ntrocket88's Airfix Bedford QLT & QLB Conversion *FINISHED*

[ntrocket88]

Here we go, if I can ever actually finish the (it'll be easy and quick...) Panzer IV, and start this project!

[ntrocket88]

Finally finished the Pz IV and made a start on this. Only a week late... Finished basic assembly of the QLT yesterday, ready for first painting.

Dry assembled:












Fairly straightforward. Just a few ejection pin holes to fill here and there.

[Chris]

What an odd seating arangement!

[ShaunW]

This is a great looking kit Neil and, yes, that seating arrangement does look quite unusual.

[ntrocket88]

Progress today: Completed the Airfix part of the QLB ready for painting and cleaned up the Milicast bits. Gave a primer coat to all the Milicast bits.

The only modification required to the Airfix chassis is to remove one brace and and cut the end back by 3mm. Unfortunately, the missing brace makes assembling the Transfer box and shafts very difficult...

[Molly-new]

Looking forward to seeing how this turns out.

[ShaunW]

Very nice looking conversion Neil. Err...what exactly is the role of the QLB that the QLD is being converted into, sorry but I can't work it out!

[ntrocket88]

...Err...what exactly is the role of the QLB that the QLD is being converted into, sorry but I can't work it out!

It was the version designed to tow the 40mm Bofors AA(which I will trying to squeeze in as well...).

[ShaunW]

...Err...what exactly is the role of the QLB that the QLD is being converted into, sorry but I can't work it out!

It was the version designed to tow the 40mm Bofors AA(which I will trying to squeeze in as well...).

Thanks for that Neil - it's possible to learn something new every day on this forum

Hopefully you will be able to squeeze in the build of that Bofors as well.

[ntrocket88]

Some more progress. Should be ready for the airbrush later today...

First some Milicast additions to the truncated chassis.






Then the Snatchblock mounted in the back. Looks like I have more cleanup to do...


Milicast POW Rack (LHS) and Stowage Box (RHS) added to the Crew Cab:




A fair bit of carving and sanding to get the Crew Cab and Locket Compartment to fit properly to the Chassis:

[ntrocket88]

I have also been working on a Airfix Bofors for the QLB to tow. One of the things that always frustrated me with this kit, is that it did not come with the ability to be towed and setup for firing, only either/or. So I have tried to rectify that! The Airfix version appears to be closest to an early 40mm Bofors Mk I on Carriage Mk I. On this version, I believe the wheels stayed on, but rotated up off the ground when the feet were lowered. So I replaced the cruciform arm pivot shaft with a longer brass rod, allowing me to add a ring on the bottom to keep the one and still movable. I added more, thinner rod to create 'stops' for the two wheel positions and drilled through the wheel axle to insert more brass rod to hit the 'stops'.







I lost part of the towing arrangement to the carpet monster, and so will have to scratch a replacement...

[ShaunW]

Excellent Neil, those Milicast parts look really nice. I like your efforts with the Bofors also, the ability of the weapon to be fired from the cruciform chassis is reminiscent of the 88mm Flak gun.

[Chris]

That airfix 40mm is a nice little gun kit.

[JohnRatzenberger]

Very interesting mod to get the wheels working ! After that, fixing up a missing tow bar will be a piece of cake

[Molly-new]

There is some great kit bashing going on here. Love the wheel mod.