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AFV M40 155mm SP Gun, WIP, 01-17-10, Finally Complete!!

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  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: New Jersey
Posted by redleg12 on Sunday, October 25, 2009 7:41 PM

OK....now the fall show season is done for me with Jerseycon  done, it's time for some serious bench time (in between sweeping leaves...chores, etc.).

With the suspension built it was time to assemble the road wheels. After separating and cleanup, the "rubber" sections were given a rub down with a Scotch Brite pad which gives the rubber the used look. Then they were primed with my rubber mix of 50/50 Tamiya Flat Black and NATO Black.

After drying out came the circle template and the hubs were painted with Poly Scale OD. With both sides painted...

After drying from the OD it was time to assemble. Here is the whole suspension and road wheels read to be mounted. For those that are wondering, you are looking at 148 total parts

Next it is on to the gun sub assembly. I began my casting work to extend the barrel. Here is the barrel in the cure stage for the mold.

While that was setting up the carriage assembly was assembled. There were numerous pin marks and seams to be taken care of. This is the completed base carriage minus sights and shields.

The sleigh was also assembled. This also had a bunch of pin marks to handle.

If you are counting that was another 26 parts!! Lastly, I started to get ready to work on the tracks. The AFV T84 track set is 8 sprues with 96 parts on a sprue.....That's right almost 800 parts to the track sets alone.

Just  giving an idea in this update of the complexity of this build. With the kit, PE and track set I am well over 1,200 parts to deal with!!

Coming up casting parts and extending the barrel and then priming and painting that assembly along with the tracks!

As always all comments are welcome and thanks for looking

Rounds Complete!!

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

  • Member since
    November 2006
  • From: Coastal Maine
Posted by dupes on Sunday, October 25, 2009 7:43 PM

Whoah...now I REALLY understand why it's taking a while!

Those road wheel assemblies look sharp, btw.  Thumbs Up [tup]

I remember doing the Skybow (AFV Club) tracks on my Paladin - time consuming, but very very worth the effort. Approve [^]

  • Member since
    May 2005
  • From: Dublin Rep Of Ireland
Posted by terry35 on Sunday, October 25, 2009 7:52 PM

Mike, good luck with the tracks, I like your earlier comment about them being like trying to scratch a "You Know What" wit broken glass but I must say that it looks like you have everything well in hand. Interesting shot of the Barrel ready for the extension. The next installment should be interesting.

Terry.

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Valrico, FL
Posted by HeavyArty on Sunday, October 25, 2009 7:56 PM
Looking great Mike.  Have fun wuth the AFV Club T84 tracks.  I had so much problem with the T80s that I finally gave up on them and went with a set of Dragon T80 indy-link tracks from a Pershing that I traded for.  They were much easier to deal with.  Keep us posted.

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
    February 2008
  • From: ladner BC Canada
Posted by stick man on Sunday, October 25, 2009 8:41 PM

Looking good so far and good luck with the tracks!

Smile [:)]

I'm 15 and I model I sk8board and I drum what could be better.
  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: New Jersey
Posted by redleg12 on Sunday, October 25, 2009 9:13 PM

Dupes - You know me...love the details....this one is on steriods with parts. I getting there!! Thanks

Terry - Ahhhh, you reminded me to have the Preperation H ready at the bench as I get ready for the tracks Shock [:O]. Thanks for stopping by.

Gino - Some AFV tracks are good and some really inhale. I will keep your comments in mind as I get ready to start them. If they drive me nuts after on sprue...I'll punt and try something else. Thanks again

Stick - Thanks for the comments and the moral support!!

Rounds Complete!!

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

  • Member since
    January 2007
Posted by the doog on Sunday, October 25, 2009 9:23 PM

Don't give up on those tracks, Mike! Remember what I went through with my Jagdpanzer Kanone tracks? Cutting all the little circles for the guide teeth? Tedious, for sure, but worth it in the end!

