|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
U.S. 21st Special Forces Group (Rangers Pathfinders Airborne) |
|
(at FORT KAFFENBERGER) |
|
JUWTF SOG |
SECURITY CLASSIFICATION: Cleared for Public Dissemination
UPDATED: 1 February 2009
*****************
WW2 German PzKw II undercarriage support project
*****************
We were tasked to estimate the costs of molding & casting the production of 1, 10, and 20 complete sets of "Roadwheels" (to be cast in RESIN plastic) for a "German PzKw II" in 1/6th scale. Subsequently, the customer decided to instead have them created in "CNC machined metal". The original "masters" of each type of wheel or part was lawfully in our possession, and we had begin the RESIN production, thus we had to move fast ("blitzkrieg") to complete the molding, clean the originals up, and forward the originals in good faith to the owners. This is the photojournalism of the project, which still might salvage itself financially, as other collectors may not wish to commit the funding to have the wheels created in metal, and might be quite happy to purchase a set cast in RESIN. Since we had been financially committed to this project which was aborted on short notice, we had to hustle to create molds to try to recover our investment of time and substantial funds. These molds required FIFTEEN POUNDS of Alumilite "Quickset molding rubber", which is priced at $27.50 per pound. We should note that the undercarriage of the "PzKw II" was basis for something like 27 different tracked vehicles during WW2, (such as 105mm SPG "Wespe"), so conserving the ability to cast these components, leaves a lot of potential historical fun possible.
Additionally, our agent who originally obtained the
job order for us, is a great worldwide marketer; whereas we primarily are
manufacturers. Thus, we could salvage this project financially, by casting these
"Roadwheel" sets, and asking our agent to market them for us; thus conserving a
potential income stream for all parties
who had invested time, effort, monies, in the project
development.
Further, it also creates a potential income stream for the folks doing the "metal" roadwheels, as many customers may be inclined to invest in our resin roadwheels initially (so they can complete their "PzKw II Family" vehicle affordably), then later wish to upgrade to metal track components at some future time! And, I am certain that our agent can coordinate this for them!
******************
**********************
|
Completed "2 part mold" of "track" top level "return roller". |
|
PERFECT resin cast "Return Roller". My digital camera doesn't like closeups. Bolthead detail is excellent (in person view). |
|
9 perfect resin cast "return rollers". A "PzKwII" (or variant thereof) needs 10 of these. |
|
"Track" lower level "roadwheel". |
|
FIRST ATTEMPT at RESIN "casting" the Roadwheel. The detail of boltheads etc., is outstanding (in person view). The fault (mostly left of "sprue") results from insufficient diameter of pourhole (sprue channel). The "potlife" of Alumilite White (the time from mixing the 2 components until it thickens up) is NINETY SECONDS. The pourhole channel began thickening before sufficient liquid resin could be poured into the mold. This pourhole will be doubled in the next effort, and this roadwheel will come out PERFECT. |
|
2 perfect resin cast PzKwII "roadwheels". |
|
"Spring shock absorbing mechanism" for LEFT side "Roadwheels". |
|
"Spring shock absorbing mechanism" for RIGHT side "Roadwheels". |
|
These are the cast resin "springs". All details recorded perfectly. |
|
These little goodies mount at the ending of each "roadwheel spring". |
|
REAR "sprocket". |
|
Rear Sprocket in RESIN ! |
|
3 "Rear Sprockets" for PzKwII. (One Tank needs 2 of these). |
|
FRONT drive "Sprocket" (note the sprocket "teeth" just beneath the surface of the molding rubber). |
|
FIRST ATTEMPT at "Toothed Front Sprocket". From the "sprue channel" at 12 o'clock high, note the 3 teeth to the left, and 3 teeth to the right. All other teeth are PERFECT. The defective teeth reflects need to cut in more "ventholes" (one directly rising up from each of these teeth), so trapped air bubbles can escape upwards, allowing liquid resin to flow into the areas where trapped air presently prevents complete mold filling. Note the excellent "boltheads" in every portion. Our SECOND ATTEMPT at resin casting this will produce perfect results. |
|
How about 3 of the "Front Toothed Sprockets"? (One Tank needs 2 of these). |
********************
Panzerkampfwagen II and variants:
 |
Panzerkampfwagen II Ausf a |
|
Panzerkampfwagen II Ausf b |
|
Panzerkampfwagen II Ausf c, A, B & C |
|
Panzerkampfwagen II Ausf D & E |
|
Panzerkampfwagen II Ausf F |
|
Panzerkampfwagen II Ausf G |
|
Panzerkampfwagen II Ausf J |
|
Panzerkampfwagen II Ausf L |
|
Panzerkampfwagen II Flamm Ausf A & B |
|
Panzerkampfwagen II mit Schwimmkörper |
|
Panzerkampfwagen II neuer Art Ausf H & M |
|
Panzerkampfwagen II ohne Aufbau |
|
Brückenleger auf Panzerkampfwagen II |
|
Gefechts Aufklärer VK1602 |
|
Leichte Feldhaubitze 18/2 auf Fahrgestell Panzerkampfwagen II |
|
5cm PaK38 L/60 auf Fahrgestell Panzerkampfwagen II |
|
7,5cm PaK40/2 auf Fahrgestell Panzerkampfwagen II |
|
Panzer Selbstfahrlafette 1 für 7,62cm PaK36(r) |
|
Panzer Selbstfahrlafette 1c / 5cm PaK38 auf Panzerkampfwagen II |
|
15cm sIG33 auf Fahrgestell Panzerkampfwagen II |
*******************
|
Closeup (as good as my digital camera allows) of resin cast "loaded German 20mm Ammunition Magazines". |
|
Almost enough here for 8 each "dual magazine German 2cm Ammunition Cans" (with working metal handles, working metal lid latch, and opening lid). |
******************
More photos to be placed.
*****
Please return HERE for further updates, as we progress!
Please help us grow the "U.S. 21st SFG-RPA, JUWTF SOG", by making a donation to acquire more materials, equipment,
pay for web server costs, and pay for permits and licenses needed, etc.. Click on the button directly below:
SECURITY CLASSIFICATION: Cleared for Public Dissemination
