|
|
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. |
|
|
| Subject: | [Chapter] Construction of the Wheels and Suspension |  |
| Date: | Aug 17, 2007 |
| From: | Brian Bocchino | |
Construction of the Wheels and Suspension
Step 1 in the construction instructions involves assembling the road wheels, suspension, sprocket wheels, idler wheels and support return wheels. Many of these parts are tiny and often the attachment point of to the sprue is thicker than the parts themselves. Exercise care in their removals.
The Road Wheels as seen with some other recent kits, consists of the hub and the outer rubber wheel part as separate pieces. While painting would be much simpler later on if I left the rubber off until later, I decided to go ahead and secure them at this point. Without paint, the fit between the hub and the rubber wheel is excellent and makes a nice snug connection.
The suspension is a little tricky due not only to the size of the parts but also with their means of attachment. The leafspring has the same modeling seam that has plagued all kits running down the middle but is otherwise molded well. The rocker arms for the wheels, as well as the leafspring assembly is designed to be moveable however, all of this is held on by part E-25 which besides being tiny, has two pin sized attachment points. This will certainly lead to trouble with the rest of the build as I see them coming apart through accidental handling during later steps. To minimalize this, as I have no need for the suspension to be moveable, the simple cure is to cement this all together. The Road Wheels (1 exampled attached in photograph) will remain off the suspension until the painting of the hull is completed. They will be painted separately and then glued on.
The idler and sprocket wheels can also be attached in a manner allowing them to be turnable, but once again, I didn’t concern myself with that and cemented up the assemblies.
The support return wheels are similar to the road wheels in which the rubber portion is molded as a separate part from the hub.
A few steps from now, I will see if these assemblies will be giving me issues when attached to the hull as the connection points are rather delicate.
Next up: The Dreaded Flat Panel Hull |
 |
| |
|
|
|
