Steve,s Chieftain #46

[Steve Norris]

Today’s work has been to pin all the wheel axles into their respective swing arms

The idles are completed but the suspension swing arm still needs cleaning up

Regards

Steve

[Dennis Jones]

Always a good idea to do that Steve.

Dennis.

[Steve Norris]

Some work on the rear fenders/mudguards

I have added extensions to the inner mudguards to extend them downwards at the forward end. I also added mounting bolts and cut outs for the drive case bolts

Regards
Steve

[Steve Norris]

Made a start on lowering the forward section of the engine deck.
I am not sure the finished result will be particularly noticeable as the rear part of the engine deck may be a bit low.

The top plate now has a large section missing.

The missing bit, although not apparent I have beaten the bends out of it and now I have a flat plate.

Regards
Steve

[John Clarke]

Nice Mod Steve,looking forward to doing the same, getting someone to weld the bits back together again once flattened, I do like the bonkers detail on the rear mud guards too.

[Steve Norris]

Hi John
I am going to bolt my flattened section back in place although I don’t intend making it removable.
Regards
Steve

[Steve Norris]

I intend adding some extra support to the forward end of the engine deck as this area has to take some of the weight of the turret.
Has anyone got any photos of the forward bulkhead in the engine bay as this structure is just where I need to add support.
Regards
Steve

[andymusgrove]

Hi Steve

bit of a grubby picture - nothing unusual on Chieftain there hope it helps

Regards

Andy

[Vince Cutajar]

Steve, this is the best photo I have showing part of the bulkhead. Hope it's of use to you.

Vince

p.s. Andy, that's the best photo I've seen showing the top of the gear box. Saving that one.

[Steve Norris]

Thanks Andy.
That top picture gives me what I needed, I am not doing a full engine bay but just wanted to see where the bulkheads ran in relation to to the radiators. I can now add my reinforcements and sort the detail bits later.
Regards
Steve

[Steve Norris]

Time for a update
Plenty of progress made in the last few weeks, lowered rear deck and revised “T” piece completed. The suspension housings have been mounted and the waste chute has been made and fitted.

Forward left suspension housing fitted and detailed.

Waste chute door added

Lowered rear deck and modified “T” piece

Regards
Steve

[John Clarke]

Looks good Steve, rear deck mod impressive. I'd like to know in more detail how you did it. I've got a cunning plan but I'm always open to options.
I guess your going to strengthen support under the turret bearing too as I will be doing.
The support on the rear end of the turret bearing seems to be ok on the models built but while I'm in building mode, there's nothing like a bit of over engineering.
Nice touch on the moving of the filler cap position too.
Did you enjoy drilling a big hole in the Hull side for the waste hatch? It's fun having to guess where it's actually fitted and how much will be seen when the wheels go on isn't it.

[Steve Norris]

Hi John
To lower the forward end of the rear deck I used a cutting wheel in my Dremmel and sliced out the required bit. The removed section was then hammered flat and refitted using additional brackets. While doing this I also increased the length of the forward right radiator cut out (I have made a lengthened section of radiator for this area). If you look at this area you will see where I have had to add a filler piece because I got carried away with the cutting .
The T piece was increased in width and length and the rib at its rear end was added, I then found that I had to remove the lengthened part of the T piece as there was not enough clearance when the turret was fitted.
A few pictures will explain a bit better.

The turret support is just 2 lengths of L section bolted together. I attached the bottom section to the hull and top section to the upper hull, fitted the turret ring to ensure it was free to rotate and then drilled a and bolted the two sections together.

The underside of the hull top showing the added brackets

A view of the T piece fitted showing the increased width and how the length has had to remain as supplied due to clearance issues withe the turret.

One thing I have not done is raise the turret for additional clearance, I did consider doing this to allow for the lengthened T piece but when I tried it out it made the front of the turret look wrong.

Regards

Steve

[John Clarke]

Thanks for the explanation and pictures Steve.

[Steve Norris]

Suspension and wheels fitted

Hub cap production

Regards

Steve