Mr Dawe's Centurion.

Forum for discussion relating to the Centurion
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Phil Woollard
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Re: Mr Dawe's Centurion.

Post by Phil Woollard »

Vince the led is illuminating the bulb through its base, I ground back the glass bulb trunk being careful not to crack the delicate sphere, the bulb is dead .
Attachments
IMG_20230419_144219.jpg
Mechanical engineer.
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Commission builds considered. Pm for my email.

Phil Woollard
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Re: Mr Dawe's Centurion.

Post by Phil Woollard »

Wiring and painting plus a little important chain detail.
Attachments
IMG_20230420_143423.jpg
The precious!
The precious!
IMG_20230420_150136.jpg
IMG_20230420_150844.jpg
IMG_20230420_150852.jpg
Mechanical engineer.
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Commission builds considered. Pm for my email.

Phil Woollard
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Re: Mr Dawe's Centurion.

Post by Phil Woollard »

Just a little wiring and painting of the interior of the searchlight, we are now waiting for the lens piece catches and the makers id plate to finish.
Attachments
Earth bolt in
Earth bolt in
IMG_20230421_152407.jpg
Lots of primer
Lots of primer
IMG_20230421_152543.jpg
Matt black to finish
Matt black to finish
Mechanical engineer.
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Commission builds considered. Pm for my email.

Phil Woollard
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Re: Mr Dawe's Centurion.

Post by Phil Woollard »

To the turret basket.
Attachments
Ummm, nicely made but not for the searchlight, Mr Dawe may flog the basket if anyone is interested?
Ummm, nicely made but not for the searchlight, Mr Dawe may flog the basket if anyone is interested?
Wiring for the turret is now complete
Wiring for the turret is now complete
The best way to store this piece whilst it's not in place
The best way to store this piece whilst it's not in place
One last attempt to make the basket fit
One last attempt to make the basket fit
IMG_20230424_141443.jpg
IMG_20230424_141634.jpg
IMG_20230424_143634.jpg
IMG_20230424_145135.jpg
IMG_20230424_151803.jpg
I'm trying very hard to use the basket but it's just not going to happen
I'm trying very hard to use the basket but it's just not going to happen
It fits without the end piece
It fits without the end piece
Shame we can't use the basket as it's just a little to narrow for the scale searchlight
Shame we can't use the basket as it's just a little to narrow for the scale searchlight
I need to make new brakets
I need to make new brakets
IMG_20230424_155741.jpg
IMG_20230424_160647.jpg
Milling the slots in the bottom turret basket fixings
Milling the slots in the bottom turret basket fixings
IMG_20230424_161803.jpg
IMG_20230424_162246.jpg
Adjustable bottom fixings
Adjustable bottom fixings
IMG_20230424_170949.jpg
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: Mr Dawe's Centurion.

Post by Phil Woollard »

Baskets. I'm going to build the frame in place rather like using a "jig"
Attachments
The frame ends need center drilling now.
The frame ends need center drilling now.
Tapping the basket frame ends while the steel is still straight
Tapping the basket frame ends while the steel is still straight
Just following the lines, I'm cold bending the steel and it's just about all my fingers can cope with
Just following the lines, I'm cold bending the steel and it's just about all my fingers can cope with
IMG_20230425_151510.jpg
Ready for milling
Ready for milling
IMG_20230425_155254.jpg
Awkward angles to mill
Awkward angles to mill
IMG_20230425_161146.jpg
Chipping away the weld bead as it's in the way
Chipping away the weld bead as it's in the way
The compromise is the m2 fixing
The compromise is the m2 fixing
Weld beads done
Weld beads done
Some hand filing is required
Some hand filing is required
Removing my nice weld beads
Removing my nice weld beads
The milliput can cure overnight, I can then drill the basket frame holes in the top
The milliput can cure overnight, I can then drill the basket frame holes in the top
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: Mr Dawe's Centurion.

