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Chieftain build by Phil Woollard.

Forum for discussion relating to the Chietain MBT
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Phil Woollard
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Re: Chieftain build by Phil Woollard.

Post by Phil Woollard »

A little tease from tomorrows coming post.
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I think that's it for the detail on the road wheels, lock nuts in place, I don't have any more of those until delivery tomorrow. When you think that it's just 20 bolts and nuts per road wheel assembly that will carry all that weight, and all the directional forces involved, the nut either needs lock tight or a lock nut, the latter being the choice of the chieftain designers!
I think that's it for the detail on the road wheels, lock nuts in place, I don't have any more of those until delivery tomorrow. When you think that it's just 20 bolts and nuts per road wheel assembly that will carry all that weight, and all the directional forces involved, the nut either needs lock tight or a lock nut, the latter being the choice of the chieftain designers!
My bible at present.
My bible at present.
Very nice castings, it all goes together beautifully will a little fetling.
Very nice castings, it all goes together beautifully will a little fetling.
Awaiting the m3 fixing order.
Awaiting the m3 fixing order.
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Charles A Stewart
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Re: Chieftain build by Phil Woollard.

Post by Charles A Stewart »

Hello Phil
Hope you don't mind my asking, I have No34. I have been putting the the larger parts together to save space. I am working on the running gear and have found the hub caps do not just screw in nicely.
After some work i have sorted the idlers. Being aluminium don't wish wreck such an investment. Could you please advise on this issue, yours seem to fit perfectly and I like the inspection fittings. I will now be raiding my outdoor gear repair box.
Many thanks for a very useful stream.

Charles
Chieftain No.34, functional. PKW IV (2002), operational. Panther G No.18 (2022), started, well some of it is. Series 1 4x4 No.28 and a Bailey Bridge.

Phil Woollard
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Re: Chieftain build by Phil Woollard.

Post by Phil Woollard »

Hi Charles, you need to run the ali idler threads over a rotary wire brush if you have one to polish and deburr, failing that use a hand wire brush then a little oil on the thread and all should be fine. Ali threads "pick up" and bind terribly if they are at all tight, it's easy to clean up the male thread but more difficult to clean up the female. Hope this helps if not let me know. 8)
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andymusgrove
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Re: Chieftain build by Phil Woollard.

Post by andymusgrove »

Morning Phil

Another great build blog thank you very much.

Can I ask what reference material you using for your bible please. I like the drawings you have there.

Keep up the good work.

Kind regards

Andy

Phil Woollard
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Re: Chieftain build by Phil Woollard.

Post by Phil Woollard »

Hi Andy, I will check which book/books I am using for reference later, for now photos from Tuesdays exploits 8)
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About 2 days work in my "day box" selected parts container. There are still many more parts to be picked for the shock absorbers assemblies.
About 2 days work in my "day box" selected parts container. There are still many more parts to be picked for the shock absorbers assemblies.
I'm using quality Tamiya grease for the bushings.
I'm using quality Tamiya grease for the bushings.
Nice warm sunny day yesterday so the etch primmer could be applied outside.
Nice warm sunny day yesterday so the etch primmer could be applied outside.
I decided to nip up the 8mm nuts to hold the big arms in place while I work on the assembly, these nuts can be loosened later or the suspension won't function.
I decided to nip up the 8mm nuts to hold the big arms in place while I work on the assembly, these nuts can be loosened later or the suspension won't function.
IMG_20191022_154524640.jpg
The problem area that will take some head scratching to solve, it's by no means necessary to change the geometry of the belly plate angles and the rear plate lower edge, unless you want a very accurate chieftain example indeed.
The problem area that will take some head scratching to solve, it's by no means necessary to change the geometry of the belly plate angles and the rear plate lower edge, unless you want a very accurate chieftain example indeed.
A tip, best keep the paint out of this area or the return roller mount will just not go in to it's seat.
A tip, best keep the paint out of this area or the return roller mount will just not go in to it's seat.
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Richard Goodwin
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Re: Chieftain build by Phil Woollard.

Post by Richard Goodwin »

Like the detail in the road wheels Phil, looking very good. Now you've used lock nuts, did you use the same length hex head bolts as the original cap head bolts?

Phil Woollard
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Re: Chieftain build by Phil Woollard.

Post by Phil Woollard »

Hi Richard, the kit size standard cap head length will be slightly to small, so you would need to use longer bolts ( technically they are screws as they are all threads) and cut to size, best carefully measure the length that you require as some lock nuts may vary in length. If you study photos of the 1/1 wheels the bolts protrude ever so slightly past the nuts as they should, so factor that in. 8)
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Re: Chieftain build by Phil Woollard.

