Converting a 'Static' Kit to RC...

[Dietrich]

I am Finally getting around to converting an HM Armed Forces 'Tank' that is a purely push along Static childs toy into an RC version for my 5 year old son.... I bought the model from 'Rocketman' much too long ago ( sorry about the delay )...So all the credit goes to him for the turret.

All credit goes to Rocketman for the turret.....Only the 'plastic screwdriver' end is mine to approximate gun barrel length...

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I came to the usual problem of 'mounting the motors' in the hull.........?...... I am a great fan of using metal bolts to secure the drive train to these models...so I then ran into the problem of how to locate the mounting holes in the correct place in the hull. Yes you can try to hold the motors in the right place and try to mark the holes but it is a bit unreliable and some of the holes are very difficult to reach through the gears.
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So this is my method and it seems to work.
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If you have a scanner to go with your computer, then you have a photocopy facility. So enlarge the holes that you want to use in the mounting plate of the gearbox and then carefully place it on the glass...and make a photocopy of it.
Cut the copy out to exactly the size of the mounting plate..... ( If needed, get an 'adult' to help you with the sharp scissors ) Turn it the printed side up and use a 'Punch' to take out the mounting holes.

Photocopy of the bottom of the gearbox mounting plate.

This is the 'photocopy' on the floor and the 'real' gearbox resting on its motor....They are of course the same size...

Carefully manoeuvre the gear box into the correct position on the hull floor trying to hold the paper template underneath it .(bearing in mind that the sprocket must end up in the centre line of the road wheels)
Once the gear box is in the right place the 'template' can be gently moved about with a screwdriver until the mounting holes line up perfectly between the gearbox mount and the template. Add a couple of drops of super glue to leading edge of the paper template and once dry remove the gearbox.

With any luck you should now be left with the template in the correct position. Use a soldering iron to 'melt' holes in the hull floor, this way you do not need to risk touching the template and it moving after all you hard work.

I did not actually 'use' the bottom right hole that is marked in this photo

In THEORY....once the holes are drilled out...the gearbox should now fit in the correct place as per the 'Plan'

[lister fiend]

Hi alb,
Good tip there for marking out the gearboxs.
That hull looks really narrow though
Can you get both in with the motors?
If memory serves, you need 90mm minimum.
Good luck
Cheers
Lister

[mcevoyi]

Thats a good way to do the gearbox's ...i did something similar







I then fitted HL bulldog tracks and sprockets ...bit not yet gor round to sorting out the .road wheel's axels and arms ...but will do in time

[Dietrich]

Hi Lister,
Yes the motors do fit......
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Hi Mcevoyi,
Nice photos.......yours all fits together nicely..... I am rather embarrassed to say that I tried to fit the motors at the front end.....( because I prefer the look of 'Front Sprocket Drive tanks' ).... BUT...I had not got the low drive front axle ......so I fitted a gearbox and the sprocket hit the underside of the hull... .... I now have a 'Rear Sprocket Drive tank'.... Which is probably better..because I can foresee some pretty hard impacts coming with my son driving ....
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My son has asked for twin guns that fire alternately..... ...I am not sure that I can do that by crimbo.....
The way to do it seems to be a pedalcycle type of crank with a gun barrel connected to either pedal so that they recoil and return symmetrically.............with possibly a belt drive to the central hub (where the chain would go on a bike....)
Do I have the time or the patience ?...... I very much doubt it these days

[painkiller]

hi there ,Can you tell me what gearboxes your using?? ,Is this model 1/16??. thanks

[Dietrich]

Hi painkiller,
I am slightly embarrassed to say that I bought all the parts over a year ago and I am not 100% certain..I believe that the Tracks, Sprockets and gearboxes are from the Bulldog......
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Mcevoyi will hopefully be able to answer the question for you.
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The Tank is bigger than 1/6th... Unfortunately I cannot get at the tank at the moment...but I will photograph it next to a Panzer III tomorrow and you will see the size difference.
Its made for the HM Armed Forces range of figures....The actual tank has no suspension so it is a perfect starter tank for my son....as his 'driving skills' are not yet developed and I anticipate an awful lot of crashes
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> EDIT < Just to add.....This is a link to the 'HM Armed Forces' site...and apparently its 1/6th scale ...and the model is called a 'Tactical Battle Tank' and there is room for 2 of the 10 Inch figures....
( Only because there are 2 hatches)....
http://hmarmedforces.com/army.htm

[painkiller]

cheers dietrich, thanks for that

[Dietrich]

Just to update,
The Drive motors are now in and solid with 'Rear Sprocket Drive'......It took 14 extra track links to look like THIS...... I will not be adding suspension!
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I think that the 'Track Tension' look pretty good.....but only my son 'Testing' it will show whether or not it needs a tensioner system
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This is my sons first Tank and he is not very 'good' with RC vehicles....( he is being brought up in France and we all know how well the French drive ! ).......So I anticipate an awful lot of crashes!
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I am not feeling very well at the moment...but if I get the energy I will add white LEDs where the current green circles are at the front just to add a bit more fun for him.
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I know that it will not look so good .....but, It is almost certainly going to get the turret 'replaced' with a one from a Panzer III ........Its time and energy.. . ....and I find that I have not got the turret rotation mechanism parts that I thought that I had, which is a bit embarrassing to find out with only 11 days to go.....
Panzer III parts are hopefully on there way courtesy of AndyD.....
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[Dietrich]

I am sure that my Sprockets and Tracks are actually Sherman and not Bulldog....They do not have the sharp 'wedge-shaped' ends that the Bulldog has.... But I would very much like a second opinion ?
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[PainlessWolf]

Good Morning,
Pershing, perhaps? It is a wonderful thing that you are doing for your son. ;o)
Happy Holidays, Dietrich!
Painless