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Hi all,

things seem to have slowed down significantly of late with bad weather and other stuff getting in the way of my build.

I have had some problems with the military vehicle paint I purchased many moons ago as what I had left for finishing had gone very thick in the closed tin. So I had to rescue what I could by filtering and thinning the remaining gunk. But I have some usable paint and had some very good customer service from military vehicle paints to help with the rescue. They also gave me some pretty comprehensive advice on spray painting with their product which has resulted in me ordering a new HD larger nozzle and needle for my Badger 200 airbrush. Hopefully this will handle the thicker spec paint and give me the desired finish.

The new mudguard extensions are finished and fitted and look good painted in, just had to be careful of the track clearance and I may have to remove a link to ensure there is no catching when the tracks go on.

Going to go back to the turret and add some more detailing to the loaders hatch and other bits and bobs.

More as I progress,

Mick

Hi all,

just fitted the tracks again and taken a link out so that each side now has 108 individual links which give plenty of clearance at the new mudguard fitments.

While the Cent is movable I decided to try the lower deck of my build bench for size and it works well. I include a photo to illustrate the idea. I am going to work on the turret a little more as mentioned and then try to sort out my paint issues with some experimentation on scrap and wood off cuts till I am happy to attack the cent again. Hope all are progressing well,

Mick

Hi all,

been busy with all sorts of stuff but managed to get my cent looking good for a photo opportunity. My bin catches arrived from Steve Winstone this week and I am sorting out how best to mount them etc. they look really good and I am obliged to Steve for doing another production run of what must be a really fiddly job.

I also managed to wheel the currently static model out into the sunshine and saw her in the flesh outdoors for the first time. Charlie was being more of a hinderance then a help but he did give moral support. Not like Poppy who somehow managed to knock over some powdered chocolate drink on the bench, get it wet and walk in it, before leaving chocolate paw prints all over the deck of the Cent. I nearly had to post a thread asking how to remove iron hard sugar and chocolate from an AFV.

If the dogs don't destroy my work I should be making more progress soon. I contented myself with a track lock to stop the tank rolling off the bench and some steel raising blocks to keep the hull weight off the road wheels while it is still on the bench.

Regards for now, Mick

Hi all,

another good day allowed me to drive the Cent for the first time under her own power in the garden.

Amazing feeling to see her powered up and moving with the sound unit working too, a very proud moment for a first time builder like me.
The right side track seems to be sticking in reverse and I think I need to look at the tensioning like Luc is experiencing. I still have a long ways to go yet though so the tracks will be off soon for painting.

Hoping all your builds are going well,

Regards, Mick

Hi all,

been doing lots of little bits lately and there does not seem to have been much progress, but it is moving on slowly.

I tired of lifting the turret on and off so made the hoist to lift it more easily, I did intend to try and use fixed lifting lugs but decided on home made removable ones with the mounting holes disguised with fittings.

I also made a small mounting plate for the multi-plug on the turret sub loom so I can plug it in with one hand now.

I made a battery holder to keep the two batteries in place and I am going to work on the charging harness so that I can charge each battery in place through the drivers hatch using two 12 v chargers which is apparently better than one 24 v charger.

I have also been playing with the counter balance for the gun barrel, fitting it seems to have made the motor strain far less and has stopped bending the motor mount which was under a great deal of strain when moving the gun. I have tried to show my system but its hard to take photos inside the turret.

More detailing on the turret now so more work for my days off.

Bye for now, Mick

Nice work Mick.

Looking good

I've just started getting on to the turret details too. I want to do my best on this area because it's the part of the tank most visible.

Robin

Hi all,

had my first official outing with the Cent today and attended my model engineers club day, quite nervous to show my work off to a set of guys who know their stuff.

First of all had to conjure up a way of getting the Cent into my Honda Jazz, cue pair of motorcycle loading ramps off Ebay and some gash woodworking skills and we were in business. Car performed really well with the model inside and I don't think I am going to bother with a trailer, I just need to make a proper fitment for the interior and stow the ramps beneath the model. Also going to make it so I can put legs on it to make an impromptu display table for shows. All in all a very successful first test run and everyone was impressed with the quality of the kit and thankfully the workmanship. You can see a steam loco in the background of one shot and so judge what I am up against lol. Must start on making the rail transporter soon

Regards Mick

Hi Mick

Just been catching up on your Centurion build looks very impressive. Good to see the internal photos.

David