Assembly of the track links for new rookie owners

[Stewart Ashton]

Only a few months ago I knew very little about these wonderful
metal monsters

So hopefully here is a guide to (rough n ready) assemble of the tracks,.

Firstly after getting all the information I could from the expert
modelers gathered here I rooted through my scrap boxes and found
two pieces of angle beading and a piece of skirting board, all about
14 inches long.

I linked the first 5 track links together and placed them in the slot
between the angle beads which I had screwed to the skirting board.
I then measured and marked out the first five track pin distances
and screwed five screws at the correct height as to hold the links
firmly.

I then found an old screw housing that matched the diameter of the
locking nuts and added a nice screw to that.



It was then very easy to tap home the locking pins
I assembled all mine in fives until the required number were assembled.

When done it becomes apparent why I selected a 14 inches of jig
as it holds everything in place when the track grows in size and gets
a little on the heavy side.



I must admit to washing all the links in hot soapy water prior to
assembling them

Having established that both sets of tracks were assembled the correct
way in accordance with the destructions
Ifound them fairly easy to mount them on the chassis. Iused a piece
of round metal that fitted the distance between both tracks beautifully
so it holds the pin in place making it easy to tap the locking nut in
place.



Yes the vehicle is on its side for easier access.



This is getting heavier all the time!



This has been my first such post and will propably get shot to bits
but it worked perfectly for me

Regards to all Stewart

[Jeffrey Goff]

Hi Stuart, you are doing a grand job, with modelling, every day you learn something new and how to tackle problems, and the more you do the more confidence you get, I understand that you are not fully mobile, so my hat is off to you, keep up the good work

regards
Jeff

[Stewart Ashton]

Hi Jeff,
My photos are awful but I am trying to get newbies to buy
these fantastic metal monsters

Both models are starting to come together nicley mostley thanks to
you and all the other enthusiasts who are tank head cases

I have built everything from the very first Airfix kit in the early 60s
to Schluter helicopters in the 90s but now I have to admit that my
back is shot at due to a congenital defect of my lower spine.

BUT I have a brand new Acorn stairlift which can lift these monsters
from downstairs to the first floor where I can do bits n pieces whilst
watching the telly,

LOL I need the wife and her sis to load each onto the lift to get it
upstairs where I live

The workshop is downstairs at the back of this three storey monster.

regards Stewart
:

[Jeffrey Goff]

Hi Stuart, by the time the halftrack is finished you wife and sister will have muscles to be proud of, if you are going for the full option packs with batteries, they become a two man lift, no disrespect to you other half, so if you have the room, one of the small engine hoists could be useful
regards
Jeff

[Colin Richards]

Hi Stuart

I agree with Jeffrey. I find that if I have to do any work on the half track I have to either roll it over on its side to work on it or alternatively get a mate to give me a hand to lift it into a bench. I'm quite stong and my wife can lift a decent weight as well but because there isn't much to grab hold of its difficult and awkward to lift. I have a motorbike engine lift (its not too big) but that isn't much good as you have to lift the half track onto it in the first place. Once the half track is on the lift its very mobile and a decent height and easy to work on.

By the way your photos arne't bad, and I like your idea, I used a piece of aluminium tube, a socket from a socket set and a clamp to press the washes into place.

keep the photos coming
Colin

[Stewart Ashton]

Hi Colin,
Lucky for me as where I am building them is in the shop
that I used to rent out. We closed it a few years back and turned it into a very large lounge and used it for eBay. I left the counter in which is
just the right height for me.



Heres another shot.



And one of the stair lift.



A nice Merc.



Lastly the Schluter helicopter I built when we had our SPAR shop.



My workshop is at the back of the ground floor, where I took
the track pics.

Regards Stewart

[Allan Richards]

Stewart,

You are certainly making good progress with the half track. Moving these monsters around is someting that has to be considered as part of the hobby, its not like the 1/16th machines that can be picked up at the drop of a hat. The tanks are an order of magnitude heavier than the half track, especially the Tiger and now the new King Tiger.

I like the Merc and the helicopter, you seem to have a back ground in modelling, like you I started wit the Airfix kits in the 60's and have ben modelling ever since, but one area I have not gone into it radio control aircraft, I stopped at control line models.

[Stewart Ashton]

Hi Allan,
I built the helicopter to celebrate Preston Guild in 198?
with the intention of flying it for the SPAR supplier James Hall
and Co. First few flights were great. Much harder than fixed wing
aircraft.

I had it all setup for the big day and...............

ARGH!!! Flamin dog jumped up at it and knocked it off the bench!

Did a fair amount of damage which took ages to repair and I ran
out of time to fly it ever again.

Looks pretty though

The Merc is one of three models I made by the now defunct Italian
maker Pocher.

Regards Stewart

[Paul Wills]

Hi Stewart,

You look to be moving your build on very well, and there’s nothing wrong with those photos or your track assembly line.

I was looking at your Merc, and all I could think of is, now if it was RC, 1/6th and you could find a Hans Von Luck figure, repaint it in field grey, you would have a great diorama, for France or Russia!!

Paul .

[Stewart Ashton]

Hi Paul,
The scale is 1/8th

MERCEDES-BENZ 540K "Classic Roadster" (red)

I really dont think that they would fit in unless they were dwarfs

Regards Stewart

[Stewart Ashton]

Ok your wish is my ..........................

This took many hours of hard................................





Would make a great model.


regards Stewart

[Stewart Ashton]

I have now reached the stage where I can no longer heave this thing on
its side and of coarse I have had to detrack it a few times to reach hard
to access fasteners.

My solution

I found a piece of round dowel rod that fitted in the pin hole area and cut it
so it wedged hard up against the chassis member.



Then I used my trusty nut holder and hey presto!

Works a treat.

Regards Stewart