Mr Wilkins Centurion

[John Clarke]

The Cent is certainly not a shelf Queen and as such I like to tinker with her now and then, She has probably only ever travelled only a few hundred life time meters. But the elements with stealth get in, and will attack where possible.
The gorgeous model has to be well over ten years old and I thought it would be nice to give the tracks a look over to see if there was any wear and tear on the links and pins. Some TLC.
This is what I found and what I did about it.
The tracks were originally painted by David to give them used look are still looking good. I didn't want to change that so they were striped as they were. Concrete, brick paving and tarmac will take it's toll, but I try to run on soft dry stuff to conserve them.
Pictures show rust and blackish debris slowly building up on the pins and a little corrosion in the track holes, comparing with a new track and pin, all in good condition. I dunked and cleaned the track and pins with white vinegar which removes any light rust and debris, rinsed with water. Dry lube applied to track pins, then rebuilt with dip of red and tacky and a brand new stainless split pin.
Ready to go back on now and start round two, the other side.

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[John Clarke]

Just before refitting the tracks, gave the sprocket the once over and clean, finding a small amount of slippage on the taper lock. But worse in my mind, about 3.5mm of end float on the outboard drive shaft.
So went out and brought a few 16mm id brass washers which came with a 3mm thickness from evil bay.
One washer should take out all but 0.5 of end float, which should improve reliability and alignment of the sprocket.
I'll tell you in 10 years time (all being well ) when I come to service the tracks again.

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[davidwilkins]

Hi John,

Nice to see some TLC on the cent, it's always been an area of concern for me when building a armortek model getting the sprockets and gearbox inline and the right amount tension on all the bolts and taper locks that they are tight enough but not to tight that they get seized on and you can't them back off without damaging parts. Hopefully your service on this will keep things on track.

David

[John Clarke]

Hi David, it will certainly keep it on track , though I was expecting a lot of Noooo, don't grease the tracks! But since they'll not get too dirty or wet round them, the grinding paste effect shouldn't effect them too much.
Sadly, I like the way they feel and move freely like brand new set once put together (model tank porn at it's best)

I think servicing the model is important, the forum is wonderful for pointing out issues that may not become evident from the small number of prototypes built before the sale of the model begins.
The models heavy and as such a lot of stress is impacted on the running gear, so looking after it should be a priority if you want to keep it from breaking down. I was taught a good expensive lesson in the past on another model, look after the tracks!

Checking the taper lock and bearings is a given while the sprocket was off. Taper locks can crack and can slip, especially when used on softer metals. End float was checked as there was an issue on other models (panzer 3?) a few years ago where too much end float could cause the final drive gear to slip inwards, grinding the flat side of the final drive gear into the side wall. Not knowing how much space was inside the gearbox and wanting to keep the gears fully meshed, the spacer is ideal way of holding the shaft in position and the sprocket in line with the track.

[John Clarke]

While watching some nice little clips of full size Chieftain this clip came along showing a replacement motor being fitted to a Cent.
I love these guys because the camera work is general so clear, stills can easily be obtained in great detail.

[John Clarke]

Whilst being on holiday I was regularly reading the daily AT forum as usual, when the opportunity came a knocking to buy Mr Dawes original Centurion turret basket. Phil couldn't get the Search light to fit in the original supplied basket so he decided to start with fresh new one. So the old one came up for grabs.
Money transfer made and the basket was winging it's way to me.

Mr Wilkins Centurion being an upgraded version would probably been given a turret basket and it would not have looked out of place in it's day. It also offers the opportunity to add some detail parts from Armorpax to humanize the model with a few user items.

When I got back from holiday the parcel was waiting and after the round of usual jobs to do when you get back from holiday, started looking what was needed to get the basket on. The basket itself is very well made, so very pleased to get it.
Weathers been ok, (just today turned nasty) so I could hump the turret outside onto the old workmate, thank goodness it's not Chieftains turret!

First the support L brackets had to be silver soldered back on then aligned to the turret. Fortunately it just fitted within the detail parts Mr Wilkins had already fitted, holes drilled and tapped, Basket painted and bolted on.

Since I'm not going to fit a search light (there's no bracket on the front of the turret) I've filled the big gap where the search light would go with a bundled camo net, (Actually a scrim scarf, does the job) added a second metal jerry can, water canister, two oil cans, two bed rolls and a tarpaulin made from a paint soaked men's handkerchief, folded up it looks the part.
The Armorpax oil cans were were painted and with a smear of "weathering" paint to look like oily stuff across the label, not too much, an oil rag wipe amount I think looks the part.
They may not be the right oil labels as they were brought for Chieftain. (I won't tell if you don't)

There's still a little space in the basket, so I'll be looking around for some smaller items of interest. (A coil of rope maybe)

I'll now be waiting for some really nice weather to get outside for some shots like this.

[Phil Woollard]

Looks great John really great.

[John Clarke]

All thanks to yourself and the benevolent Mr Dawes, cheers.

[Phil Dawe]

Glad you were able to use it John.

[davidwilkins]

Mr Clarke, that's a very nice upgrade you have done. Look forward to seeing some photos of the cent outside.

Regards David

[John Clarke]

Hi David, hope you are well, your right it's time the Cent came off its winter storage blocks, weathers glorious grass cut, so good chance for a photo shoot.
Trying the cleaned up lubed tracks too and checking out that nice new (to me) basket from the two Phil's on the Cents turret.

The Cent is now all connected up and she just waffs along quietly into a position in the garden for a sunshine scene.

And the action shots.

Time to pack up, its beer time.