Please help me identify this film prop! (RC tank)

[Herr Dr. Professor]

ColemanCollector is expressing the same shock many of us here on RCTW might feel. Tamiya tanks are among the most expensive in the scale most commonly discussed here on RCTW, and yet only 1/2 to 1/3 the price you are citing for the prop tank. If I understand correctly, however, you are interested in goodies actually used in filming. Hence, the prices might be shockingly high to us, but perhaps not among collectors of props, etc. If I set aside the fact that the tank is decidedly a toy in its looks, and if I had the kind of money asked, I would still be concerned that the electronic are missing (used for another prop, perhaps?); hence, even as a prop, the little tank is in a sense incomplete. I realize, however, that I know zilch about movie prop collecting.

[LocationScout03]

I don't want to give the wrong impression here... I'm not after one of the original props or anything like that. It probably won't be a shock to hear that I'm planning to make my own replica version, and the first step to that is a computer model. So any photos are invaluable. And if I knew what the base model was then perhaps I could have found one of those cheap, or at least got some measurements from it.

I love the film but I'm not even that wild about the design of the Tommy Tank... it's just a challenge I've set myself. And once I get a 'niggle' I am a bit like a dog with a bone. I expect some of you know the feeling?

Thanks for all the help and suggestions so far. Most of all, thank you for not chasing me out of the forum with sticks. I have begun modelling - that photo with the ruler is jolly helpful in this regard!

[Herr Dr. Professor]

No sticks...let us know how the Tommy Tank modeling is going. Who knows, maybe we can somehow slip the needle of addiction into you so that soon you will be building RC tanks.

[LocationScout03]

First iteration:



Going quite well so far, but that was the easy stuff. Now on to the tracks and things like that!

Luckily I have a program in which I can model directly over a photo or photos and constantly check whether it's working from all angles. What I've learned over the years is that designers, especially in America, work in inches - by which I mean, if something is working out to be around three inches: it's probably three inches. This help a lot. Those gun barrels are half-inch tube, and so on.

I'm already noticing that the wheels are not evenly spaced. Is that normal for a tank? It just seems strange when the people who built the model could have easily spaced them regularly, but chose this odd pattern.

A quick question: as I'm building it in the computer I have to name each part. (Well, I don't have to but it makes it easier to keep track of everything.) What might be a sensible name for the trapezoidal plate at the side, the one that half-covers the tracks? Any suggestions?

Regarding the dreaded 'needle of addiction'... I suppose this could conceivably be made to fit an RC chassis. Just out of interest, what's the smallest, cheapest RC tank you know of? (The original props were huge! I had no idea until I measured it out.)

[Herr Dr. Professor]

Oh, boy! I'd be you are going to get all kinds of answers. So I'll start and then others can correct me.

"I'm already noticing that the wheels are not evenly spaced. Is that normal for a tank?"
The road wheels (the ones that support the bottom of the track as it is on the surface of the road, land, snow) are sometimes evenly spaced, sometimes not: this varies by designs. The return rollers (the ones on which the tracks ride across the top) can be much the same, and often are not evenly spaced.

"What might be a sensible name for the trapezoidal plate at the side, the one that half-covers the tracks?"
Often the vertical surfaces (if any) are called skirts.

"What's the smallest, cheapest RC tank you know of? (The original props were huge! [...])"
If the prop tank is large enough, a 1/16 tank is a good bet. If you just want to cannibalize a new or used tank for the motors and electronic, eBay can be a source for inexpensive tanks, but one needs to know what one is buying. If you see something that will work, check here first by providing the link so RCTW members can tell you if the price is right. If you want to build from separately sold parts--motors, electronics, etc., these are available, too, but again, the better the quality the higher the price. Initially, you might have a look at the "Recommended Vendors" threads here on RCTW (viewforum.php?f=64&start=25) to see what's available in your part of the world.

[LocationScout03]

A bit more progress. That was fun!



I'm certainly getting a small idea of how tracks work, which is something I'd never taken any interest in before. Those little teeth for example, which presumably keep the wheels in the centre of the track... I see from photos that some real tanks have them alongside the wheels like this, and some have them run in a groove around the wheels. Regardless... what would they be called? (If they even have a name.)

[HERMAN BIX]

Often called

Guide horns
The description depends on the common language of the commentator !

I would be tempted to use a T34 hull, modified if necessary, to get the round drive wheel, and if necessary, omit the Idler and run the tracks around the last road wheel.
That would get you the rough diameter of the road wheels and the ease of creating the unique centre pattern on each of them .
An infill disk on each would do, with a cheap shop costume stick on star .
As for track, perhaps Sherman with each alternative link ground out to create the spaces. The guide horns on Sherman track should clear the T34 roadwheels width.
Still a lot of dressing to do but migh be worth a mock up ?
All depends on how keen you are to get the look you want really.

[SixWingedFreak]

I just found this thread from a Google Image search. WOW, that's crazy that you're also doing the same thing I am! Holy crap! I seriously thought no one gave two hoots about Toys so far as to go to the same lengths I am currently. I guess I'm not the only insane one after all! Small world I guess, it was bound to happen! I am a prop maker, professional CAD artist, and hobbyist/jack-of-all-trades. I'd show you my portfolio, but all I have are loose pictures of my work and a blank LinkedIn since I'm too much of a lazy so and so to make it look pretty! I work primarily in SolidWorks, but dabble in ZBrush, Keyshot, Photoshop, Illustrator, and tons of other software to get jobs done.

