Scale Model Shop

Collapse

Churchill AVLB #2

Collapse
X
 
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts
  • Scratchbuilder
    • Jul 2022
    • 2689

    #16
    Update,
    So as discussed earlier, here is my method of construction....
    Click image for larger version

Name:	20230813_101522_HDR.jpg
Views:	0
Size:	3.7 KB
ID:	1206846
    Right, that's enough of that... You are going to follow steps 1 and 2.
    Click image for larger version

Name:	20230813_101803_HDR.jpg
Views:	0
Size:	5.7 KB
ID:	1206847
    Here are the parts you will eventually require....
    Click image for larger version

Name:	20230813_101824_HDR.jpg
Views:	0
Size:	6.2 KB
ID:	1206848
    But these are the ones we will be working with to start us off...
    Click image for larger version

Name:	20230813_105411_HDR.jpg
Views:	0
Size:	5.1 KB
ID:	1206849
    And do not forget the springs....
    Click image for larger version

Name:	20230813_105521_HDR.jpg
Views:	0
Size:	5.0 KB
ID:	1206850
    If you have dodgy fingers and thumbs, then this is the method I use to seperate the springs - slide a knife blade between the two and then...
    Click image for larger version

Name:	20230813_105601_HDR.jpg
Views:	0
Size:	4.6 KB
ID:	1206851
    ... slide them apart. Saves all that grovelling on the floor looking for them.
    Click image for larger version

Name:	20230813_105913_HDR.jpg
Views:	0
Size:	5.8 KB
ID:	1206852
    The springs have been put over the inner spring and slotted into the half hole, they should stay there under tension untill you are ready to join the other half of the sponson for glueing..
    Click image for larger version

Name:	20230813_105956_HDR.jpg
Views:	0
Size:	5.2 KB
ID:	1206855
    Click image for larger version

Name:	20230813_113218_HDR.jpg
Views:	0
Size:	4.9 KB
ID:	1206856
    The main seam is glued, but with the top we do not want to glue the plastic 'spring' to the sponson, so a small amount of glue is put between the springs as shown above.
    Click image for larger version

Name:	20230813_110554_HDR.jpg
Views:	0
Size:	5.1 KB
ID:	1206857
    The axle holes are then turned ready for the axles.... (The drawings show them opposite way round)
    Click image for larger version

Name:	20230813_131111_HDR.jpg
Views:	0
Size:	5.6 KB
ID:	1206861
    OK. I did forget to photograph the assembly of the frames, I will do this with the next sponson.
    But here is the sequence.
    I first cemented the side frame to the sponson on the attachment points, which are small raised lines, in two places to make sure I had it correct. I left off the front frame untill I had completed the main frame.
    Two of the connecting plates (D17) were put in place to make sure the frame was at 90 degees.
    I then cemented the other half of the frame to the sponson and the two cross plates. The reason for this is that it now gives me a better and bigger part to hold.
    Once happy with the fit, cement was run along both joint lines.
    Next the cross plates were inserted inbetween the side frames one at a time, hel with tweezers and turned and fitted into the slots, now held with a finger and thumb on the outside of the frame while cement was run into the join. The the rest of the plates were positioned and glued.
    Once this was complete and the correct plates were in their correct positions, it was then time to insert the suspension arms.
    Making sure I had the correct arms for their correct position, I put one hole of the suspension arm into the frame location pin and with a little push the other hole slid into place on the other pin. Then it was a case of making sure the spring location was in the correct position. If not just a little push down on the spring and turn with a knife blade and the spring will rotate.
    Last of all push the wheel axle through the hole in the spring and the suspension arm, add a drop of cement into the hole in the opposite wheel and place on the axle. But beware there is a 'key' slot and 'key' on the wheels...
    Click image for larger version

Name:	20230813_131150_HDR.jpg
Views:	0
Size:	4.6 KB
ID:	1206866
    And that is my sequence of building the suspension.
    I will post pics of the frames a little later today.
    Time taken for one sponson was about 2 hours allowing for cutting off and cleaning parts.
    Mike.

