Chieftain Build No.17

[Mark Russell]

The next problem...
Anyone else noticed that on the front bogie you do not get full suspension travel downwards as the shock absorber arms restrict the movement! I’ve done the mod to get full travel in the other direction but now looks like this needs some thought.

[John Clarke]

Oh dear, didn't check that, too busy on the tracks.

But I think since the arms are only cosmetic. Reverse the small shoulder pin (which you've done), a spacer, half nut, Loctite and a little luck should be a simple fix.

As for the extra grinding in the spring tunnel

[Richard Goodwin]

Unfortunately Mark, there is also a problem with the other direction in that the fork itself limits upward travel as you can see by the pic below.....

You may get a little more movement out of it by grinding/filing out the fork more but it would I think that would be limited by the track itself. Short of removing the arms totally to get full movement on the front bogies, i don't see any other options.

[Mark Russell]

Had a look today at obtaining full downwards travel by modifying the shockers. Decided not to bother in the end as the shock link arm would need to be about 25mm longer because of the geometry. Anyway I have full upwards travel and I guess having full downwards isn’t actually going to make any difference really....

[Mark Russell]

Hi guys just started assembling the track links. If you have to remove a little material to enable the split pin to be inserted, how do you remove it? I’ve been using a file and then a diamond tipped dremel bit to get into the area that a file can’t.
Any better suggestions welcome...
Thanks
Mark

[Richard Goodwin]

I used the end of a 932 grinding bit with gentle pressure. You'll find it's just the right size!

[Mark Russell]

Hi a bit more progress with some acid etch priming now there’s a bit of warmer weather!
Anyone like my indoor washing line...
Tyres also glued to wheel rims!
Hoping for some more warmer weather this week in order to make a little more progress!

[Mark Russell]

A little more progress, it’s starting slowly and surely to come together now!

[John Clarke]

Looking great Mark, is it in factory fresh bronze green?

Your not a power lifter by any chance, I'm dreading the weight of the model once all those components are fitted. I wouldn't be able to lift it without seriously damaging something:oops:

[Mark Russell]

Hi John it’s NATO green although not from a RAL supplier. I’ve had two different batches, one more green, on the wheels, and one darker on the chassis. I think that the darker is more akin to NATO green looking at my Tamiya paints, so I am trying to get more of this darker batch. It’s £2 per 400ml spray can so very cost effective although probably not 100% authentic. And yes it’s pretty heavy now...

[Mark Russell]

Getting the wheels on , tracks on tomorrow and then get her sitting the right way up!

[Mark Russell]

Hi Guys I’ve now got her sat on the wheels, no tracks on yet, but the suspension spring units won’t sit in the claws and keep dropping out? I have them adjusted to all the same length and as long as possible out of the tank such that the springs remain sat in their housings. Is this anything to worry about? I guess they’ll be a bit more weight once complete but I would have thought that they would have remained better located at this point?

[Mark Russell]

Tracks on now and been pushing it along the ground to test her. Had to remove one link though so 93 each side now in order to get the tension correct. My return roller modification has worked perfectly and the track horns do not hit the inner diameter. Still got an issue with trying to get the spring units to all seat correctly. Anyone else had this issue? Other than that the only other issue seems to be that the inside of the tracks rub on the top corner of the gearbox housing. Any ideas?

[Mark Russell]

Bit more work today! She’s starting to take shape now!

[Mark Russell]

A bit more work this time on the turret outside in the sun whilst I play trains with my garden railway at the same time
Also got the rolling chassis all finished now in Nato green. Followed by a pint in the Black Boy Inn (old time pub on the garden railway is the last picture)
NB had a lot of divots to fill in the turret as when painted they stand pit like a sore thumb...