1/16 RC Wiesel 1A1 TOW - Armored Weapon Carrier - Build
Posted: Mon Apr 19, 2021 3:16 am
Hi,
Here is my latest build. After completion of the complex scratch built Hummel SPH, i wanted something easy. So, this will be a simple table top RC conversion of the 1/16 static Takom Wiesel 1A1 Armored Weapons Carrrier (AWC) with TOW missile launcher.
The Wiesel was designed to provide mobility to airborne units once on the ground. It can be transported by heavy helicopter, but not air dropped. It was made in various configurations.
Seen below in TOW launcher configuration during the Bundeswehr deployment to northern Afghanistan. Makes you wonder what the Germans were planning to shoot at with the exposed TOW anti-tank missile launcher over there... You can't just shoot at any pickup truck a kilometer away. I am guessing they used the powerful sight mostly for observation.
Seen below in 20mm automatic gun configuration in northern Afghanistan. I am pretty sure the Talibans were not really impressed by the power projection of the recent Bundeswehr, giving some ammo to Donald Trump to complain, the Bundeswehr being a shadow of its former self during the cold war. Good thing the Germans were in the quieter northern area. The WIesel would not provide much protection to the crew against RPGs, ambushes and IEDs. At least the Canadians brought their German made Leopards C2 and 2A6M to the Kandahar region...
This is a build of a Wiesel 1. Not to confuse with the Wiesel 2 which is an extended model with additional roadwheels.
The kit used is the Takom static kit, available for about $50. Not sure what is Takom's attraction in developing tankette models. Some other subjects that were produced in greater numbers, or serve in more armies and in battle would certainly be more attractive to many buyers around the world. A 1/16 M-113 and derivatives would be a good idea to develop. But the Wiesel is available now and cheap so let's see what its made of. It won't take much room on the shelf...
Motorization will be provided by an inexpensive DIY Tamiya twin gearbox with 130 motors, good enough for the size of this vehicle and a nice little kit to assemble. The MTC-2 control board and ACU units from 35RCTANK will be used with the Tamiya gearbox.
In order to work correctly, the motors need to be equipped with ceramic capacitors. Not knowing the right configuration to use, I purchased this set on Amazon for a few dollars. Without capacitors installed, the motors do not operate with speed control and would likely be damaged.
After evaluation of a few categories, i determined that the optimal setup is to equip each motor with three 0.1uF(104) capacitors.
One capacitor is installed between the + and - connectors, and then between each connector and the metal casing of the motors.
With this setup, the motors are extremely responsive to the speed control stick of the control unit, and the annoying noise is totally gone. Test everything...
The Takom kit provides a good tub to install the gearbox. Looks like the Tamiya gearbox was designed for this chassis, perfect match. Not even a need to adjust the length of the shafts.
Continuing on following post
Here is my latest build. After completion of the complex scratch built Hummel SPH, i wanted something easy. So, this will be a simple table top RC conversion of the 1/16 static Takom Wiesel 1A1 Armored Weapons Carrrier (AWC) with TOW missile launcher.
The Wiesel was designed to provide mobility to airborne units once on the ground. It can be transported by heavy helicopter, but not air dropped. It was made in various configurations.
Seen below in TOW launcher configuration during the Bundeswehr deployment to northern Afghanistan. Makes you wonder what the Germans were planning to shoot at with the exposed TOW anti-tank missile launcher over there... You can't just shoot at any pickup truck a kilometer away. I am guessing they used the powerful sight mostly for observation.
Seen below in 20mm automatic gun configuration in northern Afghanistan. I am pretty sure the Talibans were not really impressed by the power projection of the recent Bundeswehr, giving some ammo to Donald Trump to complain, the Bundeswehr being a shadow of its former self during the cold war. Good thing the Germans were in the quieter northern area. The WIesel would not provide much protection to the crew against RPGs, ambushes and IEDs. At least the Canadians brought their German made Leopards C2 and 2A6M to the Kandahar region...
This is a build of a Wiesel 1. Not to confuse with the Wiesel 2 which is an extended model with additional roadwheels.
The kit used is the Takom static kit, available for about $50. Not sure what is Takom's attraction in developing tankette models. Some other subjects that were produced in greater numbers, or serve in more armies and in battle would certainly be more attractive to many buyers around the world. A 1/16 M-113 and derivatives would be a good idea to develop. But the Wiesel is available now and cheap so let's see what its made of. It won't take much room on the shelf...
Motorization will be provided by an inexpensive DIY Tamiya twin gearbox with 130 motors, good enough for the size of this vehicle and a nice little kit to assemble. The MTC-2 control board and ACU units from 35RCTANK will be used with the Tamiya gearbox.
In order to work correctly, the motors need to be equipped with ceramic capacitors. Not knowing the right configuration to use, I purchased this set on Amazon for a few dollars. Without capacitors installed, the motors do not operate with speed control and would likely be damaged.
After evaluation of a few categories, i determined that the optimal setup is to equip each motor with three 0.1uF(104) capacitors.
One capacitor is installed between the + and - connectors, and then between each connector and the metal casing of the motors.
With this setup, the motors are extremely responsive to the speed control stick of the control unit, and the annoying noise is totally gone. Test everything...
The Takom kit provides a good tub to install the gearbox. Looks like the Tamiya gearbox was designed for this chassis, perfect match. Not even a need to adjust the length of the shafts.
Continuing on following post