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

[BarryC]

Started working on reshaping the hinges for the exhaust deflectors. I considered making them out of brass but I think the reshaped plastic kit pieces will work.

Your thoughts?

TIA,
Barry

[HERMAN BIX]

I reckon there is not going to be a single thing missed on this

[BarryC]

I reckon there is not going to be a single thing missed on this

Hi Herman,

There will be things missing but hoping that there is enough that is not that those that are will be "easily" overlooked!

Barry

[HERMAN BIX]

I bet there's not

[BarryC]

I bet there's not

[BarryC]

A few (well maybe more) words to describe what I’ve accomplished since last update, it’s been a while and I’ve been busy at it. If it isn’t HL green then I have fabricated, added to or modified it to match photos.

Exhaust Deflectors and Grills finished except for mounting the grills. I have decided (just about) to drill and tap the mounting “tabs” and attach the grills using small bolts.









Deflector Housing Hinges completed and epoxied into place. They will receive hinge pins later during final detailing. I drilled one hole through hinge and brass on each of the two lower hinges where they attach to deflector housing. I inserted a .019” brass pin to strengthen the attachment at that point.



continued......

[BarryC]

continuation......

I have added the styrene to either side of and below the deflector housings to match photos of the actual machine. All of this is missing from the rear of the HL piece. This included adding styrene to reshape the lower left & right angled sides of the rear plate.







Removed the molded on plastic Lower Fixed Deflector Shield then added one fabricated from brass. This includes the bolt through attachment plates that secure the deflector housing in the closed position. I added corresponding brass plates to the bottom of the deflector housings.





I replaced the Lower Tow Lugs with more accurate pieces carved from styrene. I also reshaped my Pental Hook to better fit and match photos, still more detail work to be done to it.





continued........

[c.rainford73]

Barry looking absolutely stunning

[BarryC]

continuation......

I reshaped the two main Lift Ring/Upper Hinge pieces, mainly creating the “V” shape between the lift eye and the hinge. There is also a subtle reshaping to the upper edge between the end of the read deck and the actual lift ring.



]

I removed the molded on Upper Alignment/Closure Pieces that cover the gap between the upper engine deck as well as between the left and right sections of the deflector housings. This includes the two rectangular L & R, Upper Lock pieces just inside the large lift rings. They will be slotted with bolts and washer details.

[BarryC]

continuation......

I fabricated new Tail Light Housing and mounts from 5/8” and 9/16” brass tubing. These were a little tricky as one end was square to the tube wall while the other was angled to account for the angle of the rear plate.







After freeing the plastic tail lights assemblies from their “plastic tomb” I began reworking them to photos. The right-hand light has the new upper lens retainer filed from brass sheet. Not sure if I will use it as a template and make them from styrene or make another from brass. I also must add the red tactical tail light the white convoy positioning light below the upper lens. I am still trying to determine how these operate and how to illuminate them separate from the upper tail/brake light.



Once I finish the tail lights and the shielded electrical conduit to the right one I will have to fabricate the Tank Infantry Phone (TIP) Box. It attaches lower and between the Tail Light and the Deflector Housing on the right hand side with a conduit shield to the tail light conduit.



Thanks for looking in!
Barry