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"HELP" I need some advice with my AFV Club M-40

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  • Member since
    August 2008
  • From: S.W. Missouri
"HELP" I need some advice with my AFV Club M-40
Posted by Pvt Mutt on Monday, August 1, 2011 6:12 PM

I've had to deal with a warped lower hull before but this is extreme.Tongue Tied

Any suggestions for a fix out there folks????

Sure would be beholden to you

Thanks

Tony lee

Shoot Low Boys They're Ridin Ponys

  • Member since
    August 2006
  • From: Cygnus X-1
Posted by ogrejohn on Monday, August 1, 2011 6:50 PM

Dang Tony, that's pretty bad. If you have access to some machinist 123 blocks and a hot air gun might help. Clamp the blocks in the areas to straighten out and use the hot air gun carefully to try to get them back in some sort of squareness.

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Valrico, FL
Posted by HeavyArty on Monday, August 1, 2011 7:06 PM

Man, that's pretty bad.  It looks like it was stored in a hot attic or somewhere else really hot.  Some boiling water and blocks to bend it back may help.

Gino P. Quintiliani - Field Artillery - The KING of BATTLE!!!

Check out my Gallery: https://app.photobucket.com/u/HeavyArty

"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." -- George Orwell

  • Member since
    August 2008
  • From: S.W. Missouri
Posted by Pvt Mutt on Monday, August 1, 2011 7:18 PM

Yes sir OJ I got em. Get it close and they just might pull back into shape but the thing only has one bulkhead to glue to.  The rear end where the shove attaches will be the problem i'm thinking.

Tony lee

Shoot Low Boys They're Ridin Ponys

  • Member since
    August 2008
  • From: S.W. Missouri
Posted by Pvt Mutt on Monday, August 1, 2011 7:26 PM

Oh hi Gino

I don't know where it was stored but it's fresh off the boat today. The box was in perfect shape and the rest of the contents are perfect not even one tiny part is broken.

"HOT" water you say.  Maybe hot water first and the heat gun if all else fails.

Thanks

Tony lee

Shoot Low Boys They're Ridin Ponys

  • Member since
    August 2006
  • From: Cygnus X-1
Posted by ogrejohn on Monday, August 1, 2011 7:26 PM

I'm thinking you are right. Just take it slow and square up one area at a time. You might even have to do some areas multiple times. At this point it looks like you've got nothing to lose. No way to get a replacement?

  • Member since
    August 2008
  • From: S.W. Missouri
Posted by Pvt Mutt on Monday, August 1, 2011 7:32 PM

NO replacement? I thought that might be another problem. I wrote Free Time Hobbies and also sent these pictures along in case there was an outside shot at a replacement.

Like you said what have I got to lose?

Tony lee

Shoot Low Boys They're Ridin Ponys

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: New Jersey
Posted by redleg12 on Tuesday, August 2, 2011 5:23 AM

HOLE EXCREMET..... blocks, small clamps and warm water.....and lots of patience.

Now thats a FUBAR right at the start of your build. How much will gluing the upper hull, pull things back??

Rounds Complete!!

"The Moral High Ground....A Great Place to Emplace Artillery."

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Philippines
Posted by constructor on Tuesday, August 2, 2011 4:44 PM

Pvt Mutt

Yes sir OJ I got em. Get it close and they just might pull back into shape but the thing only has one bulkhead to glue to.  The rear end where the shove attaches will be the problem i'm thinking.

Tony lee

Here in Manila where I live, we only have two hobby shops but they're both good. When we purchase a kit, they open the box in front of us and checked the contents to see if all sprues,decals and PEs are in. We can also check for any defects. I hope you get a replacement for the warped part.

  • Member since
    August 2008
  • From: S.W. Missouri
Posted by Pvt Mutt on Tuesday, August 2, 2011 6:32 PM

Well Constructor over here we've got one small shop and it's not much so I have to go on-line to get everything.