Yikes that's a lot of parts! I think I have the exact same tracks for this kit! Good to know what I'll be in for if I ever get around to building this!

Looking good, Mike!

  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: Connecticut, USA
Posted by Nachtflieger on Monday, October 26, 2009 2:51 AM

Wow Mike, looks like your going to busy with this one most of the winter!Wink [;)] Looking VERY nice.

Nate

 

 

 

  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: Everett, WA
Posted by Schnobs on Monday, October 26, 2009 3:11 AM
Seriously Cool Mike!
"There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance. That principle is contempt prior to investigation." Herbert Spencer
  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: New Jersey
Posted by redleg12 on Monday, October 26, 2009 5:56 AM

Karl - I have not seen the fat lady yet.....oh there are times she tries to push her way to the bench.....but I have not seen her yet!!!

Thanks for looking in.

Nate - I hope not....I am hoping more like Thanksgiving or early Dec.....but we will see....maybe with the base.

Thanks

Edmund - Thanks for stopping by

Rounds Complete!!

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

  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: Texas
Posted by wbill76 on Monday, October 26, 2009 4:50 PM
Sharp work Mike on those road wheels...I know you won't let the parts count on this one intimidate you. Just remember how to eat an elephant! Big Smile [:D] No excuses now that shows are over, we expect regular updates from here on out. Wink [;)]
  • Member since
    October 2007
  • From: N.H.
Posted by panzerguy on Monday, October 26, 2009 5:55 PM
 

   And the award for best U.S. AMPS 2010 for his M40 goes to...

                 Mike this is my prediction and I'm sticking to it!

              Over 1,200 parts! Holy (Insert colorful metaphor here)!!

"Happiness is a belt fed weapon"

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: New Jersey
Posted by redleg12 on Monday, October 26, 2009 7:03 PM

 wbill76 wrote:
Sharp work Mike on those road wheels...I know you won't let the parts count on this one intimidate you. Just remember how to eat an elephant! Big Smile [:D] No excuses now that shows are over, we expect regular updates from here on out. Wink [;)]

Bill - Yep the shows are out of the way and I have plenty of Ex-lax....I will be regular now!Shock [:O]

As far as the elephants...they are never the problem...it's those damm ants!!

Thanks for the comments

 panzerguy wrote:
 

   And the award for best U.S. AMPS 2010 for his M40 goes to...

                 Mike this is my prediction and I'm sticking to it!

              Over 1,200 parts! Holy (Insert colorful metaphor here)!!

Steve

OK.....Over 1,200 parts! Holy Excrement!! Hummm...not too colorful but you get the point. As far as the prediction...I'm touched....lightining never strikes twice....as always its a great day to be there with you guys....If I win something, it's a little icing on the cake.

Who knows....maybe next year we can convince Karl to come down from the mountian!!Smile,Wink, & Grin [swg]....(Karl...if you are listening....block out 9/25/10 and be in Danbury)

Thanks Steve....from one redleg to another...

Yes all that's right...deep down Steve is one of....THEM too!!!Shock [:O]

Rounds Complete!!

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

  • Member since
    April 2005
  • From: Piscataway, NJ!
Posted by wing_nut on Wednesday, October 28, 2009 7:43 AM
 redleg12 wrote:

 

OK... that pic made me a little queazy

Steve's prediction may be right on track though

Marc  

  • Member since
    November 2006
  • From: Coastal Maine
Posted by dupes on Thursday, October 29, 2009 7:55 AM
MAY be? You know anybody who's going to top this beast? Wow!! [wow]
  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: New Jersey
Posted by redleg12 on Sunday, November 1, 2009 11:10 AM

During the past week I concentrated on the gun carriage and then started the barrel. The carriage is two main sub assemblies, the mount and the sled. The two assemblies consisted of a few main parts and about another 30 or so detail parts.

 After cleaning up seams and pin marks the two assemblies were given a prime coat of Tamiya Flat Black. Then after checking the seams and clean up, I masked the main elevating and traversing gear assemblies and base coated each with Poly Scale OD.

