[Support] M25 Dragon Wagon

Up to the end of WWII
User avatar
Ecam
2nd Lieutenant
Posts: 2379
Joined: Sun Jul 13, 2014 6:30 pm
Location: Lake of the Ozarks, USA

Re: [Support] M25 Dragon Wagon

Post by Ecam »

Worked on some limiting straps for the rear axles. Without them they are a floppy mess. Not exact detail of the real M26, but design and function are close. Still in prototyping phase and the details and straps (chains) may change...
53.JPG
53.JPG (2.56 MiB) Viewed 67 times
I'm sure my rear suspension is more flexible than the real one (and the front probably too stiff).
54.JPG
54.JPG (2.47 MiB) Viewed 67 times
Here is the comparison to the 31 foot DUKW just to give an idea of size of these beasts.
55.JPG
55.JPG (2.26 MiB) Viewed 67 times
Working on space first for fitting of operating systems. The armored cab had its pioneer tools exposed on the bottom of the cab in front of the steer wheels, the soft (or unarmored) cab's tools were in same location but under a cover. Not exactly sure what I will do here but leaving room for the tool box. This is as close to scale as I can build so the next step is to see where components might go. Haven't made my styrene run yet so I have been using my saved leftovers. I've stripped paint from some and have un-curved others (to explain some of the rather gunky parts used so far). I've also changed, rebuilt and spliced in so many parts that I think I'm going to call this one "Patches".
56.JPG
56.JPG (2.23 MiB) Viewed 67 times
57.JPG
57.JPG (2.4 MiB) Viewed 67 times
Last edited by Ecam on Mon Oct 27, 2025 3:45 am, edited 1 time in total.
"Don't believe everything you see on the internet" - George S. Patton

Eric
User avatar
Panzermechaniker
Sergeant
Posts: 677
Joined: Wed Feb 08, 2023 1:04 am
Location: Toronto

Re: [Support] M25 Dragon Wagon

Post by Panzermechaniker »

Amazing build
User avatar
Ecam
2nd Lieutenant
Posts: 2379
Joined: Sun Jul 13, 2014 6:30 pm
Location: Lake of the Ozarks, USA

Re: [Support] M25 Dragon Wagon

Post by Ecam »

Panzermechaniker wrote: Wed Jan 22, 2025 9:20 pm Amazing build
For something that is using only borrowed parts and stuff that was on hand so far. The T-case is the only money spent so far but there is a significant amount of "carts" filling up on a few websites as I get closer to end of the prototyping phase.

Thanks for watching P.M.
"Don't believe everything you see on the internet" - George S. Patton

Eric
User avatar
Herr Dr. Professor
Major
Posts: 5903
Joined: Mon Apr 22, 2019 10:48 pm
Location: Southern Wisconsin USA

Re: [Support] M25 Dragon Wagon

Post by Herr Dr. Professor »

It is a remarkable build, Eric. I watch with admiration. Then, too, I do understand about all those online loaded carts. :O
User avatar
Ecam
2nd Lieutenant
Posts: 2379
Joined: Sun Jul 13, 2014 6:30 pm
Location: Lake of the Ozarks, USA

Re: [Support] M25 Dragon Wagon

Post by Ecam »

Steering servo and a 4 battery pack are in. I do have a pair of two cell holders and a charger that will charge the individual cells on order but am doubtful the holders will fit in the space allotted. The shorter space behind the batteries and servo has room for the RX and ESC (receiver and speed control). So far the compartments below the cab floor are empty. The steering servo will stay with the cab and the pitman arm will be attached to the chassis the two parts will be connected with a dog clutch (not sure if other countries have a different term).
Attachments
58.JPG
58.JPG (2.15 MiB) Viewed 66 times
59.JPG
59.JPG (925.45 KiB) Viewed 66 times
Last edited by Ecam on Mon Oct 27, 2025 3:46 am, edited 1 time in total.
"Don't believe everything you see on the internet" - George S. Patton

