The Flak 40 is history , My next Project is to build a M88 A2 Hercules from AFV Clubs M88 A1 using the Conversion from Legend.
I plan on using the T97 E2 Track from Bronco as the Track from the kit isn't really good.
I've gone back to a higher Resolution for the Pics, as my test with the Flak 40 Pics. didn't show much difference.
Well here is the Box Art.
Here are the Resin Parts from Legend , it looks like I'll be cleaning them up for a while, I'll start the assembly once they are cleaned up.
Back to work.
Donald
Hosted by Darren Baker
Converting a M88 A1 to A M88 A2 Hercules
OldWarloke
Joined: October 14, 2012
KitMaker: 2,663 posts
Armorama: 2,649 posts
Posted: Sunday, August 16, 2015 - 06:39 PM UTC
C_JACQUEMONT
Joined: October 09, 2004
KitMaker: 2,433 posts
Armorama: 2,325 posts
Posted: Sunday, August 16, 2015 - 06:53 PM UTC
Hi,
Interesting, I got the same project in my "to do" list.
The tracks should be chevron tracks I think (the only M88 family ARV I have seen with your tracks is the Israeli M88A1).
Cheers,
Christophe
Interesting, I got the same project in my "to do" list.
The tracks should be chevron tracks I think (the only M88 family ARV I have seen with your tracks is the Israeli M88A1).
Cheers,
Christophe
accelr8
Joined: March 17, 2005
KitMaker: 159 posts
Armorama: 156 posts
Posted: Monday, August 17, 2015 - 03:22 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Hi,
Interesting, I got the same project in my "to do" list.
The tracks should be chevron tracks I think (the only M88 family ARV I have seen with your tracks is the Israeli M88A1).
Cheers,
Christophe
Correct, AFAIK. Only the IDF switched out the tracks for T142. For all other versions and operators, The chevron track is used. The M88 technically uses T107 track, but since the external differences are minute (and even more so in 1/35) The T97E2 track would be appropriate.
OldWarloke
Joined: October 14, 2012
KitMaker: 2,663 posts
Armorama: 2,649 posts
Posted: Monday, August 17, 2015 - 04:16 AM UTC
You guys are right, I have been looking all over and only came across 1 Pic, with the T142 track. It looked like an Israeli one because it had a lot of Bar Armor and a funny looking Hexigon shape on top.
Lucky I have extra track.
Donald
Lucky I have extra track.
Donald
OldWarloke
Joined: October 14, 2012
KitMaker: 2,663 posts
Armorama: 2,649 posts
Posted: Monday, August 17, 2015 - 06:20 PM UTC
I have the small parts cleaned up. The really small ones I'll leave until they are installed.
The Larger parts have runners on their back sides that need to be removed. The side skirts have a ridge on the back side that should stay. As shown below.
The Other Side.
I still have a lot of cleanup to go.
Donald
The Larger parts have runners on their back sides that need to be removed. The side skirts have a ridge on the back side that should stay. As shown below.
The Other Side.
I still have a lot of cleanup to go.
Donald
OldWarloke
Joined: October 14, 2012
KitMaker: 2,663 posts
Armorama: 2,649 posts
Posted: Wednesday, August 19, 2015 - 09:32 PM UTC
Here is the back side cleaned up , man it was a really time consuming to clean all the parts up.
Front view of the same parts.
Front view of the same parts.
OldWarloke
Joined: October 14, 2012
KitMaker: 2,663 posts
Armorama: 2,649 posts
Posted: Wednesday, August 19, 2015 - 09:37 PM UTC
Here is the A Frame / Boom , or what ever you call it.
It needed a lot of putty to fill all the low spots in the sides.
I think that it would be easier to scratch build it from square tubing. This was a real pain.
All sanded down.
It needed a lot of putty to fill all the low spots in the sides.
I think that it would be easier to scratch build it from square tubing. This was a real pain.
All sanded down.
OldWarloke
Joined: October 14, 2012
KitMaker: 2,663 posts
Armorama: 2,649 posts
Posted: Wednesday, August 19, 2015 - 09:41 PM UTC
The rest of the larger parts are cleaned.
Here are the major metal assemblies.
I soldered them together, that way they aren't going to come apart .
Now it's a lot of detail removing from the Kit Hull Parts.
More later when this is done .
Donald
Here are the major metal assemblies.
I soldered them together, that way they aren't going to come apart .
Now it's a lot of detail removing from the Kit Hull Parts.
More later when this is done .
