This is My attempt at Dragons M6A1 Heavy Tank
First the Box Art.
It looks like they ran over a Volks Wagen Kaman Giha.
Hosted by Darren Baker
Building the M6A1 by Dragon
OldWarloke
Joined: October 14, 2012
KitMaker: 2,663 posts
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Posted: Sunday, August 03, 2014 - 03:04 AM UTC
OldWarloke
Joined: October 14, 2012
KitMaker: 2,663 posts
Armorama: 2,649 posts
Posted: Sunday, August 03, 2014 - 03:13 AM UTC
The shaft will help hold the sprocket to the hull during assembly
I had to reinforce the tabs on the front Idler mount, it's rather flimsy .
The instruction sheet has the Idler mounts listed as D11/D12/D13/& D14 when they are on the A spruce
The Bogies,
That's all for now
Donald
Biggles2
Joined: January 01, 2004
KitMaker: 7,600 posts
Armorama: 6,110 posts
Posted: Sunday, August 03, 2014 - 06:01 AM UTC
Following this with interest! 
OldWarloke
Joined: October 14, 2012
KitMaker: 2,663 posts
Armorama: 2,649 posts
Posted: Monday, August 04, 2014 - 02:29 AM UTC
Working on the lower hull, below is one of the side armor supports . Be careful with the numbers as the instructions aren't very clear.
I removed the parts shown below on both sides. I have found that this makes it easier to install the track.
I'll install the removed pieces on the bottom of the upper hull, you will not see the seam where they eventually mate up with the lower hull.
That's all for now.
Donald
I removed the parts shown below on both sides. I have found that this makes it easier to install the track.
I'll install the removed pieces on the bottom of the upper hull, you will not see the seam where they eventually mate up with the lower hull.
That's all for now.
Donald
OldWarloke
Joined: October 14, 2012
KitMaker: 2,663 posts
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Posted: Tuesday, August 05, 2014 - 08:36 AM UTC
I have finished painting the suspension parts, it's easier than trying to paint them after assembly.
First off the bogies for one side. Be sure to keep the large end of the spring to the front.
Here is the right side. Just press fit the bogie units for now, glue comes later.
Start assembly with the sprocket end lining up the parts as you go. Install the return rollers one at a time as you work toward the front gluing them and the square supports as you go.
First off the bogies for one side. Be sure to keep the large end of the spring to the front.
Here is the right side. Just press fit the bogie units for now, glue comes later.
Start assembly with the sprocket end lining up the parts as you go. Install the return rollers one at a time as you work toward the front gluing them and the square supports as you go.
OldWarloke
Joined: October 14, 2012
KitMaker: 2,663 posts
Armorama: 2,649 posts
Posted: Tuesday, August 05, 2014 - 08:48 AM UTC
Make sure the pins on the hinge end fit in the marching hinge.
Be sure that all bogie units are level and straight.
Finally for today 2 bottom views.
That's all for now.
Donald
Be sure that all bogie units are level and straight.
Finally for today 2 bottom views.
That's all for now.
Donald
OldWarloke
Joined: October 14, 2012
KitMaker: 2,663 posts
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Posted: Wednesday, August 06, 2014 - 02:00 AM UTC
I have just installed the track. I think it's a lot easier building the suspension and installing the track without the sponsons bottom in the way.
It looks like a double row of T49 track for each side.
The track goes on really easy this way. If it's a little loose for you, you can always shorten it a link.
Donald
It looks like a double row of T49 track for each side.
The track goes on really easy this way. If it's a little loose for you, you can always shorten it a link.
Donald
Biggles2
Joined: January 01, 2004
KitMaker: 7,600 posts
Armorama: 6,110 posts
Posted: Wednesday, August 06, 2014 - 02:06 AM UTC
Hmmm...this suspension looks familiar. Was the T28 built from the same chassis?
tankmodeler
#417
Joined: March 01, 2004
KitMaker: 3,123 posts
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Posted: Wednesday, August 06, 2014 - 04:26 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Hmmm...this suspension looks familiar. Was the T28 built from the same chassis?
No. The suspensions are similar in concept (as they both are to the HVSS on late Shermans), but very different in detail and the two chassis are totally different.
