[D-Day] M32 ARV

[MrChef]

Eric you're doing some freaking awesome scratch work here dude.

Keep it up.

Anton

[Ecam]

I thank you! Not sure if I'm that cheap, crazy, like a challenge or I just like the creative process of scratch building.

These are 3 of the 7 reference pictures I am using;

[sassgrunt]

Hey Eric;

No, I hadn't started the M32B2 yet when you came over. I'd had an M3 Lee conversion that I wasn't satisfied with, and decided to turn it into an M31. Using the Tankograd book as a reference for that, I also became taken with the M32 and decided to build that at the same time. A lot of the parts for both vehicles came from Shapeways, (as I have neither the skillset nor the patience- or maybe it's masochism - to do the scratchbuilding of the parts that you do). And as far as that printed 81mm mortar goes, I bought it mostly because I couldn't figure out how to make a decent 3-hole base for the ball end of the mortar tube. (The real one had the baseplate cut down to just the three sockets, and was welded to the upper hull. Again - coward's way out).

[Ecam]

I do think the door at the hull 75 is cool on the M31.

[MonsieurTox]

Lovely mortar Eric!

[Ecam]

I may have to rework the legs. They are a bit too thick in my eye, but these were on hand materials. On to some welding...

[Ad Lav]

Cracking cheese Gromit!

That’s looking smart!

[Ecam]

You made me hungry and worried all in one three word sentence!

But thank you very much!

[Ecam]

Milliput welding pass one. I usually tool the soft milliput but I don't have an artistic hand. So after partial cure (or when I forget - fully cured) I go back and rework the more solid epoxy putty.



Then on to storage items, this will take more time than what I have done so far on the build.



I usually do the track pads like this. I cut the four links apart, drill out the pads and insert short pieces of wire for the studs. The one on the far right is one I had cast (but am currently out of the resin that is used).



This time I will attempt to use the "racked" pads to be used on the rear of the HL M4A3. Belt sander gets me down to the pads. The racked pads are thinner than the others so a .040 (1mm) strip is added to the bottom.

[Ecam]

Needed to make the return roller centers (bearings and cross mounts).



Worked on some sprocket rings, build only needs four and will pick from these. Started a couple track pads. Decided to make a solid rubber one just for grins.



Will have to lean on Mike for this one since he has the book I am about to order...
Near as I can tell the prototypes and early versions had the sprocket rings on the turret. Later versions were on the sides of the hull. So I'm leaning toward the arrangement below. Mike is that correct for D-Day?