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Armor/AFV: Large Scale
1/16 and Larger Armor Modeling
Hosted by Darren Baker
1/6th scale Dragon M4A3 build and comment thr
TankCarl
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Posted: Tuesday, August 06, 2013 - 01:58 PM UTC
Using stick on letters as stencils .





TankCarl
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Posted: Thursday, August 08, 2013 - 12:21 PM UTC
Using individual plastic letters and numbers,I have started adding foundry markings.These are on top of the turret,I made the surround for the "C" by using short sections of round stock


TankCarl
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Posted: Wednesday, August 14, 2013 - 01:08 PM UTC
Painting the track parts:


TankCarl
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Posted: Saturday, August 17, 2013 - 06:19 AM UTC
Wheel mask for painting


Loaded
TankCarl
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Posted: Wednesday, August 21, 2013 - 11:33 AM UTC
On your feet!


210cav
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Posted: Wednesday, August 21, 2013 - 11:47 AM UTC
WOW!
TankCarl
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Posted: Saturday, August 24, 2013 - 07:08 AM UTC
Time to build the track runs.
Son of Sherman says 79 a side, so I will start there. These act like "dead" track, no bushings to cause a curl, so I will use enough,and idler positioning, to remove excessive top run "sag".
These are the steps I use to assemble them. I triple checked, to make sure the track blocks were oriented correctly. The gripper pins on the blocks MIGHT survive having to be unassembeled a few times, but, the less stress the better.
First, gather the correct parts together,remembering, the extended end connector goes to the outside.


Then I click on the eec to the first set of pins:

Then add the block,connecting this side first:


Then add the opposite connector, gently aligning it by "feel" and push in evenly.

I had a few leftovers,as you know, there is an issue with short shots.I can make a mold from the extras, so that I will have enough for the spare track holders.
TankCarl
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Posted: Sunday, September 01, 2013 - 10:46 AM UTC
Fixing the final "flaws.This was egregious.Having a part shaped like this,and I have to do something about it.


Getting there,I will sand it down, once it has dried.
TankCarl
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Posted: Sunday, September 08, 2013 - 03:32 AM UTC
Home stretch, going green.


TankCarl
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Posted: Sunday, September 15, 2013 - 07:13 AM UTC
Adding some detailing, weld beads on the sand shields.Also made some quick release towing pins,added some chain to those. Siren wire, and rear sandshield mounts.Also, after careful test fitting,a prototypical 79 blocks per track run will work. So I should have enough good spare track blocks, for the rear holders.








TankCarl
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Posted: Friday, September 20, 2013 - 10:20 AM UTC
Finishing up some smaller details.Mainly,straps for the tools, retainer chains for the fuel caps. The straps are made from masking tape,and I made the buckle parts from wire.
Luggage rack and spare track holder


Track adjusting wrench










plane_mc
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Florida, United States
Joined: March 25, 2008
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Posted: Monday, September 23, 2013 - 04:06 AM UTC
Looking good Carl.
TankCarl
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Posted: Tuesday, September 24, 2013 - 09:52 AM UTC
Tracks, and tow cable on,some touchup painting to do,but it is DONE!





plane_mc
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Posted: Wednesday, September 25, 2013 - 04:08 AM UTC
Great job, looks really good. All the extra work paid off.
TankCarl
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Posted: Friday, September 27, 2013 - 04:04 AM UTC
A list of what I detailed.

Drilled drain holes near fuel fill caps
Added retaining chains to cap's handles.
Molded rears for road wheels.
Added grease points and relief valves to road wheels and idlers.
Added rivets to edges of road wheels and idlers.
Replaced boltheads, on sprocket faces.
Added wire handles to rear engine access door.
Added bolt heads to engine access door.
Added wire handle to TC's cupola hatch.
Scribed door borders to top engine hatches
Added weld seams to front tow hook parts. Filled cavities.
Weld seams to tow hook mount
Added weld seams to turret parts,
Added left over lifting rings to rear of turret.
Added headlight mount cover cap / chains to brush guards.
Added aftermarket barrel clamp for cupola position.
Filled cavities on headlights
Built new spring assemblies for loader and TC cupola hinges
Built new brushguards for rear tail lights.
Plugged tool locator holes, added tie down points.
Built cage for sledge hammer head.
Built front tow cable rest.Built tow cable end clamps.
Added snaps to hull MG waterproof cover attachment ring
Added Transmission side mounting bolts
Added front fender inside braces
Added tow point pins and chains front/rear.
Made straps and buckles to hold down tools.
Cast and attached machine gun mount on TC Cupola.
Added wire to rear tailights.
Added footman loops to rear luggage rack.
Filled gap in back side of sprocket rings.
Added bolt heads for suspension skids, and for volute spring access ponts, on housing
Added boltheads to suspension arms.
Added horn wire to horn/hull
Added boltheads to fenders at edge of hull.
Drilled out sandshield mounting holes, added weld beads.
Made rear sandshield mount strips, drilled holes, added weld beads.
Added casting marks to turret top and rear.
Added casting marks to top of hull, near driver's hatch.
Added tow cable holder near driver's hatch.
Added tow cable, scratch built cable ends to
TankCarl
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Posted: Saturday, September 28, 2013 - 02:30 PM UTC
Silver at Armorcon, now to weather it for Baycon in November!
plane_mc
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Posted: Monday, September 30, 2013 - 04:03 AM UTC
Congrats on the silver. Thanks for putting out the list, I will use it on mine.
TankCarl
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Posted: Sunday, March 16, 2014 - 04:16 AM UTC
One more "Show" for it. Valleycon in Chicopee Mass.
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