Trumpeter AS90 ... The load for a Commander

I sometimes find my own typos after weeks or months when someone sticks a :heart:
on one of my posts causing me to read it again and
:man_facepalming:

Edit: Like just now, I had spelled sometimes without the first e

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Phase 2 … The melding of parts …

I found a perfect size of sprue that fits into the barrel center.

Then it was attaching the muzzle moment… Made sure it was straight and true on all its axis…

Pretty happy with the way it came out. Finished it off with some liquid super glue around the edge to give it a nice seal…
We now have a barrel nearer the correct length. :+1:

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Beat me to it Robin; I was poised to hit the keys but then, John’s a big bloke(!)

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6’4’’ & upwards of 280 pounds?

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Only 6’ but less poundage :grin:

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Fantastic outcome John! That barrel looks the dog’s! Exceptional work.

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Agreed, If I’d tried that it would look like a dogs hind leg.

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The moral here John - never doubt your abilities. Top notch work.

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Thanks Matt @SSGToms , G @Maximus8425 and Pete @petbat — the bellows were nice and simple, the V’s make perfect guides and the saving grace with the barrel was finding that section of sprue that acted as the perfect support between barrel and M brake, that helped just to slot it together and super glue then easily hid the join line … I must admit … I did breath a big sigh of relief once I knew it was ok …

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Now the Commander is finished apart from the final photo upload I can concentrate on the AS90.
Carried on with the lower hull running gear units and that’s all now completed…
Wheels will be next and then fitted.

So this will end up as the load on the Commander, and finish will be that of a vehicle going on a display, so very clean and hardly any dirt/dust on it. Also, no MG or ammo boxes fitted and will try and detail the gun clamp and make it workable.

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On a slightly related topic and not sure if this has been mentioned already on here but we have finally retired all of our AS90’s and they have been reportedly sent to Ukraine.

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Sad day for the drop shorts

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Mind the gap🤬

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The RCH 155 is expected to enter British service from 2029 and will eventually replace the Archer fleet, which is scheduled to leave service by 2030.

FFS, we’re buying 14 guns for five years to replace 89 AS90s which were supposed to be around for another decade and the interim solution is to be out of service just one year after the first of 116 of the shiny new toys are supposed to have been delivered? When has British military procurement ever delivered a fully-functioning system in that sort of timescale? I can see the emergency recommissioning of some legacy systems being a possibility, maybe this one

Cheers,

M

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I mentioned that the AS90 is going to be finished pretty clean. That includes no tools stowed, so that can hopefully show off the PE mountings for it all

Have started to fill some of the unnecessary holes on the hull, 2 of which are for the drivers sight which is to far forward and some tools on the front upper mudguards


On this image, the drill is in a hole (to be filled) that is aone of two mounting points for another unidentified tool - there are 4 mounts altogether for 2 identical tools -

The mounting points look like this. Image for discussion only.

I didn’t have and hollow rod the correct size, so I found the recoilless rifle from the Tamiya US weapons set and the barrel is the correct diameter so will drill that out and then drill smaller holes for the retaining pins, which will come from Panther spare track link securing pins.

And a test dry fit of upper and lower hull

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Started on a bit of PE for the tools.

Also did the 4 circular mounting points and fitted one retaining pin.


Fitted the 4 hinges for the gearbox but noticed that one was missing the end that mounts on the hull… It didn’t break off, guess it must of been a part pour… Looks like an easy fix.

And fixed…


Needs a bit of trimming but once painted it will be fine.

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Although the gun clamp spring is passable, I decided to add one from jewelers wire.
Have also sliced off the side, tail and indicator lights as they were just moulded on plastic and will add clear parts for those, some actual spare lenses and the rear ones made from cut up clear wine bottles

Also added some locking handles on the gearbox decks.

Some detailing on the rear

Managed to find some clear lenses that fit in the headlights as the kit ones are just green plastic inserts they want you to paint silver.

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Going all in again I see :joy::ok_hand:

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lol… not to the extent of the Scammell thats for sure !!

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Bloody hell John; are you sure you’re not really a Closet Gunner?

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