Centurion build

[GeorgeD]

Can I ask here for assistance with a problem? I have.

[Gern]

I'm sure if you show us exactly what the problem is, someone here will have an answer.

[PaulTRose]

Depends if its roman centurian or centurian tank ?

[Tim Marlow]

Depends if its roman centurian or centurian tank ?

Actually Paul, we can probably help with either ?

[GeorgeD]

RE. Mark 5. Centurion Tank build.
Model: – AFV 1/35. AF35328 Dear all, thank you for your kind offers of assistance this is my first model build, a birthday present from son Alex.

I had no idea the scale of struggle which was ahead of me when I started. There have been many problems since firstly with discovering what tools I would need and then which to buy.
I have largely completed the hull apart from the many tiny pieces of equipment attached to the outside.
Having got so far, I do need help which I should’ve looked for a much earlier stage and at last I found this forum. My immediate problem is with engine cover lift handles, part number B29 .How to deal with these pesky tiny critters, any advice would be much appreciated .
I look forward to hearing from you.
GeorgeD.

[Gern]

Start with a good set of cutters to remove them from the sprue. If you're worried about them pinging off into the distance, run a piece of masking tape behind them when cutting - that should hold them in place. Should you break or lose any, you can use some thin wire to make replacements although these would need to be fixed with CA superglue. Some modellers do this anyway due to the problem of cleaning up the attachment point.

When you need to hold them while gluing them in place you could use a good pair of tweezers - which again risks them pinging off into the distance (that's how the carpet monsters survive to breed and proliferate!). A much safer method is to hold them with a blob of BluTac or sticky tape on a cocktail stick or similar, just make sure to keep the BluTac away from where you're going to apply the glue.

I'd also suggest putting your glue on to the ends of the handles rather than trying to fill the locating holes on the engine covers - I use Tamiya thick cement for that. Hold the parts in one hand and the glue brush in the other. Touch the part to the brush and you should pick up enough cement to fix them in place. That way you're much less likely to get glue everywhere.

Hope that helps, but I daresay there are other methods.

[pjgtech]

Hi and welcome George, photos of the build would always be good.... be great to see and hear how you get on with your first model.
Cheers

[Tim Marlow]

Plus one on the blue tack and cocktail stick method. I find it much more reliable than tweezers. With tweezers it is natural to hold the part more tightly, but that is counterintuitive, and just adds more energy to the bit when it flys out of the jaws.
As to cutting the parts off without losing them, you can also clip them off while holding the sprue in a clear plastic bag. That way anything that gets launched will stay in the bag. I just wish I remembered that tip occasionally…..
As indicated, pictures will help us to give you more focused info as well….

[GeorgeD]

Thanks very much Tim, for your ideas as I lost 3 out of 6 of part W21 similar handles at rear of engine cover.
I found holding them steadily in place whilst applying adhesive was very tricky almost impossible.

[Airborne01]

Just as an aside mate it's often easier, and safer, to clean up the attachment points of handles etc once they are glued in position and set hard. If that's not possible hold them in a set of reverse action tweezers so that the little nub is just visible - this vastly reduces the risk of breaking them when trimming/smoothing.
Steve

[GeorgeD]

Steve,
Many thanks.
GD.