_GOTOBOTTOM
Armor/AFV: AA/AT/Artillery
For discussions about artillery and anti-aircraft or anti-tank guns.
Hosted by Darren Baker
Building the SMERCH from MENG
OldWarloke
Visit this Community
United States
Joined: October 14, 2012
KitMaker: 2,663 posts
Armorama: 2,649 posts
Posted: Sunday, April 03, 2016 - 06:33 PM UTC
I thing you will like this one. It is posted in the ARTILLERY Section.



OldWarloke
Visit this Community
United States
Joined: October 14, 2012
KitMaker: 2,663 posts
Armorama: 2,649 posts
Posted: Sunday, April 03, 2016 - 06:36 PM UTC





That's all for today.
Donald
Thirian24
Visit this Community
Oklahoma, United States
Joined: September 30, 2015
KitMaker: 2,493 posts
Armorama: 2,344 posts
Posted: Sunday, April 03, 2016 - 09:04 PM UTC
Very nice! I was just wondering the other day what you were going to build next.
Hellrabbit
Visit this Community
United States
Joined: June 28, 2015
KitMaker: 139 posts
Armorama: 139 posts
Posted: Sunday, April 03, 2016 - 09:19 PM UTC
phew.......seems a long project
OldWarloke
Visit this Community
United States
Joined: October 14, 2012
KitMaker: 2,663 posts
Armorama: 2,649 posts
Posted: Monday, April 04, 2016 - 05:39 PM UTC
I was working on the Engine and Transmission .

There is a very good fit here, The parts are all keyed so you can't install them in the wrong place.

Here they are all painted and temporarily test fitted to the frame.
Probably most of this will not be seen.


I'm going to be working on the suspension next.
Donald
165thspc
#521
Visit this Community
Kentucky, United States
Joined: April 13, 2011
KitMaker: 9,465 posts
Armorama: 8,695 posts
Posted: Monday, April 04, 2016 - 06:02 PM UTC
Will follow this build with great interest. Thank you for giving us the chassis construction in such great detail. I had hopes someone would take on the build of this seemly very well detailed kit and share it with the rest of it.
Armorsmith
Visit this Community
Pennsylvania, United States
Joined: April 09, 2015
KitMaker: 1,063 posts
Armorama: 1,000 posts
Posted: Monday, April 04, 2016 - 06:15 PM UTC
Always enjoy your builds Donald. Looking forward to more progress.
OldWarloke
Visit this Community
United States
Joined: October 14, 2012
KitMaker: 2,663 posts
Armorama: 2,649 posts
Posted: Tuesday, April 05, 2016 - 01:38 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Will follow this build with great interest. Thank you for giving us the chassis construction in such great detail. I had hopes someone would take on the build of this seemly very well detailed kit and share it with the rest of it.


I just finished the suspension arms, and I'm processing the Pics. I'll be posting them tomorrow.
Donald
ScottLind
Visit this Community
Alabama, United States
Joined: March 12, 2013
KitMaker: 36 posts
Armorama: 33 posts
Posted: Tuesday, April 05, 2016 - 03:57 AM UTC
I'll be watching this closely ! Your builds are very informative. I have this beast sitting in the stash but so far after looking in the box have just leered at and shouted at it in passing lol. Watching this is getting me worked up to attempt it.
OldWarloke
Visit this Community
United States
Joined: October 14, 2012
KitMaker: 2,663 posts
Armorama: 2,649 posts
Posted: Tuesday, April 05, 2016 - 05:45 PM UTC
Now it's on to the suspension.

Just a word of caution, this part is very complicated and it's easy to get the wrong parts in the wrong place.
The upper support are all the same part # U3.
The most critical thing is to make sure the shock mounting hole on the sides of the lower Arm face the correct way.
On the front pair they should face to the rear, all others should face to the front.

This is a view of the bottom of one of the rear units.



The same unit installed (Note the position of the mounting hole)
OldWarloke
Visit this Community
United States
Joined: October 14, 2012
KitMaker: 2,663 posts
Armorama: 2,649 posts
Posted: Tuesday, April 05, 2016 - 05:51 PM UTC
Here the 4 rear units are installed .


Here is one of the front units, if you are careful the front wheels will be movable to what angle you want.


Here the unit is installed .

All units are installed.
OldWarloke
Visit this Community
United States
Joined: October 14, 2012
KitMaker: 2,663 posts
Armorama: 2,649 posts
Posted: Tuesday, April 05, 2016 - 06:00 PM UTC
Three close ups of the bottom.


