Gary Roberts shows us in detail how he sets about improving Dragon's M16 Multiple Gun Motor Carriage, in the first of a multi-part feature.

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Thanks!

Very nicely done! I like it!

I do think it's a bit comical for there to be a controversy on the bulge issue for the front tires. Ask anyone who has been in the tire or automotive industry and they will agree that there will be a sidewall budge present ... especially if those pressures have been dropped. The vehicle weight alone will cause this too.

So, the call shouldn't be made by a group of modelers, just ask your local repair shop for the answer. I have spent over 20 years in that field and know the answer as well.








~ Jeff

I thoroughly enjoyed reading through this one Gary, can't wait to see what's in store next

Hi Gary, really interesting subject, and very detailed infos, I will wait for the next parts.

Rgeading your issue with the "overweathered" vehicles, I think it is just the question of approach. From the 100% replication of a vehicle, where every bolt is in position, to the artistic fantasies of Jean Bernard Andre, I think everything is acceptable, as far it is tell something about you and not just a repeat of a lesson. Those "madmaxed" Stug III-s and Tigers imho tell about the hopeless and sadness of war (yes you are right, in a bit surreal way), while the accurate reproduction tells about the desire of perfection, which is also an appreciated feature of a man.

Cheers,
Istvan

Thanks to everyone on your positive feedback on this project. Thanks to James Bella for giving me the opportunity to display my madness in public among my fellow madmen..as for "overweathering"..the idea of scale modelling as Artistic Expressionism...this is a concept indeed. I had not remotely considered this. I have seen some models which are so overdone, so chipped, so rusted, so worn, that they really do fit my description of 100 years sitting in acid rain. But do you think this was done in some sense of artistic expression of the bleak nature of war? Hmm...I have a philosophical concept to ponder now. I just assumed these guys were simply incurable show-offs with their advanced finishing techniques. It's way hard to do that realistic chipped paint rust and extreme wear and filth on the level these guys achieve, it's a high art. Expressionistic? I'll think on this. Thank you for that new perspective.

Thanks for sharing the build. I'll be following it thru. I'm going to be building this Dragon kit very soon myself to provide air cover for my Bailey Bridge

HEY!! I didn't die!
My move to Europe got WAY more intense than I ever expected..the same old story..material, logistics, weather!
No, I haven't abandoned this feature, I just got taken away by the huge operation Called Move To Czech Republic!
Now that I'm HERE, and we have bought our cottage and have it set up to live in, I am hoping to unpack all of the modelling materials and kits (yes...I brought it ALL) and continue! Stay Tuned!!

I'll be following this one with great interest! As for front tire sag on the M16, you bet they do. I've got four AA halftracks (real ones, an M15A1, two M16s and an M16A2) in the museum collection, one of which we operate on a regular basis. The front wheels always bulge.

Warcloud, let me know if you need detail shots of anything in particular.

Jon

Sorry I didn't find this post sooner..there's no notification feature here I can find..
M16 halftrack issues right now on the scale model...
The "tombstone" drum mags do not fit in the rear compartment corners. The 1/35 model magazines do seem to scale up correct size for the real 21" high mags, which means the rear armor body itself is likely...WRONG. What I need are the exact measurements in the 'track itself..floor to top edge of armor wall, with flap up and flap down..and an exact H-W-D on the tombstone mags. This is a huge issue, so data on this is GREATLY appreciated!

Yes, as I said, I am also a WW2 weapon collector and am among several vehicle collectors as friends..15,000lb. + vehicles will put a bulge in their tires, especially if one follows the TM on off road/mud-rain-snow operation.