Another First - 1/35 CH2 TES.

[Waspie]

The mere mention of tracks sends me into a blind panic Doug. Hope you do better than me .

I think I may need to see a specialist!! I actually enjoyed making them up!! Wouldn't like to sit and do it all day but I took on board what Jakko said and did a little then moved on.
Sad thing is since I started SWIMBO has me otherwise engaged!! Those famous words,' it'll only take you a couple of days'!!! Three days in and I'm only 20-25% done!!! Then I discover a problem with the membrane in the loft!!!!

 

[Waspie]

Yeah alright... I'll let you have that one, lol

It was quite funny working amongst the Army after 25 years in the RN. They certainly tried to change me but at every turn I pusserised everything!!!!

 

[Lee W]

It was quite funny working amongst the Army after 25 years in the RN. They certainly tried to change me but at every turn I pusserised everything!!!!

Once a matelot, always a matelot! That will never change

 

[Waspie]

Once a matelot, always a matelot! That will never change

You got it!!!
Mind you!! The Pongo's had gunfire more often than we had the tot or splicers!!! One custom I could get used to!!! It was nice being a civvy and not having to play their silly games!!!

 

[Lee W]

I joined after the tot was stopped so don't feel like I've missed anything there, I will say that, even though I served 5 1/2 years leaving 29 years ago, I feel as jack today as I did back then, civvy Street, I still can't get used to it!

 

[Airborne01]

I joined after the tot was stopped so don't feel like I've missed anything there, I will say that, even though I served 5 1/2 years leaving 29 years ago, I feel as jack today as I did back then, civvy Street, I still can't get used to it!

I definitely empathise with that sentiment Lee , after 24 in the Army and leaving in '89 I still don't feel Civilianised! And I went on a 15 month bimble round the world afterwards to try and get rid of the ethos!
Steve

 

[Lee W]

I dont think it'll ever Steve?!

 

[Waspie]

Summerhouse has been taking all my attention lately but I did actually manage to grab an hour yesterday. Joined the hull to the deck, did a bit of fiddly PE and a few bibs and bobs. Carried on with the track, completed a section of some 30 links then removed the individual part off a couple of sprue's. One thing I discovered, a few of the parts of the links were breaking when being removed off the sprue. I found removing the tension off the sections by cutting the sprue took tension off the track parts and I was able to continue with no breakages.
Won't be doing anything for a few days now as disappearing to deepest darkest Devon to dog sit my sons Westie. (He needs twice daily jabs for diabetes and the lad only trusts dear old dad!!)
Anyway, progress to date!!
The PE you can see was the easy bit!! The fiddly part is behind the lights!! Oh and todays completed bit the track!

Errr - side view!

And - yes! Another side view!

 

[scottie3158]

I definitely empathise with that sentiment Lee , after 24 in the Army and leaving in '89 I still don't feel Civilianised! And I went on a 15 month bimble round the world afterwards to try and get rid of the ethos!
Steve

As they say mate you can take the man out of the Army but you can't take the Army out of the man. I got out in 94 and still have it in me.

 

[Jakko]

One thing I discovered, a few of the parts of the links were breaking when being removed off the sprue. I found removing the tension off the sections by cutting the sprue took tension off the track parts and I was able to continue with no breakages.

Good fix. Sets with the track pins like in yours sometimes have that problem, in my experience, because of the way the pins get compressed when you try to cut then off the sprue. I also found that cutting the sprue on one side relieves enough tension that you can then cut them off normally.

Another way to avoid breaking would be to saw the parts loose, rather than using a knife of cutters, but good luck keeping thin track pins straight if you go and saw right next to them

 

[Waspie]

Well, after a fortnight refurbishing the summerhouse now completed. I may manage a few hours at the weekend to pick up where I left off.
With the addition of a new set of decent tweezers, (Johns shop), more links will be added to the tracks and a bit of work to the body.
It'll be odd working indoors for a change.

