M1A1HA, 9/18/23 update. Delay of Game, two week penalty!

[BarryC]

First shot at engine and cooling exhaust armored vents.

After hogging out all the molded vents and grills I made replacements using brass sheet and strips. It worked reasonably well but I am not happy with the structural integrity. Considering when I back the tank into an immovable object and I surly will it has to be able to hold up!

I have decided to rebuild the main structural pieces as well as I am do not like the way the slats in the engine exhaust look. They are not wide enough and unsure if the angle is correct. I set the angle to match the slope of the upper section looked about right but I think the engine exhaust slats are different from those of the transmission and oil cooling exhaust.

All the slats are only laid in and explaining the crooked ones!

Barry

[greengiant]

You probably already have this pic the shows the slats but since you mentioned you thought they were different I post it anyway.

Its a V3 rear end but I think the rear vents are the same.

[BarryC]

Thanks GG, I do have that photo.

Here are the ones that are making me question angle.

[greengiant]

Your pics are much better. They do show how steeply downward those diverter panels are pitched on all three sections with the outer ones being steeper then the exhaust. When the covers are in place the steepness is pretty much hidden and they almost look just flat with no space between them when viewed straight on while the angle view does make it clear they have a steep downward pitch. When you think about it they must overlap each other a bit so anything fired at them doesn't just enter the engine bay so your thought of redoing yours is a correct one.
Looking forward to seeing how you fabricate those outer heavy "screen" covers.
If I did the detailing you are doing I'd be by this point in the build.

Keep up they good work

[BarryC]

Hi guys,

Well I have basically started over on the exhaust diverters. No matter how I tried to work/rework what I had I was not happy.

Though my method is the same my approach is different. I am going to slot the vertical pieces from back to front and use .5" widths as opposed to .25". This will close up the spaces between by causing a overlap as Greengiant noted.

I am still trying to determine the best angle for the diverters, to me the ones on the left and right "appear" to be at approximately the same angle as the top of the main rear armor. How ever in some photos the center diverters appear to be at a greater angle though in some photos they appear to be the same as the side ones. I a going to do the same with them and use .5" wide divertes which will help, I hope!

As for the "heavy screen" covers I think I've got that figured out. Going to cut the "slats" and solder an appropriate quantity into a stack and notch them to hold the vertical rods. The un-solder them and using a jig I'll make solder them together using silver solder. I will attach them basically like the real thing.

I really need to figure that out and create a good repeatable method as I want my next adventure to be: "Santa" brought me a Tamiya 2A6 and a Hooben T-55A for Christmas! Anyone know of a good method for making the Barracuda MCS matting?



Thoughts,
Barry

[BarryC]

Finally some "positive" progress on the exhaust deflectors.

[c.rainford73]

Wow they look great super job!

[greengiant]

Great improvement over your first attempt . Looks like you have this detail figured out. Really looking forward to seeing them with the grates over them .

[BarryC]

Thanks guys!!!

I hope to finish the other two sections this week then I may need to take a break before the grates and work on some other details like the hinges or tail lights.

Thanks for looking in!!
Barry

[c.rainford73]

Thanks guys!!!

I hope to finish the other two sections this week then I may need to take a break before the grates and work on some other details like the hinges or tail lights.

Thanks for looking in!!
Barry

Keep up the great work it looks awesome