It was time to deal with the first of the etched brass parts on the build of the Dragon Tiger tank and I was armed for this! Last year I bought an etched brass bending tool and it was really useful as the pictures show.
At least the first pieces I am dealing with are large so that helps!
The Tiger build continues with the running wheel axles and torsion bars now in place - and they do work in providing some movement to the axles. Having got that done, the rear panel of the hull was attached and a start made on the Tiger's distinctive exhaust system. That involved a multitude of parts making it exhaustive work!
However, the finished items look good.
Most tank experts seem to agree that the Tiger was at the time it was built, the most advanced tank that existed. It had superb and innovative features that when they worked made it the most feared tank to those facing it. However those innovations were also its Achilles heel. They were not as robust as the simpler designed allied tanks and complex t repair, especially on the battlefield. Take the suspension which on a Sherman and similar tanks was in reality a leaf spring. The Tiger had torsion bars. Whilst you could replace a leaf spring easily a torsion bar was far more complex and with interwoven running wheels on the Tiger, usually three wheels had to come off before you could even start.
The innovativeness of the suspension was brought home to me as I started the Dragon Tiger kit. For some reason the kit replicates the suspension even though there is no other interior detail. First part of the construction is to glue these small retainers to the inside of the hull - arrowed red in the photo below.
It was one if those days yesterday where you sweated or if you are posh, perspired, without even moving. Given the conditions it was amazing that much got done at the Rocks by Rail Museum but it did!
The ever able and knowledgeable John was under the bonnet of Mr. D where he said it was actually cooler than outside. Mr. D has started and run but there are still small things to connect up like some oil pipes which John was doing yesterday.
As you can see he was dressed for a warm day!
Meanwhile, and not so well dressed for a warm day, Andy and David look on at John's contortions under the bonnet of Mr. D.
Andy did have some jobs to do though, such as soldering this pipe together - you don't often see soldering like this anymore.
Started with this....
Filled this....
And was left with this.....
It is a second hand kit and although no parts appear to have been glued the previous owner had separated a fair few parts so the first thing to do was to ensure all was there. Luckily the plans have a contents diagram so that made things easier.
How things change!
Early 1950s....
When the Massey Ferguson TE tractor was first built it amazed farmers and reduced the physical part of farming directly. This more than compensated for the very basic nature of the machine. Move forward 70 years and the tractor above probably has more gizmos and comfort than even the most luxurious of cars and is a capable of doing the work of 20 little Fergies. However I don't think this monster will still be about in 70 years with probably a whole host of electrical issues making it uneconomic and maybe even incapable of being repaired. Meanwhile, the simplicity of the Fergie means just about anyone with a small tool kit can repair the simple mechanicals and the most complex electrical matter is probably a starter motor if fitted!
Mrs Woody has wanted to visit the gardens at Doddington Hall near Lincoln for sometime so finding ourselves both with a day free we headed off there. Now I was expecting to see cultivated boarders and lawns but not this and please note this is not Mrs. Woody's new look for the summer!
As the WMD film crew have been out again, I can highly recommend (as I would having made it!) this classic YouTube video describing the 3D printed engine shed in a bit more detail. Sometimes film can explain things better than words!
Something you don't often find me saying - finished! However, in the case of the 3D printed engine shed that is exactly what has happened and as you can see in the pictures below it fits into Chalkdon, my 009 layout, quite well. As you can also see the doors now have hinges that fit onto the L brackets that I fitted a few days ago so can be opened and closed.
All in all I'm really pleased with this project and that I have something finished! Just don't tell Mrs. Woody or she will want some of her jobs for me finished too!
The interior of the 3D printed engine shed has now been glued in and weathered with the dilute black wash that I have used extensively on this model. It still needs a little bit more but it looks good to me!
The last part of this build is getting the doors fitted. I could just glue them in an open position - or indeed closed - but that would be too easy! So I am making working hinges. Four L hinge brackets have been fitted to the door aperture and then corresponding loops will be fitted to the doors to fit over the brackets. In this case it is much easier to say than do so especially with such small sized components, so wish me luck!
Peggy Sue was with us for just over 20 years. She hardly ever went to the vet and was just a healthy, loving cat. She had a sister, Meg, who after a year with us just disappeared one day. Never knew what happened to her but Peggy stayed with us.
Mrs Woody and me knew she was coming to the end of her time with us on Thursday. No illness, just that it was her time and 20 cat years is a long time, in fact in human terms 96. This morning Peggy Sue got up, wandered around for a minute or two and then lay down before leaving us with Mrs. W and me by her side. It was peaceful and now Peggy it is time to find Meg and be in peace. We miss you little girl!
