Pah co chu puk

I love your stories as much as the models that inspire them...

Rex Ross

While I have been avoiding the building of the winches, I got some work done on the cab interior. I should have built the cab so that the sides and top could be removed from the floor instead of just leaving the top off. Getting everything in through the top made it necessary to build the interior in 4 sections that could be put in through the top.

The sides can go in first and then the center sections. Sometimes I need to plan ahead.


rex

tankme

Looks good. I got to drive one of these in real life at the museum. You can't appreciate just how big the cab is until you are inside it. Nice job.

Panther G

Now that is the coolest little toy a little boy could ever want. i want one too.

RichJohnson

How do you know what everything looks like so you can build it. Are you using a 1:35 model as a scale pattern?

Rex Ross

I started scratch building using 1/35 scale model parts as patterns more than 20 years ago (back when they were $10 or $15). But that became too expensive for me. A 1/35 model of the M26 was up around $75 the last time I checked. Now I always try to find a line drawing of the front, back and sides of what I want to build. I get that drawing enlarged to 1/16th scale at a place where they have copy machines that will enlarge the drawing. The real dimensions and details of the vehicle are available on the internet along with a million images, drawings and photos if you do a Google search. I have collected a big library of reference publications over the years and have also gotten some terrific help from the members of this forum. I have also collected a lot of hobby tools that make building a pleasure.

This is a hobby I do for great fun, not to build something that will win a prize or end up in a glass case. My projects are as accurate as my skills will take me, and what I build is closer to being a toy than a scale model. This M26 is a long way from my 1st scratch build.


rex

Rex Ross

I got a little more done on the interior.
rex

Panther F

So beautiful there Rex.




Jeff

Rex Ross

A few days ago I realized I have spent more time thinking about this project and looking at it than I have spent getting it done. I have been jumping from one part of it to another as the mood struck me, but without a completion plan. Daydreaming and avoiding the winches was the plan of the day. Finally, I got my stuff together and went on a "Just Get It Done:" marathon with great enthusiasm and determination. I want to get everything finished in two weeks for a special reason, and I think I can do it. So far, I'm on schedule. I still have the trailer to paint and make sure all of the details on both the M 26 and M15 are done and OK. When the paint is dry and the decals are set, I will rejoice with great gusto and merriment, or maybe just have a beer and take a nap.


rex

Pah co chu puk

Wow

edoubleaz

My Feedback: (1)

(Jaw Dropped...no sound can come out....)

TheBennyB

Frickn awesome work Rex. You should take a step back and appreciate it, lots of time and work into this beaut.

wright 971

Hi Rex not only is yours better looking making me think about re-doing mine lol

Rex Ross

Thanks to all for the encouraging comments ----- I am happy with what can be done with a can and a half of OD paint after I get done working on a project every day for 48 days! Now comes phase two, a few details and another can of paint should get the trailer done.

rex

ksoc

Great Project! Thanks for sharing the pictures!!!

RichJohnson

Dude, damn!

Rex Ross

Tah Dah !!! ---- Fresh off the factory floor ---- the wagon that was dragged around by the M26 tractor !!!

I was surprised by how easy and fast the paint job went, I started after lunch on Friday and the paint was dry by Saturday evening. I guess there really is an advantage to getting organized and planning the work ahead of time. I was going to post this Sunday but my computer got hacked bib time and I just got it back today.

I hope you will overlook my big fat ego for this posting, but his model turned out really well for me. It was a special project that I have wanted to do for a looooong time.

I will post photos of the whole 42 inch rig put together as soon as I can make it shorter or get a wider camera. I gotta slap some decals on the M26 first.

My next project is going to be less complicated. I need to do something fast and easy. but something that is still military in nature. Perhaps a 1/16th scale model of a Civil War cannon ball would be a refreshing divergence. Yeah, that's the answer ---- It's time for a Google search !!!!
!
rex

Airbrushler

You are the Master of Scratch Builds, Awesome Job Rex Ross

TheBennyB

Great job Rex. So....you got a true walking beam suspension on that trailer?

Rex Ross

Uhhhh, I got a true molded plastic non functional suspension on that trailer. I gotta admit that I had to Google "walking beam suspension" to find out what you were talking about. I wasn't familiar with the term. I was happy to see that I have built a crude walking beam suspension on a couple of my scratch builds --- without knowing what I was doing. I usually don't spend a lot of time building details that can't be seen when the model is on the shelf collecting dust. Thanks for teaching me something I didn't know!

rex

TheBennyB

Yea, just mess'n with ya a bit, though if you didn't notice the axles going all the way through it looks like one. Man, for as simple as it is the walking beam is a fantastic set up. Had a buddy put one on his dragon wagon trailer and he can go over "G" scale track with beers on the back and not spill a sip!! Again, great job on this.

Rex Ross

I found a few decals and now I have to decide what kind of a load to put on it.


rex

Pah co chu puk

Bring it to my house and we'll see if my Sherman will fit...

Rex Ross

I'm sure your Sherman will fit if it is a Tamiya like mine. Does yours have battle damage too ???



rex

Pah co chu puk

It's a Mato... and it only has ten year old boy damage so far.

That looks so cool Rex, please grace us all, with pictures of the whole rig with the shot up Sherman on it. Make up another cool story too!

PLEASE!