Armour Dreams

[Jonathan Moore]

Evening All,

I had a couple of hours this afternoon so I made the linkage that runs from the trigger grip to the top of the gearbox. I don't know whether there was a spring in the original linkage or if they just relied on the spring in the MG trigger assembly but I have incorporated a spring as my linkage will not be attached to the MG when it is installed. Hopefully the attached pictures are self explanatory as I can never work out how you put the words next to the individual pictures on this forum.

[Jonathan Moore]

The two pictures show what happens to the spindle that runs vertically through the center of the rotation shaft, when you operate the trigger. The other picture shows where this component is situated on the gearbox. In simple terms, when you pull the trigger in, the spindle is pulled down and when you release the trigger the spindle pops back up.

[super dave]

All I can say is wow, Keep up the Great work

[James P]

When it comes time to stamp a hull number on that tank of yours find the total ever made to end of production, then add one.

[Jonathan Moore]

Originally Posted by super dave

All I can say is wow, Keep up the Great work

When it comes time to stamp a hull number on that tank of yours find the total ever made to end of production, then add one.

Sirs you are too kind.

Thanks for the comments.

Jon

[Ed Storey]

How about stamping REPRO and the date it was completed, that way in 100 years from now when we are all gone, there will be no mistake as to the origin of the vehicle.

[Jonathan Moore]

Unlike some, I have no problem with anyone knowing that it is a complete reproduction, even though it has an original light on it. Maybe just "Made In Great Britain" stamped on the bottom would suffice.

Jon

[Mike Cecil]

If I could provide an opinion from a retired museum curator's perspective, the normal practice in museums is to discreetly scribe or stamp an indicator and a date on each non-original, reproduction part placed on an original object. For example, the initials AWM and 3-4-2009.This is regarded as essential to ensure transparency to future conservators/restorers.

In this case, virtually the entire vehicle is reproduction, but so well done that it is likely to deceive most people after it leaves the builder's hands or his family. It's the builder's choice, of course, to mark or not to mark, but for the sake of transparency, some marking or markings, be that 'Made in Great Britain', or 'Reproduction' or whatever plus a date, would be an excellent addition. No mistakes in the future, or the any possibility of misrepresentation.

I can envisage if it is not marked in some way, but has sufficient small differences to the original, that somewhere in the future, some bozo will claim it to be the sole surviving prototype/pre-production version!! (Yes, I think it is that well done).

Mike

[Bruce Parker (RIP)]

Now wouldn't it be interesting if some future person were to assume it's original and then come across that 'Made in Great Britain' stamp? There might be some puzzled head scratching.

Originally Posted by Mike Cecil

If I could provide an opinion from a retired museum curator's perspective, the normal practice in museums is to discreetly scribe or stamp an indicator and a date on each non-original, reproduction part placed on an original object. For example, the initials AWM and 3-4-2009.This is regarded as essential to ensure transparency to future conservators/restorers.

In this case, virtually the entire vehicle is reproduction, but so well done that it is likely to deceive most people after it leaves the builder's hands or his family. It's the builder's choice, of course, to mark or not to mark, but for the sake of transparency, some marking or markings, be that 'Made in Great Britain', or 'Reproduction' or whatever plus a date, would be an excellent addition. No mistakes in the future, or the any possibility of misrepresentation.

I can envisage if it is not marked in some way, but has sufficient small differences to the original, that somewhere in the future, some bozo will claim it to be the sole surviving prototype/pre-production version!! (Yes, I think it is that well done).

Mike

[karlos59]

Amazing work as usual keep it going

[Ganmain Tony]

The fact that we are having a discussion on this project as to its authenticity is (I think) an acknowledgement of your extraordinary work Jonathan

[Ed Storey]

Following this post has been inspiring, from the exacting workmanship to the in-depth research I can hardly wait to see the end product. To that end any markings that clearly state that the vehicle is a reproduction will assist future generations in determining its provenance.

[Jonathan Moore]

It seems strange that we are having a conversation regarding how to mark my little Panzer so in the future people will know that it is a replica. It's very flattering but but I find it hard to believe that someone would recognise it for anything other than what it is.


So the next installment.

I think that it's always the same, some of the smaller items take the longest to make and so it was with this little cover. Being made of 0.8 and 1.6mm thick steel and so small it took a lot of careful welding, brazing and grinding to get a result that was at least presentable. It's not exact replica of the original but it needed to suit my application.

[Jonathan Moore]

"Braking News" The spelling of "reconise" has caused a major international disagreement with my wife which has escalated to such proportions that I may have to fix my own drink.


The adjuster bolt lines up with the internal separate gear carrier and by putting pressure on this carrier, the final gear/ sprocket is pushed into the turret ring gear.
If you remember when I started this gearbox I had thought that a spring would have the desired effect but after some playing around I decided that a fixed/ adjustable stop would be a better option.

Jon

[Jonathan Moore]

Evening All,

Last night I posted pictures of this little cover that I had made.

