Centurion AVLB (slow build)

[Steve Jones]

It looks solid Mike but will it be fragile to paint?

[Scratchbuilder]

It looks solid Mike but will it be fragile to paint?

Hello Steve,
The frame is really solid, and the hinge pins are doing their job. The plan :tired: is to build up a jig and turn the hull upside down and spray the underside first in both primer and top coat, then to paint the top side after. The actual fun will be adding the tracks, which I hope can be achieved while in the upside down position (the model, not me!!!). The launch arm can I hope be moved to allow spraying and of course the bridge itself will be a seperate item added after painting. I will of course refer to this answer when it comes time to add paint, as i am sure sheer panic will have set in by the time I reach the painting stage :upsider I will be well and truly in the oop:...... Cheers, Mike.

[Scratchbuilder]

Like the others have said Wibble fantastic work .
Sorry the back is playing you up , too much work on the car mate .Thanks for the email .
Take care .
Wobble

Email sent Wobble - Wibble.

[Graeme C.]

As everyone has said, superb scratch building there. :thumb2:

[Scratchbuilder]

Update,
On with the second part of the launch frame.....


Here you can see the frame and the knuckle joint for the ram in place along with the jig to give me the correct spacing and angle. The outer frame is basically a square except that the cross member at the right (top pic) and left (lower pic) is there to add strength and hold it square...


And here it is well on the way to completion, the ram has been made up with some of the detail added. This ram fits under the hull front lower glacis plate with the hinge points to the left and right at the end of the frame nearest the ram. The jig has been removed and is no further use as to remove it required it be cut in half, so if I mess up this one then it is back to square one and the padded room. More later.
Cheers
Mike.

[Panzerwrecker]

Some great scratchbuilding Michael. Top notch stuff :thumb2:

[Scratchbuilder]

Some great scratchbuilding Michael. Top notch stuff :thumb2:

Los, Thank you for the kind comment. Mike.

[Scratchbuilder]

Update,
The second part of the launch frame and ram are now just about finished except for the detailing and hydraulic pipes.



The ram is now attached to the lower glacis plate, but the rest of the frame can be taken apart for detailing and painting. The ram piston rods are plastic rod and have been covered with tin foil and attached with Microsol Tin Foil Adhesive, and are removeable again for painting. Now just waiting for the tube cutter to arrive and I can get on with cutting the brass tube for the launch frame wheels - and in the meantime it will be on with the launch arm itself... Now for a lay down and stretch out..... Mike.

[Jim R]

You're definitely getting the hang of this scratch building lark

The ram piston rods are plastic rod and have been covered with tin foil and attached with Microsol Tin Foil Adhesive,

Ordinary kitchen type foil?? I've not come across that Microsol Tin Foil Adhesive.
Interested to see how the tube cutter works.

[scottie3158]

Michael, simply excellent work.

[Neil Merryweather]

WTF:astonished:?

[Jack L]

And here’s me getting chuffed with myself for cutting two bits of plastic to the same length…

[Mickc1440]

A thing of beauty

[adt70hk]

Mike,

I can honestly say that this is up there with the very best scratch work I have ever seen.

Simply exceptional!!

Very well done.

Andrew

[Scratchbuilder]

You're definitely getting the hang of this scratch building lark

Ordinary kitchen type foil?? I've not come across that Microsol Tin Foil Adhesive.
Interested to see how the tube cutter works.

Hello Jim, Tube cutter worked fine, now have four rollers cut out and one thumb with a half moon cut in it, just the skin thankfully - never tyr to turn the tube by putting your thumb over the end and turning - it does not work.....

Michael, simply excellent work.

Scottie, Many thanks.

WTF:astonished:?

My comment every time I look at the drawings.....

And here’s me getting chuffed with myself for cutting two bits of plastic to the same length…

I still have that trouble Jack.

Mike,

I can honestly say that this is up there with the very best scratch work I have ever seen.

Simply exceptional!!

Very well done.

Andrew

Andrew, Many thanks for the support.