I guess part of this is due to you cutting perfectly the donor kit upper hull.

Olivier

My thoughts as well.

Just bought my own Legend conversion kit and I am watching this for when I build my own.

The hull halves are cemented together so time to start adding some details. I'm not going to be following any particular order with this build - just going to make things up as I go along.

The rear render supports are added using a mix of Tamiya and Legend part and the kit's styrene heat shield above the exhaust is ditched in favour of a more scale thickness one made from lead foil....



Commander's cupola is added along with upper deck hinge rod using Legend supplied brass. Weld seams are added using resin surface detail ones from Archer...



The searchlight is moulded solid so I hollowed it out to enable a clear lens to be fitted later and also added a wiring cable. Driver's periscope washer pipework and reservoir tank is also fitted...



Fender detail is added using scratch built parts - Legend only provide the locking mechanism when the fender is raised. Wiring conduits are added using brass tube....



Gary

First of 2 fenders mounted headlights with guards made from brass rod...



Gary

Convoy lights added along with wiring using fine speaker wire- also fitted the stowage box as this 'protects' the light assembly a little. Also made a start on the main headlight guard which is just placed on the glacis plate for the photo...



Gary

Gary
You're doing an outstanding job with this. So get moving, I want to see this baby come alive

Jacob

Some stunning detail there keep it up

Cheers chaps

Main headlight and guard in place....



Gary

The wading board needs some attention as the Tamiya offering is unrealistic looking and Legend's PE option is incorrect. They have you depict a bolt which passes right through the supports and the board itself whereas in reality, there is a nut welded onto the front part of the support into which a bolt is screwed in and this, when tightened, holds the board in place.
So, I made the supports from strip styrene and used Voyager brass bolts for the 'securing' set up....



I trimmed the shaft to the required length and the piggy backed one onto the other, soldering them together. They are then inserted into a pre drilled hole in the front part of the bracket....



The board itself is again made from styrene and slotted into place....



Gary

Hi Gary

Amazing attention to detail!!

Keep up the good work.

Regards,
Kobus

I still think he's building in 1/6th scale......

Nice clean work Gary, looking good.

Ryan

Thank you gentlemen.

Other fender is now adorned with lights etc...



Stowage box added along with the first of many universal joints (just behind the driver's station)...



Gary

Meant to say universal couplings

Gary

Following this one in awe...
Brilliant work so far!!

Thank you kind sir

Managed to get a fair bit done tonight....









Gary

Another tool box under construction....



The resin parts are really very nice indeed. I replaced the PE protective cover over the lights with a new piece of brass as the Legend one has grooves to aid bending. However, they are very pronounced and look awful even after bending. Not seen here as they are underneath, but I have added wiring for the lights.

Gary

With the addition of more stowage boxes, oil tank and (hydraulic or pneumatic) jacks, etc, the left hand fender is looking suitably 'busy' at this stage...





Gary

What brand and type of solder do you use? I have had no luck trying to solder small brass rod together.

Hi Matt

I use solder paste for 99% of my soldering - the key is to also use a good flux too. I did an SBS here - http://www.plasticarmour.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=636 - which, though for a fuel drum, still applies to most parts.


On the other fender, there are two cradle like assemblies which hold a pair of pulleys. Legend provide a nice little template along with brass rod. Once bent to shape, everything is firstly soldered together....



... before the ends are bent up and the cradle is mounted on the fender....



Gary

First of two pulley assemblies now complete and in place....



Gary

Second pulley assembly in place....



Gary

The winch cable guide assembly is a tricky little bugger consisting of some 14 pieces which need to be carefully aligned prior to fixing in place. It's not helped by the vagueness of the instructions, but with time and careful dry fitting of parts before committing to glue/solder you end up with this...





Gary

Awesome work!! Superb attention to detail!