[Support] M25 Dragon Wagon

[Ecam]

If I could detail, paint and weather like so many of the artist here can do, I wouldn't have to make working winches, trucks with propellers or nifty drivetrains.

[Herr Dr. Professor]

"If I could detail, paint and weather...." Horsefeathers and bunkum! You can do it all, and you know it.
How is Monster/Gremlin?

[Ecam]

Worked on the suspension today. Not the wider axles yet (will get those soon) so I pulled the inner tires so get an idea of how it might work. Am very happy with the amount of travel.







Most of the travel is due to the walking beam suspension but the springs are being compressed a little in the last picture.

[HERMAN BIX]

Almost a Hendrickson or Chalmers walking beam set up.
You got a bit on Mr Ecam

[Ad Lav]

Taking shape nicely

[Ecam]

How is Monster/Gremlin?

She has become more of an outdoor cat than inside. It started small (I've an Australian Shepherd that spends the daytime outside and is in the evenings) Monster followed the dog out one morning and wanted back in a few minutes later. A couple weeks later it wanted to be out, coming in with the dog. Lately she has been staying out round the clock stopping by only for food. Fine by me it was getting in the way of tank building at times...

[Ecam]

I am the president of the local chapter of the "Measure once, cut twice and then re-build it three times" club. So far the only member too.



Tried a couple angles for the rear diff and then once I had some tires on it (close to scale DW size) I found the frame height a little low. Third version on the axle mount used the first angle and added some lift. The T-case and disconnect are in one cradle.



T-case received a trim.





This is one of two motors and gear reductions I am considering. With the current 15 tooth motor pinion gear it has a 20:1 reduction. As it sits it is a half inch (12.7mm) too tall for the dog house in the cab of the M26A1. I have a couple options to lower the motor or switch to a normal 540 with a 4:1 to fit the dog house. Either option will allow room for some batteries. Servos and radio gear to be determined, but there is room outside the frame in front and back of the steering axle wheel wells. Like the small DUKW I'd like to keep everything out of sight and have the option of the canvas top open.



Still have room for the front winch and its' drive motor.



The wood mock-up frame has been really useful. I've drilled so many holes in it while figuring out where things need to go...

[Herr Dr. Professor]

"Lately she has been staying out round the clock stopping by only for food." Uh-oh!

[MonsieurTox]

Top notch work Eric, I'll never been able to do all you're doing ! BUt that's great to follow and I'm learning a lot !

[Ecam]

Worked on the dog house. Room for three pairs of those battery packs. The motor was moved as far forward as possible. The front slope on the soft hull is not as extreme as the hard cab's giving about 3/4" (19mm) more room for the batteries.