TPz-1 A8 Fuchs 6x6 TransportPanzer - Bundeswehr - Build

[Max-U52]

Louis, I'm afraid we might have to pass a law that you can't own a 3D printer because if you ever get your hands on one it will become pretty much impossible for anyone else to win the TOTM.

I always love the detail you bring to a build, as you are here, but on this one I must admit that what I'm really looking forward to are the performance tests. I can't wait to see how all that new gear runs.

[lmcq11]

Thank you guys, I really appreciate the encouragements, makes me want to do a better job...

Presenting the FLW-200 Remote Weapon Station. The Fernbedienbare Leichte Waffenstation (FLW) stands for "remotely operated, light weapon station". Developped by the German defence company Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW), it is a designed for installation on light armored vehicles and comes in many configurations.

RC 1/16 TPz-1 A8 Fuchs 6x6 Transportpanzer with FLW 200 build

It is evolved from the smaller FLW100. The FLW200 can be armed with either a Browning M2 .50 Cal machine gun or the HK GMG 40mm grenade launcher, as shown below. The FLW200+ can be armed with a 20mm cannon.

RC 1/16 TPz-1 A8 Fuchs 6x6 Transportpanzer with FLW 200 build

This is the reference model for the build, it is a a standard FLW200 with GMG, a LAZ400L optic system as seen on TPZ-1 and no smoke grenade launchers.

RC 1/16 TPz-1 A8 Fuchs 6x6 Transportpanzer with FLW 200 build

This is the FLW200 3D printed kit sold by Ludwig. I preferred this base kit over the DKLM OKMO offering because this later one can only be used with an M2 and has the smoke grenade launchers.

RC 1/16 TPz-1 A8 Fuchs 6x6 Transportpanzer with FLW 200 build

However, the optical system is not the LAZ400L, I did not find references about it other than some pictures. It exists but it does not seems to be in use with the TPZ-1. The Ludwig mount is also not the right one for this smaller optic system. So, I decided to replace it by a scratch built LAZ400L.

RC 1/16 TPz-1 A8 Fuchs 6x6 Transportpanzer with FLW 200 build

Thankfully, the Ludwig kit is designed in different sections and can be provided with RC gun elevation.

RC 1/16 TPz-1 A8 Fuchs 6x6 Transportpanzer with FLW 200 build

Also known as the GraMaWa (Granatmaschinenwaffe), AFV_Model sells this nice resin kit of the HK GMG 40mm automatic grenade launcher. Its is very popular and used around the world. The resin kit come with a ammo magazine that will not be used here.

RC 1/16 TPz-1 A8 Fuchs 6x6 Transportpanzer with FLW 200 build

It compares well to reference pictures.

RC 1/16 TPz-1 A8 Fuchs 6x6 Transportpanzer with FLW 200 build

The resin cannon is made hollow with a 1mm bit for the gun flash fiber optic.

RC 1/16 TPz-1 A8 Fuchs 6x6 Transportpanzer with FLW 200 build

I was pleased to see that the GMG fits well on the Ludwig FLW station.

RC 1/16 TPz-1 A8 Fuchs 6x6 Transportpanzer with FLW 200 build

Continuing on following post

[lmcq11]

The resin body of the GMG is emptied with a Dremel bit to make room for a gun flash 5mm LED inside.

RC 1/16 TPz-1 A8 Fuchs 6x6 Transportpanzer with FLW 200 build

The GMG gun is large enough to fit the LED and cables. The gun flash cables are coming out of the lower right side of the gun, are completely hidden and will go down to the hull through the central tube.

RC 1/16 TPz-1 A8 Fuchs 6x6 Transportpanzer with FLW 200 build

Once tested, the body is closed with plasticard sheet.

RC 1/16 TPz-1 A8 Fuchs 6x6 Transportpanzer with FLW 200 build

The GMG is mounted on the FLW200. The LAZ400L optic has been scratched build in 1mm plasticard by looking at reference pictures and guessing the dimensions in relation to surrounding elements.

