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Post by loyalist on Apr 23, 2016 2:22:44 GMT
My next project is to build command towers for bunkers and the Mk IV command tank. From the few photos available the ones designed by AD appeared to be identical other than the tower for the bunkers having a base plate. The tower for the Command Tanks was clearly designed to fit over the base plate the Mk IV turret sits on, so it was about 39mm long by 34mm wide at the base.
With those figures to start with I was able to measure relative dimensions in the photos, calculate actual sizes, and draw the tower. As expected it was high, approximately 77mm/3", which is fine for a trench bunker command post but looked very odd on a tank. It didn't need to be that high either. The top compartment was about 25mm/1" high inside whereas the AD figures are 18mm high, so the vision slits in the front plates were higher than their heads. Although the front and rear walls of the lower section of the tower tapered slightly inward the sides were vertical. On the upper section the front and rear walls were vertical and the sides sloped slightly outward.
I'm going to make copies of the command towers for trench bunkers from styrene but I'm working on a new design for the tower on the tank. The height has been reduced by more than a third to 48mm (just under 2") but it still looks quite tall. The new design is based on two levels, each 20mm high inside, plus floor and roof thicknesses and the need for clearance between the tops of the tracks and the bottoms of the tower's gun casemates.
I plan to get started on the Command Tank's tower this weekend.
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Post by madmorgan on Apr 24, 2016 11:48:38 GMT
Man, these sound good. I really liked the tower concept, but like you hated the 'tank' versions. BTW, you might consider a flamethrower version of the towers as well. These would be put over empty trench sections to prevent scoarching their own troops, but might be considered to have more than on flamethrower with 'selfcontained' fuel tanks/feeds inside its armored exterior. Just a thought.
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Post by loyalist on Apr 25, 2016 13:29:06 GMT
The tower for the command tank is progressing well with the lower level assembled, plates scribed and HO scale styrene ladder kit built and installed. Cutting and scraping with a dull Exacto blade and filing with a Swiss file was needed to clean out the grooves between the tracks and the deck plate the Mk IV turret sits on. Once I had the side grooves level with the step at the rear of the plate I found the deck at the front of the plate was 1mm lower, so had to make the front piece of the tower base 1mm deeper than the sides and back. Got the tower's base sitting level with a little more filing, then added styrene flanges inside to make it sit securely on top of the turret mounting plate.
The lower part of the tower is 24mm tall versus about 48mm for the AD version. Because the front and rear walls slope inward the length of the side walls is longer at a height of 24mm than the AD version was at a height of 48mm. That means the top level has to be longer to match.
I made the platform at the rear narrower front to back at 20mm, versus about 28 for the original, and scribed it to represent a non-skid steel deck surface. I have to find some 1mm diameter styrene rod at the hobby shop to make the posts and railings. The posts will go into 1mm holes drilled around the edge of the platform. I'm working on the two doors and should have the lower one installed this evening.
I'm debating whether to add HMG sponsons. In my version the 4" guns are in the hull at the front, which seems a more logical place to put them, and the HMGs will be in the tower. The command tank is supposed to have 2 HMGs but the AD model had 4: two in the hull at the front and 2 sticking out of the front hatches in the top level of the tower. It would be easier to put 2 in the front of the tower instead of making sponsons. One plus for making the sponsons is that test fitting of the Mk IV sponsons showed they'll make the tower look shorter - they'd be sitting about 4mm above the tracks.
The lower level should be done in a day or two and photos will be posted then. I expect to finish the tank tower in 4-5 days. It's been relatively easy to build and will be followed by taller towers to go on 2 of my 6 trench bunkers. The bunker towers will be similar to the AD ones but with a few mods. The other 4 bunkers will have 'concrete' bunker tops with large gun turrets by Pz3 if he's able to produce them; alternatively they'll have copies of the 7" gun turret on the Land Ironclad.
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Post by madmorgan on Apr 26, 2016 10:19:05 GMT
I like the HMG being in the front hull vs any sponsons. The tower just looks better without anything 'hanging' off the sides; the original 'tank' looked even more likely to fall due to those on the sides. Looking forward to seeing your pics.  |
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Post by loyalist on Apr 26, 2016 13:18:30 GMT
I shot several photos this morning and will post them after work. Last night I made and installed the rear door on the lower section of the tower and added the beams that will support the platform above the coal bunker and boiler. I bought some styrene rod for the railings but quickly realized it's a challenge to cut them all to exactly the same length. Being a ship modeler I decided to use brass stanchions for railings instead; will visit the hobby store after work to order some 10-12 mm high stanchions.
I'm going to start the top level of the tower this evening but am having second thoughts about it because I think the tower will still look too tall, even at 2/3 the height of the AD version. If I don't like it I can use the top level for a full size command tower on a bunker.
The alternative design is to add a 3mm thick roof instead of a second level, and put the armoured hatches at the front on the lower level along with their HMGs. I may put an elevated signal platform on the roof (just big enough for the semaphore figure in the Command Unit) along with a radio mast, hatch and a periscope or two. I'm checking out brass model ship portholes for the sides in case I decide not to add the HMG sponsons.
I'm debating whether to add the wedge-shaped thing below the front hatches on the AD command tower. I have no idea what it was supposed to represent and if I can't think of a function for it I won't duplicate it. Any ideas? |
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Post by madmorgan on Apr 26, 2016 13:39:33 GMT
Looks like just riveted on butressing to me.
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Post by loyalist on Apr 27, 2016 1:36:47 GMT
No success in trying to download the photo file this evening. Kim's the computer expert in the family so I'll ask her to try in the morning. There was no problem loading the Faraday Gun and Rupert tank photos last week.
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Post by Quendil on Apr 27, 2016 8:38:52 GMT
No success in trying to download the photo file this evening. Kim's the computer expert in the family so I'll ask her to try in the morning. There was no problem loading the Faraday Gun and Rupert tank photos last week. The internet is fickle. I know the postimage hosting service was having problems/upgrades the other day |
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Post by loyalist on Apr 27, 2016 10:02:37 GMT
It wasn't an internet problem but one loading the file into my computer. Kim should be up soon so maybe she'll find the problem.
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Post by loyalist on Apr 27, 2016 11:16:05 GMT
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Post by madmorgan on Apr 27, 2016 11:56:59 GMT
Nice! Once again, your modeling skill is impressive. I just had a weird thought (okay I've a lot of those) to add to my 'bits' thread - the standard pushpin looks alot like a smokestack on the rear of a AQ tank. Paint it black and stick it in and poof, you have it! Crazed yes, more coffee, no!
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Post by Quendil on Apr 27, 2016 12:03:10 GMT
WOW that looks great already
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Post by loyalist on Apr 27, 2016 12:58:48 GMT
Nice! Once again, your modeling skill is impressive. I just had a weird thought (okay I've a lot of those) to add to my 'bits' thread - the standard pushpin looks alot like a smokestack on the rear of a AQ tank. Paint it black and stick it in and poof, you have it! Crazed yes, more coffee, no! I think a push pin is a bit wider than the MK IV tank smokestack but may look OK, especially on a larger diameter scratch-built boiler (i.e. for a Goliath), and with a hole drilled in the top of the pin.
Speaking of Goliath-like projects has anyone heard from Pz3 lately? It's been nearly 2 months since his last post.
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Post by madmorgan on Apr 27, 2016 13:07:33 GMT
Indeed. Hope he's okay. Miss his imput and skills.
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Post by loyalist on Apr 27, 2016 15:20:41 GMT
I sent him a PM a week ago but there's been no response.
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