1/16 British Saladin Armoured Car project

[airdave]

yes, yes, yes and yes

all part of the process...some gets done during the design and test build,
but most of what you are referring to is done at the end.
I started this thread March 15, 2016...so we are definitely past the year mark on this project.
I hope to have a kit in the shop by May or June...fingers crossed.

[Don Boose]

Dave –

This Saturday, at the “Military History through Paper Modeling” event at the U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center (USAHEC), I will make a presentation on paper modeling and military history.
USAHEC [If you are reading this, Charlie, I have done my best to persuade the USAHEC staff that it should read "Renault FT instead of FT-17, but they insist that "FT-17" was the U.S. Army usage at the time. Anyway, as you know, the USAHEC machine on display is a hybrid FT chassis with a U.S.-made 6-ton turret.)
1 April 2017 Paper Modelers' Event at the U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center

As part of that presentation, I will use the materials you previously provided to me to show how you conducted research and designed the Autocar armored/armoured car and the 30 cwt cargo lorry. I also will show a slide with images of the Little Willie (Lincoln No. 1 Machine), one of the Centurions, and the upcoming Saladin and identify your website.

We are also using your Easybild HUMVEEs and M113s at our make-and-take table and as handouts.

I hope all this results in some sales.

As always, many thanks for your support for these endeavors.

Don

[airdave]

Don, you've always got anything you need from me.

I hope you have a productive event.
And I hope everyone has fun.
I wish I could take part.

[CharlieC]

Sigh...being an advocate for the usage "Renault FT" is a long road. It sounds like it may be a biological process to change AHEC i.e. wait until they die off from old age. The correct nomenclature for the Renault designed light tank in the US was "Six-ton Special Tractor, Model 1917" the handbook is in the Hathi collection. I haven't seen any documentation on what the US Army called the Renault light tanks in France although I have a recollection they may have been referred to simply as Renault tanks.

I hope the event goes well tomorrow (the 1st) at AHEC.

Regards,

Charlie

[douglasmarrel]

I love AirDave, hmm, I saw a bit of white space on a page so I thought I would just fill it up with an extra accessory, Gotta love that level of OCD attention to detail! Us humans would go, meh a blank space, who cares? Amazing

[airdave]

Originally Posted by douglasmarrel

I love AirDave, hmm, I saw a bit of white space on a page so I thought I would just fill it up with an extra accessory, Gotta love that level of OCD attention to detail! Us humans would go, meh a blank space, who cares? Amazing

Not quite that generous, to be honest. lol

I finished 40 pages of Parts...and had only the Commander's 30cal Machine Gun left over.
To be honest, this was actually a last minute addition to the model, I originally wasn't going to include it.

Anyway, I was forced to create a 41st page for it...because I couldn't squeeze it in anywhere else.
(...I don't like breaking up related groups of parts, if I don't have to)

Unfortunately, the MG parts only take up about 1/3 of the page...
so it leaves me with a lot of space to fill.
And the Tow Cables are just another change-my-mind consideration...
which may not even fill the page!

But first, I have to give them a test build.

[airdave]

BUMP again!

Assembly Diagrams are edited!
Got a lot done this past weekend, so things are looking good.
Now I am numbering Parts.
Afterwards, I'll transfer part numbers to the Parts pages.

...
Finally assembled some Tow Cables.
After a few attempts and modifications, finally got a size/scale that works.
Slightly larger than necesary, but not so small that I can't cut out the parts.
And, I had to simplify the design.
My first designs required too much laminating of layers, making small parts difficult to cut out.

Then, theres the Cable itself.
I used some twisted braid rope that has a good look...however, it is about 2mm thick,
which is the thickest you want to go to still be in scale.
I would have preferred something a bit thinner.

Anyway, as I said, the parts are very small...and you have to do some layering.
It requires patience...and some careful cutting and shaping.
Its an optional accessory.



Once the cables are connected, the finished thing looks good.
But I haven't tried it on the vehicle yet.
I'm still waiting for some styrene rod that I ordered last month.
When that arrives, I will make up the surface connectors that the Tow Cable will attach to.
Those U-shaped welded loops that appear all over the vehicle.

[elliott]

Tow cables and parts are looking very good Dave. You are a master at making something (good) out of nothing (a blank sheet of paper).

[airdave]

Someone asked about the String I used for the Tow Cable,
and in this case I used a spiral wound twine that appears to be a nylon blend.
Its white and got a very shiny sheen...but still has those fine hairys that become visible when painted.
And, its about 2mm diameter.

Not sure where I got it...and I don't have the package anymore.
I seem to remember purchasing it at a local Surplus Store.



This worked well on the Centurion, but the Saladin appears to have slightly lighter weight Cables.
I would have preferred a rope that was a touch thinner, but I can live with what I created.

But yesterday, I was given a package of "Industrial Quality Twine" that looks like it might have been a better choice for the Saladin Cables.
Mainly because it is a touch thinner...I'm guessing closer to 1.5mm diameter.

"Cabled" Cotton...means two string, spirally wound...like the full size steel Tow Cables.
The only unknown issue is how hairy it is, since it is 100% cotton.
I have found some strings don't paint well for this reason.

Anyway, I just wanted to share the info with you.
This Twine was purchased at Home Hardware (Canadian Hardware Stores).

[cmdr199212]

Hey airdave, just a thought here, but what if you dip the thread through some diluted white glue? It should solidify it a little and give it a bit of gloss for the paint??