As I could not start on the steering linkages, (no ball joints) I made a start on the body, as mentioned before this was one of the prototypes and had not been finished on one side, so I cut out the right side opening for the drivers door, I also cut the roof that holds the turret, separating it just above the drivers visor, this will make it easier to work on the inside, I then cut the rear end off, and made the air intake, I will remake the armoured cover later, this is more like it some proper modeling
regards Jeff
Started on the front end, by adding the strengthening bars to the back of the steel bumper bar, cutting the rings in half that it goes through, made the tow hooks, as I had none, and silver soldered the straps to these for attaching to the splash guard, just the two rear stays for the splash guard to do
regards
Jeff
What sort of torch do you use for your silver soldering
I had a go at filling the tops of the spring housings yesterday but couldn't get the solder to stick - I thnk my flux is past it so I've ordered some more.
I started using a small hand held butane torch but couldn't get enough heat into the metal. Then I swapped to a larger BenzOmatic torch and found it seemed to be too fierce
Hi Adrian, for thin or small pieces of metal, the small hand held torch is OK, but as soon as you get into larger or thicker pieces I use a torch with a 1/2 nozzle connected to a butane bottle, I use a white powder flux that you mix with water, not sure what its called as the label fell of years ago, there are lots of silver solders, the one I use the most is EXTRA EASY, can be bought online from Sutton Tools Birmingham, lots of the jobs on our models can be soft soldered, and I use Bakers Fluid as the flux
regards
Jeff
made a start on finishing the outside, by bolting on the front end, making the side racks for the fuel cans. and a front storage bin, I have decided to make the pedestal mounted 2cm gun, as I have some good photo reference, and to get the proper clearance for the gun and crew, I have widened the turret hole
regards Jeff
I spent most of the week working at the War & Peace show, the good news is I meet Dave Dibb from Armorpax, and bought his new metal Notek light and car horn, they are superb, and I have just fitted them to the 222; and I could not resist a Messerschmitt Me 262
regards
Jeff