johann morris Posted March 10, 2021 Author Share Posted March 10, 2021 On 3/7/2021 at 7:32 PM, 67burwood said: I know exactly what you mean, the reality is no one would have questioned the shape of the cover, they would just complement you on the workmanship but the fact you know yourself it’s not right can really niggle you. Exactly, I keep telling myself that it doesn't matter but it does. I had a little bit of time to play today so I made the handle that is used to rotate the turret by hand. Only a little job but another one off of the list. Jon 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johann morris Posted March 14, 2021 Author Share Posted March 14, 2021 Evening All, I had quite a productive weekend making lots of little items for the linkage from the remote trigger in the turret gearbox to the MG, so now you can see how it operates. The other item was the cover that goes over the turret ring gear, well it's nearly finished but I was requested to make some biscuits by my dear wife and I know never to argue where the biscuit box is empty. Until next time thanks for looking. Jon 5 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
67burwood Posted March 14, 2021 Share Posted March 14, 2021 All looking good Jon.....but let’s talk biscuits !! Empty biscuit box is possible grounds for divorce !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johann morris Posted March 14, 2021 Author Share Posted March 14, 2021 46 minutes ago, 67burwood said: All looking good Jon.....but let’s talk biscuits !! Empty biscuit box is possible grounds for divorce !! That's why i don't argue. My son then decided that he wanted a diabetes cake, that's a two day job. Fresh from the oven Jon 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
67burwood Posted March 14, 2021 Share Posted March 14, 2021 Tea and biscuits are an essential part of any vehicle build🙂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johann morris Posted March 21, 2021 Author Share Posted March 21, 2021 On 3/14/2021 at 9:44 PM, 67burwood said: Tea and biscuits are an essential part of any vehicle build🙂 I have to whole heartedly concur with that sentiment old chap. Evening all, As far as Panzer production is concerned I have achieved very little, only finishing the turret gear guard. Other than that, it has been a very busy week one way or another, a week in which I decide that it was time that I increased my turning capacity, so I purchased a new toy. Jon 12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henry roberts Posted March 28, 2021 Share Posted March 28, 2021 The new toy... in preparation for a Panzer 4 build??? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monty2 Posted March 28, 2021 Share Posted March 28, 2021 Tiger mki 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johann morris Posted April 4, 2021 Author Share Posted April 4, 2021 Evening All, If I decide to build another tank it would probably be a Panzer iv but that would probably be a project too far. I have been trying to finish the turret, all the little fiddly detail bits that I didn't have enough information for. There's a marker attached to the hull just below the turret ring to show when the turret is facing the front that needed adding. Whilst I had completed the wiring up to the slip ring in the base of the hull, I hadn't done anything about the wiring in the turret. The wires run from the slip ring up the leg of the commanders chair and into a square junction box attached to the turret ring behind the commanders seat back rest. Here they split, the power goes to the turret light and power socket while the wires for the intercoms continue into an adjoining junction box where the head phones and throat mike plug in. For the life of me I couldn't find a blanking plate for the larger box so I had to make one and the plugs in the comm's box are not the correct ones but they will do for now. I tried to buy the P clips to save time but I couldn't find the right sizes so I made a little bending jig and made my own. I ran a single wire just to illustrate where the wires run. The last item for now is a box that would contain cartridges for a flare gun, again it fits behind the commanders seat but on the opposite side to the junction boxes. The picture below is from the Tank Museums Panzer ll, it is clear from another picture of the same box that it has been bent forward and originally would have been in a more upright position as in the second picture. I have actually, very nearly finished the project in it's original form, that was to build a Panzer ll turret, just a two more items and I am done. Jon 9 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
