by 43rdRecceReg »

Right, well, getting the mantlet to elevate smoothly has boosted the old endorphins. Now, I think I can move the MG and optical sight without ruining the resin. I just have to cut them out, carefully, and replant them in the correct positions using Milliput. First, I'll drill the holes that will allow a light-emitting MG to be fitted, and maybe some ersatz lens for the optical gunsight.
As ever, click to ENLARGE the pics :thumbup:
Moving the Mantlet MG-pic A-Before surgery
Moving the Mantlet MG-pic A-Before surgery
Relocating Mantlet MG-pic B-excising MG and optic
Relocating Mantlet MG-pic B-excising MG and optic
Relocating Mantlet MG-pic C
Relocating Mantlet MG-pic C
When the Milliput base for the relocated MG, and optical sight, has cured, I'll sand the Mantlet to get form the most credible of contours. I may even bring the MG out a little further.
Correct position for MG housing and Optical Sight housing.
Correct position for MG housing and Optical Sight housing.
"Get your facts first, and then you can distort them as much as you please"- Mark Twain.
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Von Mooflesaaa
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Re: Comet A34- Ludwig kit

Post by Von Mooflesaaa »

Mighty impressive work being shown, interested to see how you tackle the rest of the build.
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