Project Patton

[dogfish7 (R.I.P.)]

Talk about Dirt Cheap!

[JED]

Old jokes are the best OZ 😂😂

[Dukemaddog]

Yeah, I picked up some extremely powder-fine dirt from Knott's Berry Farm while I was working there way back when. It is almost grey in color so I am a bit limited in it's use. I do like using it for bases; when I do them. So I guess I'm "dirt cheap" also, but then I have to be!

[dogfish7 (R.I.P.)]

As long as you put it in a fancy jar, it's all good. ( Make sure you label it, so you don't accidentally sprinkle it on a pizza.)

[ARMORGUY]

That base looks awesome!

[reserve]

Thanks gents

I use garden and driveway dirt on my bases all the time, makes for great texture.

A2 is finished finally; many projects as well as PD hunting has been interfering with bench time. Of course as I was indoors alot this winter it's nice to get out.











Someone gave me a 2000 Ford Explorer last week that does not run over well so I've been teaching myself how to diagnose and work on computermobiles. It's got the 4 liter SOHC V-6 in it, and to change #3 cylinder plug and wire I have to unbolt the motor mount on the right side and tilt the powerpack with a jack so I have enough room to get to it. It's also got a bad MAF sensor or bad vacuum leak, code P0171, not quite sure which but further time with the code reader should narrow it down. Kind of wish it had the 302 in it but I cannot complain given the price.

Not sure what I'll jump on next here. We're going to disappear in the forest for a few days soon; by the time we get back perhaps I'll have a choice made

Regards,
Mark

[JCON]

That looks great Mark!!!

[JED]

Driveway dirt certainly does the job,happy tinkering with the Ford. One of my brother in laws in the US saved himself around $2000 doing a cylinder head removal and work on his fuel injectors, it took him a few weekends, wish I was there to get involved.

[reserve]

Thanks gents

Have decided to do another Cyberhobby M-46 for this series; I like the one shown earlier but had one of those ideas I just had to try. 

The basic concept



I'm enjoying playing around with articulating suspensions on these as it's quite satstfying when I pull it off

Regards,
Mark

[JCON]

That will be cool!!!

[ARMORGUY]

The diorama bases look great Mark.

[dogfish7 (R.I.P.)]

Can't wait to see how you pull it off and your techniques.

[JED]

Great idea, I like how the suspension and angle of the barrel work together

[reserve]

Thanks gents

AG bases have always been a weak area for me I am trying to up my game

Oz OK I'll give

I figure if I want to articulate the suspension of a kit that does not offer the option I need to mimic whatever makes it flexy, in this case tortion bars


On this kit the suspension arm fit is loose so in a way it's easier to work with. I drilled clearance holes thru the arm mounts, then drilled .052 holes in the arm to hull mounting pins. Some .050 styrene rod was glued into them and once dry they were inserted and glued into the tan plastic blocks at what looked to be the appropriate angle. Now I have a springy suspension...it's flimsy but it'll only have to work once.


Here I have the base layers. The top two are rough carved into the basic shape with the third layer as yet unfixed. The red outline will be cut out for a thin piece of plywood scrap to give a good bite for the screw that's going to hold the model to the base


The whole mess together and drying


This kit gives you DS tracks and seperate styrene guide teeth, not the best combo for speed. Once these are done I will dry install them, lay down whatever material I am gonna use for groundwork, probably air drying clay as the model will not stick to it. This is important as I'll need it to be removable. The model will be installed and screwed down to the proper articulation and then the arms will be fixed in this postion with LPC. I'll scratch the friction snubbers and linkages, matching them up as needed.

So, there's some technique and the plan. It remains to be seen if I can pull it off

Regards,
Mark

[JED]

Good ideas for the suspension

[Beekster]

Jun 8, 2021 10:52:11 GMT -6 JED said:

Good ideas for the suspension

Indeed!  Your solution should work out quite nicely.

[reserve]

Thanks gents

Shot PD #700 for the season yesterday

Am about to vanish in the forest again for a few days; we're going out as often as we can now before the planet local catches on fire like it did last year so an update's probably gonna be awhile

Regards,
Mark

[reserve]

Back from the forest, finished the tracks. They broke on the attempted installation, first time DS tracks have ever let me down. Now am waiting on Sprue Brothers to deliver a set of AM tracks.

Delays, delays

Regards,
Mark

[JCON]

I hate when that happens!!!

[bravo1jon]

Something I noticed that I don't see often is the way you made the tank look like it was part of that scene. The same dirt and dust that you used on the base is on the tank. Perfect. I don't know what your up to now but can't wait to see it.