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I'm getting a little ahead of myself, and starting to think about how my Mk. IV will look when it's finished. I've picked up a few things off eBay (eg. tools for the spud/rope box) but .......

Towing shackles for the rear plates (EK0326) ? Does anyone make 1/6 scale shackles ? I've had a look through the links / Craftsmens Market section, but nothing leaps out. I did notice that, on some of the pictures of the Kompact 25pdr, there's what looks like a shackle at the bottom of the front armour plate - is that an Armortek item, or an after-market add-on (and, if so, by whom) ?

Any suggestions gratefully received !

Chris

Chris

Try Cornwall Model Boats here:

http://www.cornwallmodelboats.co.uk/cgi ... ick+search

Regards

Stephen

Hi Chris,
The shackle on the 25 pdr. was part of Dave Gibb's update set. Its size is 30mm long 20mm wide and the pin diameter is 5mm. Should be available in sailing shops, even in this size. Some DIY shops might also stock these small sizes!
If you need smaller you could look at the site below (my supplier of bolts and nuts):
http://knupfer.info/shop/index.php/deut ... hakel.html

Cheers,

Marcus

Hi Chris, By coincidence I have been thinking about this today.
I have been looking at this website; https://www.s3i.co.uk/d-shackle-essential-range.php
The 4mm Shackle is the right size for the hole (4.5mm) and looking at a Photo of 'Flirt' in Lincoln if that is an original the 8mm width will look about right.
I intuitively feel a 3mm cable is going to give a good fit for size with the appropriate thimble and crimp. Do you have any insight on this, as my primary source are the photos in Ian Verringer's Tanks in Action and the detail is lost in reproduction in the book.
However, the pictures of Brigand II, B24 and Black Arrow II B28 give a good guide to the length of the cable as it loops up to the hook, round twice and then back down. This is going to be a matter of offering up the wire and seeing how long it has to be....
On anther tack, the photo of Bandit II B23 shows detail of a shackle mounted on the towing plates on the bow of the tank.
Hope you are having fun!
Steve

Ye Gods, but this is a good Forum to be a part of ..........

Thanks for the responses, chaps ! Since reading this, I've made several trips (in the rain !) to my workshop to do some careful measuring, and I've also been taking a close look at my stock of original Mk. IV pictures.

The EK0326 plates are drilled and cast for a shackle with a pin no more that 4mm wide, and no less than 8mm gap between the pin holes. Also, the shackles were not a standard D, but bow-shaped. Therefore, after looking at all the sites you've suggested, I've ordered 4 of the following (from s3i.co.uk):

4mm Bow Shackle - Stainless Steel, Marine Grade 316, Standard Pin Marine Shackle
Code B-040-A.

I'll post up a picture when they arrive.

Steve -

I'm certainly having fun - Helen is starting to murmur the "three people in this marriage" sort of thing I haven't even started to think about towing hawsers yet - I'm aware of them, but that's about it. My current focus is on the female sponsons, which are a relatively simple build but look very effective. I need to do some extra metalwork, though, like all that rear armour plating ....... this is a project that is definitely worth going the extra mile for.

And don't forget that there are plenty of chalky slopes on Salisbury Plain .....

Thanks again to you all. I'm now looking forward to Armortek Day with pleasure rather than terror !

Chris

Chris, thanks for the correction on the shape of the Shackles, I was assuming the Flirt Shackle was correct.... hey ho! I have now placed an order for the 4mm Bow Shackles this evening as well.
Steve

My shackles arrived this morning (somewhat later than Steve's ) so, as promised, here are some pictures:




I think they're absolutely perfect, and well worth getting. It's the little details that add so much.

All the best,

Chris