Blackadder's Landkreuzer P500; Der Wühlmaus

[Blackadder]

Kattywompus:

Before I put this aside in favor of the Reaver project I think it prudent to present the model as it is at the moment; for nothing less than a record of the mistakes and comparison when the rebuild is effected.

[url]http://i.imgur.com/bXJba5y.jpg[/url]


I've run into a major structural anomaly that will have to be remedied before I proceed; so rather than subject my readers to the travails of rebuilding I'll work on this in the background until the retracing is completed.

[url]http://i.imgur.com/wTpnsLH.jpg[/url]
[

It started when I first installed the tread assemblies; all looked good from the side elevated view.

[url]http://i.imgur.com/xeI2wZg.jpg[/url]


and the side eye level view.

[url]http://i.imgur.com/E4WF6Ix.jpg[/url]


The front eye level is within acceptable limits although the left tread needs to be brought perpendicular.

It's only with the rear view that the grievous anomalies manifest..........

[url]http://i.imgur.com/6fRNfnB.jpg[/url]


The engine compartment is badly askew and the right tread has a bad twist that did not reveal itself on the aligning table for some reason perhaps because there is no upper track run.

Also the left tread needs to be brought perpendicular as with the front which is of minor consideration.

All of which gives value to the use of photography to review your work because looking at the model itself the eye tends to compensate for the indiscretions.

[Kirsten]

looks like your suspension has collapsed...

[Psychosplodge]

bloody potholes...

[Blackadder]

Treads Redressed:

When last we saw the unfortunate Landkreuzer the treads were badly warped and canted askew.

[url]http://i.imgur.com/qDVMc8V.jpg[/url]


I addressed the problem last night with satisfactory results.

[url]http://i.imgur.com/J2A2i1Y.jpg[/url]


So satisfactory in point of fact that I shall have to go back to my FW Baneblades and see if I can apply the same fix to them as well.

Now all that needs be done is to true up the engine compartment

[Blackadder]

Truing the Engine Compartment:

I first removed the styrene sheathing for the ribbon cartridge frame. When I first built this frame years ago I was not as practiced as I am now and discrepancies weren't as bothersome/

These days I am more particular.

Using the naked utility knife blade as a draw plane I shave down the cartridge casing alternating between sanding and drawplaning to remove the millimeter or so extra material to true up the top deck.

[url]http://i.imgur.com/NKsrFiY.jpg[/url]


Once the frame top is true I'll apply a sheet of 0.020 styrene to the shaved frame and proceed to re-frame the beveled panels on the side.

[url]http://i.imgur.com/xHAECIJ.jpg[/url]

[Blackadder]

The Mathematical Precision:

There is something extremely satisfying about the faceted structure of the Lucius Pattern vehicles to my mind's eye. Something that is lacking in the Mars versions....

The image below with it's crisp, no nonsense angles just bespeak pent up strength even in its undetailed state.

[url]http://i.imgur.com/E92AphE.jpg[/url]


The engine compartment has shaped up rather well from it's previous distorted construction being now less than a fraction of a millimeter out of true.

[url]http://i.imgur.com/MLRxP2C.jpg[/url]


It's irksome that the image below came out fuzzy.........

[url]http://i.imgur.com/9eDDZ54.jpg[/url]


Next, the turret..........

[Kirsten]

looking much better

[Psychosplodge]

Is that not known as a stanley knife blade over there?

[Blackadder]

Is that not known as a stanley knife blade over there?

Actually it's a DeWalt Blade. I buy them by the 75 blade dispenser.



But Stanley works just as well.

They're all 'Utility' knife blades.

[Psychosplodge]

Yeah its just here all knives with that style blade are "stanley knives", like all vaccum cleaners are "hoovers" regardless of manufacturer. I'd just never really thought about it before.

The tank looks a lot squarer as well