67burwood Posted April 5, 2021 Share Posted April 5, 2021 As usual Jon the attention to detail is superb 👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johann morris Posted April 5, 2021 Author Share Posted April 5, 2021 (edited) 9 hours ago, 67burwood said: As usual Jon the attention to detail is superb 👍 Nice of you to say so. Evening all, Well, I have finished the last two items, so apart from painting and final assembly, the turret is officially complete! One of the final items was a second internal handle for turning the turret by hand, I knew that there should have been one but I couldn't be sure what it looked like or where it went, until I rediscovered this picture on my pc. So it was out with a hammer, a piece of bar and some heat and it was time to hit some hot metal. The second item is a strange one. Situated on top of the turret was, in theory, a periscope (circled in red) for the gun sight but in actual fact it did nothing and was there as a decoy to drawing fire away from the real gun sight that was in the center of the mantlet (circled in blue). Obviously it served it's purpose as there are several pictures showing the results. As the commanders head was very close to this area it must have been a very uncomfortable, if not fatal experience. . I could have just left it off but what the hell. So it's on to projects anew, like finishing the rest of the final details on the chassis. Jon Edited April 5, 2021 by johann morris I got it wrong.........again 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BRDM Driver Posted April 5, 2021 Share Posted April 5, 2021 Just amazing how you've kept up the motivation to keep at this project! All these details! Just epic. I hope that one day you get to show it at Bovi so I can see it in the flesh! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johann morris Posted April 5, 2021 Author Share Posted April 5, 2021 Thanks BRDM and thanks again for the earlier assistance. If it ever gets finished, I have promised the Yorkshire war time experience it's first appearance. jon 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eddy8men Posted April 6, 2021 Share Posted April 6, 2021 i think i speak for us all when i say we really want to see it running and painted. keep it up 5 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John F Posted April 8, 2021 Share Posted April 8, 2021 On 4/5/2021 at 7:01 PM, johann morris said: Thanks BRDM and thanks again for the earlier assistance. If it ever gets finished, I have promised the Yorkshire war time experience it's first appearance. jon Fantastic, that's my local event! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NZM305 Posted April 8, 2021 Share Posted April 8, 2021 (edited) On 4/6/2021 at 6:01 AM, johann morris said: Thanks BRDM and thanks again for the earlier assistance. If it ever gets finished, I have promised the Yorkshire war time experience it's first appearance. jon Might have to start saving for a trip to see that 😁 Edited April 8, 2021 by NZM305 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtskull Posted April 8, 2021 Share Posted April 8, 2021 On 4/5/2021 at 7:01 PM, johann morris said: Thanks BRDM and thanks again for the earlier assistance. If it ever gets finished, I have promised the Yorkshire war time experience it's first appearance. jon I have never been to that event but I will make sure I go if your Panzer is in attendance. To echo what has been said many times before, most people would have been satisfied with a vehicle that runs, drives and fairly closely resembles a Panzer. You, on the other hand, have painstakingly researched and created a stunningly accurate replica. I salute you, Field Marshal Morris. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johann morris Posted April 10, 2021 Author Share Posted April 10, 2021 On 4/6/2021 at 9:29 PM, eddy8men said: i think i speak for us all when i say we really want to see it running and painted. keep it up Morning Rick, Patience was a virgin, or that's what I tell my wife. Sometimes I wonder if I should just put it together, paint it and get it running but I know that if I do that and put the finishing parts on the to do they won't get done. Finishing all these little time consuming bits is a million times easier with the chassis and upper hull apart than having to keep climbing in and out. No, it's just got to be done I am afraid. The good news is that I have made a drawing of the drive sprockets, so I can get that off for some quotes. On 4/8/2021 at 4:11 AM, NZM305 said: Might have to start saving for a trip to see that 😁 On 4/8/2021 at 4:11 AM, NZM305 said: Might have to start saving for a trip to see that 😁 I have never been to the YWE but I have heard some very good reports so I am looking forward to a trip there. On 4/8/2021 at 9:13 AM, mtskull said: I have never been to that event but I will make sure I go if your Panzer is in attendance. To echo what has been said many times before, most people would have been satisfied with a vehicle that runs, drives and fairly closely resembles a Panzer. You, on the other hand, have painstakingly researched and created a stunningly accurate replica. I salute you, Field Marshal Morris. Thank you Sir you are too kind but be careful with the field Marshall bit, although "it's just a bit of fun", some people might get a bit steamed up over my self promotion above my pay grade. Jon 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon_M Posted April 10, 2021 Share Posted April 10, 2021 I humbly suggest that anyone that makes their own tank from scratch deserves the rank of Field Marshal, at the very least. 