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T16S · Posted: Wed 24 Feb 2010 00:38 am Post subject: Airfix Churchill Bridgelayer

Well I suppose someone had to be the first patsy to try and have a go at converting the new bridgelayer to WWII configuration. Guess I drew the short straw on this one. The main problem is the bridge, as a post war version it is too wide and the decking is different from the lattice WWII version. I took photos to show how I tackled this problem.
1. Remove the ribbing off the decking.
2. Cut off the side panel from the decking. Sharp knife and hacksaw plus sanding after.
3. Reduce deck in width- sharp knife and ruler again.
4. Glue back side panel to deck.
5. Glue edging piece to top of decking.
6. Glue seven sections of microstrip to deck.
7. Glue transverse cross members to deck.
8. Trim cross members out to create lattice decking.

On the issue of the nature of the lattice I found a photo which seems to show the transverse sections overlap the longitudinal sections- they can be seen to overlap the external sections. The lattice seems to be so small that to create it as an open structure without a deck support would be extremely difficult. Surely the lattice alone could not support the weight of a tank! I stand to be corrected on this point.

Many thanks to B4en and Realthing for information.

James Russell · Posted: Wed 24 Feb 2010 01:05 am Post subject:

That takes a lot of love!! I marvel at your patience. The Bridgelayer has only arrived here in the US last week. Now I know what I'm in for.

I know there is swapping of line drawings around here. Has anyone thought about making a collection of our own working notes? Seems the ship builders have their stash with DaveCov. I don't know what the copyright laws would do to us. I have some of my own line drawings, but perhaps they aren't worth much.

Still, the description you have given does pretty much describe what to do.

Beautiful work!!

B4en · Posted: Wed 24 Feb 2010 08:18 am Post subject:

Superb work Stu - that didn't take long once you'd found the kit! A very smart solution. (I was going to try and make the open lattice so I hope you're correct about it being laid on top of a stronger surface).

I should have started this myself by now but keep getting distracted by other projects - you have to go with the flow!
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realthing · Posted: Wed 24 Feb 2010 09:00 am Post subject:

Great stuff Stu!

Photos seem to suggest the decking was an open structure but building that over the kit solid decking has to be the sensible strategy if working in plastic. Once painted washed and weather it will really look the business.

Are you planning on doing much work to the hull?

T16S · Posted: Thu 25 Feb 2010 00:16 am Post subject:

Thanks for the comments guys. Here is the progression of the build. Having part sorted the bridge I reduced it in width by cutting up the two central supports and introducing brass rod supports and then cladding those with the original supports.
Now the tank- built this as per usual a bit fiddly with the bogies etc. Then then the bridge bits on top. Errr... bit strange these and I discovered that they aren't the right length etc. Bit of chopping and rearranging here. I now think some more to do to get it right. The hydraulic ram is too short according to the drawings I have.
Now can the thing be made to work- YES it can. But you must hinge the side frames of the beam to do it. Plus other things which I shall do tomorrow.
Here are a series of photos which show how it works. Interestingly this doesn't work as you might expect. The ram worked the bridge up to the top and then reversed to lower it down. Same when picking up the bridge. Those engineers certainly knew what they were doing. Obviously there must have been a tipping point where gravity took over.
Stuart

Ratch · Posted: Thu 25 Feb 2010 00:27 am Post subject:

Nice one

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B4en · Posted: Thu 25 Feb 2010 08:16 am Post subject:

Really well sussed and sorted out Stu.

That's what Airfix should have done with this in the first place...

Have you weighted the main body of the vehicle down much to keep it from tipping?
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realthing · Posted: Thu 25 Feb 2010 10:01 am Post subject:

Brilliant!

You might consider adding some extra details on the commander's cupola area as it looks very bare when the bridge is down but the new decking looks the business.

stuzzar · Posted: Thu 25 Feb 2010 14:46 pm Post subject:

Great job Stu, most impressed with the decking grid

Cheers

Stu

Sgt.Squarehead · Posted: Thu 25 Feb 2010 15:23 pm Post subject:

Brilliant!

Is that a Vickers Mk.VI cupola I see sticking out of the deck? Think

All the best
Sgt.S
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Corricon · Posted: Thu 25 Feb 2010 18:12 pm Post subject:

Nicely done

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realthing · Posted: Thu 25 Feb 2010 21:21 pm Post subject:

Sgt S wrote:

Sgt.Squarehead · Posted: Thu 25 Feb 2010 21:30 pm Post subject:

Cheers!

All the best
Sgt.S
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T16S · Posted: Thu 25 Feb 2010 21:31 pm Post subject:

Here is the final part on this conversion.
To finish the boom assembly I added two diagonal cross members that lock the two side frames together. Then two more struts and hinge sections with a cross brace- shown white in photo. Once added the whole thing can no longer be taken apart so it was the very last thing to add. I finished the hull with square side hatches etc and gave the tank a quick blast of paint then added the tracks.

In conclusion I must say that with a little more thought and about three more parts Airfix could have made this work and have been more accurate to boot. It should at least have the diagonal cross braces and extra side struts. To rub salt in the wound the kit comes with a colour drawing- which looks to be a slightly altered copy of the Bellona drawing, that depicts the WWII version with the narrower deck and gridded lattice trackways. Why make a post-war version and try and pass it off as WWII- seems barmy to me.
Stu

ps I'm sure Ben will do a better job than this- the struts could have been neater but my fingers and eyes aren't up to it.

B4en · Posted: Fri 26 Feb 2010 01:05 am Post subject:

I'm flattered Stu but doubt very much I'll do any better, even with the help of your pioneering fixes! Really you've done a magnificent job on this.

Major applause due...

I was puzzled by the colour drawing from the kit too, which as you say shows the WW2 version. Who can account for the vagaries of model manufacturers eh?

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Roger 410 · Posted: Fri 26 Feb 2010 08:31 am Post subject:

Wow.
Absolutely amazing.
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realthing · Posted: Fri 26 Feb 2010 08:34 am Post subject:

Great stuff, Stu. Decking has worked really well.

Well done too for going boldly where no one else has yet gone

(even Airfix

)

feanor · Posted: Fri 26 Feb 2010 09:08 am Post subject:

Ayup Stu...

What a Cracking job of the Bridgelayer you've done. The treadwork of the bridge are simply outstanding. I can see that you've actually weaved the Horizontal part of it 'Over and Under', and it looks the Dogs.

Truly Outstanding and Eycatching.

BTW, I'm sorry I missed you at Huddersfield as well. things have gone a little 'Wonky' all over just recently, and it was just one Casualty. Don't worry though, I'm sure We'll catch up eventually !
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DH764 · Posted: Fri 26 Feb 2010 21:09 pm Post subject:

Wow Stu !!
Converted and built within a week

Great job

Andy
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T16S · Posted: Sat 27 Feb 2010 00:40 am Post subject:

Ayup all,
thanks for the comments- I'm sure we'll get together sometime Feanor.
Andy it wasn't a week it was three days but it wouldn't have happened without input from other forum members.
Ben- this was rather dipping the toe into the water and I'm sure it can be much improved- cupola, decking- etc I'm looking to you to do the better version as you have more patience and probably better hands and eyes.
Stu