I started working on the new model by fitting various small parts to the hull underside, as per the kit's instructions:
Refined armored cover on the rear hull wall:
Insides of the hull primed in preparation to build the rudimentary interior - I didn't go as far as to scratchbuild the full interior:
Top armor plate with the MG ammo holders removed - these will be recreated later from copper sheet:
Comparison of kit's suspension wheels with those taken from the M41 tank suspension kit, also from AFV Club. The tank's wheels have nicer detail on them:
The tank's idler wheel is an old type wheel and is unsuitable for the M42A1:
I also used the tank's track return rollers (kit's rollers on the left):
Idler wheels after conversion - the rims come from the M42A1 kit, the hubs from the M41 tank suspension kit:
Track return rollers' bearings detailed with copper wire:
Test-fitted wheels:
Test-fitted track:
Some of the kit parts were replaced with copper wire:
Door on the front armor plate:
Scratchbuilt bulkhead:
Rear armor plate with the telephone box:
The hull in primer:
The white parts above the drive sprockets are meant to prevent a thrown track from snagging the rear armor plate. Please watch the way the tow rope hooks mount to the hull - the kit's instructions have an error here and special care must be taken to do it right:
Scratchbuilt simple hull interior :
Rear hull details:
The vertical supports needed a lot of careful sanding to keep their thickness to scale:
The mufflers. Photoetched parts from the old model were reused:
Ammo storage box covers before rebuild:
Ammo storage box covers' bolts soldered from copper wire:
Right fender with re-used photoetched parts and ammo box bolts of soldered copper wire:
Slip rings assembly to be mounted inside the spent brass chute - also a part reused from the old model:
MG ammo holders made out of copper sheet metal:
Rear deck details:
Rebuilt driver's and track commander's hatches - with resin periscopes taken from a kit for the M4 tank:
