Comet-ed

[Andy T]

Four!

Now that would make a really interesting diorama... :thinking:
:tears-of-joy:

[Jim R]

Always a good feeling to get the tracks made up and know they fit.

[PaulinKendal]

Cheers Paul, it came in handy for this bit too.

This afternoon was wheels & tracks. It's a job I despise and I'd probably build more tanks if it wasn't for this stage, but there we go. I was really pleased to get it out of the way but then realised I've got it all to do again on the other one :worried: I don't know how others approach link & length tracks, but since I took pictures I might as well share how I do them.

After the wheels & rollers were built I cemented them to the suspension with the merest dab of TET, just enough to hold them in place. Note how one of the return rollers has an alignment pin to make it impossible to get the tracks in the wrong place & direction.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]n1200179[/ATTACH]

Tamiya provide a template for laying the track pieces out but in the past I found it hard to build them on their sides like that, and it left room for user error, so instead I put the pieces in order on a strip of masking tape and lightly cemented the joints. 19 pieces here.




[ATTACH=CONFIG]n1200180[/ATTACH]

After a few minutes, once the glue had started to take effect but was still pliable, I wrapped the lot around the wheels, adding the lower section too. Once it was all in place I went round the outer edges of each joint with more cement, taking care not to stick the links to any wheels.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]n1200181[/ATTACH]

I left this for half an hour while I went and had something to eat (chicken fajita wraps washed down with a fruity little red. Yummy )

The tracks had hardened up by this time so I carefully removed them. The minimal cement on the wheels meant I could just rotate them to crack 'em free, and everything slid off nicely. I then went around the track joints once again with TET and will leave the tape on overnight.

I'll then be left with everything in separate pieces which should help with the painting. I'll no doubt add a bit of damage to the rubber tyres before I get to that stage.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]n1200183[/ATTACH]

I'm probably teaching many of you to suck eggs, but if my method helps just one person out it'll be worth the typing.

I don't build tanks, but if I ever did - this is ingenious!

[The Smythe Meister]

I don't build tanks, but if I ever did - this is ingenious!

..... go on Paul,try one....
..... you never know,you might enjoy it !!

[Andy T]

Always a good feeling to get the tracks made up and know they fit.

Shame I have another set to do on the next one.

I don't build tanks, but if I ever did - this is ingenious!

Cheers Paul, I try and avoid them when I can.

I don't mind sanding 4, 6, or 8 wheels but 40 is a bit much lol. Some have many more!

[Andy T]

A few more bits done this afternoon like the side skirts and some storage boxes, but the main task was the tow ropes.

Out of the box the tow ropes are moulded complete with their mounting brackets. Ideal if you're portraying them as normal, but if this vehicle is being towed it wouldn't quite make sense!



So after a bit of chopping, scraping and sanding we had one of these:



Along with filling the mounting holes (I'd missed one in this shot) it looks pretty presentable



And with most of the other bits & bobs that go in this area (sorry about the glare)

[scottie3158]

Nice work

[Valeron]

I'm late to the party Andy. Looking forward to seeing this one develop.

Mike

[Andy T]

Thanks Paul.

Good to have you along Mike. There's no rush, I think this will be a lengthy one.

[The Smythe Meister]

Yep, looking pretty hunky dory to me.

[Andy T]

Cheers Andy.

Hull is finished and I'm on with the turret now. Might have it built by the end of the day, depending how long I nap for... :smiling5:

[Jack L]

Looks good Andy, Even if not being towed, two lots of identically laid out tow lines probably wouldn’t have looked right!

[Andy T]

Thanks Jack.

I've also left the tools off for now for a similar reason. I'm sure someone would have grabbed a shovel or something in the chaos.

[Andy T]

T
Apart from the tools assembly is complete on the first one, all broken down ready for the wet stuff. I've left the hatches and their liners separate until I decide what's going where.



The barrel has a hole through it which serves no purpose but perfectly fits a Mark 1 toothpick. I'd love to think someone at Tamiya designed it like that!



Time to crack open the next one!


As a bit of advice, what other vehicles would be suitable for this scene if I decide to add them? I know the Comet was very late war so not sure if a Universal Carrier or some kind of armoured car would be a good fit? Nothing too large like another tank, but something extra to fill the space and assist in the efforts.

A Dingo?

Thanks.

[outrunner]

Andy, Gecko do a nice Daimler armoured car in 1/35 but after the wee Bedford water tanker you might not fancy another Gecko kit.

Andy