discussion Another First - 1/35 CH2 TES.

[Waspie]

With wheels like on your Challenger, I often leave the back half on the sprue and assemble the front half to it, then spray them like that. Easy to hold because of the sprue, and as the wheels will all be next to each other, it also makes it quick to spray them one after the other.


The track was changed from Challenger 1 to 2, yes. 1 had a track much like Chieftain’s, with one large pad but metal triangular “horns” on the sides because they were single-pin tracks (meaning one pin connects each link to the next one).

Challenger 2 has double-pin tracks, meaning the blocks are linked together by separate connectors along the sides and in the case of wide tracks like here, a third one in the middle. This results in two small runner pads, because there has to be room for the centre connector.


I normally spray the tracks with the metal (or rust) colour and then hand-paint the blocks. This is a chore, but much less so than doing it the other way round.

As ever Jakko, you come up trumps. I had a strange feeling in my water I would be hand painting the blocks!! (Going by the instructions that will be 316 rubber blocks!!! Oh joy!! :smiling2:
As an aside, we used to give the guard dogs at Lulworth, (Gunnery `school), the Chally 1 blocks to chew on as Kongs only lasted a day if that!!

 

[Guest]

You don’t need to paint all of the rubber blocks, though. All those that face the ground can be left unpainted because nobody will see them, for example, and if you followed my earlier advice to only assemble enough track for the part that can actually be seen, you’ll have about a third less links in the first place

 

[Waspie]

You don’t need to paint all of the rubber blocks, though. All those that face the ground can be left unpainted because nobody will see them, for example, and if you followed my earlier advice to only assemble enough track for the part that can actually be seen, you’ll have about a third less links in the first place

I did in fact listen to your sage advice. I will have a section of track missing. Which obviously will be hidden behind the armour, the plan is to secure the ends together with some strong cotton used for repairing leather.
I'm actually scribbling down instructions on the instructions to prompt me at the various stages!!

 

[Tim Marlow]

.
I'm actually scribbling down instructions on the instructions to prompt me at the various stages!!

That’s a good wrinkle to use. I actually scribble out bits as they are done and scrawl notes all over my instructions as I build, so they remind me of when the painted bits get stuck together. I also make up to do lists at certain times so I don’t forget things, especially if I’m modding or scratching anything.

 

[Waspie]

That’s a good wrinkle to use. I actually scribble out bits as they are done and scrawl notes all over my instructions as I build, so they remind me of when the painted bits get stuck together. I also make up to do lists at certain times so I don’t forget things, especially if I’m modding or scratching anything.

Because this is my first ever armour, every session is a learning curve. From PE to assembling individual track links. Probably messed up the painting process, ie, have I assembled parts without thinking of how I'm going to access behind to paint!! Then I think!! 'Am I over thinking it'?
Whatever and however it turns out I'll have learned something. Must admit I'm getting used to the airbrush more, almost to the point I prefer it to brushing!! Should I have said that!!

 

[Guest]

Whatever and however it turns out I'll have learned something.

IMHO, it’s the best way to learn: from your own mistakes “This would have been much easier if I hadn’t done that part before but after …” will usually come in handy for the next model.

 

[Waspie]

Don't think I'll be getting any bench time today!!
Today, I am informed is groom as in cut the puppy's hair!!! So gauntlets and full face armour are the order of the day!!
Wish me luck, it could get bloody!!!!

 

[Waspie]

A reprieve!!
Her ladyship was over and done in no time. The time spent at puppy school paid off to a degree. She sat and let me cut her coat like a proper little star.
The bonus is - bench time. So ta-ta for now - a wheel painting I go!!!! :thumb2: :smiling2:

 

[Waspie]

OK, folks, progress today on many fronts. Another item on SWIMBO's list ticked off plus pup sheared!!
But most of all, road wheels on CH2 painted, wheels and tyres. Fitted to check for alignment etc. A few odds and sods fitted to the hull in preparation for painting. Even took the time to Maskol the tiny clear bits!! (Hope you're all keeping up with the techno speak!!!!).
Pictures - isn't true unless there's pictures, so yer tis!!!!

Wheels on the improvised thingies for dangling in the air!

Road wheels and driving wheel attached. Luckily they can be removed and refitted - helpful!

Side skirts completed and waiting to be painted before fitting.

Fitted tracks to wheels to check clearance and such. Removed them after the piccy as they need painting up first.

Overall, quite pleased with todays progress. Especially as I didn't think I was going to make any headway.

 

[Andy T]

Coming together well Doug.

I've just ordered a 1/48 challenger. I can't say I'm looking forward to painting the rubber pads on the tracks!

