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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	3037

Subject:

[Chapter 7] The VVSS Suspension

Date:

Feb 1, 2006

From:

James Wechsler

The VVSS Suspension

The VVSS suspension from Formations is a really great set. The entire housing and return roller bracket and wheel are one part. It only takes a little clean up and they’re ready to use. To that, you simply add the springs and bogies from the Italeri kit. I used the Formations stamped roadwheels as well. They too are easy enough to use. Just drill out the center and remove from the pour block. Mine had a few air bubbles where the pour block was so I used a little putty.

The bogies are mounted to the housing via a styrene rod that is inserted from the back (where the housing mounts to the hull). As a result, the bogies can rock back and forth if you wish (and I always do). What’s nice about this set up is that you don’t need to do more than insert the rod, snip it with sprue cutters, and put a drop of glue on the back. No risk of accidentally gluing the bogies in place and no need to clean up the area since it’s mounted against the hull and can’t be seen.

What I really like about the Formations VVSS set is that the typical pitfalls are not there. Most of the other sets either lack the three bolt heads on the bottom of the outer and inner housing walls, the four holes on the front of the housing (the housings were interchangeable, left and right, so these holes were for the return roller bracket when the housing was mounted on the other side), or the casting numbers. Not having to add these makes the assembly very fast. Once assembled, you then add the return skids on top. The Formations set has left and right handed skids. Really, the big difference is that you remove them from the pour block such that the cut area will end up facing in towards the hull and not be visible. Pretty smart. You always get and extra left and right skid in case you break one but I’ve used these skids on about 6 Shermans and haven’t broke one yet. Of course, if you don’t break them, then you get enough skids for 4 Shermans in 3 sets.

I realize that many of you may be reading this blog and think it sounds like an infomercial for Formations products. I make no apologies. When I decided to do this build, I purposely chose Formations products because I’d used them in the past and was impressed by how accurate they are and yet still easy to use.

I know many less experienced modelers are intimidated by aftermarket resin sets. It’s my hope that after reading this blog they will be motivated to try them. If you buy well designed sets, they are very satisfying and can really give your model a great look.

Up Next: The Fenders – Part 1