Donald
165thspc
#521
Joined: April 13, 2011
KitMaker: 9,465 posts
Armorama: 8,695 posts
Posted: Thursday, August 20, 2015 - 12:35 AM UTC
I am in no way very knowledgable about the M88 A2 Herc but does this photo help any as to track type?
A few years back, Ft. Knox, Kentucky. Patton Museum event. Photo by Mike Koenig.
A few years back, Ft. Knox, Kentucky. Patton Museum event. Photo by Mike Koenig.
zedhol
Joined: December 01, 2009
KitMaker: 244 posts
Armorama: 160 posts
Posted: Thursday, August 20, 2015 - 01:36 AM UTC
Following this one as I have the same conversion. The boom is broken in mine so I will replace mine with brass.
OldWarloke
Joined: October 14, 2012
KitMaker: 2,663 posts
Armorama: 2,649 posts
Posted: Thursday, August 20, 2015 - 01:48 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Following this one as I have the same conversion. The boom is broken in mine so I will replace mine with brass.
Actually you would probably be further ahaid to replace the boom.
The one I have was a real B--ch to clean up and needed a lot of filling.
Donald
OldWarloke
Joined: October 14, 2012
KitMaker: 2,663 posts
Armorama: 2,649 posts
Posted: Thursday, August 20, 2015 - 01:51 AM UTC
Thanks , the pic. will help a lot. I wasn't sure if the Herc was painted in any thing other than sand.
Donald
Donald
zedhol
Joined: December 01, 2009
KitMaker: 244 posts
Armorama: 160 posts
Posted: Thursday, August 20, 2015 - 05:10 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Quoted TextFollowing this one as I have the same conversion. The boom is broken in mine so I will replace mine with brass.
Actually you would probably be further ahaid to replace the boom.
The one I have was a real B--ch to clean up and needed a lot of filling.
Donald
Thanks for the heads up and I got that impression for your pics. Good luck
165thspc
#521
Joined: April 13, 2011
KitMaker: 9,465 posts
Armorama: 8,695 posts
Posted: Thursday, August 20, 2015 - 08:55 PM UTC
All photos Mike Koenig
OldWarloke
Joined: October 14, 2012
KitMaker: 2,663 posts
Armorama: 2,649 posts
Posted: Thursday, August 20, 2015 - 09:56 PM UTC
Thanks Mike ,these Pics. are just what the docktor ordered.
They will help in the detailing. You wouldn't hapen to have a Pic. of the Left Side ? Already I have noticed some differences between the conversion and this one pictured.
Thanks
Donald
They will help in the detailing. You wouldn't hapen to have a Pic. of the Left Side ? Already I have noticed some differences between the conversion and this one pictured.
Thanks
Donald
OldWarloke
Joined: October 14, 2012
KitMaker: 2,663 posts
Armorama: 2,649 posts
Posted: Thursday, August 20, 2015 - 10:00 PM UTC
Here is the Lower Hull , you will have to remove the Bolts / Rivets on the fenders as the replacement Fenders with the Side Skirts attached will rest on top of them.
Here it is all cleaned up.
Here is the Upper Hull , You will have to remove all the Detail on the Front and both Sides. Just don't remove the small lip on the bottom edge of the sides.
Here it is all cleaned up.
Here is the Upper Hull , You will have to remove all the Detail on the Front and both Sides. Just don't remove the small lip on the bottom edge of the sides.
OldWarloke
Joined: October 14, 2012
KitMaker: 2,663 posts
Armorama: 2,649 posts
Posted: Thursday, August 20, 2015 - 10:12 PM UTC
Here is the Cleaned up Upper Hull , there is a lot of Detail that needs to be removed , There is also some holes to be filled. I filled them with plastic rod trimmed them flush and a little putty finished them.
The Vise Base on the Left Rear Engine deck is to be removed , the Conversion gives you a new one to be placed more forward.
The Front.
The Vise Base on the Left Rear Engine deck is to be removed , the Conversion gives you a new one to be placed more forward.
The Front.
OldWarloke
Joined: October 14, 2012
KitMaker: 2,663 posts
Armorama: 2,649 posts
Posted: Thursday, August 20, 2015 - 10:22 PM UTC
The Front Plate Before.
And After.
The two outside mounts and the Bolts around the edge should remain .
Now to start some assembly .
Donald
And After.
The two outside mounts and the Bolts around the edge should remain .
Now to start some assembly .
Donald
C_JACQUEMONT
Joined: October 09, 2004
KitMaker: 2,433 posts
Armorama: 2,325 posts
Posted: Friday, August 21, 2015 - 03:11 AM UTC
Very interesting blog you have here, thanks Donald!
I hope the A Frame in my conversion is not that bad!
