OK so I logged some more time today with it, here is where is stands/sits. I am going to put some build notes in here as a few peeps have expressed intrest in this.
- I noticed that at least one reviewer says that the model can only be built with the tubes fixed forward, but this is not so. In building it, I got to this part, that holds the tubes, and it appears to have an extra locating 'nub' on the back. This forces the gun tubes, if built this way, to be pointing with a distinct down attitude. Plus, the darn part will not build up correctly:
So I obviously removed it to fix the part as it should look. this pic shows how the part holding the gun tubes fits to the turret. What I tried to show here is there is alot of slop in the fit, so you can install it and rake it back slightly for a few degrees of upward elevation. I am thinking that with six tubes, it will be exaggerated. More elevation could be built in if you were to whittle a bit and increase the slop in attachment point
attachment from underneath:
if you do this or not, there is a lot of slop in the fit of these parts to the turret, so care must be taken to make sure that these two racks are correct or it will be very hard to have both sets of tubes pointing correctly. I used a file and held it like that until the adhesive had done it's part
Lastly, here are two of the 106mm tubes built up and press-fit to see if I have positive elevation, which I do have, plus I turned the turret to show some rotation in there. I may actually build it up like this, as all the shots I see of builds show the turret fixed forward.
On a last note, 4 of the 6 tubes have spotting rifles, and this means 10 total parts for the tube plus the spotting rifle, 9 for the two minus the spotter. Again there is slop in these parts so take your time and go slow, as it is tough to get everything in a straight line. This could have been much better engineered. Take your time and use high magnification, those parts are tiny!
So that little bit that you saw there wa another 2 hours! Still 4 more tubed to build too! Oh well, for such small parts it stil ranks as an easy build, just can't go fast on this one. Thanks fer-lookin'!!!