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Modeller Build Logs
Scratch-building the PP 2 Armoured Train |
| By Pawel Kowalski | | Started: | Oct 31, 2006 | | Updated: | Nov 10, 2006 |
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This is a blog describing my attempt to scratch-build the Polish PP 2 "Smialy" armored train. I had for a long time wanted to build an armoured train. There is simply something about the sheer size, the fortress / battleship like appearance that appeals to me.
I choose the Smialy train, because, being one of the first dedicated armoured trains in Polish service, and having a notable history, it has received quite a bit of exposure in the eyes of the contemporary media and the historians of today. Meaning, there are plenty of resources regarding the train.
I hope that this blog may help other modelers by showing how not to do a specific task, and the same time the modelers reading the blog may help me with encouragement and technique. |
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| Wheel Construction and Part Overview | Nov 10, 2006 |
Most of my model will be made of sheet-styrene, but I have decided to also use some prefab elements.
Convenience, simply.
I ordered three wagons from Azimuth-Ironside, and despite their shortcomings, the kits are just what the doctor ordered. The suspension of the wagons is very similar to the ones that I need, and I can also use the couplings, and buffers.
Wheel construction, so finally, the fun begins. I decided to build the model in this order:
1. Wheels
2. Wagon undercarriage
3. Locomotive undercarriage
4. Machine guns and machine gun casements
5. Locomotive "drive train" i.e. the push rods and so on
6. Locomotive frame
7. Assault wagon superstructure
8. Locomotive superstructure
9. Artillery wagon superstructure
10. Gun and gun turret
11. Painting
For me, it is necessary to have a build order to even the simple and complex parts out, so I wont get stuck, and give up in frustration. This way, I will always have the next simple area to look forward to. Though I am sure I will mess up along the way, and not follow this list anyway :) But even then, its nice to separate the work and only think of one portion at a time. Otherwise its easy to get lost. (Here I speak from bitter experience, I might add...)
Wheel construction:
Before I began, I took some time browsing my modelling scrap heap, as well as analysing practically everything I could lay my hand on, that was cylindrical. I have never been able to find a way to build round objects in plastic. I am sure it is easy with a motor tool, but I do not have one. Eventually, I found a 35mm film can that was about the same size as the locomotive wheel. I used that as base. I would take a strip of styrene, make it round, and drop it in the can, gluing the ends to one another. As the glue dried, I would make another strip, and drop it in on top of the first strip, but with the end on the opposite side. I after I had made a tall cylinder of these strips (and the glue had dried) I would take the cylinder out, and glue a layer of styrene strips to the outside, again with the glued ends opposite one another, sand the cylinder, and finally, cut it like a sausage. My plan worked. WooHoo!!
Having the round shape, I proceeded to, in Adobe Illustrator, to draw a drawing of how the spokes and the centre should be aligned. I began by gluing the hub and spokes, using the mentioned drawing, and lots of pins, and then placing the wheel. The counter weight, I made by gluing a strip of styrene, and filling the empty space with putty. After a lot of sanding, I painted some of the wheels gloss black to see if there are any errors. Satisfied, I moved on to the wagon wheels. The wagons have four wheels each, so there are a total of eight wheels to make. Fortunately I was (as mentioned) able to use the wheels from Ironside kits. I carved the centres of the wheels out (keeping the hub) and proceeded to glue the spokes inside. This time I simply glued the wheels to the drawing with a tiny blob of white glue, and placed the spokes with a pair of pliers. I have had enough of pins. After gluing the hub, I sanded them clean.
And that is what my modeling time went this last week and a bit more. If there is anyone out there, that knows a simpler way of creating wheels and other cylinders, I would really like to hear about it, there are quite a few round objects on the train.
On the picture below you can see the locomotive wheels on the right, wagon wheels on the left, and a spare piece of the cylinder. |
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