How many flippin' builds (JS-2 update)

[ausf]

...at least one more.

I had an opportunity to jump on the Tamiya 1/16 RC JS-2. I really blew, I mean really blew my no more kit until stash is done pledge and totally was going to save this for a rainy day.

So, on to the build: :woohoo:

I had to figure out how to get the IR emitter into the mantlet on this one. There's a beautiful open sight hole, so no butchery is necessary, but unlike the other types (coax MG), this mantlet is anchored on the inside and pivots over the turret, so the emitter tube had to fit through the turret and not interfere with the elevation pivot.

This is one of their best recoil setups, nice thick colllar in ABS, huge nicely cast aluminum barrel.

I primed the barrel with Vallejo Red Oxide, then coated with Future to give it a scratch resistant surface for recoil.

I weighed the barrel and installed.

At 72 grams, I decided to use a counter weight in the turret rear, doubled the weight in steel BBs and mixed it into Aves.

 

[ausf]

How many flippin' builds Tammy JS-2 (primer)

To really understand the level of my idiocy, you need to see how I find it impossible to live without working lights. Even though Tamiya knows is foolish to try to set LEDs in the tiny armored running light housings, I must try.

After identifying the right connections, I grabbed the box o' SMD LEDs, tape, magent wire and the soldering setup:

And some black Aves and sprue and made four armored housings, two white, two red.

 

[ausf]

How many flippin' builds can I juggle at once...

[Here's a vid of the rear lights wired as brakes. They stay on when the engine is idling, go off when it moves. Sorry for the poor quality, but you get the idea:


video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ue6ciiYfwi0[/video]

 

[Paulw]

How many flippin' builds can I juggle at once...

To answer the question first posed, as many as necessary. That's pretty cool on the tank. I have always wondered how you guys do those things.

 

[Iron Mike]

How many flippin' builds can I juggle at once...

You got the purchase past "Appropriations", no point in worrying about the budget.

 

[ij001]

How many flippin' builds can I juggle at once...

You got the purchase past "Appropriations", no point in worrying about the budget.

That covers it completely !!

Ian

 

[Sherman 18]

How many flippin' builds can I juggle at once...

The lights do really add to it!

 

[kryptosdaddy]

How many flippin' builds can I juggle at once...

To answer the question first posed, as many as necessary. That's pretty cool on the tank. I have always wondered how you guys do those things.

Paul- Matt Swan posted an awesome article on LEDS on his website 'Swannys Models'. Lookit up. CR

 

[moon puppy]

How many flippin' builds can I juggle at once...

Maybe Jeff will do an article for us on LEDs.

Watching in amazement Jeff

 

[ausf]

How many flippin' builds can I juggle at once...

Maybe Jeff will do an article for us on LEDs.

I'd be happy to.

It's all a result of web info, it's pretty straightforward and when dealng with these tiny SMDs, absolutely maddening, but definitely adds to effect.

Here's my favorite, the first I did from schematics found online and all Radio Shack parts:

 

[moon puppy]

How many flippin' builds can I juggle at once...

That's cool!

 

[Tojo72]

How many flippin' builds can I juggle at once...

Wow,this is really gonna be impressive

 

[ausf]

How many flippin' builds can I juggle at once...

Thanks for the kind words guys, I really appreciate it.

Finishing up the turret and fuel drums. I can't leave well enough alone.

The fit is outstanding, as you'd expect from Tamiya, but all the ref pics I found show the real thing pretty hideous in terms of seems, casting blocks and welds. I added the small tarp connectors as well as the armored gun port plugs and casting numbers. Everything was done with a dremel and Aves putty. It's got two thin coats of Vallejo Russian Green Poly Primer, I'll sort out the hull while this sets over the next day or so.

 

[ausf]

How many flippin' builds can I juggle at once...

 

[MrT]

How many flippin' builds can I juggle at once...



Terry B)

 

[Iron Mike]

How many flippin' builds can I juggle at once...

That's pretty flippin' awesome! :drinks

 

[moon puppy]

How many flippin' builds can I juggle at once...

Flippin' A Bubba...

 

[ausf]

Thanks gents. B)

 

[Sharkmouth]

Ah, this is why you asked about the lights! Please note that the rear pointed lights are position lights and are white.

Since one can never have too much reference:




Regards,

 

[ausf]

Yep Saul, this is why.

I caught what you said in that post regarding the color of the lights but since my whole reason for making them work was to take advantage of the functioning brake light system, I decided to use my artistic license. :hmmm

I had one reference from a RC guy in the UK who said the rear ones were red (not that they worked as brake lights) and the cylinder was an intercom jack, so I ran with that.

There were a few things I did on this that were mixing and matching features from different JS-2s out there, so I know I'm pushing the bound of reality here.

The one you posted above is the closest to Tamiya's rendition, I added the casting block cuts to the cupola and the armored pistol port.
I'm glad to see a clean muzzle brake, the seams on the kit one are perfect, but some I've seen in ref pics were horrible and I didn't want to add another seam.