Starting with a HL S&S Tiger 1, how many functions will it retain and whats really needed.
Full HL movement (obviously) enhanced by 3:1 ratio gearboxes.
Full HL smoke & sound.
Usual HL turret rotation - This may need beefing up with a bearing system on the turret ring to help spread the weight being lifted by the crane.
Usual HL gun elevation to move the crane up and down.
Disabling the airsoft system, possibly using the airsoft motor with a geared winch for the crane cable? This will only turn in 1 direction as standard though. Or using this motor to animate a crew figure when the "Left stick up - fire" button is pressed (I'm thinking commander figure in the cupola learning over with one hand in the air giving a circular "keep winching" signal).
Reasonably strong but thin cable for the winch to lift items (not necessarily a full 1/16 tank though).
Plastic and metal to build the crane structure.
The usual metal add ons - Tracks, Sprockets and Idler wheels. Gearboxes. Metal suspension arms. Either the metal strengthening suspension supports or the DE. metal hull.
Most importantly... at lease 4 metal locking tow shackles (the U shape thingys) and proper strong metal cables. I'd have doubts about the glue-on towing eyes will take the weight so these may need to be fully made like the real thing. The holes in the hull the shackles fit through may also need strengthening depending on how much weight you want to be able to pull.
The 3:1 ratio gear boxes should give lots of torque and slow speed pulling power.
And loads more bloody zimmerit ::)
