modelling the antenna array_ part two

6/15/14 12:57 PMModelling the Antenna Array: Part Two

Page 1 of 5http://www.flamesofwar.com/Default.aspx?tabid=53&art_id=3197

HOME COMMUNITY STORES NEWS SPOTLIGHT HOBBY BOOTCAMP DASH ONLINE STORE

Hobby Your Cart: Empty

Purchase these Items

Products mentioned in this Article

GBX60 Tank Hunter CarsGBX62 BP44 Armoured TrainLocomotiveGBX63 BP44 Armoured Train ArtilleryCarGBX64 BP44 Armoured Train InfantryCarGBX65 BP44 Armoured Train Anti-aircraft Car

Recent ArticlesAssembling The M26 Pershing Platoon

T32 Mountain Infantry Gun

Assembling The Plastic PanzergrenadierPlatoon

South African Paint Guide: ColourSchemes, Tactical Markings & Insignias

Adcock's Funnies

Assembling The Plastic Armored RiflePlatoon

A Guide To The Arab and Jordanian DecalSet

Open All Hours

PAVN Decal Sheets (VPA940)

Panzer IV H Colour SchemesSorry, nothing matching your search wasfound.

Modelling the Antenna Array: Part Two

Modelling the Antenna Array: Part TwoBP 44 Armoured Train Infantry Carwith Blake Coster

The new German BP44 armoured train is an exciting, new model that can be fieldedin Flames Of War by using Grey Wolf: Axis Forces on the Eastern Front, January1944 February 1945. The Armoured Infantry Car is a vital part of the armouredtrain; either as protection for the infantry platoon carried within or as the Staff car forthe artillery that arms the train. One of the most important (and coolest) features onthe Infantry Car model is its antenna array. In this article, I will show you how tomodel the wire frame antenna array on the infantry car.

Learn more about the BP44 Armoured Train Infantry Car here...

Grey WolfGrey Wolf represents the Axis forces (Germans,Hungarians and Finns) serving on the EasternFront between January 1944 and February1945.

Learn more about Grey Wolf here...

Battlefront TVGrey WolfThe GermansWayne takes a quick look at what you can expect from theGerman lists covered by the Late War compilation GreyWolf.

Visit the Battlefront TV channel on YouTube here...

The Wire Frame AntennaThis by far is the most challenging modelling wise of the antennaarray options. But I personally feel that it looks far cooler and it isthe most robust option. If you not feeling totally confident in yourmodelling skills, then check out part one of this article for moreoptions in regards to the antenna array.

Read part one of the Antenna Array article here

Right: The Armoured Infantry car with my wire frame antennaarray.

Tools Needed For The Job (Click on the links below to view each item in the online store.)



Modelling Pinning System File Set Needle Nose Pliers

Heavy Duty Cutter Pinning Drill Bits & Pins Refill Kit Hobby Glue

Assembling the Infantry CarThe first thing we have to do of course is to assemble theinfantry car. Once that is done, we can move onto the wire frameantenna array.

Learn how to assemble the BP44 Armoured Infantry Car here

Left: The fully assembled infantry car minus the antenna.

Modelling the Wire Frame Antenna ArrayStep One: Replacing the Antenna PolesSince I will be soldering the joints on my wire frame antenna, I need to replaceto antenna poles included in the Infantry Car box set. This is where the GF9pinning refill kit comes in.

Using the thinner of the two gauges provided in the refill kit; begin by measuringand mark-off an 8mm piece.

Right: Measuring and marking off an 8mm piece of pinning rod.

Next, use a pair of GF9heavy duty cutters to cut thelength of pinning rod.

After cutting off piece the pinningrod, the end of the rod will be burred.

We need both ends to be square; use a flat filefrom the GF9 file set to tidy up and square ofeach end.



Repeat the process till you have 14 pieces of pinning rod cut andsquared off.

Left: The 14 piece of pinning rod ready for the next step.

Step Two: Attaching the Antenna PolesUsing the pin vice included inthe GF9 model pinningsystem and the small drillfrom the refill kit; quickly tidyup any of the holes you feelneed it.

With a small amount ofGF9 hobby glue insert apiece of pinning rod intoeach of the holes.

You may need to make some small adjustments toachieve height and alignment.

Tip: Use a straight edge to ensure the pinning rod is atthe same height.

Once the process is complete, you should endup with something that looks like the exampleshown in the photo on the left.

Left: All 14 pieces of the pinning rod securedinto place on the Infantry Car.

Step Three: Creating the AntennaI asked Sean to create a template for the antenna array. This will save to the trial and error I went through when firstcreating the antenna array for my armoured train.

Download a PDF version of theantenna template here...

IMPORTANT: In the Print options,under Page Scaling make sure youselect None before printing thetemplate.

With a new piece of pinning rod (the samegauge as the antenna poles), use thetemplate to mark where the bend needs tobe.

Using a pair of GF9 needlenose pliers, align the pinningrod with the mark on the insideof the jaws of the pliers.

Then, use your thumb togentle bend the pinning rodto the desired angle.

Next, compare the bend to thetemplate to ensure it is correct.

Keep marking, bending and comparing for allthe bends in the antenna.



As you go, you may need to make a few small adjustments hereand there but with a little patience you'll get there.

Once the bends are completed and your happywith the outcome, trim off any exist rod andsquare off the ends with your file.

Once you've completed one side of the antenna array, repeat the process to create the other half.

Step Four: Attaching the Antenna

How it's time to attach the antenna array to theantenna poles.

Begin by tacking the two pieces of the antennato the antenna poles near the housing in themiddle of the infantry car. Be sure to use only avery small amount of hobby glue.

Left: Tacking the antenna into place.

Begin soldering these joints and slow work your way aroundthe entire antenna. As you go you may need to make someadjustments to align everything correctly, but with a littlepatience you should be able to achieve a good result.

If you've never soldered before, the link below provides anexcellent tutorial. It focuses on electronic components by thesame principles apply.

Learn how to solder here...

Right: A close up of the the soldered joints.



Once all of the joints are completed and you'rehappy with them, use a round file to tidy up thejoints.

Tip: Apply a small amount of hobby gluearound the base of each of the antenna polesto further reinforce the entire antenna structure.

With the antenna in place and the jointsnice and tidy, the infantry car is ready to be painted.

~ Blake.

Last Updated On Thursday, March 15, 2012 by Blake at Battlefront

Logout | | Battlefront Miniatures 2006-2014. Website by FourthMedia

modelling the antenna array_ part two

Documents