Panzer III / IV Cupola - Request to Mike @ Toyrific

[Brian Leach]

Hi Everyone,

I have given this some thught and have decided to offer the Pz III/IV cupola, bare bones for $475. This is cast in aluminum and brass with the hatches, no interior parts.

Later this week I will post the specfics and some pictures. I have just purchased a burn-out kiln for making the castings for $2000. So now I need to get that going, and make some wax patterns.

I was thinking of maybe posting a forum topic on how I am going to making these little pups. It should be interesting (although watching two cars collide is interesting, I wouldn't want to be one and hope I am not going to be one here )

I will also be making a more robust version. I will let you know about that later on.

Have a good day!

[Jim Fowler]

OK Brian, PM sent.

[colin fairweather]

great news

im jumping the gun a bit but i take it this wil include the adapter plate for the turret top

regards

colin

[Brian Leach]

Colin,

Hi

Good point, I hadn't thought too much on the adopter plate. The mounting flange/plate for the AT PzIII is different than the true scale mounting flange in that the AT turret deck is thicker. I have made a mounting flange to account for that, I don't see why I cannot modify it to account for the different size holes. It is funney how we never discussed it before. Oh well.

So I will look into it and barring any unforseen problems I can make the plate for the PzIII (I have one), but would need some help fitting one out for the PzIV. I am sure it can be done though.

Okay?

Take care

[Stephen White]

Hi

i've been following this with interest as Brian's first cupola found its way onto my Pz III. If anyone is not quite sure, this is really the business. Brian's craftsmanship, determination and skill is second to none. I"m saying that out of respect - I have no other interest.

A couple of points to bear in mind. The diameter of the kit PzIII cupola is over-scale. In fitting Brian's cupola there are two consequences: the adapter plate is needed to provide the correct fit and the hatches will reqjuire reducing. I used the Armorpax split hatch and had no problem in reducing its diameter and soldering a new raised edge using a strip of brass.

For true accuracy, the cupola also needs to shift back towards the rear wall of the turret as far as it will go. So the adapter plate shouldn't be a concentric ring but eccentric. (OK - so who would notice?) I posted some pictures on my thread a while back. All I would say is that Brain's work is so good that I thought it deserved going the extra mile to get the location right - it does make a surprising difference in appearance.

I can't comment on the Px IV except to say it used a common cupola.

We're so lucky with the skill of our aftermarket parts producers and hope they thrive.

Best regards

Stephen

[John Cooper]

Hi Jim

I would be interested in one for the panzer 4

Regards

John

[Mike Stannard (toyrific)]

Hi Guys

As this request was originally direct to me I want to say that as Brian has already put a lot of time into producing a cupola I do not intend to go into competition with him. He is a excellent craftsman and I am sure his final production of the cupola will make all those interested very happy.

Regards
Mike

[Brian Leach]

Good Morning Everyone!

First, thank you for all the support you have given me, espscally Mike and Stephen. You are gents!

I thought I would give you an update on the cupola project.

This week I have bought the burnout oven.

I also ordered the investment, wax, and brass for the castings.

With luck everything will be here and ready for a pour by next Saturday.

I am pretty excited about this and hope you all look forward to this as much as I do.

I have been working on this particular project for about a year now. I has been kind of scary (the process is involved) but very interesting. I have been casting for the last few years (some of you may remember) and this has been where I have been headed wether I knew it or not. This is what I believe the start of some beautiful castings.

Of interest to some of you is that I will be pouring the swingarms I had began two years ago and other projects that have been waiting.

I have been considering putting up pictures of the process if anyone is interested. It may be funny, or even like watching a train wreck, but we will learn from it.

Have a good day, wish me luck

[Robert Allsop]

Hi Brian,

I would be interested in a Pz IV cupolar and would be fascinated to see the process.

Best of luck

Bob

[John Cooper]

Hi Brian

Count me in for a panzer 4 cupola, i look forward to seeing your pictures.

Regards

John Cooper

[Mark Bennett]

Hi Brian,

I'd be interested in a Pz III cupola too.

Mark

[Paul. Fowler-Smith]

Brian

Please add my name for a cupola for a Panzer 3.

Any further update on the swimarms?

Paul

[Brian Leach]

Good Morning everyone!

An update here on the PzIII/IV cupola.

Some of you may not be aware that we had a big ice and snow storm here in the NW US.
I have not yet received deliverys of the brass and investment I need to do the castings.
Also, the electricity was out Friday and Saturday.
I did, though, get some of the moulds done for the first castings, so when the supplies show up I am ready.

I will have pictures tonight.

I am also going to cast PzIII swing arms. The cupola takes priority, but the arms will be mixed in as i work along.

I am going to be offering a "suprise" item.
Will anyone be able to guess fron the pictures?
(Kent? )

This has been fun and, honestly, kind of exciting.
I hope you will enjoy this too.

Thanks for the interest.

Is anyone else having trouble accessing the Panther part of the forum?
When i click on it I get a database error.

So, later pictures, until then,
tschuss!

[Ray Brown]

g'day brian. 1 panzer 4 cupola for me please. let me know how to pay and i'll organise it when you're ready.

cheers

ray

[Brian Leach]

Good Afternoon everyone!

I have begun the posting the casting process I am using to produce my parts.

I hope you enjoy: http://www.armortek.co.uk/Forum3b/viewt ... =15&t=3700

Also, to those of you who expressed their interest in this Thank You!
I will be in touch with each of you in the next couple of days.

Have a good day,