Post by Phil Woollard »

More turret basket framing, I'm not going to rush it as we want it just so.
Attachments
IMG_20230426_150426.jpg
IMG_20230426_151148.jpg
IMG_20230426_151205.jpg
I really want to leave the turret on for this work
I really want to leave the turret on for this work
IMG_20230426_151309.jpg
Just remove material untill it's all level
Just remove material untill it's all level
Handy bit of equipment this
Handy bit of equipment this
IMG_20230426_151507.jpg
More of this
More of this
And this
And this
I'm happy with that tolerance
I'm happy with that tolerance
IMG_20230426_160805.jpg
Just remove material untill it's all level
Just remove material untill it's all level
Once the first brace is soldered in place things will get a little easier
Once the first brace is soldered in place things will get a little easier
I need to scallop the joints but also need to create the squashed pipe welded look
I need to scallop the joints but also need to create the squashed pipe welded look
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: Mr Dawe's Centurion.

Post by Phil Woollard »

Lots more basket construction photos .
Attachments
Lots of angles to follow, it's not really possible to completely follow the drawings we have as the Armortek turret is slightly different
Lots of angles to follow, it's not really possible to completely follow the drawings we have as the Armortek turret is slightly different
55% silver solder
55% silver solder
IMG_20230427_174459.jpg
That glass fibre mat is a must
That glass fibre mat is a must
IMG_20230428_142309.jpg
IMG_20230428_143243.jpg
It fits, well it will with a bracket
It fits, well it will with a bracket
IMG_20230428_153405.jpg
IMG_20230428_154119.jpg
IMG_20230428_154322.jpg
Constantly check for plumb
Constantly check for plumb
All the brace ends are turned true before scalloping
All the brace ends are turned true before scalloping
Always with the magnets
Always with the magnets
IMG_20230428_163817.jpg
Getting there with just a few more braces then onto the searchlight mount
Getting there with just a few more braces then onto the searchlight mount
IMG_20230428_172552.jpg
Checking the swing over the decks
Checking the swing over the decks
Fully removable and fully adjustable just like the real thing?
Fully removable and fully adjustable just like the real thing?
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: Mr Dawe's Centurion.

Post by Phil Woollard »

Lots done but it's tricky work for sure.
Attachments
All the braces now cut and silver soldered in place
All the braces now cut and silver soldered in place
It all lifts out
It all lifts out
IMG_20230502_152716.jpg
Tricky part now
Tricky part now
IMG_20230502_152909.jpg
IMG_20230502_153455.jpg
Roughing out.....
Roughing out.....
......the brackets
......the brackets
Just as well use the mill to square it all up
Just as well use the mill to square it all up
IMG_20230502_160237.jpg
I won't cut the top tubes until I'm happy
I won't cut the top tubes until I'm happy
I like to leave it all square for now as it helps to true everything up, the angles can be cut once it's all in place
I like to leave it all square for now as it helps to true everything up, the angles can be cut once it's all in place
Some juggling to line it all up
Some juggling to line it all up
Next job is to get the searchlight bracket fixed, that will require some careful silver soldering
Next job is to get the searchlight bracket fixed, that will require some careful silver soldering
I'm very happy so far
I'm very happy so far
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: Mr Dawe's Centurion.

Post by Phil Woollard »

All the pipe work is done so now to the cleaning up, forming the crushed joint look and shaping the searchlight bracket.
Attachments
IMG_20230503_142301.jpg
IMG_20230503_143838.jpg
Carefully does it
Carefully does it
I have now cut off the long tubes so the searchlight and the bracket slides in nicely
I have now cut off the long tubes so the searchlight and the bracket slides in nicely
It's an awkward shape to work on
It's an awkward shape to work on
Lots of needle filing, lots and lots.
Lots of needle filing, lots and lots.
Difficult to see in this photo but the squashed pipe joints are now all done inside and out.
Difficult to see in this photo but the squashed pipe joints are now all done inside and out.
The searchlight is a snug fit but it does fit
The searchlight is a snug fit but it does fit
Handy swing out function
Handy swing out function
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: Mr Dawe's Centurion.

