[MOC] Churchill Bridge Layer

[Tommy Styrvoky]

Lego Churchill bridge layer by Tommy Styrvoky, on Flickr

The Churchill AVLB (armored vehicle-launched bridge) has been one of my projects that I have wanted to see operational in Lego form. It is a rather unusual vehicle, as it's task is simple, no bridge, no problem, it brings a mobile bridge to where bombed out bridges are. There are many different bridge layers built in lego, though most rely on having power being routed to the bridge to unfold it. I wanted to replicate the original mechanics of the real vehicle because the vehicle utilizes a single large hydraulic cylinder to move the bridge into position. This cylinder is retracted for one full stroke to transfer the bridge, from the vehicle to at 90°, and then locks a lower carriage, and the cylinder extends for a full stroke. This mechanism is rather simple, but with the Lego system, this was a difficult challenge to solve. Lego's current array of pneumatics and linear actuators are too small and weak for this task, as I attempted to build this vehicle two years ago, but abandoned it, because two linear actuators weren't powerful enough to lift it. A custom brick-built linear actuator was utilized with a rack and pinion, powered by a L motor with a 1:24 reduction. This provided sufficient power to lift the ≈1kg bridge, though because of the length of the arm, the mechanism has to lift ≈9 kg. This required a robust design for the actuator, and it had to be rigidly connected to the hull. I am very pleased with the results of this model, and it performs great, and looks much better than my old Churchill VII. This is because I changed the spacing between the road wheels to 2.5 studs, instead of 3.This was the biggest issue with my old Churchill, I wanted to build another churchill, but build a different variant. I originally wanted to build a AVRE (armored vehicle royal engineers) with the spigot mortar, and small box girder bridge, thought that variant was too similar to the Churchill VII. I had thoughts of building the model at the same scale as Sariel's Churchill, as it would be a fun, compact build that could use linear actuators for the hydraulics. Though a larger scale version would be more of a challenge, and be more impressive, as the model can lift a 73 stud long bridge. This vehicle is based off of the hull of the Churchill IV, it has some minor external differences, the most noticeable is the crew hatches on the sponsons are square. One of the minor issues is that the tank is unable to cross the bridge, but that isn't a flaw with my model, it's just a lack of traction in Lego's tracks, maybe the rubber pads from the nexo nights would work, though It's inaccurate for most vehicles, as few vehicles had rubber tracks at the time, and it makes the tracks too bulky/expensive. This model may be my last model in light blueish gray, as I recently aquired a large purchase of DBG parts from Bricklink for future models, also this model used almost all of my light bluish gray tiles and 1x plates, for the bridge and sponson details.

The old abandoned version from 2014

Lego Churchill Bridgelayer 1/15 (RC) by Tommy Styrvoky, on Flickr

Lego Churchill Bridgelayer 1/15 (RC) by Tommy Styrvoky, on Flickr

lego churchill Bridgelayer 1/15 (RC) by Tommy Styrvoky, on Flickr

Lego Churchill bridge layer by Tommy Styrvoky, on Flickr

Lego Churchill bridge layer by Tommy Styrvoky, on Flickr

Lego Churchill bridge layer by Tommy Styrvoky, on Flickr

Lego Churchill bridge layer by Tommy Styrvoky, on Flickr

Lego Churchill bridge layer by Tommy Styrvoky, on Flickr

Lego Churchill bridge layer by Tommy Styrvoky, on Flickr

Lego Churchill bridge layer by Tommy Styrvoky, on Flickr

Lego Churchill bridge layer by Tommy Styrvoky, on Flickr

Lego Churchill bridge layer by Tommy Styrvoky, on Flickr

Yes the bridge is strong enough to hold a variety of Allied armor.

Lego Churchill bridge layer by Tommy Styrvoky, on Flickr

My next MOC to present, though college has arrived, and I have a lot of editing to do for that model. I have to figure out how to get unofficial ldraw parts into my parts library, as I want to do some renders of the internals, and make instructions... it's packed inside with stuff.

Edited August 29, 2016 by Tommy Styrvoky

[doug72]

Fantastic and faithfull MOC of this bridge layer.

Here are some images of this tank plus the earlier varient.

Churchill Bridge layer tank - Post War.

bridge layer-2 by Doug Ridgway, on Flickr

Same type of bridge laid by Churchill Mark IV-ARVE tank in Oct 1944 using an earlier version that used an A frame shearleg with cable winches.

bridge layer-1 by Doug Ridgway, on Flickr

Earlier version mounted on a Petard - Mark IV Churchill tank

bridge layer-3 by Doug Ridgway, on Flickrs some images taken

Edited August 29, 2016 by Doug72

[grum64]

Another in a long line of your amazing builds.

[2LegoOrNot2Lego...]

Very cool build with a cool video!!!

[paul_delahaye]

Very cool, you need some of those expensive but new rubber studs which go into the holes in the tracks to add tracktion. I kind of hoped Lego would include them in a Technic set instead of just Nijargo.

