rustybaer
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Post by rustybaer on Dec 2, 2022 18:08:22 GMT -6
Left over parts from the KRAB conversion and a "loose" Academy Merkava3 makes for another iteration of an IDF proposed SPG. I did one a while ago using a Merk3 hull and a French Auf1 turret that was fun, looked neat and snagged a first at an IPMS show, very surprising to me. So just for the fun of it, version two of the same concept, what the IDF might have done with obsoleted Merkavas. So far I've got the turret mated to the hull, a gun travel lock mounted and started on the anti-recoil blades (?) on the rear of the hull using parts from an old Dragon mine rake.  IMG_3745 by Russel Baer, on Flickr  IMG_3744 by Russel Baer, on Flickr Below is my first mock-up the the spades but I took those off since they were unrealistically large, IMO. The (hopefully) final versions are narrower and shorter, light enough for the brackets I made and for the electric motors to be able to lift them.  IMG_3737 by Russel Baer, on Flickr It kind of looks like some weird sea creature or one of those WWII Japanese jungle clearing engineer tanks with the big rake/spades. The next attempt will be narrower and shorter. |
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Post by Beekster on Dec 2, 2022 18:54:17 GMT -6
Looks like fun! And yes, the spades on big SP howitzers like this are there to keep the thing from moving around when the gun recoils. Gunnery is so precise these days that if you let the thing roll back a couple of meters with each round, you very rapidly induce error into your firing solution. I agree that those first version spades are way too big. If you cut off the upper section of the blade (above the flat plane) and shorten the teeth by about half, you should be golden. Grind the teeth from the bottom to get the points back after cutting them short.
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rustybaer
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Post by rustybaer on Dec 3, 2022 8:56:43 GMT -6
Ed Zachary. I plan on reducing them by about 50%. As big as they were made me think of one of those caricature models. I've kind of got one of those on the back burner now, actually...
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Post by JED on Dec 5, 2022 7:12:02 GMT -6
Yet anothe rgreat build coming along
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rustybaer
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Post by rustybaer on Dec 6, 2022 10:00:20 GMT -6
Here we go, spades cut down and mounts in final configuration. The brass tube is through both to make sure I had them parallel, comes out.  IMG_3755 by Russel Baer, on Flickr And in travel position:  IMG_3756 by Russel Baer, on Flickr It all looks a little more in scale now, I think...  IMG_3757 by Russel Baer, on Flickr |
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Post by JCON on Dec 6, 2022 10:11:19 GMT -6
They turned out great!!!
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rustybaer
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Post by rustybaer on Dec 14, 2022 17:46:42 GMT -6
Thanks Joe. I still didn't like the cable arrangement, especially after starting to rig it, so I went with the hydraulic rams from the M9 dozer kit. I like it much better, looks more realistic, not so steam punk-ish. I also did the tow cables and gun cleaning rods and holders.  IMG_3764 by Russel Baer, on Flickr  IMG_3763 by Russel Baer, on Flickr |
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Post by JCON on Dec 14, 2022 20:54:21 GMT -6
You are correct. Those do look better!!!
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rustybaer
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Post by rustybaer on Dec 15, 2022 17:13:22 GMT -6
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Post by Beekster on Dec 16, 2022 14:11:26 GMT -6
Very convincing, Russ. Your imagination has no limits, it seems!
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Post by JCON on Dec 16, 2022 14:55:06 GMT -6
Very convincing, Russ. Your imagination has no limits, it seems! I concur!!! |
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rustybaer
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Post by rustybaer on Dec 16, 2022 18:07:49 GMT -6
"Too much time on my hands". Just for giggles, here's what I'm piddling with when I need to noodle on something else:  IMG_3772 by Russel Baer, on Flickr  IMG_3771 by Russel Baer, on Flickr I had the hull left over from "Slammer 2" and the Tamiya Leo has been buried in the closet for a hundred years or so, so I thought "why not?". And the Slammer is in IDF sand gray, I'll get pics up as soon as it's cured, or soon after... |
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Post by Beekster on Dec 17, 2022 8:24:26 GMT -6
I've got a pair of the Italeri Leo 1 kits in the closet with nothing planned for them. They're obsolete now with the much better meng and Takom releases available. Also got an Academy M60A1 USMC with reactive armor bricks buried in the attic. Hmmm...
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rustybaer
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Post by rustybaer on Dec 17, 2022 9:28:58 GMT -6
Do it! You know you want to...  Part of the reason I do stuff like this is to take a break from rivet counting. I also hate to let partial kits go to waste. With the kind of projects you do, this would probably make you giggle. |
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Post by JED on Dec 18, 2022 5:51:28 GMT -6
Its all looking pretty good
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rustybaer
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Post by rustybaer on Jan 11, 2023 14:44:39 GMT -6
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Post by JCON on Jan 11, 2023 17:11:27 GMT -6
Nice job, Russ!!!
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rustybaer
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Post by rustybaer on Jan 15, 2023 17:27:43 GMT -6
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Post by JCON on Jan 15, 2023 18:59:15 GMT -6
Good job there Russ!!!
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Post by JED on Jan 22, 2023 5:19:15 GMT -6
Turned out really good Rus
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Part of the reason I do stuff like this is to take a break from rivet counting. I also hate to let partial kits go to waste. With the kind of projects you do, this would probably make you giggle.
