1/16 Katyusha

[vlpbruce]

Thank you all. I can't put into words what your comments mean to me.
I should have another update in a day or so.

[bullardino]

I thought I had already commented this stunning progress. Wow, the details really pop up, it's a mighty fine job Bruce

[vlpbruce]

Thank you Luigi. I should have the engine and drive shafts in very soon. Of course, there will be pictures.

[vlpbruce]

Hi guys. This isn't going to be a picture update (sorry). I spent most of the weekend trying to figure out why the transmission was sitting too high (it was noticeably too high). Anyway, after a few hours of staring at it, and having a few conversations with Sam Adams, I figures out the mounts in the frame were too high. Of all of the things that it could have been that one would be the hardest to fix (of course). I have the old mounts cut out, ad should have the new ones installed in a few days.
Thanks all for the support.

[Teabone]

Bruce

Your doing an incredible job and considering that we have such limited information on the original vehicles dimensions and what the black side really looked like when it comes to detail I have to say your doing fine, its like the old saying when the going gets tough the tough get going.  We have every faith in you finding the just right fix.

Bones

[vlpbruce]

Thanks for the encouragement guys. I should have it back to where it should be in a few days.

[Leon]

Take your time Bruce,you can't rush a good thing.

[vlpbruce]

Thanks Leon. She will be back on track in a few days.
This is not the first thing I have screwed up, and I know it won't be the last. I just have to fix it and move on. Again, I do thamk all of you fpr the support I am getting.

[vlpbruce]

Hi guys. Here's another small update. I did get the new mounts in. The transmission is now sitting in the right place. It's a very good thing I found the problem now. I probably would have been really mad at myself if I found the snag after the engine was permanently installed. I should have some pictures in a few days. Thanks again for all of the support.

[wbill76]

Glad to hear you got it all sorted out Bruce, looking forward to the next round of pics.

[vlpbruce]

Thanks Bill. I should have another update with pictures in a few days.

[vlpbruce]

Hello again everybody.  Good news!  I fixed the problems with the engine mounts.  It was a good week!  We have progress!!  The engine and drive train are installed now.   I guess I don't have any more excuses to put off building the cab anymore.  As always, I do thank you for your suggestions and support.

[Teabone]

Bruce

Love that engine, the detail on it makes it roar away, very impressive work.

Bones

[deafpanzer]

Agree with guys... great work on the engine!!!

[ironhand6]

bruce I cant believe how great this is coming along. the motor is a work of art in minature

[vlpbruce]

Thanks to all of you. I admit I am pretty happy with her right now. I'll probably take a day or two and figure out what I need to do for the cab. Plastic should be flying at it by Wednesday.
Thanks again for the encouragement.

[wbill76]

Well now you've done it Bruce, you've removed any excuses for more progress! On to the cab.

[bullardino]

Impressive details, I really like it

[vlpbruce]

Thanks guys, I should have a small update by the first of next week.

[Leon]

Nice rework on the engine mounts Bruce .Looking really good sitting in the frame.

[vlpbruce]

Thanks Leon. I think it took me longer to get the courage up to take the old mounts out than it did to fix the problem.

[vlpbruce]

Hi guys. I have been spending the past days finishing up a few asseblies I had started a while ago. It will be full speed ahead on the cab in a few days. Pictures will be coming very soon.
Thank you all again for following.

[Teabone]

We are anxiously awaiting the post.

Bones

[bullardino]

I agree, this build is pure fun, bring on the pics

[vlpbruce]

Hi again gang.  I managed to finish off the assemblies I was working on.  I just wanted to get the parts I had started done before I moved on (and forgot where I was on them).
Anyway, Here's a picture of the doors, rear battery box (for the launcher), dash board, and fuel tank.
I'm working on the cab full time now.  When I get some visible progress, I'll post pictures.
Thanks again to all of you.

[Leon]

Great to see some more progress Bruce :)Fine looking scratch work.

[Teabone]

Bruce

Great job on the parts, are the doors front and back or are we getting one wood and one metal?

Bones

[vlpbruce]

Thanks Leon and Bones. She's showing progress now.
Bones You are looking at the outside of the driver's door, and the inside of the passenger door.
Thanks again guys.

[bullardino]

Bruce, nice to see some progress pics

[Teabone]

Nov 13, 2013 19:36:55 GMT -5 vlpbruce said:

Thanks Leon and Bones. She's showing progress now.
Bones You are looking at the outside of the driver's door, and the inside of the passenger door.
Thanks again guys.

Bruce

This is not a critic on the doors but and informational thought only.  My memory which is slowly failing me thinks back to my youth and those early Ford vehicle doors, never saw an Auto-Car door on the inside but as I remember them the door frames were wooden but the panels in the center were just tin with an outside cover of a heavy cardboard and a space for the window to go up and down between them.  Some vehicles of the era omitted the cardboard cover and the window was exposed in its frame.  As I remember the Fageol's followed this patern though their trucks were heavier duty than Auto-Car's of the time. The Soviets being very short of material most likely varied from this to all wooden doors eventually though I don't remember any wooden cabs on the rocket launchers as I think Studebaker's replaced them before to long in the war.

Bones