Armorpax's Armortek UC - No.18

[Robert E Morey]

Simply awesome! The steel work is first class on this model. Your detail parts are the icing on the cake. Can't wait to see one running! Really nice details.
B

[Graham P Hough]

Brilliant work as usual Dave and I look forward to your improved gun cowl, meanwhile I have hollowed the kit casting.

[Dave Dibb (Armorpax)]

Hi Graham,

Filed or machined? I haven't attempted it yet but might tomorrow if filing is an option.

Cheers

Dave

[Dave Dibb (Armorpax)]

Hi All,

One of those days when what seems like a lot of hours doesn't look like a lot of work....................I think that's all the extra holes drilled now and domes fitted to the two sides and top of the air intake which looked too plain. A second row of domes has been added down the headlight edge of the front shield as there were no fixings for the dummy joining angle there. K&S 1/4" x 1/16th and 3/32nd Brass strips arrived so they have been cut, drilled and added to make the two runners the Mag bags clip onto. I also received my order of QuikSteel so the joint in the sand guard has been filled and blended. The top back edge of the sand guard has been notched so it sits correctly over the repositioned step and a new fixing hole drilled.

Best regards

Dave

[Derek Attree]

Hi Dave
This is going to be a most useful thread for when I start my build.
Yours is looking Fantastic.

Regards

Derek

[Graham P Hough]

Looking good Dave. I have found the Maple Leaf Up site brilliant for photos of UCs being restored and new parts manufactured. I have just joined their forum so that I can download their photos.
The gun cowl was hollowed out by saw cuts to establish the depth and drills to remove the rest and files to clean it all up. Useful how much a hacksaw blade can remove. I don't have a milling machine.

[Dave Dibb (Armorpax)]

Hi All,

So.............I was going to follow Grahams advice and saw and file out the front gun cover but then realised I don't have a full size hacksaw, no idea where its gone. Nothing for it but to revert to precision work with the 4" grinder

I've cut the gunners seat support back to just in front of the fixings and removed the backs of the seats. I'm going to make the seat cushions fit the Armortek trays for obvious reasons but at least doing it this way will look fairly prototypical with a new separate back rest. A bit of detailing on the seat trays and I don't think you will notice the solid supports underneath.

Best regards

Dave

[Dave Dibb (Armorpax)]

Hi All,

Seat pad sets done. Just a quick finish with the sanding block once fully hardened then I plan on getting these into moulds with the camo bag etc.

Best regards

Dave

[Dave Dibb (Armorpax)]

Hi All,

As the year end draws near we finish it up with some of the new castings for the Universal Carrier. Its also when building a model like this that the sheer number of metal parts we have often turns up what I need and these are ideal for the floor linkages, gun shield hinge, Light connectors and engine cover handles. New seat pads and rear seat frames cast and the No19 set is dry fitted.

I sincerely hope 2021 brings you all a better year.

Best regards

Dave

[Dave Dibb (Armorpax)]

Hi All,

New Battery set up for the Universal Carrier. Going to mould the battery with the tray on. Battery strap from the Morris works perfectly so will add this to the metal mould.

Best regards

Dave

[Dave Dibb (Armorpax)]

Hi All,

Extended the radio side of the engine cover out with a bit of plasticard and quiksteel then added the additional top fixings and radiator filler hatch. New Gun shield cover made and added..

Best regards

Dave

[Dave Dibb (Armorpax)]

Hi All,

Little bit more done this evening. Added the bracket for the magazine bags by the gun shield and beside the gunners seat. Also fitted the armoured covers for the conduit and lighting conduit.

Best regards

Dave

[Dave Dibb (Armorpax)]

Hi All,

Radiator front done to go into air intake recess and give it some detail. Half set of weapon clips done and ready to go off for moulding. A bit more detail to the towing assembly too.

Best regards

Dave

[Dave Dibb (Armorpax)]

Hi All,

Radiator panel and some more detail for the seats done along with a Delco in its tray for under the radio position.

Best regards

Dave

[Dave Dibb (Armorpax)]

Hi All,

Very little progress today as Saturdays are always a busy metal casting day. I have sneaked a few other moulds in amongst the orders to get some more modified parts ready for the first metal production mould. Going to send these off early next week to get a mould made so it can be worked on while we make the next lot.

Best regards

Dave