FRONT STRETCHER FOR T34/85

[Ian Rodney]

Questions to Phil Fitzpatrick and other T34 builders.

I have been following progress builds on the Armortek Forum on various members T34s. I have reached the stage were I would like to change my rounded Front Stretcher to the sharp angled shape I prefer to the rounded one that comes with the T34 kit.
I noticed that Phil has a nice sharp angled to his front stretcher on his T34/85 kit. What I want to know is how he and any other builders go about making this part! and if anybody else has pics of this particular build up, I would be most interested in seeing them.

Cheers
Ian

From Glasgow, Scotland

[phil fitzpatrick]

Hi Ian
I just found a peice of thin aluminium angle section,I think it was
10mm x 15mm x 1mm.
I used epoxy to fix it to the rounded front and if I remember right the longer
leg was downwards and the top was level with the uper front.
I finished the joints with miliput welds but I sanded the top one flusher
so it looked a bit like a ground weld.
The little bit of open end to the angle i filled with milliput and sanded
it level but not so much as to see the metal angle shape.
Later I spotted two little brackets on the front of some T34-85 and I made a
pair and these were glued with althread studs witch just nicele went through the
angle and into the "D" front,further strenghthening it.
Hope this helps,There should be some pictures in my earlier postings.
Regards
Phil

[phil fitzpatrick]

Ian
I forgot to say that I also replaced the Hex head screws with hex counter sunk
screws and filled those flush.
Regards
Phil

[phil fitzpatrick]

I'm back again Ian.
I learnt the hard way and did all my work on the front before the
front suspension was fitted and the Idler,and I couldnt or didnt want to
retake my glacis plate back off
It is much easier to fit these with that upper plate off,it was a bit
of a strugle compressing the front springs and trying to get the bolts
through,while reaching under that big sloping plate.
It might be worth a bit of planning,I didnt want you to curse me after.
I think I took several photo's of the bits in my early build log and you
will see that you have to alter the front spring bolt accordingly, so it
doesnt hit the top plate.
Regards
Phil

[Ian Rodney]

Hi Phil,

Thanks for your quick reply to my questions on the Front Stretcher for my T34/85.

Yes I was wondering how you went about changing the shape of your rounded front stretcher, to the shape angled look!
Yes I thought that to, in adding a piece of thin aluminium angle sections to the front, I was just not quite sure of the sizes you used!
I read up from your pics on the wee brackets on the front of some T34s which I will add later, once I have fixed the front stretcher. I will also replace my own Hex head screws with Hex counter sunk screws and fill in afterwards like you did with yours.
Yes I noticed your comments on the working on the front glacis, before you added the inner front springs, and how it was not easy in getting at them to tighten the bolts etc. I will do like wise and follow your good advice on all the information you have given to me, so far.
Yes good planning that's the way to go! But I shall keep the cursing to myself and not blame you in any way!
I've done plenty of that over the years on my other Armortek kits in the past.

I enjoy following the real masters at work on their builds, there is a lot of very highly skilled model builders out there for sure!

Anyway thanks for all your sound advice so far, I'm sure I will be back on the Forum soon on my progress build of my T34. Great kit to work on (Thanks Mark)

Although I maybe one of the last person's to comment on your fine, superb build of your T34, but Congratulations anyway, excellent work, I just hope my T34 turns out as good as your's some day?

As for more inspiration I now follow your build on a late Tiger, which will be very interesting to watch your build on that fine looking kit too.

Kind regards
Ian

From Glasgow, Scotland

[phil fitzpatrick]

Thanks Ian
Yes the T34 is a great kit,you will like working on the suspension,
when you get to it,its very nice stuff and works well.
look forward to seeing your pic's.
Cheers
Phil

[John Davie]

Hi Ian,

I wanted the 'square' front too. I made it from aluminium bar, shaped to fit and bolted to the nose.

John.

IMG_0881.JPG (5.65 MiB) Viewed 11593 times

IMG_0944.JPG (4.4 MiB) Viewed 11593 times

[Ian Rodney]

Hi John,

Thanks for showing me your pics of your T34/85, suppose to be showing me the sharp end so to speak!
Unfortunately your pics only show the top half's and the lower half's are all grey, blocking out your front stretcher, which you wanted to show me the aluminium to the nose with the 'square' front?

Perhaps if you don't mind trying to send your pics again, so that I can see the whole picture this time!

Cheers
Ian

[Derek Attree]

Hi Ian
Try using the sliders at the side of Johns pictures then the
bottom comes into view.

Works for me

Derek

[John Davie]

Hi Ian,

As Derek says, the pictures look fine to me also. They are uploaded to this site which puts the sliders on the sides.

if you want more pictures , see my build thread 'T34/85 #007 taking shape'.

John

[Ian Rodney]

Hi John,

Thanks very much, the sliders seem to work showing me the lower half of your pics. And found more pics on your build thread taking shape, showing me your front stretcher, excellent.

Another great looking T34/85 007, Congratulations on creating a superb tank.

Cheers
Ian

[Armortek]

Hi All

Ref pictures. Just click on the picture and it will expand to full size. Click off the picture and it will collapse again.

Mark

[Ian Rodney]

Hi Phil & Co,

Just an update on my progress on my T34/85 Front Stretcher. I managed to change the rounded stretcher original part into a more angled sharp look for my tank, hope it look's right to your expert eyes! I just need to counter-sink my screws etc.

Cheer
Ian

[phil fitzpatrick]

Hi Ian
Yes that front will look good when you have it all filled and painted
and the screws hidden.
Regards
Phil

[Ian Rodney]

Hi Phil,

Thanks for your comments on my front stretcher, I've added the two small eyed hooks onto the stretcher now before filling in the two ends.

By the way what kind of batteries did you buy for your T34/85 kit to get it up and running!

Cheers
Ian