TWS 350042 M2/M2A1 HALFTRACK UPDATE Congratulations on purchasing one of the finer aftermarket resin conversion sets available. The kit you are about to build was mastered by Karl van Sweden. Please use the following instructions as a guide as this kit is made specifically to enhance the Dragon M2/M2A1 Halftrack. Please look over these instructions as well as the Dragon instructions to get familiar with the assembly steps. The parts shown below are the contents of this kit. The part numbers are stamped on the casting blocks to allow for easier location of parts. So let s get out the superglue and begin. Watch those fingers!!! 15 14 13 12 We recommend washing the parts in warm soapy water or a commercially available mold release cleaner to remove any residual mold release agent. We also recommend leaving the parts on the casting blocks until called out for. Once the part is called out for dry fit to make sure the parts fit and align properly ASSEMBLY Assembly of this kit will replace some of the Dragon parts as well as add some needed details. This kit will enable you to build a M2 or M2A1 Halftrack. Using your references you will need to decide which version your going to build as this kit will enable you to have the correct suspension setup for the early M2. Follow the Dragon instructions in Step 1. The Tank Workshop conversion will begin in Step 2 of the Dragon instructions.
1. You will need to substitute TWS parts 2 and 3 for DML parts D21, D32 and D34. Assemble the bogies per the Dragon instructions. See figure 1 for complete bogie assembly and installation. 2. At this point of the build you need to decide what version Halftrack you will be building. If your building a M2 go to step A. If your building a M2 North Africa version go to step B and for a M2A1 version go to step C. Install TWS parts 4/5 in lieu of Dragon parts K4/5 for any of the three versions. A. Following the Dragon instructions you will need to substitute TWS parts 8,9 and 10 for Dragon part A22 and DML part A21. Next you will need to assemble the early idler spring assembly. Using TWS parts 8,9,10. Mount part 9 to TWS part 4/5. There are two locating nubs for part 9. Part 9 will mount at a slight angle. I recommend tacking part 9 in place so that you can test fit parts 8 and 10 with Dragon part D31. TWS part 10 will fit into TWS part 8 at the end with the nut and then mount to Dragon part D31. Note that part 10 mounts to the pin on the backside of Dragon part 31. Once complete you will need to trim off the pin on the unused side of part 9. See figures 2 and 3 for reference. Continue on to step 3. B. If your building a M2 North Africa version you will not be installing any idler spring assemblies. Instead remove the two nubs from TWS parts 4/5. See figure 2. Continue on to step 3. C. If your building a M2A1 then replace DML part A22 with TWS part 4 and DML part A21 with TWS part 5. Continue on to step 3. Fig. 1 Remove for North Africa version 4 Remove end of Part 9 after installing 10 Fig. 2 9 8 Fig. 3 2
3. Continue with steps 5 through 9 as per the Dragon instructions. Remove the molded on gas, clutch and brake pedals from Dragon part B9. Install TWS parts 21 and 27. Before I removed the molded on details I drilled a small hole in the center to help in locating the new parts. Next substitute TWS part 11 for Dragon part B4. See figure 4 4. Next remove the molded on door handles from Dragon parts B10/12. Remove the map holder from Dragon part B12. Next using a #80 drill bit drill a hole in the plate on the outside of the doors. Also drill out the tube end of armored window lock. Next install TWS door handle parts 12. The handles that are mounted on the inside of the door will need the flat end of the handle trimmed off and then mounted to the door. A stretched piece of sprue needs to be inserted in the drilled tube and connect to the armored window if in the up position. See figure 5. 5. Next you will need to decide if you want the jerry can holders installed on your Halftrack or none installed as was the case with early M2s. If you ll be installing the TWS jerry can holders you will need to carefully remove the molded on holders on Dragon parts B11/14. DO NOT REMOVE the forward mounting strip detail that s molded on the Dragon parts. Once you have removed the holder you will need to plug the hole with the supplied.062 strip. Try to get the strip mounted as flush as you can to the Dragon part. Once this is installed you may need to use a little putty to make the entire area smooth. Now if your not mounting the holders from the TWS kit proceed on to step 6. If your mounting the TWS holders (24R/25L) then remove the forward mounting strip (long end) and attach it where the removed holder was; making sure that the holder butts up against the molded on mounting strip and the notch in the holder is on top. Now you can install the jerry cans or leave the holders empty. See figures 6 thru 8. Fig. 4 27 11 Fig. 5 Insert stretched sprue here 12 21 (2ea) Map Holder Fig. 6 Molded jerry can holder removed 14 15 13 B14 Remove Leave molded on detail shovel mount 3
Plug installed Holder installed (24) Fig. 7 Fig. 8 6. Next you will need to decide if you ll be displaying your model with the hood panels open or closed or will be using our hood panels for the closed version. If you are displaying your kit with the hood closed then follow step A. If you ll be opening one or both sides of the hood then see step B. A. First you will need to remove the molded on hood latches and handles. If your using our hood panels then you will need to remove the panels from Dragon parts B11,B14 and B5. See figure 9. On part B5 you will need to leave the center portion of the hood. Now sand the edges of the cut parts flat and install TWS parts 16,17,18,19. Effectively replacing the Dragon molded on parts. Next install TWS part 13 (bottom hood latches) to TWS parts 16/17. Now install TWS part 14 to the top center of part 13 and to latch attachment points on TWS parts 16/17. Now install TWS parts 15 (4ea) hood handles on parts 16/17. If your not using our hood parts you may wish to use the latch and handles for better detail definition. Follow the above steps just using the handle and latch parts on the Dragon parts. See figure 6 on page 3. B. If you wish to have your model displayed with the hood open then you will need to remove the appropriate panels from Dragon parts B11,B14 and B5. See figure 9. Next install TWS parts 18/19 to Dragon part B5. These should be installed a little angled in towards the center of part B5. Next you may want to install the optional pull down straps in the center inside of TWS parts 16/17 using the supplied lead foil. NOTE: these were not present on all Half Tracks. Install hood handles (15) to the outside using the removed Dragon panels as a reference to their location. Now you will need to hang TWS parts 16/17 on parts 18/19. These will hang down with a slight angle inward towards the center of the hood assembly. See figure 10. Fig. 9 DML part 5 19 DML part B11 17 Now install hood latches 14 in an open position. They would probably be drooped over to one side or standing horizontal from the bottom mounts. See figure 10. Complete the installation as per Dragon instructions steps 10 and 12. You will need to install the Shovel and Pick Ax from the TWS kit in lieu of the Dragon parts. 4
7. In Dragon instructions step 12 you will need to remove the windshield wipers and wiper motor and install TWS parts 23 and 22 in their place. Next you can replace Dragon part B3 with TWS part 20. See figure 11. Complete the kit as per the Dragon instructions. Figure 12 shows the kit completed up to step 12. Fig 10 NOTE: hood latch swung over to one side Fig. 12 TWS 0058 Not Included with this kit 20 Fig. 11 TWS Tools Installed 345 Wynbrook Dr. McDonough GA. 30253 U.S.A. Phone: (404) 516-0477 Email: tankworkshop@charter.net 5