Free Time Hobbies didn't have another but offered a full refund or I could contact the importer which I did today.

If they can't help me i'll just take the bull by the horns and let Redleg or Heavy Arty fix it for me.Hmm

What are friends for anyway?

Tony leeSmile

Shoot Low Boys They're Ridin Ponys

  • Member since
    September 2005
  • From: beacon falls , Ct.
Posted by treadwell on Tuesday, August 2, 2011 8:47 PM

Hi Tony

To repair this warp , I would take a scribe and cut along all the inside angles of all the warped areas ( the sponsons and floor bottom to inner walls length wise especially )one half to 2 thirds through, but careful not all the way!, clamp at correct angles , crazy glue , or liquid cement. when dry, a weld bead of Apoxie Sculpt or your favorite putty will hide the scribe cuts and hull will be square to itself. This system works.

hope this helps,

tread   (bill)

   

 

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: New Jersey
Posted by redleg12 on Tuesday, August 2, 2011 8:55 PM

Bill - After reading you fix....it was like...i could have had a V-8.....what a great idea and explaination.

Rounds Complete!!

"The Moral High Ground....A Great Place to Emplace Artillery."

  • Member since
    August 2008
  • From: S.W. Missouri
Posted by Pvt Mutt on Tuesday, August 2, 2011 10:03 PM

Well now that sounds doable Bill. I'll take a closer look at the hull in the morning and form a plan of attack.

Thanks my good man

Tony lee

Shoot Low Boys They're Ridin Ponys

  • Member since
    August 2008
  • From: S.W. Missouri
Posted by Pvt Mutt on Wednesday, August 3, 2011 8:14 PM

I got that warped up hog out this morning and decided to use the hot water and heat gun first to be safe and use Bill's scribe cutting as a back up.

I started at the front where the warp was least and worked my way back gluing body panels in as I massaged it into shape with the hot water dips and heat gun. What you see took all day and  she ain't perfect but it will do Pig, that was a cute movie.

Thanks for all your help,I had my doubts but it worked out well enough.Yes

Tony lee

 

Shoot Low Boys They're Ridin Ponys

  • Member since
    September 2005
  • From: beacon falls , Ct.
Posted by treadwell on Wednesday, August 3, 2011 8:28 PM

Hey Tony 

Looks Good man... I woulda tried the heat first myself... always take the least invasive way first

and work up to the cutting only if ya need it  .... Job well done !

glad it worked out for ya

bill

   

 

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Valrico, FL
Posted by HeavyArty on Wednesday, August 3, 2011 8:29 PM

Good job Tony.  She came out looking great.

Gino P. Quintiliani - Field Artillery - The KING of BATTLE!!!

Check out my Gallery: https://app.photobucket.com/u/HeavyArty

"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." -- George Orwell

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: New Jersey
Posted by redleg12 on Wednesday, August 3, 2011 8:40 PM

Pig!!!....This is the Pig

M114A1 155mm Howitzer.....know as the Pig

OK.....wrong pig

Nice work Tony

Rounds Complete!!

"The Moral High Ground....A Great Place to Emplace Artillery."

  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: Texas
Posted by wbill76 on Thursday, August 4, 2011 3:58 PM

Glad to see you were able to bring it back inline Tony! Beer

  • Member since
    May 2005
  • From: Dublin Rep Of Ireland
Posted by terry35 on Saturday, August 6, 2011 6:28 PM

That is some skill you showed saving that one Tony, wow.

Terry.

  • Member since
    August 2008
  • From: S.W. Missouri
Posted by Pvt Mutt on Saturday, August 6, 2011 7:49 PM

All You Need Is Love and a bigger hammer.Toast

Thanks

Tony lee

Shoot Low Boys They're Ridin Ponys

  • Member since
    May 2005
  • From: Dublin Rep Of Ireland
Posted by terry35 on Saturday, August 6, 2011 9:12 PM

Bigger hammer? no foul language?

Terry.

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