Paul
OldWarloke
Joined: October 14, 2012
KitMaker: 2,663 posts
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Posted: Wednesday, August 06, 2014 - 08:15 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Quoted TextHmmm...this suspension looks familiar. Was the T28 built from the same chassis?
No. The suspensions are similar in concept (as they both are to the HVSS on late Shermans), but very different in detail and the two chassis are totally different.
Paul
I have built the T28 , it uses 2 Easy8 bogy trucks side by side on each station. This kit uses a hvss suspension but with only 2 wheels on each truck while the Easy 8 has 4 wheels.
Donald
OldWarloke
Joined: October 14, 2012
KitMaker: 2,663 posts
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Posted: Thursday, August 07, 2014 - 04:50 AM UTC
Well now on to the upper hull.
It has been noted that the 2 front hatches don't clear the turret. Here is my solution for that. I don't know how accurate it is, but I think it looks pretty good.
ANSWER - Simply move the turret ring to the rear , so it just clears the vent on the rear hull.
I made a replacement ring (Below)
Shaved off the old Turret Ring (Below)
Installed the new ring.
It has been noted that the 2 front hatches don't clear the turret. Here is my solution for that. I don't know how accurate it is, but I think it looks pretty good.
ANSWER - Simply move the turret ring to the rear , so it just clears the vent on the rear hull.
I made a replacement ring (Below)
Shaved off the old Turret Ring (Below)
Installed the new ring.
OldWarloke
Joined: October 14, 2012
KitMaker: 2,663 posts
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Posted: Thursday, August 07, 2014 - 04:57 AM UTC
The next 5 pics. show how it fits. It came out really good, The hatches now clear the turret with about a scale 1/2"
The right side.
The left side
This is with the Turret facing exactly to the front.
Till tomorrow,
Donald
The right side.
The left side
This is with the Turret facing exactly to the front.
Till tomorrow,
Donald
rfbaer
Joined: June 12, 2007
KitMaker: 1,866 posts
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Posted: Thursday, August 07, 2014 - 06:38 AM UTC
Elegant solution to that little problem, well done.
OldWarloke
Joined: October 14, 2012
KitMaker: 2,663 posts
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Posted: Thursday, August 07, 2014 - 08:39 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Elegant solution to that little problem, well done.
Thank You.
Donald
tankmodeler
#417
Joined: March 01, 2004
KitMaker: 3,123 posts
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Posted: Friday, August 08, 2014 - 03:22 AM UTC
Quoted Text
I have built the T28 , it uses 2 Easy8 bogy trucks side by side on each station. This kit uses a hvss suspension but with only 2 wheels on each truck while the Easy 8 has 4 wheels.
Donald
The Dragon T28 kit uses exactly the same parts as their Sherman HVSS suspensions, but the real T28 wheels were narrower meaning the suspension bogey was narrower, and the track was narrower. This means the Dragon kit is too wide and that the shapes (predominantly the angle) of the sponsons are off to accommodate for this error.
The M6 suspension is the earliest of the lot and was an attempt to use the more capable HVSS system with the externally guided track and wheels of the VVSS Sherman system. This is why there are two wheels per bogey assembly on the M6 and four per assembly on the Sherman and T28 HVSS systems. The basics of the system for all three are similar, but all three are different in detail.
Paul
Biggles2
Joined: January 01, 2004
KitMaker: 7,600 posts
Armorama: 6,110 posts
Posted: Friday, August 08, 2014 - 03:48 AM UTC
Quite a simple and effective fix. BTW are those handles molded on the hatch covers? 
OldWarloke
Joined: October 14, 2012
KitMaker: 2,663 posts
Armorama: 2,649 posts
Posted: Friday, August 08, 2014 - 08:39 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Quite a simple and effective fix. BTW are those handles molded on the hatch covers?
Yes they molded them on, that's not the only corner they cut.
They left off one of the periscope plates like are in the commanders hatch.
Donald
OldWarloke
Joined: October 14, 2012
KitMaker: 2,663 posts
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Posted: Friday, August 08, 2014 - 08:43 AM UTC
Shown here is the bottom of the upper hull.
I installed the sponson floors, then blocked off the engine grills with a piece of sheet plastic painted black on top.
The inside of the turret, I'm not doing anything with the interior. It the real gun was that big, it's a wonder anyone could fit in the turret.
I used a periscope mount from my sherman parts box. This kit just has a recess with a square slot in it.
