Panzer II Turret

[johann mor]

I had to turn up an adapter to mate the two shafts together so hopefully they will be somewhere near balanced.

The steering box with the drive shaft adapter fitted.

As the steering box is from a 430 series AFV I needed to add a plug to the front of the hull so that I could top it up with oil, I am really unsure as to whether the cover looks Germanic enough or does it look too modern.

[johann mor]

I have been putting off making the final drive covers because...…….Now that I think about It I don't actually know why but I have. Anyway the time came when I had to get a grip and make a start.

[johann mor]

It took a lot of welding and fiddling to get it right and then a good few hours grinding but in the end they didn't look too bad.

[johann mor]

The original cover was a one piece casting, unfortunately to get mine to fit around the final drives mine had to be cut in two. This is however to my benefit, as now to fill or drain the final drives, all I have to do is remove the front half of the cover which reveals the filler and drain plugs of the final drive units.

That's the lot for now,

Jon

[DaveG]

It would comforting if you posted a picture of something you’ve made that isn’t amazing just to assure the rest of us that you’re mortal. Always look forward to your updates.

[Lenny W]

Johann great fab work on the update

[dot-byf]

Simply amazing work!

dot-byf

[ENGLISH BOB]

As Dirty Harry once said "A man has to know his limitations!",well not in your case , most would have looked at this project and given up before a piece of steel had even been cut
I enjoy this project so much,you really are a true artisan Jon the thought you put into these hand made pieces for the tank is delightful those final drives covers truly amazing, i cannot wait to see it all finished and ready to go

Keep up the great work

Best
Bob

[STG44]

Like all the others have already said, this is amazing work. I wish I had 10% of your talent.

[Hellraiser]

You amaze us every time!

[johann mor]

Thanks for all the comments they make the negative moments in the project more bearable.

Anyway onwards,

The driveshaft cover from the gearbox to the steering box. It can't be an exact replica of the original, because the end of gearbox protrudes into the crew compartment in my version. Eventually the dummy gearbox will cover the remainder of the driveshaft.

[johann mor]

The storage plan shows a fire extinguisher attached to the driveshaft cover, personally I think that is an excellent idea, especially as I will be driving the tank and the thought of a fire concerns me. It would be nice to get an original appliance but I would rather have one that works. I have made the bracket to suit a modern vehicle extinguisher and will tart it up to look the part later.

[johann mor]

Again, it couldn't be an exact replica because of the differences in the appliances.

[johann mor]

That's all for now.

Jon

[johann mor]

Evening,

just a small update, I spent a couple of hours tarting up the fire extinguisher, it would never pass as a genuine item but I think it looks quite convincing.

Jon