Just doing some some preparations and practice before the Artillery Campaign begins 2017.
Scale is 25th.
Where possible I hope to use traditional methods for all the wood work (wheels, ancillaries etc.etc.) .
The last few days have been spent working out what jigs will be needed and making a start on them. So at the same time I can get some practice attempts in before the start date .

The 1:1





and the plans (from М-Хобби magazine):






a practice attempt starting with the wheels:




plus a quick barrel turning:




and a bit of wood work practice - recoil ramps and swab bucket:







Cheers for stopping by for a looksie . Feel free to point out any shabby bits or offer suggestions.

superb practice pieces. I'm looking forward to the full build.
John

Thanks John .
A nice quiet afternoon so I had a potter about
Thinned down the bucket a bit more (now about .85mm thick), for scale it is 23mm in dia. Found a couple of weak spots - my fault for not beveling the edges correctly . At least I know ready for the good one:



Threw a bit of stain at the recoil ramps. Might make the short ones for the actual build:



Had a little play on the lathe and turned down the hydraulic recoil unit:



and while I was at the lathe knocked out a jig ready for wheel spoke phase. For scale the wheels are 59mm in dia:



and finally made a start on a set of hubs. Shaping these could be fun :




As always feel free to poke a stick at this . Always good to see things from someone else's perspective.

I should mention that this is my first venture into something that goes bang bang - have always avoided this type of subject till now i.e. never built a vehicle with armaments.
However modelling is modelling so new subject but same/similar techniques/methods of build so no excuses.
Ta for stopping by.

Well I'm very glad I'm having some practice runs. Wooden spoke wheels aren't a quick hack'n'slash .
Had to make 3 special jigs just to make the spokes
First pic is the spoke trimming and sanding jig's.
Second pic are ditto plus the two steel ones for sizing the spokes.
Third pic is a glue-up to test the overall concept.
Will be making a few minor adjustments to the build method when the campaign commences.

Nice work, Roger!

I swear I've seen that bucket somewhere before....

Mark .
Had another mess around with the wheels. Learnt one good lesson.
Can't glue the spokes in the sequence I'd started. They need to be added "going around the clock".
Anywho managed to get a practice wheel sort of complete .
CC or NCC welcome

Looks really nice, Roger. On your "for real" wheel I assume you will bevel the spokes before assembly?

Mark,
Hence the reason for the practice run .
"Theoretically" I should be able to do the scalloping once all glued up (should make the marking out easier) the big test will happen tomorrow. If all else fails I might do the easy option and just half-round the outer edges .

Just found another very good reason for the practice runs .
Was being lazy and decided to use brass tubing for the metal bands on the wheels and because I work in metric and the tubing is imperial the areas where the bands fit need trimming down ever so slightly . However now I have hit this little snag I can now avoid it on the proper build .

Since I've misplaced/lost the desire/commitment/passion for the hobby I'll admit and move on to maybe .
Anywho these bit's'n'piece's are destined for the

Ta for dropping by.

Bummer; I always enjoy watching your builds and envying your shop setup.

Thanks for taking the time to respond Mark. Appreciated.
I would really like to continue with this project (hasn't made the bin just yet) as I enjoy the multi-media aspect.
I'll see what happens when the Campaign starts.
Cheers.

Don't quit! You do amazing work!

Dustin,
Huge thankyou for the vote of confidence in my mediocre modelling skills. Having a few weeks away, so hopefully will be back with a fresh mind-set and desire to finish this piece .

,
Just had an excellent break away from the bench (and the hurly-burly of life in general) and have made the to FINISH this project .
As the Campaign has officially started it's time to put the practice to good use .
Updates to follow as and when they happen .
Cheers to all for stopping by.
Also please feel free to point out any wobbly workmanship or something that doesn't look correct fresh eyes/another's perspective, and honest I don't bite .

Glad to see you back at it!

Just got started on my entry for the campaign. I'm doing the Takom G6 Rhino. Cracking open the box I am impressed, and can't wait to dive in!!!

Hi Roger,
I just found this thread and I must say that I am impressed by what you achieved with those test pieces
Apart from that I have just one thing to say:


/ Robin