The Quinta 3D decals include a plate for the PTO lever on the floor, to operate the winch. But the AFV kit does not include the operating lever for it. Since I am including the winch, I added the plate and found a suitable lever for it. I drilled a hole in the floor and mounted the lever in it:
The front mesh from the Eduard set is nicer than what AFV includes in the kit, and is already cut down to fit the winch. So I used that, and then put the AFV mesh on the Bandai kit to improve it’s looks:
Thanks! I won’t get these done up to your standards, but I am using some of your truck builds as inspiration.
Unfortunately, I have run into a problem. Houston, we have a problem. I am building these up in subassemblies, which means I have several different things on my bench at one time. And then I dropped one. I dropped one of the cab assemblies onto the bench, sending parts flying. I quickly located everything (undamaged) except for the steering wheel/column for the Bandai kit. I had built this and was using it to get the arms positioned correctly for the driver figure.
I started searching, and quickly located the steering column on the floor. It was intact, but the steering wheel was missing. After continuing to search for several hours, spread out over two days, I found it; in a spot that had been searched at least three times before. It was smashed, and no longer looked like a steering wheel, or any kind of wheel for that matter. But it was still in one piece, with no breaks or cracks.
After a lot of gentle bending and massaging, I was able to make it look something like a steering wheel. Its shape is still a bit off, and it’s not really a circle, but it’s as close as I can get it without breaking it. Hopefully, putting it in the driver’s hands will hide its shape enough to be OK.
Sorry, no photos of this.
Ken
The one on the left is the AFV tire and rim, I will be using that for the spare, the Bandai kit just used one of the wheels off the truck, with the hub and mounting bolts molded in place.
Ken
Life has been getting in the way of model building, so things have been slow. Oh well.
I have got some work done on this. I got some paint added to the interior of the Bandai cab, and the doors fitted:
I’ve been adding detail bits to the cargo bed of the Bandai kit, but it is slow going. I have also been working on the shop box and interior fittings for the AFV kit. I’ll get some photos up soon.
Ken
I was going to post an update on this, instead I will be taking a break, literally.
On 21 July I fell off a ladder while trimming trees in my yard. I am in the hospital and will be for some weeks to come.
My injuries include a fractured spine (T1 vertebra), left wrist, left shoulder, and some bruised ribs.
I will recover, and return to building, but it will take time. In the meantime, here is a friendly reminder to be safe and remember that life can change in an instant.
Ken
Great thread! I had a 1/1 M35A1, a great truck to drive and quite a turn of speed. Conversation was tricking in the cab with the straight pipe just the other side of the windscreen
OUCH!!
Fractured T1 …
that could have gone to h-ll for real,
lots of nerves going “south” through the T1 …
You were lucky.
Working on ladders is dangerous.
The first thing I do when I use a ladder to trim trees is to tie the
ladder to the tree with a cargo strap.
Then I “only” need to hang on to the ladder and don’t need
to worry about the ladder slipping or twisting.
A safety harness tied to the ladder or tree would be the next
step up in safety.
It takes some extra time but definitely less than weeks in
a hospital.
Get well soon Ken, I guess the only consolation is it could have been much worse. And hopefully you’re right-handed. (Robin, the first thing I do when I use a ladder is to pay someone else to go up it )
HAH.
Labour costs around here …
I could add some nice kits to the stash instead
Once I went more than 10 metres up a spruce tree using a 2.5 meter ladder.
I just needed to reach the lowest branches then I climbed/slithered my way
up through the branches.
When I was at the wanted height I started cutting off branches, working my
way down, sitting on one branch while cutting another, one branch level
at the time until I was back ot the lowest level which I cut while standing
on the ladder.
Wow Ken consider yourself lucky - it could have been a much more terrible conclusion. Rest up and get well soon. You’ll be back to modeling before you know it. Tankers are made of tough stuff. Take it easy for awhile and use your convalescence for bench time. Best of wishes and it’s time you swear off ladders! I did 10 years ago. ( I have a son for that.)
Thanks for the concern everybody, l appreciate it. I will be laying off ladders for a while, and someone else will be doing the trees from now on.
I am writing this using my phone, a first for me. How the hell do you guys do that? I can barely see what I am doing! And it is hard to get around the website. Doing it with just one hand doesn’t help. Any pointers?
Anyway keep up all the good work, gives me something to look at while I am in here.
Ken
)
