1/16 Centurion Tank in Paper

[flyjoe180]

Wow, stunning work

[Guest]

quick update...more stuff coming

this past month has been busy

and just got back from paper model convention

so not much progress on the Tank.

stay tuned

[Guest]

Excellent work

[Guest]

Superb stuff as usual.

Can I just point out that you seem to have overlooked the Aux. Generator exhaust on the left hand side.

It is under the main exhaust outlet pipe and exits through a notch cut out of the protective plate at the end near the main silencer.

Keep up the good work. Loving it

[Guest]

Nope, nothing overlooked.

I think you'll find a lot of details missing at this point.

Right now I am focused on the biggest and most important stuff.

A lot of stuff will be left to the end,

and things that need to go in early I will come back to, before I get too far.

I have photos of the small exhaust for reference and I will eventually

get around to putting it in place.

And yes, there are some things that I will not bother with. Details that I will

leave up to each builder. For example, I did not understand where the exhaust

pipes ran inside the engine bay and at first I created a simple pipe that is almost

hidden at the back of the engine.

Now that the external exhaust is in place I have decided to omit the pipes completely

since it will require some redesign of engine bay parts. *Detailing the engine bay was

a late decision and I didn't want to get too carried away with details and accuracy. So

its not worth it for me to start redesigning just for a hidden exhaust pipe.

[Guest]

The builder can things like that if they feel the need.

Any idea of what the price of the end product will be, or is too early to know/

[Guest]

I basically design and sell only digital kits*.

*In case you aren't familiar, a digital paper model kit comes as a PDF.

You get a Cover Page, and sometimes there are information pages.

And you get Instruction and Assembly Diagram pages, and Parts pages.

You print the Parts pages yourself, using your Home PC Printer.

You can also print the other pages or just refer to them on your PC.

Some guys will take the files to a local Print/Copy shop for better quality printing

or special papers/cardstocks.

This kit will be on par with my Autocar model so it will probably be around $12

http://papermodelshop.com/html/military_vehicle.html

[Guest]

Centurion Tank has been on a temporary hold.

I feel like I am a little burned out on the project.

After breaking for a Paper Modelers Convention in October, I had difficulty getting restarted.

I've tried to work on the Instruction pages (which is the first thing I must catch

up on) but that was just frustrating and so I stopped.

I decided to leave the tank alone until I found the motivation to get back into it.

What with Xmas and real life issues, modeling took a back seat.

I have tried a few smaller projects to help me get going again, and to keep

my mind off the Centurion...because it seems to just depress me. lol

My biggest issue was the Instruction pages...I was trying to keep up with them

as I was working on the design of the Tank last year, but I got way behind.

And I really didn't want to go any further until I was caught up with that.

Finally, a few days ago, I got started!...I have completed the main parts of

pages 7, 8 and 9 and I am now on to page 10. So this should allow me to

start designing more parts.

In fact, to complete the latest Instruction diagrams, I had to finish a couple of parts.

There has always been a question of exactly what version of Centurion I may offer.

I'm referring to the Mark.

The plan was a Mark 5...but not knowing much about these tanks, I was not up

on what the differences are.

Many people like, and want the big 105mm gun.

But the L7 gun change didn't happen until later Mark 5 tanks.

But the later Marks (5/1 and 5/2) also have other modifications like the

extra armour plate on the front Glacis...

So, I decided to offer everything in the same kit, regardless of the livery/nationality.

The kit will come with the Mk 5.0 'A' Barrell 84mm gun...the extra armour plate and related parts

for the Mark 5.1...and the 'B' Barrel 105mm gun for the Mark 5.2.

Extra Glacis armour plate shown here:

50 cal Coaxial MG for the Mark 5.0 (removed for the 'B' Barrel) shown here:

[Guest]

And work continues...this is good...

Been sorting out these Storage boxes that go on the sides of the Turret

and create the distinctive Centurion Turret look we are all used to.

Was actually a bit tricky getting all the angles right.

And I am still a little off with the left side split boxes.

The Turret looks symmetrical, but its not.

And the left side has a Pistol Port.

Designing the one larger box was quite easy.

The two smaller boxes were a challenge.

I also experimented with opening versus non-opening containers.

And variations on the lid assemblies.

In the end I went with the simplest design, fixed lids, fewest parts.

An experienced modeller should have no problem making modifications

if they want functioning lids...although it will require adding an interior to

each container...or colouring the insides.

There are lots of metal wire handles all over the Turret and storage boxes.

They are used mainly (I think) as attachments for tie down straps.

The storage boxes have canvas straps to secure them properly.

Adding some straps wasn't hard, but all those metal loops are just too small

so I resorted to artwork on flat surfaces, and some 3D artwork on things

like the canvas straps.

[Ian M]

Good to see you back at it. It is a most impressive project!

Ian M

[flyjoe180]

It is truly impressive, look forward to more soon.

[Guest]

Good to see you back with this one.

Looking great so far.

[Guest]

...small update...

I think its time to start working on some of the surface details...

the final things (other than the Track) to finish this project.

Things like:

-bracketry and small attachments on the front glacis.

-the attachments on the Turret sides.

-all the upper hatches and top details.

-all the surface items on the rear plate

There are a lot of little brackets and attachment points for different items.

I am going to try to concentrate on the largest surface details first.

I'll do all the really small stuff at the end.

Starting at the rear...

I created the Air Deflector...at least I think thats what it is? It mounts below where the

rear Transmission compartment is vented. And it covers part of the Tow mounting.

The main rear Tow Hook is mounted to a large dampening spring.

Building the spring was simple enough, with plenty of layers.

There are about 7 leafs, each made of two layers of card, and then bound by clamping strips.

The Hook pictured here has been changed to a larger version that better matches my reference.

Everything is flat mounted to the rear plate, so its all simple installation.

A couple of tricky little flat iron brackets to make, but nothing too difficult.

The Tow Spring fits into two welded plates that also support a pair of flat brackets...which

support the deflector plate.

The upper rear deck plate holds a few welded plates, the central support for the large Tow

Cable (not shown)...as well as some smaller brackets to support the cables and the Telephone

box on the left side.

The tank pictured below has the 100 gallon ext. Fuel tank on the rear...thats why the support

for the Cable is mounted in a slightly different position. But the cable is the same.

I'll probably be sorting out the parts for the Tow cable next.

[flyjoe180]

Awesome work

[Guest]

okay, so I said I was gonna focus on larger surface details...

and I was looking closer at the Tow Cable (for the rear)

and realized I needed to put in place, the four small supporting brackets

that hold the cables when stored on the Tank.

And while looking at the photos of those brackets, I got wrapped up in

how to represent the Tools that are also stored on the side covers.

So, I ended up spending the day working on those things.

And now the Tank has the four Tow Cable brackets in place,

and the brackets and hold-downs for the Tools.

Oh...and the Tools, too.

Two Shovels...one Sledgehammer...two Picks and Pick Handles