Firemodeler1 Posted July 13, 2024 Author Report Posted July 13, 2024 Winch work has been on the bench lately. Most of it is now done but there is some detailing left to do along with cutting the rear frame to accomodate the three pulleys for the cable. A little forethought would have had me cut the openings first but I didn't think that far ahead! Now the price has to be paid!😆 1
Firemodeler1 Posted July 14, 2024 Author Report Posted July 14, 2024 The last of the detailing for the winch cable has been completed at the rear of the frame. All that is left is to paint it. Then work can commence on the body. The 3 sheaves were turned from brass. Guide rollers were made of brass tubing and plastic stock. A section of channel finishes off the top giving strength to the whole assembly. There is one small 'Z' shaped guide that needs to be mounted beside the outside sheave so that it stays in line with the first guide toward the front. 1
Firemodeler1 Posted July 21, 2024 Author Report Posted July 21, 2024 Last part of the project to be done is the body. I used 0.030 sheet stock for the main construction. Cross members underneath were done with Evergreen channel sections and brass channel sections. Timbers are mounted on the frame rails. The tool compartments are installed with opening covers and the tailgate is hinged to open. The spare tire bracket has been finished for mounting the tire. Rather than run the winch cable around the front I opted for leaving the end at the rear of the truck. The cable brackets were left as is. Next up will be the air glad hands, tail lights, electrical outlet and mud flaps between the fuel tanks and front tires of the tandems. 1
Firemodeler1 Posted July 29, 2024 Author Report Posted July 29, 2024 With the exception of putting tools in the boxes, this build is just about finished. Debating whether to put a load in the body or not. Photos show that the prime mover participated in the Red Ball Express carrying heavy loads of supplies to the front so it has been marked as such. Right front fender marker added. Also some bolt heads to the top of the bumper. What appears as a smudge of gray on the body in some photos turned out to be a dirty camera lens.
Ron Bell Posted July 29, 2024 Report Posted July 29, 2024 Now you have to build the tank transporter trailer with a tank on it! Now THAT would be impressive. Like this isn't already, right? Outstanding craftsmanship.
Firemodeler1 Posted July 29, 2024 Author Report Posted July 29, 2024 Thank you, Ron. The plan is to do the trailer and put a D-7 cable operated bulldozer on it.
AP40rocktruck Posted July 31, 2024 Report Posted July 31, 2024 On 7/29/2024 at 10:23 AM, Firemodeler1 said: Thank you, Ron. The plan is to do the trailer and put a D-7 cable operated bulldozer on it. FYI, Dan Model out of Romania is making a 1/25 scale D-7 with a Letourneau cable blade, 3D printed in high resolution resin. He also offers the same D7 with a hydraulic blade. I have 1 each & they are excellent.
Firemodeler1 Posted July 31, 2024 Author Report Posted July 31, 2024 1 hour ago, AP40rocktruck said: FYI, Dan Model out of Romania is making a 1/25 scale D-7 with a Letourneau cable blade, 3D printed in high resolution resin. He also offers the same D7 with a hydraulic blade. I have 1 each & they are excellent. Thanks for the info, Richard. I will look into it!
Firemodeler1 Posted October 16, 2024 Author Report Posted October 16, 2024 (edited) We've started on the m-9 Trailer. The tires and wheels have been cast and the trailer it self is underway. Here are some updated photos of progress. Tires and wheels are cast from two part resin. Masters came from a 1/32 scale truck. 24 tires and 12 wheels. The frame of the trailer is made of 0.030" Evergreen sheet and various widths of strip stock. Getting a bit of detail ready to add to the front of the trailer which is 290 scale inches long. The Two bar will add an additional 72" in length. I'm using two sources for information, one of which is shown above. The second one is a Squadron publication Walk Around of both the M-20 and the M-9. Fortunately the Tankograd book includes some essential dimensions including the trailer width and length and the wheel base. Everything works from there. Edited October 16, 2024 by Firemodeler1
Firemodeler1 Posted October 25, 2024 Author Report Posted October 25, 2024 Got a little farther along with the build. The front axles, tires and wheels and framework supporting them have been built up. The master for the front axles is in front. The first resin casting is ready to come out of the mold. The second one will follow. The framework above the axles was made of strip stock and sheet stock. The axles are mounted fore and aft. The entire assembly will pivot around a single pin in the center of the frame. The underside of the axles and framework. There is still a bit of detail to add to this part of the build. Tires and wheels are now supported on the axles. The spec. says that the center tires have a 23" track while the outer set has an 83" track. So that is how they are spaced. The frame is attached to the trailer by a threaded bold and nut. The tow bar will be fitted to the front of the axle frame.
Firemodeler1 Posted November 1, 2024 Author Report Posted November 1, 2024 Got some additional work done on the rear wheel setup. It looked complicated until I found some exploded drawings of it in a TM. Even then, the details were not that clear. However, the back is now done with tires that will move with the ground, both up and down and sideways rotation as well. Now I can get on with painting them and assembling the tires and wheels once and for all. The tow bar is soldered brass angle. Lift handles are flat stock also soldered in place.
Firemodeler1 Posted November 16, 2024 Author Report Posted November 16, 2024 A lot has been done since the last post. The trailer is nearly done with most details associated with the two ramps and rear of the trailer. The spare tire racks also need to be finished for underneath. Nothing wrong with the rear tires. They float in two directions due to the trunnion design. When upright, all tires touch the ground and are true configuration. Here's what the M-20 and M-9 look like when connected. The dozer is nearly done as well, only needing the cable lift for the blade and the power control unit for the back.
Mark Deliduka Posted November 17, 2024 Report Posted November 17, 2024 Such magnificent work! I'm glad you mentioned that about the rear tires; that might be the best idea for making sure they line up properly. This is most commendable work!
Firemodeler1 Posted November 18, 2024 Author Report Posted November 18, 2024 21 hours ago, Mark Deliduka said: Such magnificent work! I'm glad you mentioned that about the rear tires; that might be the best idea for making sure they line up properly. This is most commendable work! Thank you, Mark. It's been a study as well as a model project. It's amazing how much can be learned just by trying to figure something out.
Mark Deliduka Posted November 18, 2024 Report Posted November 18, 2024 I totally agree! Loads of experimenting and 'happy mistakes' have taught me a lot!
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