Centurion AVLB (slow build)

[stillp]

Thanks Mike, looks a nice compressor. I'm still using the AS-186S that I bought from John 5 or 6 years ago. It's getting a bit tired now, takes longer to fill the tank than it used to and soen't hold the pressure in the tank for long when it's turned off (not that that matters).
I bought a cheap Aerograph/DeVilbiss compressor a while ago from Facebook, cheap because it leaked - I've fixed the leak (I think) so must try using it sometime. It's much quieter than the AS186.
Pete

[Scratchbuilder]

Update,
So at last the riveting has finished, the last section of the bridge is now jigged up and the strengthening plates are being installed to keep it square, will leave this for 24 hours to make sure there is no movement.
A bit more work done on the base with the colour of the 'grass' toned down and the 'Reeds' now in place - just got to seal the holes at their base with a drop of pva and then add the water and the flow effect.




The 'grass' actually looks darker in natural light, these pics were taken under the 'daylight' bench light.
More later.
Mike.

[JR]

Looking very nice Wibble , a lot of work gone into that without doubt.

Wobble

[Scratchbuilder]

Update,
So what happens when you get over confident and make a mistake that cannot be rectified.....????
I forgot the cardinal rule when pouring 'water' - MAKE SURE ALL THE GAPS ARE FILLED AROUND THE EDGES - I should have realised when putting pva around the stems of the Reeds to seal the holes that I should have made sure all of the edges around the 'river' section were also sealed - I forgot.
I left the mistake to hopefully dry out overnight, but in the morning it looked even worse. So into the airing cupboard it went - same result after 48 hours.

As you can see there is a sandy looking area on the river bead and the top of the 'water' is now a milky white. Not visible here are also air bubbles under the surface...

.... but can be seen in the close up pic. Luckily the model was not fixed to the base, so now it is just a case of a new main base, plus I will check out the Vallejo water effects to see if it will dry clear on a test sheet.
Thankfully I went out and bought some materials for a future build so can divert some of these to the new base.
More later.
Mike.

[scottie3158]

Mike,
I feel for you mate, I have done the same. Not sure why it has dried white but I don't use the Valleyo water . I am sure though that a man of your talents will get it sorted.

[Guest]

This is one of the reasons I never dared modelling deep water on a diorama, back when I built those … Too bad this is the “model” side, too … though it has me wondering if you could salvage most of it by cutting off the water and keeping most of the rest?

[stillp]

That's a shame.
Pete

[Scratchbuilder]

Mike,
I feel for you mate, I have done the same. Not sure why it has dried white but I don't use the Valleyo water . I am sure though that a man of your talents will get it sorted.

I think it was some water effect that I had used before and then left it on the shelf. I do have another unopened bottle and have taken a test drop out and left it overnight to see if it is ok to use. If not then an order will be sent out for more.

[Scratchbuilder]

This is one of the reasons I never dared modelling deep water on a diorama, back when I built those … Too bad this is the “model” side, too … though it has me wondering if you could salvage most of it by cutting off the water and keeping most of the rest?

Jakko,
I did think of that, but then weighed up the time it is going to take to rectify the damage compared to the time to construct another base, plus it will allow me to play with my new foam cutter.... Oh! us boys and our toys.....

[Scratchbuilder]

Update,
The new base is progressing well, just about to start cleaning up the filled joints and then a final sanding and into primer ready for the groundwork (foam) to be added.
Did a dry run on the bridge to make sure everything fitted and went where it should. Just got to add the guard rail and a couple of smaller details - a final check and then off to the primer shop... Here are some pics...

Notice - I even cleaned up the bench#2....

The 'U' shaped frames in the centre of the bridge sections, the nearest has been cemented in place on the right section with the far 'U' frame to be added to the left section, then the whole bridge will be as you see it now with the frames cemented to their opposite frames.

And yes, it does take the weight easily and with a set of Fruil tracks....

And a final pic with a figure to add scale....
More later
Cheers
Mike.

[Guest]

That’s coming along very well

[Andy the Sheep]

WOW!

[Graeme C.]

Just had a catch up, excellent work Mike.

[Scratchbuilder]

Update (no pics).
I finally joined both halves of the bridge together yesterday (Sat) and once the pins were through the locating holes I then loaded up the two 'U' frames with liquid cement and left them for about five hours to set. I then turned the bridge over and again loaded up the frames with liquid cement and left it all to dry overnight.
In the meantime I started construction on the diagonal brace and that will be fitted today, then a final check and hopefully I can put a coat of primer on.
Mike.

[Scratchbuilder]

Update,
Finally the build is complete apart from paint.
The final part to build was the cross brace. This was made from various bits and pieces to make up this part. To get the thread on the screw fittings I used a length of very fine wire found in ear plugs for a mobile phone - wrapped around the aluminium tube to get the diameter, this was then stretched and compressed to get the length of the thread...

The small chains came from a Voyager Challenger 2 set that was in the spares box...

And here it is in place.
As I said this build is now complete apart from paint. The next time I post it will be in the completed section.
Cheers and many thanks for keeping up with me and my slow build.
Mike.