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Modeller Build Logs
Humber LRC MKIII |
| By Alex Hill | | Started: | Jul 5, 2006 | | Updated: | Oct 8, 2006 |
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The LRC was part of a group of Humber vehicles which were, to varying degrees, derivatives of the Super Snipe. Whilst the MKI and II were limited by the use of a 4x2 drive train, the MKIII utilsed the independently cross sprung front axle from the Humber Heavy Utility and 4x4 15cwt trucks.
Armour plating was a less than confidence inspiring 1/2'' maximum, off-set by a respectable 45MPH top speed courtesy of Humbers own 4.1 6 cylinder petrol engine. In practice armament varied, but officially it was equipped with a .55 Boys anti-tank rifle and a Bren. However, as the war progressed the Boys ( already out classed by enemy armour in 1939)was relegated to use against light bunkers and anti-sniper duties, so most late war LRC's are generally seen without the rifle fitted.
Which brings me to the BLOG. The primary aim is to build IMA's Humber LRC with a detailed interior, but if sufficient references can be found, the scope may widen to include an engine and an improved drive train.
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| The Chassis part 2 | Sep 19, 2006 |
This chapter begins with a tale of good fortune. I'd considered the Wespe Humber HUP as a donor for this project, but rejected the idea as £40.00 is rather too much to spend on a kit for one or two spare parts, but at the same show where I was able to get some excellent HUP reference photo's, I found a battered Wespe HUP on a second hand toy stall. It was missing a wheel, but for £1.00 you can't complain!
As I mentioned, there are really only only a couple of Wespe bits that can be recycled, but they're important parts that would be fiddly to build from scratch, so I'm happy to take the short cut. The model itself is looking a little scruffy. As a brush painter, I have to colour areas that will be boxed in as I go, which doesn't make for a pretty build.
The pictures:
1+2) Needless to say, the kit's front axle is somewhat lacking in the accuracy department.
3) This is where some of those Wespe bits come in handy. Although they still need a little modification they do offer a vast improvement over the kit. The differential comes from the rear axle of the IMA Humber- it is, of course, heavily modified. Both half axles are formed from a single piece of brass rod that runs straight through the dif'. The axle agrangement would otherwise be pretty delicate.
4) The need to paint the area early becomes apparent as this plate goes on. I've left one half un-painted and without all it's bolt heads for clarity's sake.
5) The front spring is a modification of the kit item with all the heavy detailing filed back to something a little more refined. The rubber bump stops on the wishbones are the tips of 25pdr shells! |
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