2022 JP new build part 6

[graham pipe]

Hello again - here's the next part following a short break after the Christmas excesses.

So, last time I had just acquired the decals and over the festive period, moved the beast downstairs from my hobby room/workshop and into the lounge. Thanks are owing to brother-in-law Steve without who's help the task would have been impossible - the model is supremely heavy! During our struggle, my wife came out with the brilliant remark "why don't you put some boards on the stairs, Dear, and drive it down..." - this really didn't help as it was no time to start laughing!

Anyway, it's now up and running about the house and ready for outdoor trials. Am just waiting for Monique to come back to me with availability of a few parts for the gun elevation mechanism then I can finish it off.

Wasn't too happy with the sound though so dispensed with the pair of speakers and plywood boxes mounted on the sponson tops and acquired a larger pair of 8 watt output which were exactly the same diameter as the cooling fan grilles. These I mounted on the engine deck underside to blast through the fan covers and they connect to the Tamiya DMD sound module by a pair of rca phono plugs and sockets mounted on the engine firewall bulkhead. This enables quick disconnection for removal of the engine deck for battery charging, maintenance, etc.

The output is vastly improved and, with the whole hull acting as a bass chamber, the sound is rich, deep and seems to emanate from the whole tank rather than just through the vents. Must say, at half volume, it's very loud and the air pressure being pushed through the grilles is quite remarkable. And if anybody is concerned about the speaker paper cones being ruined by water when driving outside, then don't worry, she isn't going out in the rain or mud! Also, the fine mesh grille covers will prevent any moisture ingress.

More to follow anon but, in the meantime, here are more photos of the model's inspiration, The Weald Foundation MIAG built JP.

The lower hull sides, floor and left hand upper side panel were water jet cut from hard rolled steel plate as it was impossible for a private organisation to buy rolled armour plate. All welding was done by MiG using miles of nickel wire - normal steel wire would not have created a good fusion 'twixt the original armour and new modern grade mild steel. Jim the welder, did an incredible job of replicating the weld pattern (especially on the difficult vertical sections). All the newly made internal braces, torsion bar brackets, fuel tank supports, etc. were welded using conventional wire as they were steel to steel except in the frontal area and the sloping rear panel.

The project took the best part of 3 years and it's great to see this vehicle each year at Bovington's Tank Fest and Tiger Days.

As before, click on the image to view in full format.