6 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John F Posted April 20, 2021 Share Posted April 20, 2021 On 4/10/2021 at 9:22 AM, johann morris said: The good news is that I have made a drawing of the drive sprockets, so I can get that off for some quotes. Does that mean you've made a decision about what tracks to use, Jon? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johann morris Posted April 20, 2021 Author Share Posted April 20, 2021 Evening John, I know It will be controversial but I am going to fabricate a set. I have thought about it long and hard, hence I have a plan of attack that will involve quite a bit of machining and lots of welding. My logic is that I have time but money is limited and I like the challenge. If there's a ping and I end up with lots of bits of bent metal then it's on to plan B. With that in mind, I have bought, nay invested, in another piece of history to ease the job of making the 1000+ bushes. Jon 5 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
67burwood Posted April 20, 2021 Share Posted April 20, 2021 39 minutes ago, johann morris said: I have bought, nay invested This phrase sounds very familiar!! 🤔 I may have said the same to my wife on several occasions 😁 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johann morris Posted April 20, 2021 Author Share Posted April 20, 2021 To be honest Seamus, I don't think we are fooling anyone, our wives have us well sussed. Mine even asked me to describe the differences between the different machines that I "needed" for life to continue. Jon 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John F Posted April 20, 2021 Share Posted April 20, 2021 1 hour ago, johann morris said: Evening John, I know It will be controversial but I am going to fabricate a set. I have thought about it long and hard, hence I have a plan of attack that will involve quite a bit of machining and lots of welding. My logic is that I have time but money is limited and I like the challenge. If there's a ping and I end up with lots of bits of bent metal then it's on to plan B. With that in mind, I have bought, nay invested, in another piece of history to ease the job of making the 1000+ bushes. Jon I'm actually really pleased to hear that, Jon... I know you considered using some existing track from e.g. a BMP, but I suspect you'll get the best, most authentic result by fabricating the links yourself. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johann morris Posted May 16, 2021 Author Share Posted May 16, 2021 Evening All, I have now turned my attention to finishing the detail in the upper hull. I may of mentioned that I had never intended making the whole tank, hence my upside down approach to the project. As such I never really paid that much attention to the upper hull as it was only supposed to be a stand for the turret to sit on, consequently I have made a few errors that I have had to revisit, not major problems but still time consuming. I am currently working on the drivers vision area and how anyone could drive it with only this small area to see through is beyond me. There are three ways for the driver to see out, the first is with the visor open, the second is with the visor closed looking through a small slot and third through the two small holes above the visor. This is the only picture that I have of this area in an early clam shell AUSF C so this is what I am attempting to recreate. I also have this drawing of the visor area but there is not enough detail of the glass block retainer, so at present I am going to leave the glass block until I can find more information. The first two vision options are controlled by the levers to the left and right of the visor. To the right, is a lock which locks the visor closed. This unit contains a spring loaded plunger that locates into the main shaft, ensuring that the shaft stays in the desired position. To the left, is the lever for opening and closing the visor. This has three positions, closed, semi-open and open. This assembly contains a vertical sprung loaded plunger to ensure that the lever can't jump out of position. The third method of seeing the road ahead, is through the two small holes above the vision slot as mentioned above. To achieve this one has to use a periscope that is attached to a rail bolted to the roof of the upper hull. As yet I haven't made the periscope, that's the next job but I have made the attachment rails And the blanking block that covers the vision holes when the periscope is not required. That's all until next time. Jon 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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