Post by Phil Woollard »

The first pair of road wheels have the shock absorbers are all but finished, and four more to complete today. Looking very closely at the reference photos of the wheel hub, there is just one more tiny hole to detail which I shall machine today. 8)
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There's quite a lot of work involved to clean up these machined parts but well worth the end result.
There's quite a lot of work involved to clean up these machined parts but well worth the end result.
IMG_20191023_093838607.jpg
A few hours of filing here.
A few hours of filing here.
The reference book with the nice line drawing in it, I still think that the Haynes manual has some of the best info and photos.
The reference book with the nice line drawing in it, I still think that the Haynes manual has some of the best info and photos.
Excellent and detailed kit this one, if anyone wants it in around 4 months time give me a shout.
Excellent and detailed kit this one, if anyone wants it in around 4 months time give me a shout.
The 1/35 example for reference. I will sell this little kit on when I have finished referring to all the detail.
The 1/35 example for reference. I will sell this little kit on when I have finished referring to all the detail.
IMG_20191024_082554147.jpg
I'm not going to lock tight the axles until a lot later.
I'm not going to lock tight the axles until a lot later.
Lovely well made quality feel to these big buggers.
Lovely well made quality feel to these big buggers.
Mechanical engineer.
2 Youtube channels, Phil Woollard and Magpiespyro. Facebook/ Phil Woollard.
Commission builds considered. Pm for my email.

Phil Woollard
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Re: Chieftain build by Phil Woollard.

Post by Phil Woollard »

My God I have done it, I've corrected the rear belly plate and the rear plate, it is a compromise and it's not for the fainthearted! More details tomorrow. 8)
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Hows that Stephen?
Hows that Stephen?
The rear plate to belly plate intersection is now perfectly straight and square!
The rear plate to belly plate intersection is now perfectly straight and square!
Ivano This one is for you to copy. this is the improved motor not the crappy early example.
Ivano This one is for you to copy. this is the improved motor not the crappy early example.
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Charles A Stewart
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Re: Chieftain build by Phil Woollard.

Post by Charles A Stewart »

Cheers Phil

Your advice has worked nicely so far, re sorted idlers hubs and starting the road wheel hubs next. Track bashing presently. Given I am new to these models & thus fainthearted, I like what you have done to the back of the hull, but I will just watch for now. If you don't mine may I copy your idea of replacing those bolts underneath?

Cheers
Chieftain No.34, functional. PKW IV (2002), operational. Panther G No.18 (2022), started, well some of it is. Series 1 4x4 No.28 and a Bailey Bridge.

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Re: Chieftain build by Phil Woollard.

Post by Steve Norris »

Hi Phil
A top job your doing as usual, Do you have the dimensions for the rear plate/belly plate mod you have done. No point in re-inventing the wheel if I don’t have to.
Regards
Steve

Phil Woollard
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Re: Chieftain build by Phil Woollard.

Post by Phil Woollard »

Thanks Charles and you carry on don't mind me it's all for the common good!
Steve are you referring to the the whole mod as in the rear angle adjustment or the access plates dimentions?
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Ivano Costantini
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Re: Chieftain build by Phil Woollard.

Post by Ivano Costantini »

Hi Phil,
it will not be easy!
Just a curiosity: the tank model does not open this way,
only the doors can be opened.
Thanks Ivano

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John Clarke
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Re: Chieftain build by Phil Woollard.

Post by John Clarke »

i have to agree with Ivano, unless your going to make structure changes to the model deck, it will be impossible to remove the dummy motor/gearbox.

Coming back to the idea of a light weight possible Vac formed "dress up" cap over the model motors.

Unless it's going to be a static mode? :cry:

Now if you were to build a ARRV, that's a different "kettle of fish".

Like the extra holes in the road wheels, did you make a jig template?
Oh Man, I only ride em I don't know what makes them work,
Definatley an Anti-Social type

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Re: Chieftain build by Phil Woollard.

Post by Phil Woollard »

I may cut the deck out on ours so this can be done but you are correct only the hatches open, the photo is for your engine position reference only. 8)
More photos from yesterday. Has any one assembled the suspension units yet, if so please email me!
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As close as your going to get using this method and nothing removed but for a slither from the rear plate bottom edge, this gap is then filled with the belly plate cut sections as they are folded to meet the rear plate.
As close as your going to get using this method and nothing removed but for a slither from the rear plate bottom edge, this gap is then filled with the belly plate cut sections as they are folded to meet the rear plate.
The paint has arrived.
The paint has arrived.
The bump stops need cleaning up.
The bump stops need cleaning up.
The road wheel fixings have arrived.
The road wheel fixings have arrived.
What you need to cut into but only part way through and then fold. I shall also cut a slot down the entire hull centre line for the weld bead to sit in, and yes the hull belly plate was welded together from two separate plates!
What you need to cut into but only part way through and then fold. I shall also cut a slot down the entire hull centre line for the weld bead to sit in, and yes the hull belly plate was welded together from two separate plates!
After cutting the bottom of the rear plate you will need to get it flat and square, remember the weld bead could do with a slot to sit in, "non butt welds"
After cutting the bottom of the rear plate you will need to get it flat and square, remember the weld bead could do with a slot to sit in, "non butt welds"
Last edited by Phil Woollard on Fri Oct 25, 2019 12:47 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Mechanical engineer.
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Commission builds considered. Pm for my email.

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