GPM Dragon Wagon

[KCStephens]

Originally Posted by modelperry

I have to fix my Sherman, finish my Zuiho and my Scud Launcher before I could tackle this one myself.

No problem, you'll probably finish it before I do anyway. Hurry up though, I might need some help with the trickey parts!

[KCStephens]

Originally Posted by Hi-Torque

Even though I predominantly build ships I've had this one in my collection for awhile and will be following along with enthusiasm.

Cris, I would love to see you build this kit but reducing it down to 1:250 that would be something! Ha ha ha!

[romanmodels]

A good start, i mite finnish my firefly in time to load up!!!!allso have the dragon wagon in my stock pile.

[Don Boose]

Yikes! How did I miss the beginning of this thread? This is the culmination of the years-long mano-a-mano between Kevin and Greg. Dragon Wagon vs. SCUD launcher. The fight of the century!

And it all began at an International Paper Modelers' Convention in Sterling years ago, when you bought the GPM Sherman and Rick, with a sly smile, handed you the huge Dragon Wagon kit and said, "You'll want this to display it on, Kev."

I look forward to watching this develop and to seeing it in person next May at Army Heritage Days (earlier, if the Boose-Stephens-Benson-Scalingi illustrated lecture on the history and craft of paper modeling actually takes at USAHEC this winter).

Best wishes on this big project, Kevin.

Don

[jaffro]

The more builds I see of this kit, the closer I am to buying it and putting it in my "too scared to built it just yet" pile... along with that Scud.

Good luck and all the best.... I look forward to watching this one.

[KCStephens]

Thanks for all your comments guys.

Here's a quick update on the DW just so you know that this thread is still alive...

Progress continues... however at a snail's pace...just got too many other real word obglitations that need my attention right now. Hopefully after the holidays the build will jump into high gear.

I finished up the engine and transmission details along with the transfer case, front winch assembly, and airbrake tanks.

Now I'm beginning to work on the front suspension and axel assembly.
This required a bit of testing to get the correct thickness of the leaf springs. Through my calculations, I discovered that each spring had to be doubled in thickness. I mounted the parts sheet (#28) to a sheet of regular 67# (7pt) vellum bristol. That should do the trick.

Next, I have to fabricate a jig to ensure that both spring assemblies (L&R) match the drawing in length, bend and overall height. (More on this later)

For now, here's a few more pictures showing my progress.

[Don Boose]

Tracking.

More later,

Don

[whulsey]

Cool, will be following with great interest. Ran across an article showing a couple of those in use in England by Wynn's heavy haulage who bought them when they were surplused out. Guess there were a bunch of them that were converted over. So that got the wheels to turning about civilian-izing one of those. Let's see, that's project no. 825 I think.

[KCStephens]

Well my Christmas gift to myself came from the Fed Ex man today.
I think I'll even wrap it up and put it under tree for Christmas morning...
Anyway It's sure going to make cutting out all those tire and wheel parts a whole lot easier.

[SJPONeill]

Originally Posted by KCStephens

Well my Christmas gift to myself came from the Fed Ex man today.
I think I'll even wrap it up and put it under tree for Christmas morning...
Anyway It's sure going to make cutting out all those tire and wheel parts a whole lot easier.

Mmmmm....circle cutter....what size does it go out to, KC? I have one that will cut circles up to 15cm in diameter and use punches and nail clippers for smaller circles but have had trouble finding anything here to reliably cut lasrger circles other than by freehand...


Simon