Steve,s Chieftain rebuild

[Steve Norris]

Hi Charles.
Thanks that’s very useful, I have shots from the other side so with yours I should be able to make something fairly convincing.
Just need a photo of what’s under that left hatch now.
Regards
Steve

[John Clarke]

If you check out Phil's build, you'll find he did a very good NBC box too. There's good model pictures and of the original too. I'm hoping my turret won't take more than year to do but who knows, it's a large lump and there's lots of trip hazards.
Around page 45 onwards on Phils build and there's pictures of under the hatches too.
It's a wonderful reference for this build.

[Steve Norris]

It’s been a while since my last Chieftain post and things have moved along with the build. The turret is now complete with the exception of some internal wiring and the final camouflage which will have to wait until the hull is done.

Regards
Steve

[David Battson]

Hi Steve,
That is looking really good, excellent detailing.
What colour green paint are you using ?

David

[Steve Norris]

Hi David
Thanks.
The paint is Fosco English Green
Regards
Steve

[David Brady]

Beautiful work Steve

DB

[simon_manning]

Lovely build steve, the details look superb, a lot of effort on show and skill, regards simon.

[John Clarke]

Excellent work Steve. lovely pictures I'll be coming back to these pictures in the distant future.
And worthy reference material it is, Vince's prints filling in the details beautifully too.
Well done.

[Robert E Morey]

Extraordinary detail. Fantastic looking. Nearly 1:1.
As always, amazing work Steve.
Bob

[Richard Goodwin]

Fantastic work Steve. I would imagine they’ll be a few using those pics as a reference including myself!

Regards

[Steve Norris]

Hi Richard.
Thanks and use whatever you want.
I am nearly finished rebuilding the suspension units and will post an update shortly.
Regards
Steve

[Steve Norris]

Suspension components awaiting assembly and suspension housings being painted.
Hopefully I will get this lot assembled in the very near future.

Regards
Steve

[Steve Norris]

Suspension mods.
I have carried out a number of minor changes to the suspension units with the intention of getting greater swing arm travel, smoother running and improved detail. I will have to wait until I test the changes to know if they have been successful or not.

The clearance between the track guide horn and return roller axle is very tight, extra clearance has been created by removing material from the spacer.

I made up a set of washers with holes in to go under the return roller lock nuts.

The damper arms require some material removing to prevent them binding up as the suspension arms move. Left arm is unmodified and the right modified

Each swing arm has had material removed along the back edge to prevent it rubbing against the suspension housing. Rather than remove material across the complete back edge and the adding a spacer I have left some of the original material

I have added a steel washer over the notch in the spring housing at both ends, the idea is to allow the spring housing to float between the swing arm prongs. By doing this i am able to get full travel of the swing arms without having to remove huge amounts of material from the suspension housings

The other end of the spring assembly. The washer at this end is held in place by the nut and as such easily removed if I find the mod does not work, the other end is glued and may take a bit more effort to remove if required

It will be a while before I can test the spring mod but hopefully it will work, one other advantage of this mod is that I don’t have to worry about the spring assemblies falling out of position when the weight comes off the suspension units.

Regards

Steve

[Richard Goodwin]

It'll be interesting to see how it comes out Steve. This is an excellent example of what a forum is all about; ie learnig from perhaps others experience and coming up with new and sometimes better ways of doing things.

Regards

[Steve Norris]

Continuing with the planning for the wiring, does anyone know if one of the LED output’s can be used to power the headlights .

One LED output is needed for the recoil flash

Regards
Steve