Scratchbuilt Churchill Mk.IV AVRE SBG

[Herr Dr. Professor]

MonsieurTox, as I was amazed again, I went back to read your first entry on your Churchill Mk.IV AVRE. Ah yes, you "took about 450 pics of it and then recreate it in 3D using photogrammetry." You are in the modeling stratosphere.

[MonsieurTox]

MonsieurTox, as I was amazed again, I went back to read your first entry on your Churchill Mk.IV AVRE. Ah yes, you "took about 450 pics of it and then recreate it in 3D using photogrammetry." You are in the modeling stratosphere.

Thank you Herr Dr. Professor!

I've started to work on the frame supporting the winch that goes on the engine deck of the Churchill AVRE. Made it out of plastic and it became obvious it wouldn't be rigid enough to support the heavy weight of the bridge so I have ordered brass (C channels, Tees etc) to build a stronger frame. More to come soon!

[Kaczor]

This is one of the most impressive builds on this forum.

[Rad_Schuhart]

Jesus, how come it took me a year to find this thread? Mega impressed with your work, and man, you applied my stencils better than me, congratulations!

[MonsieurTox]

This is one of the most impressive builds on this forum.

Thank you Kaczor !

Jesus, how come it took me a year to find this thread? Mega impressed with your work, and man, you applied my stencils better than me, congratulations!

Thanks Rad ! Your masks are awesome, look how the bull insignia came out ! I know I put your machine to the limit and that I've been very picky but in the end it paid off ! Thanks again mate, it would have not happened without your skills and patience !

[MonsieurTox]

Some more progress on the SBG part of this project !

I built some time ago (a long time ago actually) the rear frame that carry the winch for the bridge in styrene.

churchill215.jpg (943.59 KiB) Viewed 1968 times

While it was quite rigid I knew it would not hold the weight of the bridge so I decided to make it in brass. Luckily I found brass profiles that have the right measurements (down to 0.5mm, it's OK). So I ordered all what I need something like 10 months ago and... put everything on the shelf.

3 days ago I decided it was time to give it a try now my soldering skills have improved. I initially thought about cutting the brass parts with the bandsaw and the mill then I remembered I had used a small cutting tool from Proxxon on a commercial I worked on. I ordered it and received it yesterday. I finally was able to cut and start assembling the frame !

The parts are cut, I printed the plan I made at full size for reference. There are not a lot of trusty ressources regarding the frame, fortunatly I found 2 good quality WWII pics showing the frame (one is a close up), unfortunatly no good pic of the winch itself.

churchill213.jpg (1.81 MiB) Viewed 1968 times

The Proxxon really helped to get consistent parts. I bought it with another project in mind, a Churchill MKVII Crocodile. I cut every wheel axles, bushing etc on my lathe for my MKIV and it took forever ! Now I can speed up the process.

churchill214.jpg (1.97 MiB) Viewed 1968 times

The new frame, still a lot of work but the basic job is done :

churchill216.jpg (1.11 MiB) Viewed 1968 times

churchill217.jpg (1.01 MiB) Viewed 1968 times

I'm not sure yet what to use for the winch, a servo winch or one of the small geared motor I bought from Aliexpress. Not sure if they could handle the job. The bridge itself is going to be heavy.

Ah yeah, I'll be able to cut the wook planks with my new Proxxon too ! Great !

[Abe Froman]

This is building to a WHOLE NEW LEVEL. Insane modelling, rendering, printing, design skills.

I would bow down before you but with my knees i might not get up again so i will just doff my cap and offer and hearty CHAPPEAU!

Truly staggering work. Thanks for sharing.

[MonsieurTox]

This is building to a WHOLE NEW LEVEL. Insane modelling, rendering, printing, design skills.

I would bow down before you but with my knees i might not get up again so i will just doff my cap and offer and hearty CHAPPEAU!

Truly staggering work. Thanks for sharing.

Thank you very much for your kind words.
I'm sorry for your knees, I have some knee issues too

The Churchill is really a fav of mine so I spent a lot of time on research, planing, 3d modeling, finding real Churchill... Actually I spent much more time that I was expecting but I don't regret it!

[MonsieurTox]

Some updates on the bridge!

I was not able to find small wood planks I wanted so I bought regular size modeling planks (100cmx10cm). I discarded balsa wood because it would have been too soft for the weight and metal tracks of the Churchill. Not sure what wood I bought, but it's quite hard and with a bit of weathering will look nice.

I cut each individual plank by hand with a Japanese saw.

IMG_20250308_213534.jpg (2.32 MiB) Viewed 1680 times

IMG_20250308_213547.jpg (1.84 MiB) Viewed 1680 times

There were quite a lot of planks to cut. It took me about 7 hours to cut them all. They are 16.4mmx75mm.

IMG_20250308_213606.jpg (1.41 MiB) Viewed 1680 times

They were then assembled by section of 3 planks like the real ones.

IMG_20250308_213714.jpg (1.07 MiB) Viewed 1680 times

Loosely put in place for the pics :

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IMG_20250308_213704.jpg (1.99 MiB) Viewed 1680 times

[MonsieurTox]

First test with the bridge attached

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