[D-Day] M32 ARV

[Ecam]

I actually wanted to build the M32B3 (M4A3) version (not in theater until fall of 44). But in the spirit of the rules as they were laid down toward the beginning, I chose the M4 based M32. Build yours anyway you'd like....

[Ecam]

Conserving room. I made these tie down hoops from copper wire. They can be snipped and sanded after installation (the next time I pull the tracks).



Shortened the leads on the battery out puts.



Battery holder.



And because this will not be a battle tank (strobe), I did not feel like each of the Tamiya boxes needed a separate battery. I tied the Tamiya wires together, powered by both batteries.

[MonsieurTox]

Great idea to get 2 smaller batteries together to save space. I like the battery box as well !

[Ecam]

Switch mount and the center of the hull is reasonably clear. Have a battery on the charger for a systems check and hopefully a video of the crane hoisting...

[Ecam]

Short video of the crane hoist.

phpBB [video]

Perhaps not the best video but I thinks it covers the bases.

[Herr Dr. Professor]

It seems as if someone in the crew would hook up the cable for setting the crane boom forward for lifting.
In this first photo, the cable is pinned to a storage attachment a bit back and on the side of the upper hull:

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In this second photo, the cable appears to pinned to a storage attachment a bit farther forward and atop the hull:

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Were there two attachment points for the cable to lift the boom into working position?

Then, too, in this third photo the cable seems to be attached to the rotating drum somewhat permanently, not with the same sort of pin used at the storage attachments.

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Am I not seeing some means of quickly attaching and detaching the cable from the lifting drum?

[Ecam]

Not sure what you mean by two lifting points for the crane. One cable was used to lift from the drum to one of three points on the arm depending on the slope the ARV was on. The storage hook was on top. The safety to keep the boom from falling back on the side.

You are correct about my pin and sprocket screw. These are just temporary test fittings. The sprocket screw is long and actually goes into one of the spokes. I will need to build accurate pins for the pivot points too. I've got plenty of time to get things sorted. Still plenty to do.

[Ecam]

Since Herr Professor brought it up I thought I'd start on some pins.

I do need to get a new pin vice for my smaller drill bits. I bought a set a while back but oddly the pin vice can't grip the smaller bits that came in the kit.

[MonsieurTox]

Short video of the crane hoist.

phpBB [video]

Perhaps not the best video but I thinks it covers the bases.

Working great !!

Nice job on the new pins !

[Herr Dr. Professor]

Eric, your video makes clear why this build offers some action and fun. Then, too, I have at least three pin vises (and a few vices, but...) and, yes, some of them cannot hold the smallest and some not the larger tiny drill bits. You'll understand this: on my recent trip to Scotland, did I look for souvenirs? Heck no: I looked for small metric tools! (O.K there was some single malt whiskey, too.)