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In the picture below all the engine parts, so far, are assembled and partially painted. The gearbox is in position in the compartment but not glued. I will have a look at the positioning to see if everything butts up together satisfactorily.
This picture shows the fuel tanks in position with the air filter bases glued in. No problems with fit here.
The photo shows all the main engine components in position. They are not glued as I have to go two or three stages beyond here to see if the deck and other components fit around all this. It is getting a bit crowded now. So far it all seems good and apart from the engine needing a bit of a fiddle to fit, in due course all these parts fit into the compartment very well.
Painting will be finalised when truly assembled.
Moving on…
Next the pieces for the glacis plate. We are now starting to move onto the brass section and there is enough brass to vent to the Accrington Prize Brass Band. Looking at it I decided to get a feel by starting with the track guards. The edges of this are bent to provide a key for fixing it to the side of the hull. It is essential that this line is straight.The brass is quite solid.
I used my Tamiya panel liner to cut a bit more into the brass along the bend line so when it goes into the Mission models bending tool it makes a straight bend. Sorry it is sounding complicated but it is not really you just have to be careful.
This pic shows the brass track guard bent and straight. Brass is applied to the front plate and some of the gunner’s components ready to install.
Well after a bit of fiddling the track guards are installed and line up well with the hull. I am going to have to be careful handling from now on as a sharp downwards motion is sure to shear off the guards. The glacis plate is in position but not fixed there are various things to line up before fixing it. One of them is the front mud guard which is tacked on just to show where it goes. This was annealed and then bent over a dowel of about an inch in diameter. Various other small pieces on the glacis plate will be added when my big fingers aren’t handling it.
Next, painting and fitting the tracks, finishing the driver and co driver compartment and starting on the turret.