My Walker Bulldog

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Hi just thought I would post a few pictures of a M41 Walker Bulldog that I am doing for my nephew Sam. Its not based on any particular tank or version.

What I have noticed about the Heng Long M41 is that the plastic hand rails on the turret have a tendency to snap off and so does the cover for the commander periscope so this is what I did.

I first disassembled the tank by removing the tracks, lower hull, upper hull, etc. Now I removed the hand rails that haven't yet snapped off and made some replacement ones from some copper wire I had knocking around. To a line the rails vertically I found taping ice lolly stick to the side of the turret and then super gluing the rails into pre-drilled holes, taking care not to get any glue on the ice lolly sticks. After a few minutes I removed the sticks and tape.

Hand Rails

Hand Rails

The periscope cover was a bit more difficult. I decided not to use a plastic replacement that I managed to get hold of, but to use it as a template. I found some pressed metal from an old CD drive mount which was roughly the right thickness. Then I measured the plastic cover and transferred it to the metal, cut it out and bent to shape.

Pressed Metal

Plastic and Metal Covers

Cover Fitted

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Looking at the 0.5 Cal machine gun you might notice that the ammo box is in the wrong place on the gun.

To change this I separated the box from the gun and drilled two small holes into the body of gun so the plug on the ammo box would fit in ensuring it lines up correctly with the feed tray on the gun and glued them together.

I then made a cocking handle for the gun from copper wire bent to shape a cocktail stick cut to size.

[Reaper332]

Great Mate keep the pics coming

Cheers Ken

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Next I decided to add a metal basket to the turret made from brass. I bought a length of brass rod from my local model shop, cut it and bent it to shape using a small pipe bender. This was the first time I have tried doing this and I found it quite easy. I taped the two bent rods on a piece of wood to hold them steady and soldered the up rights in place. To add strength I also soldered a flat piece of brass to add a base.

I marked on the turret where I was going to fix the basket, drilled and super glued in place.

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My other addition to the turret was to add two extra jerry cans to the rear storage bin. All I did was remove the mounded on tools, then fill any holes and sand flat. The extra jerry cans I got from a turret I got off ebay for a few pounds. I removed the extra cans from the extra turret and tidied them up a bit and stuck them to the rear of the storage bin.

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I also made I roll of cam net made from net curtain my wife got from Ikea. I cut a piece off and rolled it to shape. Then I used two strips of aluminium cut from a drinks can as the straps. I also inserted I piece of wire to help it keep its shape then using a brush and watered down PVA I just painted it on and left it over night to dry. Once dry I removed the wire and it just needs painting.

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I decided to change the tool tray by removing the tool mounts just leaving a frame.

Using thin copper wire which I got by stripping down some spare electric cable, I braided a few strands together using a hand drill. I then measured, cut to size and soldered together to produce a grid and stuck it in the frame.

Now I can easily add tools etc later on or just leave it empty.

I also made an exhaust hose from net curtain wire with wire inserted to help keep its shape. I copied the exhaust hose idea from one of the forums from this site but I can't remember where I'm afraid but its an excellent idea!

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I didn't change much on the electric's except for a bit of tidying up. I inserted a choc block to connect the wires for the turret to the upper hull and also I changed the antenna (I have posted how to do on my tiger build "My First Tiger and Still Upgrading" at http://www.rctankwarfare.co.uk/forums/v ... =22&t=9036).

Upper Hull

Lower Hull

Antenna

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After filling and rubbing down the painting can start. All the paints I use are acrylics are made by Vallejo and I also use Johnsons floor polish. First is the priming and preshading.

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With that done came the base coat, floor polish and decals. The Stars on the sides of the turret were bought and the rest were home made.