OldWarloke
Visit this Community
United States
Joined: October 14, 2012
KitMaker: 2,663 posts
Armorama: 2,649 posts
Posted: Tuesday, April 05, 2016 - 06:03 PM UTC
Three closeups of the top view.


OldWarloke
Visit this Community
United States
Joined: October 14, 2012
KitMaker: 2,663 posts
Armorama: 2,649 posts
Posted: Tuesday, April 05, 2016 - 06:08 PM UTC
Now the left side, the right side is the same except for the steering linkage in the front.








I have some small parts to add then it's going to be a lot of fun painting this (NOT)
Donald
165thspc
#521
Visit this Community
Kentucky, United States
Joined: April 13, 2011
KitMaker: 9,465 posts
Armorama: 8,695 posts
Posted: Tuesday, April 05, 2016 - 06:46 PM UTC
After years of trying to endure and improve on the old and grossly incorrect Dragon TEL Scud missile carrier frame and drive line this chassis from Meng is truly a thing of beauty!
Bigred69
Visit this Community
Armed Forces Europe, United States
Joined: December 27, 2015
KitMaker: 290 posts
Armorama: 249 posts
Posted: Wednesday, April 06, 2016 - 12:24 AM UTC
Wow!
OldWarloke
Visit this Community
United States
Joined: October 14, 2012
KitMaker: 2,663 posts
Armorama: 2,649 posts
Posted: Wednesday, April 06, 2016 - 06:36 PM UTC
I've been working on some of the small assemblies that go on the Frame .
Here are the Wheel Chocks , there are 2 pe parts that go inside.
I probably should have taken the pic. before painting them inside.

OldWarloke
Visit this Community
United States
Joined: October 14, 2012
KitMaker: 2,663 posts
Armorama: 2,649 posts
Posted: Wednesday, April 06, 2016 - 06:38 PM UTC
Now the Fuel Tanks.



There is a small plastic tab on one side of the plastic fuel filler cap, be sure to place the tab towards the side of the tank that mounts to the frame.


OldWarloke
Visit this Community
United States
Joined: October 14, 2012
KitMaker: 2,663 posts
Armorama: 2,649 posts
Posted: Wednesday, April 06, 2016 - 06:47 PM UTC
The Engine Oil tank & other parts.



#1 Storage Box

The Drive Mechanism Lube Oil Tank

OldWarloke
Visit this Community
United States
Joined: October 14, 2012
KitMaker: 2,663 posts
Armorama: 2,649 posts
Posted: Wednesday, April 06, 2016 - 06:53 PM UTC
Some other small parts.


I added the front fender supports to the frame.


That's all for now.
Donald
165thspc
#521
Visit this Community
Kentucky, United States
Joined: April 13, 2011
KitMaker: 9,465 posts
Armorama: 8,695 posts
Posted: Wednesday, April 06, 2016 - 08:31 PM UTC
Holly Smokes this is great!
165thspc
#521
Visit this Community
Kentucky, United States
Joined: April 13, 2011
KitMaker: 9,465 posts
Armorama: 8,695 posts
Posted: Thursday, April 07, 2016 - 01:31 AM UTC
Would the jack hold down strap be better off replaced with a length of scrap PE or is it really that massive? I have never noticed this item in any of the references.

SCRATCH THAT! Here is photo reference (Last photo - bottom right):

http://litnik.in.ua/walkaround/bronetekhnika/bm-smerch-walkaround-ot-romeoferrari

The hold down is every bit that masive.
OldWarloke
Visit this Community
United States
Joined: October 14, 2012
KitMaker: 2,663 posts
Armorama: 2,649 posts
Posted: Thursday, April 07, 2016 - 01:18 PM UTC
I have the Frame painted, while waiting for it to dry I have been working on the Wheels. They will be installed at the final assembly.

First the Kit Wheels.


The openings in the Tires for the hubs are slightly larger on one side than the other. This means when they are installed on the rims with the tread facing in the correct direction the wheel assemblies on one side will have a slight gap between the tire and rim on the outside, and on the other side a gap on the inside of the assembly .

OldWarloke
Visit this Community
United States
Joined: October 14, 2012
KitMaker: 2,663 posts
Armorama: 2,649 posts
Posted: Thursday, April 07, 2016 - 01:28 PM UTC



Now the Resin wheel Set.

All eight wheels are different with the Tire Valve position and Tread patterns.


That's all for now.
Donald
Karl187
#284
Visit this Community
Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
Joined: October 04, 2006
KitMaker: 3,094 posts
Armorama: 2,942 posts
Posted: Thursday, April 07, 2016 - 03:45 PM UTC
I'm really enjoying this very thorough and detailed build log- great stuff Donald.
 _GOTOTOP