Herr Doc's Famo

[Herr Dr. Professor]

Those who have not fallen asleep reading the thread on my Asiatam FAMO electronics (viewtopic.php?t=33401&hilit=FAMO&start=40) now that I have the FAMO electronics working. So I am beginning on the model itself. Asiatam sent me a kit, complete but partially disassembled. There were no instructions, except those for the Asiatam Electronics, which I am not using. Much of it is common sense; but I have some structural parts that have me befuddled.
Are there any instructions (die Anleitungen) for this kit?

[jhamm]

Please send Asiatam a Mail and ask for the manual.
I know there is at minimum a list of spareparts.

[Herr Dr. Professor]

I did use the "contact" link on the Asiatam web page to send my question. It has only been one day, so I will allow some time for a response. In addition to the links above (and a few more) I am also using for reference the Nuts and Bolts book on the FAMO. Then, too, there is the 1/35 Tamiya FAMO. (A few years ago, the rest of the modeler gang shared the cost of buying one for a friend who started this past September building the kit Tamiya right here at my home.)

[jhamm]

I always send them an email directly:
asiatam66@yahoo.de
If there is no reply within two days, I will send the mail again....
They're a little bit dodgy there, but they always try to help.

[Herr Dr. Professor]

Thank you, Herr Hamm: you come through again with the address. I sent an email directly as follows: Bitte sehr, gibt es vielleicht Anleitungen und/oder eine Tieliste fuer die Bauteile des Asiatams FAMO? (Ich habe schon die Anleitungern fuer die Electronik.) Maybe the firm will see me struggling with German and have pity on me.

Progress on the FAMO is slowed because I am repairing a Standard Gauge tinplate train car for the holidays and already involved with holiday activities. I will soon build a box for fitting some of the electronics between the frame rails, but I also want to leave the winch in place (even if it does not actually operate). I see that the kit includes no part for the winch roller attached to the left rear rear cross-member of the frame, so I am thinking about scratch- building one unless there is a good casting available somewhere. More anon.

[Herr Dr. Professor]

Bingo: when I used the email address, Mr. Hang responded pronto with the instructions. Now I have a parts list and can figure out where a few mystery parts go. (O.K., I know: they're not a mystery to you wizards.)

[Herr Dr. Professor]

I have been quiet here for a month, but I have not quit this FAMO. I realized that I probably need to get a standard-sized servo for the steering (I only have mini-servos). I plan to take the chassis to an LHS (Local Hobby Store); however, my LHS is not so L and my piggy bank was just smashed to smithereens by health care expenses for the SchnauzLer (see viewtopic.php?t=31262&hilit=pet). I shall return.

[Ecam]

Doug made it back, I'm sure you will too. Get well. We need your input.

[Herr Dr. Professor]

Thank you, Eric. I will pass your kind words on to Chicory the Schnauzer.

[Herr Dr. Professor]

S...l...o...w...l...y I... p...r...o...g...r...e...s...s.
This is the SGS board completely hooked up and thoroughly tested. It works well.

SGS Board.jpg (483.58 KiB) Viewed 9076 times

This is the steering set up. The mounting, enlarged bell crank, and link to the left steering arm are thanks for a friend who has metal working skills and has been interested in this FAMO from the first time I showed it to him. Thanks, Pal!
The steering, too, is tested, adjusted, etc., and works well--even when the frame is oriented correctly.

Steering.jpg (492.79 KiB) Viewed 9076 times

The next step is to decide on the exact placement of the components. I vacillate on this, and now I am leaning to making bows and cover for the box so I can hide most of the electronics inside, except perhaps the speaker. That way there will be room for the big winch, working or not.