M6 Gun Motor Carriage WC-55 2025-06
- Thread starter BarleyBop
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This project is going to give me a chance to try out a different panel liner application method.
I haven't been super happy with my application by brush. Recently I saw what looked to be pen nibs (rebranded) as panel line pens.
So, you guessed it, I dug out my old art toolbox, and there they were! Nib handles and an assortment of nibs (though I'll only be using the fine quill point ones).
They have traveled with me since my dad showed me how to do cross hatching with India ink around 1968.
I don't have the drawings anymore, but I remember two that had turned out pretty well: one of a Japanese zero, and the other a cavalry Lancer from the charge of the Light Brigade.
You can tell I didn't have an ultrasonic cleaner back then, when I was 10, but I do now!
So into the bath they go!
I have no idea if this idea will work for panel lines and detailing, but if it doesn't, I can always pick up a bottle of India ink and see what I might draw...
I haven't been super happy with my application by brush. Recently I saw what looked to be pen nibs (rebranded) as panel line pens.
So, you guessed it, I dug out my old art toolbox, and there they were! Nib handles and an assortment of nibs (though I'll only be using the fine quill point ones).
They have traveled with me since my dad showed me how to do cross hatching with India ink around 1968.
I don't have the drawings anymore, but I remember two that had turned out pretty well: one of a Japanese zero, and the other a cavalry Lancer from the charge of the Light Brigade.
You can tell I didn't have an ultrasonic cleaner back then, when I was 10, but I do now!
So into the bath they go!
I have no idea if this idea will work for panel lines and detailing, but if it doesn't, I can always pick up a bottle of India ink and see what I might draw...
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- Sep 4, 2022
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So after a ultrasonic bath, a soft toothbrush rub down, a soak in in isopropyl alcohol, and a rinse, these are as clean I'm going to get them in a batch process.
Now to see how well the finer tipped ones perform with the Tamiya panel line color when I get to that step!
Now to see how well the finer tipped ones perform with the Tamiya panel line color when I get to that step!
- Joined
- Sep 4, 2022
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Collection of parts I could use for the .30cal MG I'd like to mount as in the photo...
Originally, I'd thought of using the gun, mount and ammo feeder box shown at top of pic, but it is a more sophisticated design than in the reference photo.
So I'll have to build an alternate with a selection of parts shown.
Resin gun with brass barrel.
The box will be brass, and welded to the pintle, not the gun itself. I would like to think that it is just a standard ammo case that has been secured to the pintle somehow, but the blurry photo looks more like a box that might have the ammo case in it?
I doubt they would have transferred the belt from the case to the box... Hard to know with these field modifications...
I will probably scratch a simple pintle as well as per ref.
I also found .30 belt to feed into it. (photo below shows the lead has already been passed in.
I will also have to fabricate a handle for the gun.
Originally, I'd thought of using the gun, mount and ammo feeder box shown at top of pic, but it is a more sophisticated design than in the reference photo.
So I'll have to build an alternate with a selection of parts shown.
Resin gun with brass barrel.
The box will be brass, and welded to the pintle, not the gun itself. I would like to think that it is just a standard ammo case that has been secured to the pintle somehow, but the blurry photo looks more like a box that might have the ammo case in it?
I doubt they would have transferred the belt from the case to the box... Hard to know with these field modifications...
I will probably scratch a simple pintle as well as per ref.
I also found .30 belt to feed into it. (photo below shows the lead has already been passed in.
I will also have to fabricate a handle for the gun.
Last edited:
Jakko
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The box in the photo is a wooden M1917 ammo box with its lid missing. It has two vertical slots near the edge above the bevelled underside, with which it slides into a bracket on the gun mounting; it looks like they added something similar to the improvised (?) mount on the M6 GMC.
When I built my M2 half-track, I made a bunch of these boxes for it, using photos and dimensions I found on a militaria or gun auction site, but I can't find that again now If you search for
When I built my M2 half-track, I made a bunch of these boxes for it, using photos and dimensions I found on a militaria or gun auction site, but I can't find that again now
If you search for wood M1919 ammo box or wood Browning ammo box you'll get plenty of hits with photos, but the site I found six months ago also had dimensions. I should still have those converted to 1:35 somewhere, though.
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How did I know you'd have a good idea of what we were looking at?
Will check it out.
Never thought it'd be a wooden box!
Edbert
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I use those fiberglass brushes a lot, think we have the same brand.
Jakko
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I recognised it mainly because I built that M2 last yearHow did I know you'd have a good idea of what we were looking at?
I just went to find my little sketch of the dimensions (in 1:35 scale) for you:
This is with the lid, BTW.
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Thanks a bunch!
Once I knew what to look for, among other refs, I found this vid clearly showing how the box (two types) were attached to the pintle.
"We be in business Mr. B!"
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Ha, at the LHS, I noticed the Basswood strips in among the Balsa. It is more rigid, tighter grain, and not as soft as the Balsa, and the dimensions looked more or less right... so for the price, thought it might be worth a try!
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Drill out the .30cal for the brass barrel
Mount on pintle, along with ammo box, into two part post that can extend. I will cut to length when time to mount post in WC55
... still needs pistol grip, and ammo belt which will be added at the end.
Though it can't be seen in the ww2 photo, looks like bolts go right through the pintle and post. I may settle for adding carriage bolt heads on the pintle for detail.
Mount on pintle, along with ammo box, into two part post that can extend. I will cut to length when time to mount post in WC55
... still needs pistol grip, and ammo belt which will be added at the end.
Though it can't be seen in the ww2 photo, looks like bolts go right through the pintle and post. I may settle for adding carriage bolt heads on the pintle for detail.
- Joined
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Thanks!
Gotta say, I really enjoy this part of model building!
I probably spend more time on these little details than the rest of the vehicle!