Eric
User avatar
Ecam
2nd Lieutenant
Posts: 2379
Joined: Sun Jul 13, 2014 6:30 pm
Location: Lake of the Ozarks, USA

Re: [Support] M25 Dragon Wagon

Post by Ecam »

From picture,
60.jpg
60.jpg (237.25 KiB) Viewed 65 times
to my attempt at a passable cockpit.
61.JPG
61.JPG (1.08 MiB) Viewed 65 times
62.JPG
62.JPG (1.01 MiB) Viewed 65 times
I spent about half the time trying to replicate the steering wheel, bent spokes and all. Still have more to go, but this was enough for what time I had today. I did a radiator swap on a friend's car - first time ever dropping a radiator out the bottom of an engine bay (thankful for the car hoist/lift).
Last edited by Ecam on Mon Oct 27, 2025 3:48 am, edited 1 time in total.
"Don't believe everything you see on the internet" - George S. Patton

Eric
User avatar
HERMAN BIX
Major-General
Posts: 11779
Joined: Sun Jan 12, 2014 12:15 am
Location: Gold Coast,Australia

Re: [Support] M25 Dragon Wagon

Post by HERMAN BIX »

C'mon !! 8O
Apart from the manual brake levers under the steering wheel the thing is a perfect match.
Dont blame ya for taking a moment to gather yourself ;)
Hell of a job
HL JAGDPANTHER,HL TIGER 1,HL PzIII MUNITIONSCHLEPPER, HL KT OCTOPUS,HL PANTHER ZU-FUSS,HL STuG III,HL T34/85 BEDSPRING,
HL PZIV MALTA,MATORRO JAGDTIGER,HL F05 TIGER,TAMIYA KT,HL PANTHERDOZER,HL EARLY PANTHER G,TAIGEN/RAMINATOR T34/76,
HL AN-BRI-RAM SU-85
User avatar
MrChef
2nd Lieutenant
Posts: 2329
Joined: Sat Jan 28, 2023 2:58 am
Location: York of New

Re: [Support] M25 Dragon Wagon

Post by MrChef »

Ecam wrote: Sun Jan 26, 2025 3:14 am From picture,

Image

to my attempt at a passable cockpit.

Image

I spent about half the time trying to replicate the steering wheel, bent spokes and all.
That's some impressively half the time well spent there.
"Charlie don't surf"- Lt. Col. Bill Kilgore
User avatar
Ecam
2nd Lieutenant
Posts: 2379
Joined: Sun Jul 13, 2014 6:30 pm
Location: Lake of the Ozarks, USA

Re: [Support] M25 Dragon Wagon

Post by Ecam »

HERMAN BIX wrote: Sun Jan 26, 2025 7:03 am Apart from the manual brake levers under the steering wheel the thing is a perfect match.
Better?
63.JPG
63.JPG (1.06 MiB) Viewed 64 times
MrChef wrote: Sun Jan 26, 2025 2:45 pm That's some impressively half the time well spent there.
It was the hardest steering wheel yet (I've only done two) . I kinda just enjoy the old way of fabbing things. 3D is so impressive (and although I have machine) I am finding the old way suits me better. And the learning curve is steep (just don't have enough spare brain cells).

Thanks Gents!
Last edited by Ecam on Mon Oct 27, 2025 3:49 am, edited 1 time in total.
"Don't believe everything you see on the internet" - George S. Patton

Eric
User avatar
tankme
Lieutenant
Posts: 3099
Joined: Tue Oct 31, 2017 3:51 pm
Location: Elgin, TX
Contact:

Re: [Support] M25 Dragon Wagon

Post by tankme »

I think it looks the part. I was lucky enough to drive a real Dragon Wagon around the parking lot of the museum. You wouldn't believe just how big that steering wheel is when you are sitting in front of it. I think it was so big because there wasn't any power steering and you needed to get all the leverage possible to turn it.
Derek
Too many project builds to list...
Post Reply

Return to “Wheeled and Half-Tracked Vehicles”