So, the Jack Daniels took the edge off, sport on the big screen put me in a better mood and life was beutifull as they say.
Looked at the poor hulk with remorse & went to bed.
Got back into it as soon as the time allowed. Had a win on the hatch removal & got the MG port back to a point it will take a bead mg port without to much evidence of the die -grinder carnage. Just need to put a coat of tamiya putty across the drivers roof to reduce the craft knife gouge & imperfections left by getting that glue off.
I'm expecting a courier delivery tomorrow with some 'pimp' parts so that will get my focus back on track.
The courier cometh, and the world rejoices
Amazing how a small carboard box can provide such simple happiness...........well, the contents anyway.
My patient and understanding wife bounded up to me when I got home & presented the box like a peace offering to the gods of "pissed-off"
The frustration of the weekend is now behind me.................
Steel roadwheels with removable tyres, steel suspension arms, replacement steel idler wheels, a new cupola(prety sure the HL glue loony will ensure that was a good call)metal spare hull track section, and the JagdKatze black steel gearboxes.
Got final drive bolt armour sections and some other fruit to come, but its all arriving with much anticipation like the stripper at your stag - do.
Back from the field with a weekend ahead. No Rugby for the boy due to a bye, so its on for me !
Had another delivery of goodies , and cant wait to get on with things.
the mission is to have the turret and hull upper fitted out pre paint by Monday...... but lets see how that goes I reckon.
Got the steel suspension arms on, set up the oil splash cover over the transmission with holes for ongoing lubrication through the front hatches.
Removed the stock spare track links from the hull and filled in the holes.
Drilled the MG ball and set in the weapon. 'Gin'd" around with the concept of making it fully oscillating , but just ran out of good ideas to see it through. This time its going to be set firm.
Fitted the metal headlights & soldered all connections.
Fitted the new aerial base, but I still have to remove the stock one from the rear hull.
Spent a while filing the mould release dots off the metal spare track links for the hull. They will be weathered I'm sure so no need to be too fussy.
Set the new aerial base in with super glue & putty over the top.
Metal trans covers fitted up spot on and will accept weld lines without to much hassle.
Cheers mate.............believe it or not the cover is made out of a chinese takeaway container lid !!
Cut a clearance slot for the motor cables to run, and a hole for the front upper hull locator to secure it once all the sections are reinstated. I put small holes in each over the main drive gears at the highest point so the gear sets can be lubricate as required from the hatches.
I think the benefit of reducing the oil spray area inside the tank will outweigh the possible heat increase, but I will be paying close attention to both once he starts rolling in anger so to speak.
Using the right compund will of course make a huge difference.
Tomorrows mission is smoker tube relaocation & upper hull predetailing.
My Super Rugby team plays tonight in South Africa at 0100hrs, so tomorrow may be a late start
gidday team, I was right to predict a late start. My lot won, and well, but the late start was even more delayed by the dreaded visit from................"The Familly - in -law"
After discovering that its apparently rude to carry on 'tanking' when there is familly over, I was the charming but distracted host-in-law. Thats what I get with a cute 21month old in the house.
Once they had departed, back to the mission.
Basically sanded off all the putty, and tidied up the feifal canisters. Set the MG in place - fixed unfortunately, and secured the new metal hatches. Drilled out the filter bungs as per picture. Will add chains later as despite not being clear in the picture, would most likely have been in place.
The smoker pipe work turned into a hassle as the stock exhausts and cyano-glued tube fittings on the smoke unit combined to make it just not worth the fight.
Sliced the mudguards into individual sections (to be deformed later) and secured the wiring to the upper hull.
Well behind the desired schedule but such is life.
Forward plan is to assemble the hull sections & add the weld seam material.
Hermann hi, the answer to the overuse of glue by Heng Long/Taigen/Torro is a product called ZAP7, it is readily available in the UK but whether you can get in in Australia I do not know, when you apply it give it a minute then start to manipulate the part to be removed GENTLY!!! It has never failed me, I remember the warnings about removing the Glacis from my Tiger 1, the first thing to know is that it is double skinned, remove the two retaining screws then apply the debonder around those screw holes which is where most of the glue will be found then a thin blade should be put down the back of the glacis with another thin blade under the bottom centre of the glacis, work the bottom blade so that you are lifting the glacis above any obstructions at the same time easing the other blade GENTLY backwards and forwards, it should come away cleanly, of course you must remove the hull m/g first. ZAP 7 is what I use when I first get a Tank and begin stripping it down, Do remember to clean it off when you have finished with it, there are other debonders around but they are used to separate your fingers and other bits of you that get glued together! I go along with Cupoftea about reading up on German armour as I know you do, research adds to the build and is well worth while. shaun
but lets see how that goes I reckon.
