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Forums - Site / Build Logs

Messages in this Build Logs forum are automatically posted when new Build Logs or Chapters are added. Other modellers can then comment on them. Refer to the Build Logs section for more information.

Topics	81
Messages	3057

Subject:

[Chapter] Chapter 2 - The Winch

Date:

Oct 30, 2004

From:

Alex Hill

Chapter 2 - The Winch

The Winch. It’s one of the features that sets the Pioneer apart. The mechanism was designed for longevity, which it achieves with some interesting, unique features. The main element of this is the automatic cut out. The entire assembly is able to pivot on the chassis against a spring. If the load on the cable exceeds 8 tonnes, the spring is compressed, this acts on an arm, which leads to the fuel pump, thus cutting out the engine in the event of an over load.

The ‘clock-work’ paying on device further protects the winch rope. (AA part AL). This used drive from the toothed section on top of the winch drum to move a set of fairleads up and down to ensure the cable could not be bunched or twisted as it was drawn in or paid out. This was complemented by the pinch rollers which utilised a spring running under the drum to maintain a constant tension when the un-loaded rope was being drawn in, again, preventing twisting and bunching. The last, simplest, point to mention is the drum diameter. By using a vertical spindle, Scammell were able to accommodate a much larger drum. This meant the cable was wound under less stress, thus increasing service life.

The best source for modelling all these complicated mechanisms is ‘Manual of Recovery Part 1. Tractor 6x4 Heavy Breakdown Scammell’ –available from Groucho Publishing. This is a very handy re-print of a 1944 manual for the SV2 Pioneer, but the winch details are the same for the R100.

Which brings me to trying to build all of the above into the kit. It’s a tribute to AA that most of the extra parts needed to recreate all this detail can simply to glued straight on. Only two of the kit parts need a little modification. The mounting bracket for the aforementioned part AL is over simplified and needs replacing. The other part is the drum housing itself (part AK). The right hand side should be scalloped along its top and bottom edge. This is no problem at the top, but when the material is removed at the bottom it leaves a dirty great hole into the area where the winch drum lives. This isn’t something you could correct without replacing most of the housing and the drum itself, which would create all sorts of clearance issues when the rear body is fitted later on. The best compromise I could see was to build in a rounded edge on the inside of the housing. Hopefully, at the painting and weathering stage this can be disguised with a dark shadow, leaving the impression of a scalloped edge and a flat surface on the underside of the housing.

As for the rest; well it’s more brass rod and plastic card. It should be noted that it’s well worth having the cab and rear body temporarily glued at this stage. The only way to ensure that nothing will foul later on is with plenty of dry fitting.