I've been working on my own replica for the last ~8 years, but my project has finally taken off into high gear as of last July. Last year I had the amazing opportunity to become the owner of the one original props (I got a really sweet deal). The price was way too good to pass up to get nearly every measurement I could ask for. I've RARELY had success talking with prop collectors. They're always, understandably, very private -- as if what they own is "The Big Secret™," so it's really a breath of fresh air to not have to deal with asking them questions and simply have the object right in front of me to reference whenever.

My prop is marked #34, #38, and #39 in several places, so I can only assume it was near the end of the production run of 37 they made for the film. I have an old magazine from '92 that says some cool details about the props, exactly how many they made, how they did the turret firing effects, and so on. I have it scanned in at 600dpi, if you ever want to read it. It's pretty neat and sheds some light on things, with some cool never-seen-before pictures of the tanks with their firing mechanisms. Mine [unfortunately] doesn't shoot flames, but I have big plans for the replica.

The prop I own is in decent condition but needs several repairs which should be little issue for me. I have over 150GB of pictures and video taking the prop apart over the course of a week+ and measuring each part with calipers and such. And when I say taken apart, I mean stripped bare. I of course am cadding it, but I had already started cadding it years before I owned the tank, using the picture method just like you. I wasn't far off on that original iteration, that's for sure. I was only a quarter of an inch off in overall length and width, and as far as the RC vehicle underneath, I was only millimeters off on that! So once I got the prop, all I had to do was go back and nudge things around a bunch.

Now -- having modified the CAD to be PERFECTLY accurate -- I am about halfway done. At the moment I am splitting it up for printing (I own an Ender 3 Pro and a Form 2), but still have several bits yet to be drawn up. I have also done photogrammetry on the Skull, Helmet, and overall fiberglass Body so I can trace it with maximum accuracy in addition to the measurements. I will also be taking it to be paint matched someday. Yeah... I have loads and loads of info, probably too much for one person. I probably know just as much as the original artists that made these (and I feel their frustration in trying to recreate it ). They did some pretty crazy, interesting, and novel stuff on this thing as far as props go. Some things are incredible ideas, and others are "eh, that could be done better."

Prior to owning the original prop I already knew what the RC vehicle underneath is: the Kyosho Heavy Metal Monster Tank. Good luck finding one, they're SUPER rare and very expensive. Because it's from the late 80's/early 90's, people are really out to grab them up. If you can find one (in what I presume is the UK) I tip my hat to you! Mostly people in Japan own them, they're weren't terribly popular here in the US. They were expensive even at the time they were released considering how large and high part count they are (1/12th scale, NOT 1/16th, and ~300 parts). You're looking at anywhere from $300 for a crusty used one to $2500 for an unopened & unbuilt one, but perhaps less if you were lucky enough to find one at a random garage sale. They're not indestructible though, so there's definitely things to look for when buying one second-hand. They only show up on Ebay a few times a year, IF that, and when they pop up they sell stupidly quick. A Kyosho Blizzard DX will also work, although with modification almost no one can tell the difference; they're nearly identical and from the same molds. It may be possible to print one, I have it fully cadded of course, but there are some strength concerns regarding that. It's such a rare & unusual RC vehicle; it's kinda funny to me no one here knew what it was! But then again, I was also in that same situation years and years ago staring at endless Tamiya stuff and being like "WTF is it?!"

I have enough parts to build two replicas. I plan on selling one and keeping the other upon completion. I estimate maybe the end of the year I'll be fully done if I'm lucky. I have probably sunk a grand or more into research & making this thing alone... I honestly don't even want to think about what I've spent so far.

If you wanna add me on Facebook, Skype, Discord or something so we can chat easier by voice or video, and share screens, I'm down! Maybe we can work together? You're clearly all-in on your project and doing fantastic work so far, send me a PM! Once you're up to speed, perhaps we could delegate work and reach this goal together? I could seriously spend a whole day or more talking your ear off about this thing with you; there's tons of information to take in. I could even send you replica parts I have extras or excess of, given things go well! I have a SendCutSend order for some of the metal parts coming in a couple days, and custom PCBs I designed later this month!

Attached is an older render from October. Still looks similar at the moment since the exterior is done, mostly on internal stuff now but could definitely put your skills to good use! I'm not terribly good at complex curved surfaces, so I've definitely been putting off the Skull and Helmet. They're also subtly asymmetrical since they're hand-sculpted, and I'd like to preserve that, so that makes it even more difficult!

[LocationScout03]

Wow. Just wow. And that, ladies and gentlemen, is why I came here in the first place!

I can't quite believe there's someone here who owns one. I am deeply impressed and quite jealous. Like you, I think we could talk for hours on the subject but I wouldn't want to bore the good people of the forum. For now I'll settle for one question: how on earth did you identify the tank without one in your hands? I have Googled the models you mentioned, and yes they are very expensive. But it's so weird to suddenly see perfect images of spare tracks and sprockets, when previously I had nothing. Amazing.

It sounds like your replica is going to be perfect in every regard. Me, I don't have the skills (or money) to do a full-scale copy, so I was just hoping to do a smaller 3D print somewhere down the line. If I could get it painted to look good, I'd probably be happy with that.

Sadly I don't use any of the platforms you mentioned, but we could start with email maybe. I'll PM you.

Mostly, thank you for showing up! This is the power of the internet working for good (for a change)!

[Herr Dr. Professor]

This is one of the strangest discussions I have encountered here on RCTW, but I think it belongs here, too, even if there are fora for prop collectors. I have been reading along. I am also happy about your finding this thread, SixWingedFreak. You might want to do an introduction in the "Introduce Yourself" thread (an RCTW custom) and even lead folks over here to this discussion.