"what might have been" (rebuild)

[fleshpedler]

Hi boys here goes as there are a number of pics ,
i think the best course of action is some writing and some pics at a time ,bear with me as this will take a few days to complete.
Here goes ,take one 35year old sherman bearing in mind that the very early tanks did not have any of the stowage  and turret
top fittings no track covers retaining pieces on working lights,on DMD or MF or turret turning and elevation apparatus other than
using your hands  basic is not the word,..................
After 30 years i brought a hop-up part that would make the turret go round and i am still using that part ,as it is yes a liitle too big but a lot stronger than than what is used now.
Next as i have moved so many times in recent years i have lost the spare gear that could have driven the tank with aDMD,
so out came the gearbox ,sawn off side panels making  usless for they other project.
These side pieces are then rescrewed to tank hull and give extra support to the new gearboxes as they have a brass bush to support the
final drive shaft.

[fleshpedler]

As the pics a large please view with number underneath,next to make more room in the tank  i made the speaker box as shallow
as possible so as to allow me to fit DMD unit underneath the speaker unit this also gives room to allow you to fit
the radio receiver ,then the MF unit can stand on it,s side next to the turret gearbox.
The barrel was replaced with a home made 17 pounder  that was as it turned out not that far off the
ally replacement one from( Hong Kong).

[fleshpedler]

As making the speaker box less deep this would normally take away some of the sound,
but as Matt can confirm its still very noisy, and to help that end a decided to open up the rear engine bay door on the rear deck,
the difference between closed and open is astounding.
Also on this pic you will see that i have added the chain to the fuel filler caps and that new hinges have only temporary
pins to support them ,correct pins will be added later this also applies to the turret hatches.

[tiger205]

some good work there fleshy, i like the home made barrel,  as you say its not that far off the replacement one

            Tony

[grompix]

Looking good Pete.

Like the idea of opening the rear doors. I might give that a try on one of my shermans.

I altered the old clutch gearbox on my VVSS Sherman to make it work with the two motors running separately. I cut off the clutches and removed the centre gearwheel. Then I moved the motors further down so they engaged with the large gears behind each clutch. I needed to cut slots in the metal frame to do this but they work a treat.

So don't throw away your old clutch unit Pete, you might find a use for it in another project. 

Cheers
Chris 

[fleshpedler]

Thanks tony ,this is takening a little longer than i first tought, but i must soldier on,
next the turret itself, only the cupola would open as a working hatch so it was not to had to removethe
mouldings with my homemade tool, that is a small flat head screwdriver sharpened and used like a chisel.
Have since bought a missson models micro chisel,but both will do the job.
As at the time i did not have any working drawings all the upper works on the turret have been taken from pics,
and i think they came out well.
The work as you can see is plastic card ,strip, and rod ,the cupola it,self was cut down and is not the replacement one that now is available,the cheek armour added nothing more than thick plastic card warmed and slightly bent, finished off with millput, gone for a
spot of lunch now, see you soon Flesh...................................

[fleshpedler]

Thats better now off we go again, where were we o yes,the support for the track guards made from small u tubing,
a thin plastic strip glued and milliput added to the side of the tank by the track guards,
these are better viewed by looking at Wights sherman pics(hope you do not mind mate as i did not wish to upset anybody).
The light guards one is made from beaten copper wire this works well being softer than brass but be warned to much banging in one spot will make it curl round (you all should try it because it will at some stage come in handy).
One thinned down leaveing it strong but not too over scale, likewise for the horn  guard .
the lights are just plastic and so are just painted with chrome  paint X11 also the rear lights the small slits with clear red acrylic X27,
those rear light guards from copper ,the tool fittings a direct copy from photos and Wight,s build (thanks Wight),
the front light capsule and chain from brass tube, plastic rod and fine chain available from Scale Link, the smallest is 32 links per inch
which is what is being used here.
Ah this second piccy is what a number of you have been wanting for yes!
The casting numbers at last lads a source for these items 

[fleshpedler]

Calm down it,s only an advert dear, unquote.
These little chaps are from the railway boys Slater,s finescale railway componets
and can be found on the Hobby site under plastic, then plastic alphbets,
the 1mm and the1.5mm are discontinued ,
so my small turret castings are the 2mm size the foundery code is made up of 5mm with 2mm in the middle
and the number on the front of the tank are 3mm size, i bet some of you are happy now.
Sorry off to work now will post more this evening after 10.00pm
Pete.....................................

[tankman]

Pete that is looking DAMM good. Great build a lot of work and time are going into that Sherman. All the best for now
Alan

[fleshpedler]

Sorry too late to continue tonight will do more tomorrow.
Pete....................................