Build of Ivano's HL230 kit

[AlastairCooke]

Hi All,
As requested I am starting a thread to show a detailed step-by-step build of Ivano Costantini's HL 230 TRM P45 kit. This will be fairly slow as I will upload progress as and when I have completed a particular stage. There will probably be a break part way through as I am doing the build only as far as is needed to layout the engine bay so that I can progress the build of the Wanne for F01.

Stage 1
Build up the MDF box structure as shown in the images provided by Ivano. I used thin CA as an adhesive and filler to harden off the porous board around the attachment tabs and long seams. The box was sanded smooth to remove any protruding ends of the tabs and then sealed with diluted PVA glue.

Inner MDF box structure

More to come...
Alastair

[AlastairCooke]

Hi All,
Useful photographic resource for HL 230:
Panther Project, Volume 2: Engine and Turret (The Research Squad).
This contains many images of a staged restoration of the HL 230 P30 engine for a Panther Ausf A. Useful to see what a clean and 'new' engine looks like. Based on the time and effort expended on this total restoration of the tank I am inclined to believe the colours chosen. Just be aware of the modern piping etc used in the rebuild.

Useful photographic resource for the engine bay:
Tiger, Volume 1: A modern study of Fgst. NR. 250031. (The Research Squad) Contains many images of a unrestored and empty engine bay. Be aware that this bay housed an HL 210 and so there will be some differences in the furnishings from those required for a HL 230.

Alastair

[AlastairCooke]

Hi All,
Stage 2
Attach the outer detail ‘plates’ and ends.
I used 2hr epoxy to give me the ability to move things around. Once in position tacks of thin CA were applied. Parts were ‘back-filled’ with sheet styrene and gap filled with thick CA as required. The position of the side plates was dictated by the alignment required for housings for the starter (electric and inertia) spur gears, as shown in the first two images.

Now the other side, note use of clamps and rubber bands whilst the epoxy adhesive cures.

Plasticard filler for rear of engine.

I decided to add some Plasticard to the bottom to give a flush base

I also designed another appliqué part to give more support for the rear engine mount. The holes will be fitted eventually with 12BA bolts.

Fitting the supplied appliqué parts with CA glue.

That nearly all...
Alastair

[AlastairCooke]

Hi All,
Stage 2 continued...
Fixing the last part at the rear of the engine.

20200527_183449-doc.jpg (52.74 KiB) Viewed 3117 times

That's all for now.
Alastair

[simon_manning]

Thanks for posting this thread, i will have a go at mine some day, regards simon manning.

[Martin Hofmann]

Hi Alastair
hi Simon,
i am building also a marvel from Ivano - i think we got it approx. at the same time Alastair. Is it ok for you, that i post some photos from mine. But i am very fast with building!!

[AlastairCooke]

Hi Martin,
Sure, go ahead. It will useful for viewers to see two approaches. Please ensure that you indicate where we differ if you are building a P30 rather than a P45. Do not worry if you get ahead of me as I will be doing some finessing and subtle upgrades where reasonable Although Ivano's kit is great 'out-of-the-box' I have never been one to do just that!

Alastair

[Martin Hofmann]

Hi Alastair,
thank you for the permission. I start with complet other parts than you have: the fan clutches and the cooler of the P30 motor.
Here comes the first impressions.

[Martin Hofmann]

In the meantime i start with the first parts of the motor

[Martin Hofmann]

Here comes the next small update. Slowly it looks like a motor

[simon_manning]

Excellent! so helpful, regards simon.

[Martin Hofmann]

Hi Simon,
thank you for your "Excellent"
Here are some more photos of this wonderful detailled motor from Ivano. It makes very much fun to build this P45.

[Marco Peter]

This is really next level!

[Martin Hofmann]

Hi Marco,
thank you for your nice comment. Here are the next photos of the build.

[florian rudolf]

What an awesome machine.
Is that an kit to buy for?