Read some time ago about the above making suitable scale lenses. Grateful for any pointers to their product range.

Many thanks.

Trackpins (Peter)

I'm unsure of their product line, but when I go to the hobby shop that has them, they have a drawer full of them in little packets. They come in a wide variety of sizes and a few colors like clear (silver), amber, red and green(I think). Most of the ones I saw were smooth and convex, I don't know if they have any with a "ribbed" pattern seen on head lights of cars.

Of course since I have no idea of their entire line, that doesn't mean that they don't have that type.

Packets went for $2-4 and had various numbers of lenses in the packets based on size of the lens, usually 6-2 included.

Peter--trust Gunnie will chime in on this subject. He told me that he used them on his Shermans. I got a bunch and must say they are quite nice. The dang problem is that you get two lenses in a packet for about $2 and not a bunch of them. So, it can get pricey if you use them.
Hope this helps
DJ

There are also Grief lenses out there that I have used. Measure the inside Diameter of the light and then go and get a suitable sized and color lense that you need. Paul at www.trackjam.com has a good cheap selection and they sure look good when installed.

Help me out here. If you take the standard light on a Tamiya Sherman, for example, to use the clear lense I assume that I would do the following:
1.clean out the plastic in inside the lense rim
2. use white glue to cement the clear part in the rim
3. clean up any excess glue after drying with Future
do I have this sequence correct?
thanks
DJ

Yep - I've used both Greif and MV Products Lenses for my modeling projects. I have a much easier time obtain MV Products Lenses because of three well-stocked Railroad Hobby Shop within 10 miles of home. MV Products has a very wide range of sizes for all Railroad Gauges - which work equally well for 1:35th scale armor modeling too.

For my Sherman and M45 Pershing, I used their clear #L-116 lenses in the headlight units. The number following the "L" denotes the size of the lens - in this case .116" or 2.9mm (fitting 4 inch headlight units in 1:35th scale). Drill Bit #32 matches this diameter. One newer packages, they give you a conversion on the rear - even in 1:35th scale because they recognize that armor modelers buy these things too.

There are other brands out there that are just as good - what ever is easiest for you to obtain will work. However, I feel MV Products is the best overall in terms of product range. Cost is about the same - I didn't have a problem spending $1.50 for the lenses on either of the models above.

If you're really feeling thrifty, I described to Andrew (drewgimpy) a while ago how to make your own with 5-minute epoxy. This is patently simple and really has no description other than hollowing out the headlight unit; backing it with silver (for a clear lens), and filling the headlight unit with 5-minute epoxy. You can acheive results just as good.

Gunnie

Thanks guys for all of your kind advice.

The down side of building to 1:8 scale is there is very little 'off the shelf.' Will try the outlets you have suggested.

Many thanks.

Trackpins (Peter)

A good source for MV Lenses that I use is: Michigan Discount Models .

If you are a shermoholic get the new Greif lense that has the light fixture in resin and the lense that fits perfectly inside. This makes life a lot easier, no drilling, just attach the light, paint, weather, when complete pop the lense in with some white glue.