RC 1/16 TPz-1 A8 Fuchs 6x6 Transportpanzer with FLW 200 build

The Ludwig kit is really a Base kit, so there are many missing components that need to be added, others refined. On the right of the gun body is an electrical system that I assume is related to the controlled firing of the gun. Electrical cables and some more finer and fragile details will be added later.

RC 1/16 TPz-1 A8 Fuchs 6x6 Transportpanzer with FLW 200 build

Coming with no instructions, the FWL200 and mount is a real puzzle to figure out what is provided, what's missing and how to build it.

RC 1/16 TPz-1 A8 Fuchs 6x6 Transportpanzer with FLW 200 build

The mount is using the larger roundel, the others are used in a "on the spot" material reserve for free flow design of the turret rotation.

RC 1/16 TPz-1 A8 Fuchs 6x6 Transportpanzer with FLW 200 build

I was lucky to have a 15mm brass tube that fits the FLW inner hole and creates a perfect and solid base connecting to the hull interior for rotation.

RC 1/16 TPz-1 A8 Fuchs 6x6 Transportpanzer with FLW 200 build

Gun flash wires are running down the brass tube, these will co-exist with the push rod for the gun elevation. The various plasticard roundels were amalgamated into a rotation system.

RC 1/16 TPz-1 A8 Fuchs 6x6 Transportpanzer with FLW 200 build

VEX robotics gears were used for the rotation system, purchased from Robotshop.com. Now, I did not want the FLW200 to operate like a sluggish panther turret. I want this modern weapon system to operate just like a Terminator killer drone laser gun. So, I gave it a powerful 360 continuous rotation servo which provides agility and fast maneuverability. A small servo is sitting right on the rotation wheel and provides gun elevation with a push rod running up the brass tube to the brass hook installed earlier. LEGO elements were used to design and create a solid base for the servos in minutes, then all glued together.

RC 1/16 TPz-1 A8 Fuchs 6x6 Transportpanzer with FLW 200 build

continuing on following post

[lmcq11]

Another view of the rotation system, literally designed in minutes and working like a charm. No need to over engineer this.

- The rotation servo is linked to J5 Port on the TK40 control board and assigned to the right horizontal stick on the transmitter.
- Gun flash and sound are linked to MG1 on the TK40.
- The gun elevation servo is assigned to VRB knob directly on channel 6 of the receiver, bypassing the TK40 elevation process with the stick. This gives a lot more stability and control.
- Firing of the MG1 is assigned to one of the switch so that i can manouvre the GMG around, up and down, while firing and running the vehicle at the same time.

The GMG fires 40 mm grenades at a rate of about 340 rounds per minute (5.6 rounds per second), so it is realistic to link it to MG1 on the Clark board. I never counted the RPM on the Clark board machine gun 1 and 2 but i doubt it matches the M2 machine gun (450-600 rounds per minutes) or the MG42 (1200 rounds per minutes).

RC 1/16 TPz-1 A8 Fuchs 6x6 Transportpanzer with FLW 200 build

The push rod is connected to the small hook installed earlier.

RC 1/16 TPz-1 A8 Fuchs 6x6 Transportpanzer with FLW 200 build

Capture20.JPG (98.86 KiB) Viewed 5303 times

Here is the mostly completed FLW200 weapon station.

RC 1/16 TPz-1 A8 Fuchs 6x6 Transportpanzer with FLW 200 build

RC 1/16 TPz-1 A8 Fuchs 6x6 Transportpanzer with FLW 200 build

RC 1/16 TPz-1 A8 Fuchs 6x6 Transportpanzer with FLW 200 build

RC 1/16 TPz-1 A8 Fuchs 6x6 Transportpanzer with FLW 200 build

RC 1/16 TPz-1 A8 Fuchs 6x6 Transportpanzer with FLW 200 build

RC 1/16 TPz-1 A8 Fuchs 6x6 Transportpanzer with FLW 200 build

RC 1/16 TPz-1 A8 Fuchs 6x6 Transportpanzer with FLW 200 build

RC 1/16 TPz-1 A8 Fuchs 6x6 Transportpanzer with FLW 200 build

continuing on following post

[lmcq11]

I also gave this element some details seen in reference pictures.