Once dry the masking was removed and the gear assemblies were painted with Alclad Steel.

Here is the mount assembly. Note the gear inside the mount painted steel. The plate is the facing plate for the traversing gear with the gear point also painted steel

Here is the underside of the sled assemble showing the main elevating gear.

Once everything was dry the facing plate was installed on the mount and the sled and mount were connected.

While painting, the equilibrators were also primed and painted OD with the equilibrator cylinders painted with Alclad Dark Aluminum.  With all the parts assembled, here is the carriage minus the shields. Some touch up is needed but that will wait for final finishing.

I also began work on the barrel. I cast a few resin plugs of the back end. Then into the tool box....time to take out the rarely used but handy when you need it x-acto miter box and fine saw. Two cuts were made in the barrel, one about half way and one near the breech end. I then took one of the resin plugs and cutting from the same spot as the barrel cuts, began operation bologna slice.

A 4mm slice was added to the middle section and a 4.5 mm slice to the rear. After a little sanding and gluing with CA glue, here is the extended barrel

As a historical note, as I worked on the barrel and thought about the fact that the picture at the start of this thread was B Battery, 937 FA. They were a reserve unit called to active duty during the Korean war. During their time in theater, the battalion fired well over 200,000 rounds while going through 65 barrels or almost 4 barrels per howitzer in the battalion. The 937th was awarded a Presidential Unit Citation for their actions during Korea.

Lastly, I began work on the shields. The backs were full of pin marks and after cleaning them up, I used Mr. Surfacer 500 to create the weld lines on the mounting brackets to the shields.

Still have some work on the front of the shields and seam cleanup on the barrel. Getting close now, also in between drying cycles working on the tools and other small details......then....the tracks!

As always all comments are welcome and thanks for looking

Rounds Complete!!

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

  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: Texas
Posted by wbill76 on Sunday, November 1, 2009 1:18 PM
Nice work on the surgery Mike and the other details are looking sharp as well. Nice little bit of history on the unit, that's a lot of rounds to go through!
  • Member since
    January 2007
Posted by the doog on Sunday, November 1, 2009 4:31 PM

WOW, Mike; this is turning into an epic build!

That Alclad stuff looks freakin' great! I have to use that on some of my car models for the chrome!

Soldier on, dude! Smile [:)]

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: New Jersey
Posted by redleg12 on Sunday, November 1, 2009 5:40 PM

 wbill76 wrote:
Nice work on the surgery Mike and the other details are looking sharp as well. Nice little bit of history on the unit, that's a lot of rounds to go through!

BIll - Thanks for the comments and for stopping by. Yep...its a lot....think of it this way, at 100 lbs per round thats 20 million pounds of steel down range!! 

 the doog wrote:

WOW, Mike; this is turning into an epic build!

That Alclad stuff looks freakin' great! I have to use that on some of my car models for the chrome!

Soldier on, dude! Smile [:)]

Karl - Yep...I know it is taking as long as War and Peace Shock [:O]....anyway, I LOVE the Alclad metallic paints. The beat the pants off any other metallic paint and they have a wide range of shades. If you want a dull finish, like the gears, paint it over flat black. If you need high shine like your Chrome, use gloss black as a primer.

I highly recommend them. Their only drawback (besides STRONG smell) is price. About twice as much for the same size hooby bottle as other paints.....but worth it....just ventalateWink [;)]

Thanks for the comments and for stopping by!!

Rounds Complete!!

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

  • Member since
    October 2007
  • From: N.H.
Posted by panzerguy on Sunday, November 1, 2009 5:41 PM

 Mike your attention to detail on this guy is gonna pay off big timeBow [bow].

     Man I really got to add some mobile arty to the stashSigh [sigh].

"Happiness is a belt fed weapon"

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: New Jersey
Posted by redleg12 on Sunday, November 1, 2009 5:51 PM
 panzerguy wrote:

 Mike your attention to detail on this guy is gonna pay off big timeBow [bow].