Cheers,
Christophe
I hope the A Frame in my conversion is not that bad!
Cheers,
Christophe
165thspc
#521
Joined: April 13, 2011
KitMaker: 9,465 posts
Armorama: 8,695 posts
Posted: Friday, August 21, 2015 - 07:28 AM UTC
Sorry, no shots of left side as it was up against another vehicle.
Mike
Mike
OldWarloke
Joined: October 14, 2012
KitMaker: 2,663 posts
Armorama: 2,649 posts
Posted: Sunday, August 23, 2015 - 10:04 PM UTC
I assembled the upper & lower Hull halves .
Glued on the resin part to the separate front plate.
I cant figure why they had Two holes in the resin parts ?
I filled the holes and around the lower edges.
Then sanded every thing down to shape.
I added 5 Bolt Heads to the bottom of each side , then replaced the rest of the bolts on the upper & side edges.
The Bolts are from Meng.
Glued on the resin part to the separate front plate.
I cant figure why they had Two holes in the resin parts ?
I filled the holes and around the lower edges.
Then sanded every thing down to shape.
I added 5 Bolt Heads to the bottom of each side , then replaced the rest of the bolts on the upper & side edges.
The Bolts are from Meng.
OldWarloke
Joined: October 14, 2012
KitMaker: 2,663 posts
Armorama: 2,649 posts
Posted: Sunday, August 23, 2015 - 10:16 PM UTC
Working on the Boom pivot parts.
First I drilled a hole in each one as shown for a reinforcing rod.
Then I Super Glued them to the Boom ends as shown.Using the same Drill I then drilled through the parts into the Boom.
A little Super Glue on a piece of plastic rod, then a quick insertion all the way into the hole.
After the Glue sets up , trim off the extra rod and sand smooth.
Then re drill the pivot hole in each part. You will have to re drill this hole any way as it is too small.
That's all for now.
Donald
First I drilled a hole in each one as shown for a reinforcing rod.
Then I Super Glued them to the Boom ends as shown.Using the same Drill I then drilled through the parts into the Boom.
A little Super Glue on a piece of plastic rod, then a quick insertion all the way into the hole.
After the Glue sets up , trim off the extra rod and sand smooth.
Then re drill the pivot hole in each part. You will have to re drill this hole any way as it is too small.
That's all for now.
Donald
OldWarloke
Joined: October 14, 2012
KitMaker: 2,663 posts
Armorama: 2,649 posts
Posted: Monday, August 24, 2015 - 01:16 PM UTC
Some Bad News , This Build is being canceled.
The Resin Parts for the Hull just don't fit.
The only one that did fit was the lower front part shown above.
All the rest of the Front and side parts are really short.
The following Pics , show how much.
The Resin Parts for the Hull just don't fit.
The only one that did fit was the lower front part shown above.
All the rest of the Front and side parts are really short.
The following Pics , show how much.
OldWarloke
Joined: October 14, 2012
KitMaker: 2,663 posts
Armorama: 2,649 posts
Posted: Monday, August 24, 2015 - 01:33 PM UTC
Some final thoughts, The prototype parts of this conversion may have been made to the correct size it's obvious that the producers of this conversion never built it. Every thing is too short from the resin shrinking after it cured. I have had this happen before, that's why I usually don't do resin conversions.
If you have this conversion in your stash I would sell it if I were you. If you really have to have to have a M88A2 you could salvage the side hatches & right side details and scratch build the rest.
This whole thing is going into the garbage.
Donald
If you have this conversion in your stash I would sell it if I were you. If you really have to have to have a M88A2 you could salvage the side hatches & right side details and scratch build the rest.
This whole thing is going into the garbage.
Donald
M4A1Sherman
Joined: May 02, 2013
KitMaker: 4,403 posts
Armorama: 4,078 posts
Posted: Monday, August 24, 2015 - 03:56 PM UTC
Quoted Text
Quoted TextHi,
Interesting, I got the same project in my "to do" list.
The tracks should be chevron tracks I think (the only M88 family ARV I have seen with your tracks is the Israeli M88A1).
Cheers,
Christophe
Correct, AFAIK. Only the IDF switched out the tracks for T142. For all other versions and operators, The chevron track is used. The M88 technically uses T107 track, but since the external differences are minute (and even more so in 1/35) The T97E2 track would be appropriate.
AGREE...
 |
WEB HOSTING BY
Copyright ©2021 Armorama and Kitmaker Network, a subsidiary of Silver Star Enterprises
All Rights Reserved. Please read our Conditions of Use and Privacy Policy.
All Rights Reserved. Please read our Conditions of Use and Privacy Policy.