 

[Waspie]

First day back after a few weeks working elsewhere!
It started so well!!
I initially added track links to the existing track already started. All went well - no issues. Next I started on the hull or rather the skirts and associated boxes and 'stuff' Including the dreaded PE. Bit of a nightmare with the armour, placed in the wrong location, noticed it quite early so apart from a few marks no real headaches dis assembling it. I was lucky I tried to dry fit another component when I noticed the incorrect positioning. Quickly remedied.
Then DISASTER!!!! Puppy came in the garage just as I was finishing putting a dot of cement on a piece of slat armour!! I turned wondering what had just brushed against my leg then over the cement pot went!!!, ⅔ of a pot of Tamiya thin all over the cutting board!!! I have never whipped up pieces of plastic and tools so quick. Luckily, the only major loss was a sheet of polystyrene which melted!! Mopped up excess than using thinner I cleaned up the remainder. Lesson learned, put top on properly every time and not just between processes. (Until Mrs Puppy grows up some)!!
Fortunately, nothing damaged or contaminated that is of any consequence!! Could have been so much worse!! Much of the markings on the cutting board have gone due to the chemicals in the cement, hey ho - I can live with that!! Ugly but usable.

 

[scottie3158]

At least there was no major damage.

 

[Jakko]

Ouch, always fun when a bottle of cement falls over for any reason. Lucky you got everything important out of the way, though.

 

[Waspie]

Ouch, always fun when a bottle of cement falls over for any reason. Lucky you got everything important out of the way, though.

I've always had quick reactions but today, I excelled even by my standards. If it had happened a few minutes earlier, all the days work was spread over the bench. I also have a second bottle of cement so no probs with the brush not reaching the cement in what's left of the first bottle!!

 

[Waspie]

Question for the armour buffs out there!
The tow cable, RyeFields supply a 'thread' which to me is too flexible. Do any of you guys have any tips for adding some stiffness to a wannabe cable???
OR
Do you substitute it for perhaps wire?
Cheers in advance
Doug

 

[The Smythe Meister]

Question for the armour buffs out there!
The tow cable, RyeFields supply a 'thread' which to me is too flexible. Do any of you guys have any tips for adding some stiffness to a wannabe cable???
OR
Do you substitute it for perhaps wire?
Cheers in advance
Doug

You can buy some Doug,(F.O.G.Models come to mind )
.... However,I prefer to use the braid from small gauge cable... it's loose when first stripped,but pop it in a drill chuck,forward drive,on slow speed,and it puts the twists in to suit your wants
I use that type of cable for work all the time,if you can wait a few days to receive it, I'll strip some out and send it to you.

 

[Waspie]

You can buy some Doug,(F.O.G.Models come to mind )
.... However,I prefer to use the braid from small gauge cable... it's loose when first stripped,but pop it in a drill chuck,forward drive,on slow speed,and it puts the twists in to suit your wants
I use that type of cable for work all the time,if you can wait a few days to receive it, I'll strip some out and send it to you.

That would be awesome matey. I'm in no rush anyway. Just looking ahead at what's coming up. Going to move on to the turret for a change of scenery for a while. That's if SWIMBO forgets the shed, (her she-shed), needs painting!!

 

[The Smythe Meister]

That would be awesome matey. I'm in no rush anyway. Just looking ahead at what's coming up. Going to move on to the turret for a change of scenery for a while. That's if SWIMBO forgets the shed, (her she-shed), needs painting!!

No problem,
I'll strip some out tomorrow mate,and P.M you for delivery address

 

[Scratchbuilder]

Just caught up with your build, and I can see you are taking it a bit at a time. As an old etch master, take a bow, you have done yourself proud.
Six of my latest builds are all etch bar armour builds, and they have all had their little quirks, but went together in the end.
Here I hope is a little inspiration for you. This was the Challenger that came after the initial bar armour and just befor the TES (Megadon) one.



Looking forward to more on your Chally,
Mike.