[nerdsforprez]

Currently I am serving a temporary military assignment at fort Leonard wood in the US. There are several of these, or at least some version of them, on display all around the base. Very accurate and wonderful build

[Tommy Styrvoky]

Currently I am serving a temporary military assignment at fort Leonard wood in the US. There are several of these, or at least some version of them, on display all around the base. Very accurate and wonderful build

Churchills ? I know the US military uses the M60 chassis for their modern AVLB.

Edited August 29, 2016 by Tommy Styrvoky

[nerdsforprez]

Couldn't tell you honestly. I am a doc and covering down for another provider at the hospital. This type of stuff could not be further from my education/background......but I do enjoy learning about it

[Milan]

For me, this is one of your best works so far!

[Saberwing40k]

Guess you learn something new every day, I always thought that the wheels on the arm carriage were actually counterweights, but they actually support the arm. Also, for an AVLB variant, I have seen pictures/illustrations of them with square hull hatches rather than the more common round ones. It's very nice, and well worth the wait for new parts/more building experience.

[Thirdwigg]

Great work. Each of your models get better and better.

Can we talk about that Sherman? I want to see more!

[karmajay]

Wow! Thanks for the video!

[LucyCol]

Churchills ? I know the US military uses the M60 chassis for their modern AVLB.

An excellent implementation of a British Army classic, in the final days of the Churchill a track with rubber inserts was developed in a bid to reduce the amount of road damage, and noise that the steel tracks caused, so rubber inserts would not be entirely in appropriate, they were know by the drivers as 'Hush Puppies' and universally disliked as it was thought that there was to much slippage, especially cross country.

I have only ever driven the Standard Churchill, never any of the 'Funnies' as they were known. The follow up Centurion AVLB used a similar system, but the bridge sat upside down on the body of the tank and was flipped over by a single (large) hydraulic ram.

The M60 uses a system originally developed by Alvis in the UK which first appeared on the Chieftain AVLB, it would be an interesting one to model as it uses 3 sets of hydraulic rams, plus scissoring rods to launch the bridge.

[Tommy Styrvoky]

The M60 uses a system originally developed by Alvis in the UK which first appeared on the Chieftain AVLB, it would be an interesting one to model as it uses 3 sets of hydraulic rams, plus scissoring rods to launch the bridge.

what is used to deploy a scissor bridge, is it just gravity, or is it mechanically assisted? Edited August 29, 2016 by Tommy Styrvoky

[doug72]

Several years ago I went to a family open day at the Vickers tank factory Newcastle Upon Tyne, England.

Thay were demonstrating the British Army Titan Bridging system, which included the AVLB and bridge transport 8 X 8 all terrain vehicle which brings up the bridge sections.

The whole procedure was shown from delivering the bridge section, unload onto the ground for tank to pick, deploy the bridge then drive both tank and deliver vehicle over.

A very impresive display.

See this link about British Army bridging equipment from WW1 to present day.

http://www.thinkdefence.co.uk/2011/12/uk-military-bridging-equipment-assault-bridging/

Scroll down to see section about Titan bridging system.

A combo MOC with both vehicles would be very impresive.

[Sariel]

Very cool bridge. And always nice to see the good old "what does in need? I know! More road wheels!" Churchill :D

[legolijntje]

Nice model, but in my opinion it looks a bit boring. Some grey, with added grey and a bit of grey. Probably very authentic though

Btw, If you need any help with LDraw/instructions, you can PM me or post a topic here.

[jgw]

Nice model, as always! I do agree with Legolijntje, it looks a little boring. Good to hear that you switch to DBG, I always think it looks a little more special. And that Fury! Lovely!

[LucyCol]

what is used to deploy a scissor bridge, is it just gravity, or is it mechanically assisted?

Internal to the bridge are two frames (one either side) to which the scissoring rods connect, as the bridge approaches TDC the scissoring rods will take the strain and lift the far span to enable the bridge to be laid, once the bridge is in position the scissoring rods (which are held in place by an electric actuator) can be released by the driver, unfortunately a big let down of the system is that someone needs to leave the security of the armour to reconnect the scissoring rods, drivers would therefore practise recovering the bridge without the scissoring rods connected.

PS I have been unable to find any photo's of the internals of the bridge but this video shows it in action.

Edit - Grammer

Edited August 30, 2016 by LucyCol

[Tommy Styrvoky]

I finally got around to creating a blog post, it's going to be a busy year at college (organic chemistry, calculus). I am unsure of when Fury will be posted, maybe in the next two months, as for the instructions... well they will have to wait until December, I have a complete LXF of it, but I personally prefer the more professional feel of proper ldraw instructions. As for making Lpub instructions is a long process, as my FT-17 took several days to complete, though Fury has about 2500 pieces, so about twice the time involvement.

Also here's a couple more photos I forgot to upload.

Churchill bridge layer by Tommy Styrvoky, on Flickr

Churchill bridge layer by Tommy Styrvoky, on Flickr

Churchill bridge layer by Tommy Styrvoky, on Flickr

Churchill bridge layer by Tommy Styrvoky, on Flickr

Churchill bridge layer by Tommy Styrvoky, on Flickr

[jorgeopesi]

Very cool , I like harmless war machines .

[Edwin Korstanje]

Cool build Tommy

[jono rocky]

Wow, now this is a great tank. I remember seeing these in some old war movies and what you have created is just perfect. Another great build Tommy.