Elmod WSN T34/85 Build

[wibblywobbly]

I need to find out what the wiring is on the recoil unit, I should be able to rig that up via the Elmod board.

[wibblywobbly]

I have also been making a few accessories, working from some pics I have of the T34 that I am attempting to emulate.

Sorry about the salad cream bottle, it's not going on the tank I promise! The fuel tanks will be located above the exhausts. Making the axe head was a challenge, it still needs a bit of work. The acetylene bottle turned out better than I expected. The tool box was completed and then I realised that I had put the wrong handles on it...doh! Too late now.

I also attacked the engine vents.

[wibblywobbly]

I had acquired the not so detailed variant without opening hatches, so I thought I would go for gold and open the front drivers hatch too. This was not an easy job as the tank is made from polypropylene, rather than polystyrene. It is very soft and pliable, which means that using the thread method to cut around detail results in the shell suddenly getting hot enough to for the thread to start cutting, and then instantly cools..trapping the thread in molten plastic. I got there though.

I will glue the front hatch permenently open as I want to put a driver in there. Likewise the commanders hatch.

I have removed 99% of the standoffs in the hull as well, so that I can install an alloy base plate. I will then have a nice flat surface to mount the Elmod boards and receiver. Due to the suspension supports there is not a lot of room in there!

I have also started painting detail on the upper hull, so it is all coming along quite nicely.

[wibblywobbly]

The drivers hatch is now sorted. I cut it out and then added styrene to the inner surface, and then added a couple of latch handles, together with a hatch support arm. The driver is an HL Jagdpanther commander. I sanded his uniform off so that it looked like overalls, then cut and sanded the peak off his cap. A bit more sanding to round his head off a bit, and then painted the overalls a dirty khaki colour, and painted a leather helmet on. He looked ok, and as he is well hidden under the hatch the imperfections don't stand out all that much.

The Elmod Thinktank board is now firmly in place on standoffs, and I have tested the motors. So that all works. I may get a 9.6v Nimh battery and run it on that if the 7.2v one doesn't provide enough power (the WSN motors run on 9.6v), as the board will handle up to 12v safely.

My replacement barrel arrived courtesy of nwexplorer, so that went in using glue and jb weld.

I am awaiting a supply of paint and filler, plus the metal gears, so there isn't a lot more that I can do until they arrive.

[wibblywobbly]

I have had a thought about the IR mushroom. I should have cut the existing led's off and bought square surface mounted ones. Then I could have made the led's less visible. I may yet do this ( I have a thing about mushrooms!).

[Matdragon]

excellent work so far mate! i love what youve done with thread sawing it all out .. im no good at that

just a thought about the sensors, doesnt the cupola prevent the shots from that area ?

i know you have probably got every sussed but thought id say .. just in case

[Plastic scouser]

Nice work Rob, funny though I was expecting to see something like this (see pics) Your title should read T34/85

Cheers Ian

[wibblywobbly]

excellent work so far mate! i love what youve done with thread sawing it all out .. im no good at that

just a thought about the sensors, doesnt the cupola prevent the shots from that area ?

i know you have probably got every sussed but thought id say .. just in case

What do you mean "I am no good at that"?? When I mentioned that I may have to cut a hatch out at Cobbaton, you were the one that said "Oh, you can cut that out no problem" ????  >:(

As regards the shots, I aligned the led sensors front/back and left/right. Bearing in mind that the turret may or may not be turning when someone shoots at me I reckon its still going to detect a hit. I will test it once it is all up and running.

@ Ian...damn my typing I will try and amend that. 

[Matdragon]

yes i said that 'you' can cut it out no problem, but when i try... its a different story. lol.

the hatches on my pershing were cut out using a cut down hack saw

[BREL]

excellent work so far mate! i love what you've done with thread sawing it all out .. I'm no good at that

take your time Matt, like any other modeling job it becomes easier with practice