T55 Bridgelayer - MT55 - Part 4 - Update - almost there!

Thanks to Shaun at S and S Models, this is progressing really fast.  We have some "first pull" masters of most of the components; and as you can see are re-engineering some to make the master "less of a kit".

The pictures posted here are not the final production components, they show the bridge in deployed mode, you will of course be able to model both stowed and deployed.

The donor vehicle is still the Khurasan T55 , but this also fits the Battlefront T54/55

The picture below shows the full length of the bridge and vehicle deploying, we anticipate having both a deployed and stowed bridge available.

This shows the front hydraulic arm with the foot pad on the deck, also the single deck plate addition to the Khurasan hull.

As you can see some of the masters are being refined and the hydraulic pistons here are plastic rods. We are hoping the main front arm will be one casting including the single piston.

Pic below shows the connection to the bridge section. The "H" section is not fixed to  the bridge so the vehicle and bridge can be separated.

I have also  revised the piston locating lugs based on new pictures being available.

And finally these last two pictures show the T55 after having deployed the bridge, as you can see the "H" frame just slides out and "voila" one laid bridge.

I am expecting to have production copies in a week or so, so I will make up this and a stowed variant.  I aim to have three or four for my AIW Syrians.

If you are interested in getting your hands on one or more of these, then contact Shaun at S&S Models. This is a little diversion for both him and Stewart, but hopefully and given enough interest, will be the start of a 15mm range, mind you only if they make their investment back!

As always comments and ideas welcome, KMT mine roller anyone?......

MT55 part 2 - off to S&S models!

Now on a roll! All the bits are now complete, have managed to make the components flexible enough to depict the bridge either stowed or deployed. Only have two bridge sections at the moment but you should get the idea!

Close up of the deplored front arm. The piston has been made extended so you can cut it down to the housed position. You need three of these.

Close up showing the t55 hull mods, all are placed on at the moment

These are the securing frames that go between the individual bridge sections. The pistons will be duplicated to reflect the two attached to the top of the assembly

Finally all the bits, some will require duplicating. I've done all I can now so I'll deliver it to shaun to see if it can be moulded. I am aware so of the bits may need changing to be able to mold them, but let's hope not too much.

15mm MT55 Bridgelayer

Been busy this afternoon with a bit of a side project! I'm currently building up forces for the Yom Kippur war and needed a few MT55 for the Valley of Tears scenario.. Anyway not being one available in 15mm I had a chat with Shaun at S&S models to see if he could help. Essentially I am building a modification to a Khurasan t55 ( should also work on the Battlefront version), shaun will hopefully run the casts off.

Here is the MT55 will two loose bridging section and the start of the front arm assembly 

 

Side view it get the angles right. I plan to have the bridges cast as shown and also deployed, but only have the two at the moment

Here's most of the work completed today. The main hull top is a place on piece, you will just need to shave off the existing drivers hatch.

Still a few bits of detail to add on the hull but the big bits are done. 

Am now puzzling with making the extension arms and rams moveable, but will probably end up with just a stowed position for now, to make the bits work for a deployed bridge is possible but is probably beyond what most people want from a conversion, espeacially in 15mm.

Comments welcome