Update on my M728 CEV project. First off though, Heavy Arty: Great pictures, very helpful. Thanks!
Pawel: I'd go with what Heavy Arty says on back dating for Vietnam. I plan to finish my M728 CEV with Desert Storm era paint and markings. I've seen the Perfect Scale Modellbau products site. Big$, but it looks like its worth it if you can afford it.
Now for my latest progress:
As I mentioned in my previous text only post, I once again I found myself recreating a botched AEF part. Their lift cylinder was warped beyond use
With a couple of pieces of hollow round stock and shaving down the rod I was able to scratch together a respectable replacement. I used some solid round stock to pin it to the housing mounted to the turret side and also to the bracket on the boom
Careful placement of glue and fitting a sleave inside of the cylinder for the rod allowed for full movement of the cylinder & boom after assembly which will give me a few different options for display once I'm done.
This next picture flashes forward quite a bit. I've completed the major structural assembly of the boom. I used several layers of white glue around the boom mounts on the turret to simulate the heavy welds.
I completely re-worked the original kit rear stowage basket that previously ran the entire back of the turret into something more like an oversized laundry baasket. Brass mesh was installed to finish it off.
All of the rail mount holes on both sides of the turret have been filled and sanded
The left side of the boom has nine climbing loops (?) welded on to it. I drilled out the boom and used copper wire to create these. Again, white glue was used around where the loops went into the boom to simulate the welds.
Thats all for now,
Thanks for look'n in
Gary / CSM