Hey guys. I'm trying this build log thing for the first time so go easy on me. I'm going to build Bronco Models A34 Comet adding tons of after market stuff to it and attempting to scratch build a lot of the interior (thanks in part to Chris Hughes EXCELLENT Comet cd). Well... here goes nothing





fresh out of the gate and a minor hull problem is found



I have added inside walls and have started the bulkhead between the driver/machine gunner's compartment and the fighting compartment... photos to follow soon

I did a built review on that tank and its generally a great build, but one thing you will encounter is, that the turretring is way too small scalewise, so you have to do some surgery to make that realistic.

Have fun, its a very attractive tank.

Does your wife know you spent all that money?

Looking forward to you project.

Yeah, the turret ring was one of my main concerns when I started looking at doing this project and I think I have a few ways around it ... we'll see if it works out. Yeah she knows Dave... LOL. I've got a great one in that department. She's got a pretty good eye for mistakes and things that need to be fixed... think I'll keep her around for a while longer

Very nice kit. Once again, the turret is a challenge and I am anxious to see if you mirror my experiences with the fit. I used the Legend gum mantle which looks quite good on the vehicle.
DJ

It might well be cheaper to get the A.A. full kit to avoid all the problems..........

Could you please elaborate a bit on that - aside from the underscale turretring does the kit have other issues dimensionally ?

The turretring should be fixable with moderate scratchbuilding skills.

Since we're on the topic of the turret ring... any helpful hints or ideas??? I've got some thoughts but any extra advice will be helpful ... please

Thanks in advance

that looks like a tad bit of a challenge. tamiya sells a kit ( item 35223, i belive) british infantry on patrol which might go pretty well if you do a dio (or not) good job so far by the way how ddo you intend to fix the gap on the hull?

I would make a stensil in the right diameter + a little extra for glueing a little strip of styrene inside. The I would carefully first cut out the bottom of the turret and then the upper hul, and then glue in the strip in the new hole in the turret so that it protudes 1-2 mm below.

... does that make sense ? ..

Yank- the gap will be easy. I'll start at the rear of the hull and work forward saving the glacias(sp) for last then CA it or MEK and clamps.

Jan- Yes that makes perfect sense and was in my line of thinking... since I haven't started looking just yet ,can you point me in the right direction of the correct diameter??? Just a starting point will be great .

thanks for all your comments and help so far guys

Nope, sorry but a guideline is that it should me large enough to allow the gun to elevate and recoil inside the turretring - but i dont have exact measurement.

Thanks Jan... that's enough of a jumping off point to get me where I need to be

Hi Todd,

I'll lookf orward to this one as I've had the kit sitting since last year but never goptten around to starting it.

Cheers

Al

This page, which is mainly about the Challenger, gives the diameter of the Comet's turret ring as 64 inches - which is still smaller than the M4!

http://freespace.virgin.net/shermanic.firefly/chal1.htm

David

Thanks David... I'll ck it out and yes, looking at the pics I have and have found, IT IS NOT very big at all. I've got an M36 turret ring in the stash but is a little TOO big... ... I'll figure something out.

just so you guys know I AM working on this, I'll have some progress and test fit shots up tonight

Okay... as promised. YES I know some of the 'piping is out of scale a bit but I'm not going for rivet counting accuracy I'm having fun and THAT is what its all about. The first 2 pics are bulkhead shots




next are the periscopes added to the upper hull. I'll be adding some details to then possibly tonight



next test fits of the upper hull and bulkhead to the lower hull. I think its turning out fairly well




and last is the test fit of barrel and resin mantlet


Enjoy

Nice work!

Chris "toadman" Hughes
Toadman's Tank Pictures

Nice work - but may i suggest that you cut out for the turretring befor adding too many details on the hull top ?

What colour are you going to paint it - silver ?

Cheers/Jan

Thanks Chris... your cd is great

Jan... there's not much detail to go on the roof so all is good as far as that's concerned and yes most likely silver though I have contradicting sources ... some white some silver

Just something to note: When turret rings diamters are quoted, it's ususally the pitch diameter of the balls in the bearing race. The actual inside sirface of the turret ring will be somewhat smaller, say 1.5 to 2.5" on _radius_ depending on how the turret traversing gearing is set up. So, instead of the interior surface being 64" diameter, count on it being something between 59 to 61" ID (interior diameter). Pads, bumpers & gear guards will all be inboard of that.

Obviously if you get proper dimensions, that's the way to go, but without them, this is a reasonable rough cut at how to size the interior.

Also, before cutting anything, create a template of the hole and lay it against both the hull top plate and the underside of the turret. You may find that some parts of the kit aren't located properly and may be cut by making the turret ring the correct scale. Just a word of caution. It's happened to me!

Paul

Hi Todd,

great stuff I love kits with interiors.

Al

This looks really nice. I don't know if these will helpful or what you have for resources but here are some photos of the interior of the Patton Museum's Comet.

These are some exellent pictures.

Is the interior painted in silver?


Nils