Churchill Mk3 number 67

[Gary Richardson]

Hi all

I have been experimenting with fibre optic cables and 8mm ultra bright LEDs to use on the headlights. I also finished the lens for the left hand headlight, took a while as I wanted the ribbed effect on the reverse. I blocked the rear of the lens cavity with silicone mat and laid a series of 1mm diameter pieces of fibre optic tube where the back of the lens will be, this took a while as each bit was a different size . When they were all nice and straight I tried to carefully add the UV resin one drip at a time until it was level with the lens rim. Unfortunately I got a small air bubble trapped in the bits of fibre optic and one of the pieces of optic tube got attached to the nozzle and came adrift. It still looks ok and got the ribbed effect I was after. If you ever use UV resin be aware that air bubbles can form as you start to set it with the UV light. I was told it can happen with dissimilar materials and it is the second time I have had it happen when making lenses.
I tried the fibre optic with the sidelights and it works but I am limited to one 1.5mm fibre or two 1mm fibres. I could try a 2mm fibre optic but the bend radius becomes quite large beneath the armour plate. With the main lights I can use two 1.5mm fibres plus a 1mm through the hole in the stem.
I ran out of time today and will have to try again with the GOR bulbs to see how good they are. I took a few photos of the fibre optic in the headlight but will get some more to show the difference later.

Regards
Gary

Just the sidelight lenses to add.

Left hand headlight with ribbed lens.

Fire optic cable and 12v driven LED plus annoying air bubble

[Gary Richardson]

Good morning all

I am still experimenting with different means of illuminating the front lights. These photos show the use of 12v grain of rice bulbs in the right hand set of lights. The warm colour is more realistic than the bright LED but the incandescent bulbs get very hot and there is no room left once the lenses go in and I suspect the plastic lens will distort. I have ordered a variety of warm white and diffused 1.8mm LEDs including a red lighthouse one for the rear convoy light. I suspect a brighter bulb is required in the main headlight and will add more photos once I have made a decision.

Regards
Gary

[Gary Richardson]

Good morning

I am juggling the tanks at the moment, Tiger needs maintenance but I still want to progress the Churchill. I am also helping Guide Dogs by doing collections in the run up to Christmas in Taunton, so progress is a bit hit and miss.
The various LEDs arrived and I have remodelled the convoy light by drilling it out, partially inserting a brass tube with a 2mm inside diameter and using UV resin on the outer domed end. The 2mm lighthouse red diffused LED fits snuggly in the tube allowing easy removal once the convoy light is epoxied in position. This morning I will try the 2mm warm white LEDs in the side lights and I have 3mm warm whites for the headlights. If successful I will make up the wiring loom and attach it to the BEC and nano switch. I may split the sidelights and headlights so I can choose which will be on via a switch on the transmitter. Photos to follow.
Here a little job I completed earlier. Welds were added to the loaders hatch.

Regards
Gary

Kurt snuck into the workshop for a bit of intel.