This is the first model I built that stands on it's own wheels so soon. After rather long assembly of rear suspension components and tracks, basic chassis came next and gave me a chance to try everything out. For safety reasons it was not fixed permanently. All applicable components for main framework were thickened with card, I used 1 mm thick card (long flanks are 2 mm thick, 2 parts fixed back to back), what, according to assembly instructions, is a bit too much by 0,2-0,3 mm, but after considering overall weight of finished model it may be just enough for permanent support. Increased thickness of frame components can be noticed, but does not seem to be a problem, everything is still lined up correctly without any relocations.
Design of the chassis does not leave much space for any additional details (e.g. leaf springs look very flat, are also thickened with 1 mm card). At the begging I was planning to make leaf springs properly out of strips like I did with Stug IV, but there is not enough room for anything bigger than 1 mm. I left springs as they are at the moment without even applying any rivets. From the other hand most of details visible now, will be covered by wheels and tracks. It is apparently possible to make suspension running, what would be a great achievement, but I don't really see it working well. Paper or even card is very soft and fragile material not resistant to stretching and strains in case of this kind suspension.
With basic details of chassis done, road wheels were fixed onto carriages, narrow one towards front of vehicle, wide behind. Last road wheel is single, slots directly into main chassis. It also plays part of idler wheel. Tracks are still with no teeth, but after first try all seem to fit well. There are 45 track links required per flank, 2 are spare. Assembly drawing in my model is missing few part numbers, I compared it against drawing from Sdkfz 7/2 and parts 14, 14a and 14c are not marked on. These parts are required for running suspension. Here is the correct drawing with all numbers:
With basic details of chassis done, road wheels were fixed onto carriages, narrow one towards front of vehicle, wide behind. Last road wheel is single, slots directly into main chassis. It also plays part of idler wheel. Tracks are still with no teeth, but after first try all seem to fit well. There are 45 track links required per flank, 2 are spare. Assembly drawing in my model is missing few part numbers, I compared it against drawing from Sdkfz 7/2 and parts 14, 14a and 14c are not marked on. These parts are required for running suspension. Here is the correct drawing with all numbers:
Next step in assembly will be exhaust system with all pipes, gearbox and engine block. When all these are done, front suspension and steering wheels will be made and final assembly of front wheels should allow to put everything together and start building model up - bonnet, driver's section, load platform and finally AA gun.
No comments:
Post a Comment