Steve does another Elefant

[Robert E Morey]

Great looking details Steve. What a monster. Your zimm and welding is excellent. Will be a real beast.
Bob

[Steve Norris]

Added the remains of the weld after the jack mounts were repositioned from the front plate to the rear plate. Big thanks to Phil for his suggestion to use templates to achieve the desired effect.

A bit of texture has also been added to the front plate.

Regards

Steve

[simon_manning]

Looks good steve, the bolts and zim pattern looks tricky, a lot of attention to detail on that front end, regards simon.[youtube][/youtube]

[Christoffer Ahlfors]

Awesome effect with the removed jack mounts!

"A bit of texture has also been added to the front plate." What an understatement!

[Steve Norris]

The rear hull extension is now attached, I’ve added zimmerit to the difficult to reach areas .
Torch cut marks and rebates for the weld detail have been added.

Tow cable brackets have been added plus rebates for the weld detail.

I’ve added a couple of extra fasteners to the rear plate to prevent any movement, weld will added to the outside joint and I wanted to prevent this from cracking.

Regards

Steve

[Steve Norris]

After a bit of work I have got the upper superstructure fitted.

Extra fasteners added to the forward joint

A couple of extra fasteners in the rear upper plate

Time to start doing all them weld joints.

Regards

Steve

[Steve Norris]

To add a bit of difference and interest I have decided to fit my Elefant with the split and hinged rear hatches. From what I have read there were only 4 Elefants modified in this way and at least 1 was in the headquarters company of Schwere panzerjager 653.

It’s taken a fair bit of work to get everything to fit correctly but I cracked it in the end

Everything needs careful alignment otherwise the tapered faces of each part will not fit flush when closed

The final rear hull details and the zim need adding and the back end is complete.

Regards
Steve.

[Steve Norris]

Rear hull zimmerit now complete

Regards

Steve

[simon_manning]

Outstanding work on the Hatch steve and the zim, Developing into a superb build, Look's Good, seasons' greeting's to you and your family, regards simon manning.

[Paul Steels]

Looking fantastic Steve
I am getting everything together ready to start my elefant
Where did you find out the placement for the hatch’s that go on the underside flooring also did you bolt them on or glue
Are you using tile adisive for the zimimit of milliput
Keep up the good work
Thanks paul

[Robert E Morey]

That hatch is a master work. I love the one of a kind look. Brilliant. Love following your builds.
Best regards,
Bob

[Steve Norris]

Thanks for the positive comments guys
Paul,
I found a diagram on line for the lower hull access panels and used a bit of artistic licence from there. The panels are all bolted in position as per the real thing. The Zimmerit is a mix of tile adhesive and brown acrylic paint, For application I use a set of Mike Stannards excellent Zimmerit tools which I would recommend obtaining.
Looking forward to seeing your build.
Regards
Steve

[Steve Norris]

A bit more progress on the Elefant

I have made a start on rebuilding the drivers hatch and periscopes

Gun travel lock has been detailed

Engine air intake covers have been made

The deck as it is at the moment

A lot more to do but it’s getting there.
Regards
Steve

[Steve Norris]

Hull roof details

The roof plate is held on with a latch at the back and magnets at the front

The sight aperture cover has been remade as the hole was incorrectly positioned

View from the back

All items are now built for the roof plate, just the Zimmerit to do

Regards
Steve

[Derek Attree]

Hi Steve
I love what you have done with the hidden runner track for the sliding covers.
I have remade the covers and was wondering how to stop them sliding all over the place.
Your idea is simple and brilliant I will copy if you dont mind

Regards

Derek