RC 1/16 TPz-1 A8 Fuchs 6x6 Transportpanzer with FLW 200 build

The model as it stands today. Next step is to finish the roof. And then it will be time for some really fun test drive and weapon system test. I will post videos of that of course.

RC 1/16 TPz-1 A8 Fuchs 6x6 Transportpanzer with FLW 200 build

RC 1/16 TPz-1 A8 Fuchs 6x6 Transportpanzer with FLW 200 build

Regards, Louis

[BarryC]

Looks Fantastic Louis, Great Work!

Barry

[Max-U52]

I really like your use of the Legos. It shows how we can take everyday items and adapt them for our purposes in our RC vehicles and I think that's pretty cool.

[Sub]

Hi.
Very nice, lots of detail and unusual too, love it.
Sub.

[lmcq11]

Thank you Barry.

I really like your use of the Legos.

Yeah, I saves a lot of time building up components from scratch. They can be cut, sanded and glued. Very solid.

Very nice, lots of detail and unusual too, love it.

Thank you, yes, such kit are for those who moved on from doing tigers and panthers.


Here is the hatches and bins on top of the Fuchs.

The Fuchs has two very large bin on top at the back of the vehicle. Different vehicles show different configurations of bins and orientations so you just select one configuration and stick to it.

RC 1/16 TPz-1 A8 Fuchs 6x6 Transportpanzer with FLW 200 build

Capture2.JPG (65.47 KiB) Viewed 5236 times

There are no instructions for A8 version bins so remaining kit parts are spread out to figure out what to do with them. There are stragglers I never found a use for them. I had to rely purely on reference pictures and on Chris to have taken the right measurements.

RC 1/16 TPz-1 A8 Fuchs 6x6 Transportpanzer with FLW 200 build

There is a layer of add-on armor that need to be created for the hatches.

RC 1/16 TPz-1 A8 Fuchs 6x6 Transportpanzer with FLW 200 build

RC 1/16 TPz-1 A8 Fuchs 6x6 Transportpanzer with FLW 200 build

The provided parts for the two large bins were modified to fit references. I did not put in large ugly hinges to make them operable.

RC 1/16 TPz-1 A8 Fuchs 6x6 Transportpanzer with FLW 200 build

After building them, I noticed that the smaller bin on the right is too small, it should extend closer to the hatch. But I won't redo it, its not important enough.

RC 1/16 TPz-1 A8 Fuchs 6x6 Transportpanzer with FLW 200 build

Its surprising to see quite a large bin on top of a vehicle, just next to a weapon station. It must be getting in the way of shooting at the enemy.

RC 1/16 TPz-1 A8 Fuchs 6x6 Transportpanzer with FLW 200 build

Capture8.JPG (78 KiB) Viewed 5236 times

Reproduced.

RC 1/16 TPz-1 A8 Fuchs 6x6 Transportpanzer with FLW 200 build

Capture9.JPG (79.46 KiB) Viewed 5236 times

RC 1/16 TPz-1 A8 Fuchs 6x6 Transportpanzer with FLW 200 build

The vehicle as it stands today, heavy construction is over. Shown here amid at least one hundred printed pictures taken from the web and used for the build.

RC 1/16 TPz-1 A8 Fuchs 6x6 Transportpanzer with FLW 200 build

Next steps are to install the electronics and do all the testing. After which, I will do the fine detailing of the fragile details and finish the construction. Nice long weekend coming so this will be fun.

Regards, Louis

[lmcq11]

Hi, here is a short video of the Tpz-1 engine and weapons system tests on the workbench. Something you might not have seen before. The type of car i want in a zombie apocalypse... Its working well but i found that the steering servos should be stronger. I will need to replace them with larger ones, on order. Regards, Louis


https://youtu.be/T2U0HfOfNFs

RC 1/16 TPz-1 A8 Fuchs 6x6 Transportpanzer with FLW 200 build

Capture.JPG (79.32 KiB) Viewed 5206 times