Armorpax's 25 Pounder

[Dave Dibb (Armorpax)]

Hi All,

New moulds made and parts fitted. The axle castings may need a little adjustment dependent on how the kit goes together as mine were ever so slighlty different on each side. As I've only made the master from one side there is not much I can do about this but I only had to trim the rear step on the new casting about 1mm on the opposite side.

Also used K&S tubing to add a little more detail to the elevation rod.

Best regards

Dave

[Leon Benjamins]

Looking good Dave! Work of art!

[Derek Attree]

Hi Dave
Happy Christmas mate
They are great parts and your 25 pounder look fantastic .
Great photos too.

All ther best.
Derek

[Dave Dibb (Armorpax)]

Hi All,

A parcel arrived from Marcus today and inside was the extra brake drum he had made. A little Mr.Surfacer and it was ready to mould.

Its a lovely little piece and will finish the wheels off nicely.

Many thanks Marcus!

Best regards

Dave

[Marcus Kwa]

Glad you like it Dave! I see I forgot to sand the edges of the stiffener ribs smooth on that third one.......
What kind of photo equipment do you use? I am still struggeling to get the detail shots wholy in focus.

Best regards,

Marcus

[Adrian Harris]

I can't speak for Dave but I find using the Macro function gives the best results for detail pictures.

If the flash is too harsh, I switch off Macro mode and stand further away, then zoom into the model. That way you get the same framing but the flash is dissipated a little by the distance.

Macro mode on your camera is enabled by the flower symbol on the screen. The flower on its own is for distances of 10cm to 30cm. The flower with the S is for "Super Macro" and is for distances as close as 2cm.

I love the detail you've put into this piece. Shame I won't be using the wheels on my 25 pounder

Adrian.

[Dave Dibb (Armorpax)]

Glad you like it Dave! I see I forgot to sand the edges of the stiffener ribs smooth on that third one.......
What kind of photo equipment do you use? I am still struggeling to get the detail shots wholy in focus.

Best regards,

Marcus

Hi Marcus,

They were smooth but I've added a fair bit of Mr Surfacer which has blended in the ribs but also then been stippled to look a little more like a casting. It means the edges vary slightly.

I use macro or super macro without a flash. I prefer daylight but if not I shoot the pics under a desk striplight with 2 LED spots on the front to reduce shadow.

I have the second casting curing at the moment but will post pics of the pair later.

Best regards

Dave

[Dave Dibb (Armorpax)]

I love the detail you've put into this piece. Shame I won't be using the wheels on my 25 pounder

Adrian.

Hi Adrian,

Sexton by any chance?

Best regards

Dave

[Dave Dibb (Armorpax)]

Hi All,

First pair of brake drums cast.

Best regards

Dave

[Adrian Harris]

> Sexton by any chance?

Yup

I've got to do something with all this Sherman running gear.

Adrian.

[Leon Benjamins]

Looking good Dave!

[Marcus Kwa]

Whow, that realy brings a smile on your face! One that will last the whole day!

Marcus

[Dave Dibb (Armorpax)]

Hi All,

Rest of the axle and brake parts cast and fitted. I'v made a slightly simplified version of the brake assembly to keep it strong enough in resin and make it a little easier to cast. There is also a little artistic licence in my original brake handle but I decided to mould it and add to the set.

I've also made and cast the first of the lower rear trail angles.

Best regards

Dave

[Leon Benjamins]

Very nice work!

[Marcus Kwa]

Simplified? Actually there is nothing more to add....... Looking very good!!!
Sourcing the spring for the brake actuator rods.
I replaced the 4 hex bolts on the back of the wheel with some CSK bolts (taper head) to position the drums slightly more towards the wheels.
Working on the rivets here, 200 to go......

Cheers,

Marcus