Armortek

That's the pair done. The second one is always much easier. Just the grab handles to add and then paint.









I believe the internal fitting was for the Oddy pump, a high pressure lubrication gun. Cent drivers were expected to lubricate the road wheel hubs on any halt parades.




The pump was subsequently moved to a bracket on the outside of the bin to make access easier.



Regards

Stephen

Stephen,

Nice job as always with the bins.

Curious the AWM example is fitted with a head to fit a standard Zirk-type grease nipple, rather than the slide-on fitting for the button head grease nipple as fitted to Centurion.

The Oddy pump, or Unigun as it was called, was, as you point out, originally listed for stowage in the rear left turret bin along with a 1 gallon screw-top can. In 1965, Australia introduced the bracket designed for the front of the long bin on the right side, but it was rarely seen in SVN - far too vulnerable to damage or loss of the Unigun. In 1968, C Sqn listed the unigun as part of the stowage in the rear left bin, while in 1970, A Sqn listed the Unigun as part of the indicative load in the external turret basket, known as the IR basket. I've seen only one exception to that: an image of a tank in 1969 with the Unigun bracket fixed to the outside of the right hand end of the external turret basket, so in a much less vulnerable position than the front face of the right side turret bin, but still keeping the grease away from other items.

Mike

Thanks Mike. Added to the knowledge!

Finishing touches to the bins, the loops for retaining camouflage, for the stowage strap and the drain plugs.



The bins were welded up from flat sheet. I've simulated the welds with fabric paint. I know of no other method, Milliput and other puttys would be far too crude to get this level of detail. The fabric paint also has the advantage of being very quick and easy to apply, only needs a toothpick to even out any blobs or unwanted bits:





Finally, primed and painted with base coat, the LHS bins are mounted on their studs:









Regards

Stephen

Excellent work Stephen as usual, I have one of those grease guns for the Cent that t I use on the tractors and the swing shovel, you have to stand on the foot pad to hold it still while you pump, regards Phil.

Thanks Phil.

Just got around to putting the first coats of colour on the tow rope. The various bindings were of both cord and wire:









Meanwhile, back to the bins, which I want to complete before TankFest.

Regards

Stephen

Next the RHS Long Bin. Truly an international effort, Paul Scott in Australia, the owner of 064 supplying photos and dimensions, Mike Cecil in the States offering his wealth of knowledge about the build states of the Vietnam Cents and Allan Bowers in NZ, doing a remarkable job of 3D modelling. With each iteration of the drawings, I was able to make a card macquette and test it against the model. We had to do this to accommodate the slight variations from original in the model, such as the cupola being further aft than the original by a few mm. Allan was able to preserve the essential character of the original bins while fitting them to the model.





Kit of bits:



Construction using resistance soldering:









More to follow.

Stephen

Continuing the long bin with the interior fittings:







With primer and basecoat:



Fabric paint used to produce the thinnest of weld seams:





The long bin, because of its weight, was mounted on straps with blind nuts, welded to the turret side and supported with brackets underneath:





Mounted:





Last bits to follow

Stephen

The bins had kit retaining straps (probably for bivouacs and cam nets) on the lids, made from British 37 Pattern Webbing. They also had canvas protective covers over the hinges.



I find a real pleasure in the way one sixth scale modellers help each other, not just within the Armortek community. Tony Barton made some custom 1st Armoured Regiment, RAAC capbadges for me a while back and he specialises in wonderful one sixth scale figures. His website is worth a visit:

http://www.antheads.co.uk/

I approached Tony for a source for 37 Pattern Webbing and by return he sent me a length of tape which he'd painted in the correct colour. He's subsequently sent me enough for the whole job, for the cost of the postage. Thank you Tony, you're a gentleman and a very skilled craftsman.











That's the bins pretty much complete:







Regards

Stephen

Fabulous detail as always. Your Cent will be a real showstopper.
Kevin

Stephen,

Stunning job on the turret bins l have been looking forward to seeing you making and fittings these parts to your cent for some time now. For me the turret bins really add to the distinct shape of the Centurion tank.

Have a good weekend at tankfest.

Regards

David

Stephen
It's no good keep showing us pictures of a real Cent, I want to see some of your kit
See you at Tankfest
Steve

Thanks guys for the kind comments. All helps keeping the mojo going.

Some general shots, ready for TankFest:



















The only big bits left to do now are the searchlight, mantlet cover and fire extinguishers. Oh, and about two year's worth of doing the weathering. Should crack it within the five years.

All the best.

Stephen

I think we should Co-Opt Stephen into doing a brass bashing course at the next Open Day.

In the words of Carly Simon:

And nobody does it better
Though sometimes I wish someone could
Nobody does it quite the way you do
Why'd you have to be so good?



Adrian.

I've been waiting to see the photos all week Stephen, our sever blocks the photos so I have only been able to read the post. It has definitely been worth the wait, great weathering work on the tow ropes and the turret bins are stunning.

You are absolutely correct about Tony, he is a true gentleman and has helped me our on numerous occasions. just don't ask him to do any thing German! Steve at onesixthunique makes some stunning hats, caps, crushers and berets. http://www.onesixthunique.com/#Home

If you are looking for insignia and rank chevrons, you can't do better than Robin at http://onesixthscaleking.com/shop/index ... 5c1535fe0e He makes anything from Napoleonic to present day, just send him a picture of what you want.

Paul.

Hello Stephen,

struggeling to find the suitable words

That is really Champions-League

Outstanding your ability to make all these brilliant details with just a bit of brass and fabric


Would love to see your Beauty on Tankfest but can't ...


All the best and lots of fun at Tankfest,

Uwe