Famo, trailer and stug III - long term project

[modelperry]

I'm behind on my posts.

Parts 38-44 and 46-48

38- Part one of the wheel hub assemblies. Constructed the same as front bogie.

39- Part two of wheel hub assemblies. Constructed almost the same as front bogie. Some differences in brake mechanism parts.

40- The steering linkage. Very similar to front bogie and just as cumbersome and irritating too.

41- Air tanks. I still hate petals. I tried something different with these. Each rounded end is filled with Sculpey to help the petals form better and retain their shape. It sort of works, but the ends sill needed putty.

42 - Air lines and brake petals. Most of this was not used. I ain't trying to run that many lines through this 3-D maze. Not sure why they included the brake pedals in this bunch since they aren't installed until later on.

43 - Trailer bed winch box. First group of parts to use some from the page printed backwards (43b and c, top right). In theory the hinged top would work but....

44 - internal shafts drive chain and supports. the chain was fragile and oddly laminated/installed.

46 - winch chains and grapples. Frankly this part tests a person's sanity. I didn't even make it through 1/4 of the chain link assembly until it exploded. At that point I decided to assemble the grapples only and just attach them to the bottom of the box. All the remaining internal pieces were put into file 13.

47 - winch box external components. Other than figuring out the best build sequence incomplete drawings and some fiddly parts, nothing earth shattering here.

48 - upper frame work. Other than being thin and spindly and poorly represented by the drawings, this was not a major issue to build.

greg

[modelperry]

The rest of the pic for the previous post. I thought I had a pic of the part 48 group but did not.

greg

[modelperry]

Parts 49 - 51 deck framework

fiddly. The ladder was glued in place and I colored its mounting bracket slots black instead of cutting them out (way too fragile for me).

greg

[modelperry]

Fiddy too (52)

Left and right side deck floors. The right side floor and the grapple mechanism control wheel have some interference.
I think I missed a few small parts (spacer/retainer pieces for planks). These drawings remain spotty in detail. They are scattered through the diagram sheets, so you have to really hunt to find where all the parts go for each group of parts. If stuff was better organized, even the existing diagrams could be used more effectively than presently laid out.

Foot pedals from an earlier group of parts, finally found their home.

greg

[modelperry]

Parts 53 - 58 Steering and Cab stuff

Parts 53 - 55 were all KINDS of fiddly. This steering system was a nightmare for me. I had to eliminate some detailed parts as I was not up for the amount of hassle required to put all the lines in that were spec'd out.

Parts 56 & 57 were the cab walls and door. Other than the effort required to cut out the internal framework pieces, these fit OK.

Part 58 was the seat. still need to paint the cushions for proper look. The finished item looks a bit wonky but that seems to be hidden somewhat by it's placement in the cab.

next up to finally install the wheels and build up the fenders....

greg

[Don Boose]

You've done a LOT of work on this monster, Greg. Sure hope I get to see it up close and personal some day.

Don

[modelperry]

Hey Don,

Yes this one has been giving me a time consuming challenge. Equally, if not more so than the Scud launcher.

My goal is to get it all done this year. It will get mounted on a display board in some fashion before I even attempt to transport it. Then it all depends on this virus crap and it's continued effect on social events. Earliest you might see it is this November. Most likely May or fall of next year. Unless you are planning a trip to Iowa soon.......

Greg

[modelperry]

Parts 59-68

59-60 - Fenders - a little fiddly to get figured out, keep the parts arranged correctly and attach them to the bogie. I tried to make the hinges workable but gave up and glued them fast.

61 - Windshield - much easier to build than the FAMO one but still a bit tedious.

62 - canvas top - I only used a few parts that would be mounted directly on the cab. Like the FAMO, it will remain topless.

63 - Tool storage box - easy build up and mount. I glued the top on.

64 - cable reel - A-frame base was a bit fiddly but otherwise no issues.

65 - tools for the tool box - didn't bother since I glued the top of the box on.

66 - rear lights - no real issues

67 - rear placards - easy

68 - "headlights" - I still hate petals.

greg

[modelperry]

page 2 of above post and start of trailer bed.

[modelperry]

Last night I dropped the FAMO. It landed butter side down. Yes I freaked.

I fixed it, and it looks OK.

I spent the rest of the evening trying to figure out the best way to mount this whole rig to a board for better handling and protection. I have a nice oak board I got from Menards. Its 4 feet long and about 1 foot wide. Plenty big and heavy enough for mounting this model when I'm done.

Open for suggestions on mounting.

Some I already am considering:

double-sided tape;

eyelets and wires;

Really effing strong glue;

Or some sort of combination of all that.

Your thoughts and suggestions?

Keep in mind it will travel to at least two shows in Iowa and once back east (850 miles one way) before it then stays put in my house.

Thanks in advance

greg