     Man I really got to add some mobile arty to the stashSigh [sigh].

Steve - You need check your powder....you would do well with some artillery!!

Thanks for the comments and for stopping in.

PS.....2010 theme for AMPS East is Korea Shock [:O]....proof that luck beats skill....now I have a theme entry!! 

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 Sunday, November 1, 2009 6:17 PM

Well Mike that's two things i've got to get for sure,the kit and the Alclad. I'll just have to dream about obtaining your skills.Zzz [zzz]

Tony the Mutt

Shoot Low Boys They're Ridin Ponys

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: New Jersey
Posted by redleg12 on Sunday, November 1, 2009 9:25 PM
 Pvt Mutt wrote:

Well Mike that's two things i've got to get for sure,the kit and the Alclad. I'll just have to dream about obtaining your skills.Zzz [zzz]

Tony the Mutt

Tony - Get the kit...it's worth it. The Alclad, best metal paint...start with Steel.

Now as far as the skills..first thanks for the complement. Next, all in good time. I came back to the hobby 4 years ago. It has taken a while to ride again. I get better every day.

Your only behind me in time....its 90% confidence....you have the skill Wink [;)].

Thanks again.

Rounds Complete!! 

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

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Valrico, FL
Posted by HeavyArty on Monday, November 2, 2009 9:26 AM
Keep plugging away brother.  She's looking better every day.  Great work.

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 Monday, November 2, 2009 7:16 PM

Gino - Thanks and thanks for help keeping the bubbles level!!

Rounds Complete!!

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

  • Member since
    April 2007
  • From: Schroon Lake, NY
Posted by SMJmodeler on Friday, November 6, 2009 2:45 PM

Mike: I got the heebie jeebies looking at all those road wheels.  This should be a good one!...Are you going for that Best American Award again?Thumbs Up [tup]

BTW: Can you shoot me a PM with the cannon-in-tow you thought would go best with my M4 HST?  Thanks!

  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by T26E4 on Friday, November 6, 2009 2:57 PM

For an M4 HST, you should get either AFV Club's 155mm Long Tom or their 203mm/8" Howitzer.  Get the Masters Productions WW2 era replacement wheel set too.

The M4 HST also towed the 90mm AA gun (but none exist in 1/35).  It was rated to also deal with the 155mm Howitzer but would have been a little overkill.

Roy Chow 

Join AMPS!

http://www.amps-armor.org

 

 

  • Member since
    April 2007
  • From: Schroon Lake, NY
Posted by SMJmodeler on Friday, November 6, 2009 3:52 PM
 T26E4 wrote:

For an M4 HST, you should get either AFV Club's 155mm Long Tom or their 203mm/8" Howitzer.  Get the Masters Productions WW2 era replacement wheel set too.

YES!!! That's the one I had in my hands at AMPS but had no budget left...Boohoo [BH]  Thanks!

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: New Jersey
Posted by redleg12 on Friday, November 6, 2009 7:18 PM

Steve - Thanks...remember next year the theme is Korea!! This is the build of the never ending parts but getting close. Thanks for stopping by. Glad you got your answer on the howitzer....Roy is spot on. The M4 you bought is for either howitzer. The only other thin is if you want to show an ammo load in the M4. Then get the AFV 155mm/8inch rounds kit.

If you were doing the 90mm (if there was one) it would be the other version of the M4.

Enjoy the book....lots of good tractor pics

Thanks again Roy for the quick help

Rounds Complete!!

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

  • Member since
    May 2005
  • From: Eugene, Oregon
Posted by hughes2682 on Saturday, November 7, 2009 2:27 AM
Redleg,
Holy smoke! This is epic! After having a good look at the road wheels and their assemblies, I hereby vow never to gripe about German road wheels again. Mk IV or otherwise
Cheers
Dave

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Aaronw/Groupbuilds/ClassicAviationGB2010bomb.jpg

With enough thrust, pigs fly just fine.

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