    Comment

    • Guest

      #17
      I see your method of adding the springs and their guide rods is much the same as the one I went for, except I didn’t bother to glue the lower parts of the sponsons between the springs. It hadn’t even occurred to me to glue one frame to the sponson and then add the plates, though. Might just try that when I build another Churchill, instead of building the whole frames off the tank and only then glueing them to the sponsons.

      Comment

      • Scratchbuilder
        • Jul 2022
        • 2689

        #18
        Update to the update,
        Here are the pics I forgot to take, so you can match them into the above....
        Click image for larger version

Name:	20230813_171403_HDR.jpg
Views:	0
Size:	4.9 KB
ID:	1206874
        These are the slots for the cross plates, notice the difference..
        Click image for larger version

Name:	20230813_171507_HDR.jpg
Views:	0
Size:	4.8 KB
ID:	1206875
        Here you can see the raised lines on the raised plates that the springs sit on..
        Click image for larger version

Name:	20230813_171732_HDR.jpg
Views:	0
Size:	5.9 KB
ID:	1206876
        First frame tacked onto sponson and with two cross plates in position..
        Click image for larger version

Name:	20230813_172426_HDR.jpg
Views:	0
Size:	4.8 KB
ID:	1206877
        Click image for larger version

Name:	20230813_172452_HDR.jpg
Views:	0
Size:	4.7 KB
ID:	1206878
        Click image for larger version

Name:	20230813_173801_HDR.jpg
Views:	0
Size:	5.6 KB
ID:	1206879
        The difference between the cross plates front and back, also be carefull of the end frames, they are different..
        Click image for larger version

Name:	20230813_174625_HDR.jpg
Views:	0
Size:	5.7 KB
ID:	1206880
        All cross plates in position..
        Click image for larger version

Name:	20230813_174938_HDR.jpg
Views:	0
Size:	5.5 KB
ID:	1206881
        Now starting to add the suspension arms, first slot into the pin..
        Click image for larger version

Name:	20230813_175032_HDR.jpg
Views:	0
Size:	5.6 KB
ID:	1206882
        ... and then gently spread the frame and slot the other half onto the pin..
        Click image for larger version

Name:	20230813_175126_HDR.jpg
Views:	0
Size:	5.3 KB
ID:	1206883
        You will come across this problem - I used a drill shank of the same size to position the spring into place..
        Click image for larger version

Name:	20230813_175844_HDR.jpg
Views:	0
Size:	5.4 KB
ID:	1206884
        And there we are all done and ready for the wheels..
        Click image for larger version

Name:	20230813_182235_HDR.jpg
Views:	0
Size:	5.2 KB
ID:	1206885
        And finally - check for missing parts - only joking - this is what you are left with, they will be used for the spare wheel and suspension unit if you need it later in the build.
        Cheers
        Mike

        Comment

        • Neil Merryweather
          SMF Supporters
          • Dec 2018
          • 5199
          • London

          #19
          That's confirmed then; I'm NEVER going to build a 1/35 Churchill :tears-of-joy:

          Comment

          • Jim R
            SMF Supporters
            • Apr 2018
            • 15745
            • Jim
            • Shropshire

            #20
            Originally posted by Neil Merryweather
            That's confirmed then; I'm NEVER going to build a 1/35 Churchill :tears-of-joy:
            Sales of AFV Churchills have dropped. It does indeed look to be modelling not for the faint hearted.
            Very interesting though. I suppose you don't adapt a build sequence until you have tried the kit approach and found it wanting.

            Comment

            • JR
              • May 2015
              • 18273

              #21
              Wibble a very comprehensive guide indeed.

              Haven spoken to your psychiatrist I agree with him you are truly mad.
              Yours
              Wobble .

              Comment

              • Tim Marlow
                SMF Supporters
                • Apr 2018
                • 18932
                • Tim
                • Somerset UK

                #22
                Got to be said, you make that look easy Mike, and I’m absolutely sure it isn’t.