This looks a lot better.
That's all for now.
Donald
I installed the sponson floors, then blocked off the engine grills with a piece of sheet plastic painted black on top.
The inside of the turret, I'm not doing anything with the interior. It the real gun was that big, it's a wonder anyone could fit in the turret.
I used a periscope mount from my sherman parts box. This kit just has a recess with a square slot in it.
This looks a lot better.
That's all for now.
Donald
210cav
Joined: February 05, 2002
KitMaker: 6,149 posts
Armorama: 4,573 posts
Posted: Friday, August 08, 2014 - 08:46 AM UTC
Donald-- as I start my build your comments are especially well received. It is a uniquely beautiful tank, but Dragon's instruction sheet leaves much to be desired. Your work has greatly assisted me.
Thanks again
DJ
Thanks again
DJ
OldWarloke
Joined: October 14, 2012
KitMaker: 2,663 posts
Armorama: 2,649 posts
Posted: Friday, August 08, 2014 - 08:58 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Donald-- as I start my build your comments are especially well received. It is a uniquely beautiful tank, but Dragon's instruction sheet leaves much to be desired. Your work has greatly assisted me.
Thanks again
DJ
You are welcome DJ
I am finishing up the hull assembly and hope to have more pics before it goes to the paint shop.
I'm replacing the pioneer tools with some from Formations.
The ones in the kit really suck.
Donald
210cav
Joined: February 05, 2002
KitMaker: 6,149 posts
Armorama: 4,573 posts
Posted: Friday, August 08, 2014 - 09:22 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Quoted TextDonald-- as I start my build your comments are especially well received. It is a uniquely beautiful tank, but Dragon's instruction sheet leaves much to be desired. Your work has greatly assisted me.
Thanks again
DJ
You are welcome DJ
I am finishing up the hull assembly and hope to have more pics before it goes to the paint shop.
I'm replacing the pioneer tools with some from Formations.
The ones in the kit really suck.
Donald
Donald-- while I am a OOB builder, this baby deserves some updates...the pioneer tools, antennas, etc. What about the main gun and 37mm?
DJ
DaGreatQueeg
Joined: August 01, 2005
KitMaker: 1,049 posts
Armorama: 841 posts
Posted: Friday, August 08, 2014 - 09:24 AM UTC
Great build of one of Dragons new problem child kits that each have more than a few issues. Great photos and very clear explanations on fixing options ....
cheers
Brent
cheers
Brent
Biggles2
Joined: January 01, 2004
KitMaker: 7,600 posts
Armorama: 6,110 posts
Posted: Friday, August 08, 2014 - 10:38 AM UTC
Quoted Text
It the real gun was that big, it's a wonder anyone could fit in the turret.
This kit just has a recess with a square slot in it.
Is that a 3" gun like in the M10? You mean Dragon just forgot the periscopes??
OldWarloke
Joined: October 14, 2012
KitMaker: 2,663 posts
Armorama: 2,649 posts
Posted: Friday, August 08, 2014 - 11:24 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Quoted TextQuoted TextDonald-- as I start my build your comments are especially well received. It is a uniquely beautiful tank, but Dragon's instruction sheet leaves much to be desired. Your work has greatly assisted me.
Thanks again
DJ
You are welcome DJ
I am finishing up the hull assembly and hope to have more pics before it goes to the paint shop.
I'm replacing the pioneer tools with some from Formations.
The ones in the kit really suck.
Donald
Donald-- while I am a OOB builder, this baby deserves some updates...the pioneer tools, antennas, etc. What about the main gun and 37mm?
DJ
I have a set of Formations pioneer tools that I'm going to use here. As for the antennas I'm not going to use any, this AFV was a prototype / experimental vehicle so they didn't make to many of them. The guns except maby the main one were most likely dummies. This vehicle wasn't ment for combat.
Donald
OldWarloke
Joined: October 14, 2012
KitMaker: 2,663 posts
Armorama: 2,649 posts
Posted: Friday, August 08, 2014 - 11:27 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Great build of one of Dragons new problem child kits that each have more than a few issues. Great photos and very clear explanations on fixing options ....
cheers
Brent
Thanks,
I really do recommend removing the sponson bottoms from the lower hull. It will make it easier to install the suspension and tracks.
Donald
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