 

[Waspie]

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

I've just been recapping my meanderings and found I hadn't responded to you John. Apologies!
I might be a bit 'different'!!! :tongue-out3: I actually enjoyed the tracks. As long as I left them when the eyes started going. The accuracy of the individual parts placement and having to be accurate with the cement I enjoyed. By the end I had a nice rhythm going. (Thanks to Jake's advice). What helped as well, was acquiring some decent tweezers. Less parts flying into the space that is my garage and all that entails!!
Doug

Having a bad night - I have responded!!! Doh!! Slaps head!!! :rolling::sleeping:

 

[Guest]

As long as I left them when the eyes started going.

I can spot the places where that happened (You’ve got a few end connectors on upside down )

 

[Waspie]

I can spot the places where that happened (You’ve got a few end connectors on upside down :smiling3: )

Tbh Jakko, I didn’t realise there was a right way up until much much later. Nothing in the instructions and didn't recognise the detail until too late.
A combination of armour naivety and an overdue trip to the opticians.

 

[Mickc1440]

Looking real nice Doug, a Challenger was the first model I did a lot of scratch building on, look forward to seeing more now I’ve caught up

 

[Waspie]

Looking real nice Doug, a Challenger was the first model I did a lot of scratch building on, look forward to seeing more now I’ve caught up

Thanks Mick, Apart from the tow cable I won't be doing much scratching at all. It's only my second kit so not getting overly adventurous.

Today was a crazy day. Gave the garage a coat of paint - 45 minutes.
Searching for a 1.5mm piece of plastic 1:05 minutes!!! It was one of those, holding in the tweezers on second the next it's flying through the air with a cloaking device!!!! Eventually found it amongst some garage detritus!!!!

Took Jakko and Andy's advice re the tow cable. Hopefully got it right on the second attempt.
Mod 1 was too thick, would fit the end bits.
Mod 2, removed four strands of wire and 'yes'. Fitted a dream. (Pic below of Mods 1 and 2.)
Finished the day with some PE. It was constructed no problem, then I tried to fit the drum for I guess a field telephone cable! Walked away. Leave that for another day!!

Tow Cables!

 

[Guest]

Tbh Jakko, I didn’t realise there was a right way up until much much later.

Hardly anyone will notice — I only did because I’ve assembled a number of sets of similar tracks in recent years, so my eye almost automatically wandered to that The cables look very nice.

 

[Jim R]

Great stuff Doug. The model is coming on a treat, you're thinking things through and asking all the right questions and above all you're having fun. Just how it should be. Puppy trimmed with no blood - a real bonus.

 

[Waspie]

Hardly anyone will notice — I only did because I’ve assembled a number of sets of similar tracks in recent years, so my eye almost automatically wandered to that :smiling3: The cables look very nice.

But it is nice to know there is a right and wrong way. There are a few errors I have made, found another tonight when I compared pictures of actual machines. The cables alone!! I have three images of Chally's, all with differing methods of holding the cables in place. Problem for me, the couple of images of the TES I have, the cables are obscured by Camouflage.
But hey ho - Rome wasn't built in a day and as I progress I learn.
Keep em coming Jakko. :thumb2: All comments and criticisms gratefully received - genuinely. Only way I'm going to improve.

 

[Waspie]

Great stuff Doug. The model is coming on a treat, you're thinking things through and asking all the right questions and above all you're having fun. Just how it should be. Puppy trimmed with no blood - a real bonus.

Yeah, it's coming along Jim. I had to tell myself off yesterday, caught up in the 'making progress' euphoria!!! I just wanted to push to get onto the painting. Then I had a read through how much more was to be done, just to the hull, so time to back off, slow down, as I had already made mistakes.
Today I found I had put a couple of brackets in the wrong place so had to surgically remove them and make good for their intended purpose.
Not joking about going to the opticians, the reason the mistake was made was the parts concerned were next to each other on the sprue and although the items being on different pages on the destructions, they were next to the wrong items on the sprue. If I had checked properly with probably better specs I may not have made the error.
These are the correct brackets, the wrong ones are in the same place but either side of the other light cluster. Easy to remove and replace with the correct bracket!! Just dumb on my behalf!!:rolling:.


I thought I had a working system, identify the part, remove them, (one tick on the instructions), then when fitted or added to the model, (two ticks). When a whole section of the instructions is completed - then that section is then ticked.
From now on builders rules, measure twice cut once, or in our terms, read twice and fit once!!

As for the puppy, couldn't believe it!! An hour to give her a trim!! She is our sixth Westie and the only female. The previous five have been 2.5 to 4 hours for a trim!! Mind you - she's the only one who has gone to puppy classes and they are paying off!! (Well - for a piece of sausage or liver cake!!!) Bribery works wonders for you digits!!!! :smiling2:

 

[Guest]

But hey ho - Rome wasn't built in a day and as I progress I learn.

The biggest mistake you can make in this hobby (or any other) is thinking the result will be perfect from your very first try Or to put that in other words: if you don’t hold high expectations, you’ll be pleased when things turn out well, rather than disappointed because things don’t live up to what you expected.