                Comment

                • Guest

                  #23
                  Originally posted by The Smythe Meister
                  I've got an old Tamiya Churchill that I'm looking forward to doing in the not too distant,do these suspension problems apply to that as well chaps?:thinking:
                  Like Mike said, that one is much simpler:

                  [ATTACH]488537[/ATTACH]

                  It has the suspension arms, springs and spring guides all moulded in one piece with the main sponson parts, so you just add the outside frame and a small bit on the inside, as well as the wheels, of course. By my count, it’s 46 fewer parts than the AFV Club equivalent — per side!

                  Originally posted by Tim Marlow
                  you make that look easy Mike, and I’m absolutely sure it isn’t.
                  It’s not actually that bad. The AFV Club parts fit well, they’re just a little fiddly to line up and you have to be a little careful with the glue if you want to keep them movable. As I’ve said before, I would not recommend AFV Club kits if you don’t have a fair number of models under your belt, but if you have, IMHO it’s nothing you can’t handle.

                  Comment

                  • Scratchbuilder
                    • Jul 2022
                    • 2689

                    #24
                    Originally posted by Neil Merryweather
                    That's confirmed then; I'm NEVER going to build a 1/35 Churchill :tears-of-joy:
                    Come on in and sweat like the rest of us....:cold-sweat:

                    Comment

                    • Scratchbuilder
                      • Jul 2022
                      • 2689

                      #25
                      Originally posted by Jim R
                      Sales of AFV Churchills have dropped. It does indeed look to be modelling not for the faint hearted.
                      Very interesting though. I suppose you don't adapt a build sequence until you have tried the kit approach and found it wanting.
                      Jim, once you get started it becomes really easy, it is just that initial shock of trying to follow the instructions and get things lined up. That was my downfall on the first one, then I devised my own method.

                      Comment

                      • Scratchbuilder
                        • Jul 2022
                        • 2689

                        #26
                        Originally posted by John Race
                        Wibble a very comprehensive guide indeed.

                        Haven spoken to your psychiatrist I agree with him you are truly mad.
                        Yours
                        Wobble .
                        Wobble,

                        I am the only sane one on here and I have the paperwork to prove it, just let me unroll a few pages/sheets for you....

                        Wibble

                        Comment

                        • Scratchbuilder
                          • Jul 2022
                          • 2689

                          #27
                          Originally posted by Tim Marlow
                          Got to be said, you make that look easy Mike, and I’m absolutely sure it isn’t.
                          If you follow Jakko or my idea for assembly, you will find it a lot easier and less of a fiddle.

                          Comment

                          • Scratchbuilder
                            • Jul 2022
                            • 2689

                            #28
                            Update,
                            Been working away in the background, the sponsons are now joined to the rest of the structure.
                            The kit turret ring has been removed and the new turret plate installed, the few gaps have been filled and the rivets have been replaced, also the vision block at the side has been cleaned up ready for the vision blocks to be added....
                            Click image for larger version

Name:	20230817_143313_HDR.jpg
Views:	0
Size:	5.4 KB
ID:	1207098
                            The left and right 'A' frame has been fitted and the new vision block to replace the bow m/g...
                            Click image for larger version

Name:	20230817_143250_HDR.jpg
Views:	0
Size:	5.6 KB
ID:	1207099
                            Click image for larger version

Name:	20230817_143259_HDR.jpg
Views:	0
Size:	5.6 KB
ID:	1207100
                            And that is it for now, more later.
                            Cheers
                            Mike.

                            Comment

                            • JR
                              • May 2015
                              • 18273

                              #29
                              Wibble that is stunning, envy your skill in building.
                              Wobble.

                              Comment

                              • Scratchbuilder
                                • Jul 2022
                                • 2689

                                #30
                                Originally posted by John Race
                                Wibble that is stunning, envy your skill in building.
                                Wobble.
                                Wobble,
                                Many thanks for the kind words.
                                Wibble.

                                Comment

                                Working...