Post by Phil Woollard »

Nothing very exciting I'm afraid.
Attachments
Priming the new parts and tidying the knocked about existing paintwork
Priming the new parts and tidying the knocked about existing paintwork
IMG_20230504_142702.jpg
Ready for top coat
Ready for top coat
These hinges need some fetling to allow the searchlight mount to slide in
These hinges need some fetling to allow the searchlight mount to slide in
Painting where I can as I go
Painting where I can as I go
All this touching up helps with the overall patina
All this touching up helps with the overall patina
Hinge pins made from m2 hex bolts
Hinge pins made from m2 hex bolts
Tiny bush spacers cut with a pipe cutter
Tiny bush spacers cut with a pipe cutter
IMG_20230504_145732.jpg
All done with the searchlight mount it can now be painted but not until the frame joints are finished
All done with the searchlight mount it can now be painted but not until the frame joints are finished
IMG_20230504_151148.jpg
I've added a fair amount of milliput to the joints so I have enough to play with.
I've added a fair amount of milliput to the joints so I have enough to play with.
All roughly filled with lots of awkward work to follow
All roughly filled with lots of awkward work to follow
Now to let the milliput cure ready for profiling
Now to let the milliput cure ready for profiling
Mechanical engineer.
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Commission builds considered. Pm for my email.

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John Clarke
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Re: Mr Dawe's Centurion.

Post by John Clarke »

"Nothing very exciting" oooh I wouldn't say that, I may be bias though.
But a full pictorial build, who could ask for more. 8)
Oh Man, I only ride em I don't know what makes them work,
Definatley an Anti-Social type

Phil Woollard
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Re: Mr Dawe's Centurion.

Post by Phil Woollard »

I'm glad you guys are enjoying this detailed build log.
The turret basket is now ready for the expanding metal.
Attachments
Lots of very awkward and tricky needle filing to get the joints to look more convincing, the files get bunged up very quickly and need constant cleaning using the rotary wire brush.
Lots of very awkward and tricky needle filing to get the joints to look more convincing, the files get bunged up very quickly and need constant cleaning using the rotary wire brush.
IMG_20230505_154740.jpg
IMG_20230505_154757.jpg
IMG_20230505_154814.jpg
IMG_20230505_154933.jpg
The primer is not such a good idea as we have the soft soldering to apply to fix the expanding metal but some wire wool on those areas will suffice
The primer is not such a good idea as we have the soft soldering to apply to fix the expanding metal but some wire wool on those areas will suffice
I'm happy with the look so far
I'm happy with the look so far
Mechanical engineer.
2 Youtube channels, Phil Woollard and Magpiespyro. Facebook/ Phil Woollard.
Commission builds considered. Pm for my email.

Phil Dawe
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Re: Mr Dawe's Centurion.

Post by Phil Dawe »

Phil Woollard's comment "nothing very exciting" is Phil being modest. His attention to the smallest detail along with people like Simon Manning, Stephen White and Frank Breitenbach in their "super builds" lift an "out of the box" build of an Armortek kit from being "very nice" to museum quality. A number of members on the Centurion Tank Appreciation Society Facebook page have asked the question of Phil's photos, is it a real tank? Praise indeed from former Cent crew members! If nothing else it proves what can be done with time and patience.
Last edited by Phil Dawe on Sat May 06, 2023 12:48 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Michael Cecil
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Re: Mr Dawe's Centurion.

Post by Michael Cecil »

..... and great skill! :D

Phil Dawe
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Re: Mr Dawe's Centurion.

Post by Phil Dawe »

Michael Cecil wrote:
Fri May 05, 2023 9:44 pm
..... and great skill! :D
Absolutely!

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