After I had posted my update it started gnawing away at me and by this morning I had decide that it wasn't good enough. I mean, how can any respectable Panzer commander go in to battle knowing that the cover for his little knob is the wrong shape. Below, next to a picture of an original, is my next attempt, which I hope is less offensive.

The other items that I made today were the wooden grips for the trigger handle.

That's all for now folks.



Jon

[Petr Brezina]

Jonathan, your engineering and fabricating skills are outstanding. Great work!

[Tim Bell]

Originally Posted by Petr Brezina

Jonathan, your engineering and fabricating skills are outstanding. Great work!

Indeed... if he had been building tanks in 1944, we might not have won the war!

[Jonathan Moore]

Originally Posted by Tim Bell

Indeed... if he had been building tanks in 1944, we might not have won the war!

Sometimes I wonder if we did?

Evening All,
I had a little bit of time to play today so I made the handle that is used to rotate the turret by hand.

Only a little job but another one off of the list.

Jon

[Jonathan Moore]

Evening All,

I had quite a productive weekend making lots of little items for the linkage from the remote trigger in the turret gearbox to the MG, so now you can see how it operates.

[Jonathan Moore]

The other item was the cover that goes over the turret ring gear, well it's nearly finished but I was requested to make some biscuits by my dear wife and I know never to argue where the biscuit box is empty.

Until next time and thanks for looking.

Jon

[DaveBuckle]

Your panzer making skills are equalled only by your sense of humour.
Speaking of which, before you get too far along with the project: isn't that a 20mm magazine off one of the Bizmark's guns ...?

[Jonathan Moore]

Evening Dave,

I don't know about the Bismark but you are correct, the magazine is not the correct one for a Panzer II. the Correct magazine would have held 10 rounds of ammunition, where as my one holds 20 and would have been used in a flak gun. The initial purchase of the magazine merely started a thought process or one of those dreams that one has, that maybe just maybe, one could create something. The correct magazines are quite rare and the only ones that I have found for sale are very rusty or for sale in Russia. A member of another forum did promise to send me one but nothing ever materialised. ​

Anyway, as far as Panzer production is concerned I have achieved very little, only finishing the turret ring gear guard. Other than that, it has been a very busy week in one way or another, a week in which I decide that it was time that I increased my turning capacity, so I purchased a new toy.

jon

[Kirk Armitage]

Master 2500 ? A great lathe, a little daunting when you remove the gear box cover and peak in. Mine is missing parts for the taper attachment and did not come with a fixed steady, I had to modify one to fit.
In your hands that lathe will do wonders , this is a great thread.
Regards K Armitage

[Jonathan Moore]

Evening Kirk,

It's a Triumph, I was going to buy a Mascot but I am limited on power. The last time I used a Triumph was in about 1986. I am enjoying making the tank and it's a plus that others enjoy my thread so thank you.

Jon

[David Dunlop]

Jonathan!

Increased turning capacity?

You are not already thinking Panzer III, are you? Or perhaps an Armoured NAAFI Pastry Wagon?

David

[Jonathan Moore]

Morning David,


Sorry I didn't see your post. It's really more for work as the projects that seem to be coming my way, not military unfortunately, are getting bigger. The down side is that I will have to extend my workshop in the near future. What ever I decide to build next, if I can find the energy, will not have torsion bar suspension as it's too much of a headache and adds to the construction costs. My favourite ww2 tank would be a late panzer iv but that could be a project too far.

Jon

[Jonathan Moore]

Evening All,

I have been trying to finish the turret, all the little fiddly detail bits that I didn't have enough information for.

There's a marker attached to the hull just below the turret ring to show when the turret is facing the front that needed adding.

Whilst I had completed the wiring up to the slip ring in the base of the hull, I hadn't done anything about the wiring in the turret. The wires run from the slip ring up the leg of the commanders chair and into a square junction box attached to the turret ring behind the commanders seat back rest. Here they split, the power goes to the turret light and power socket while the wires for the intercoms continue into an adjoining junction box where the head phones and throat mike plug in.

For the life of me I couldn't find a blanking plate for the larger box so I had to make one and the plugs in the comm's box are not the correct ones but they will do for now. I tried to buy the P clips to save time but I couldn't find the right sizes so I made a little bending jig and made my own.

[Jonathan Moore]

I ran a single wire just to illustrate where the wires run.

[Jonathan Moore]

The last item for now, is a box that would contain cartridges for a flare gun, again it fits behind the commanders seat but on the opposite side to the junction boxes. The picture below is from the Tank Museums Panzer ll, it is clear from another picture of the same box that it has been bent forward and originally would have been in a more upright position as in the second picture.

That's all for tonight.

Jon

[Jonathan Moore]

Evening all,

Well, I have finished the last two items, so apart from painting and final assembly, the turret is officially complete!

One of the final items was a second internal handle for turning the turret by hand, I knew that there should have been one but I couldn't be sure what it looked like or where it went, until I rediscovered this picture on my pc.
So it was out with a hammer, a piece of bar and some heat and it was time to hit some hot metal.