1/16 M26 Pershing Build - Part 2

Hello All,

Time to post Part 2 of the 1/16 M26 Pershing Build, If you want to be a part of this build, please, go right ahead and add your shots to this post, don't worry I'm a slow builder (Don't have as much time to work on it as I would like) and won't be finished anytime soon.
As before the only way I can supply pic's is through adding a direct link, since FSM does not support this form of inline picture posting.


Important build Notes:

* Use Thread lock on ALL metal-to-metal connections, where appropriate. The manual doesn't always state this. Also I wouldn't use the kit supplied Thread lock, go out and get yourself some heavy duty LockTite (The red tube), available in any Hardware store. Just remember to shake the damn thing before using it, otherwise the bond is cr@p.

* In Step 13, make sure the side reinforcing plates are placed on the correct side, just like everything in this build, you must watch out that all the parts are placed on the correct side of the hull.



p.s If you don't see any pictures at the links, come back at a latter time, there might be bandwidth problems with the photo server.

http://images.fotopic.net/?id=2613341
It's always a good idea to mark all of your parts after you take them out the bags. Small muffin tins are great for that.


http://images.fotopic.net/?id=2613342
A few more parts.... trust me, there are easily over a thousand+ parts in this kit. Now if you add metal tracks to the equation (which I plan to... coming up in next weeks update), you can easily double the number of parts in this project.


http://images.fotopic.net/?id=2817328
The completed hull with all the road wheels installed.


http://images.fotopic.net/?id=2817329
A shot of the inside showing all the suspension attachments.


http://images.fotopic.net/?id=2817330
It's nice when everything goes together this smoothly, that's a credit to the quality that Tamiya produces.


http://images.fotopic.net/?id=2817331
Check to make sure everything is moving smoothly, if it isn't, now is the time to fix it.


http://images.fotopic.net/?id=2817332
A shot of the fake shock absorbers, there are merely there for show, the suspension arms on the inside with the primed springs do all the work. Kinda like the old Tamiya 1/16 Gepard (Yes I have one of these beauty's from yesteryear).


http://images.fotopic.net/?id=2817333
Whatever you do, DO NOT over tighten the small bolts securing the fake shock absorbers to the hull.


http://images.fotopic.net/?id=2817334
Now, if by chance you did (like me), expect to pay three times the price if you reorder the parts from Tamiya North America (I'd like to know where they get off charging this ridiculous price). The screws are metric 2mm by 15mm (part MA1 from Screw Bag A, #9465596), if you can find them elsewhere, do so (Microfasteners come to mind: http://www.microfasteners.com/).

Just a side note: If by chance you must order parts from Tamiya, do yourself a favor and order then direct from Japan, from an online outfit called RainBowTen http://www.rainbowten.co.jp/ (They have an english site), they will charge you an extra 20% above the price that Tamiya Japan charges, compare that to an over 300% markup over the Japanese prices Tamiya USA/Canada charges, you be the judge.



If you missed Part 1 from last week, here's the link: http://www.finescale.com/fsm/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=15329

Hope you enjoyed it. See ya next week.

Does anyone have any reference pictures of the insides of the storage lockers found on the fenders?

BUDA