1/35 Tamiya Cheiftain Mk.5

[Flyboyz4]

Hi all, I've decided to build an rc tank and love the form factor of 1/35. I've gotten basically all the electronics for it now so it's mainly just mechanically putting it together. As I've seen so many videos of 1/35th rc conversions, working suspension is one of my main goals with this kit. Working suspension is one of my favorite parts of any rc vehicle whether it be tanks or cars. Since I have solidworks and a 3d printer I decided to use my creative freedom to make working suspension. Measuring off of the tamiya kit suspension I was able to make the bogie for each pair of road wheels. I decided it would be easy enough to use a pen spring to replicate the horstmann suspension so I robbed 6 pilot G2 0.7mm pens of their springs (keeping the ink cartridges for refills). The suspension arms were printed without axles for the wheels since 3d printing isn't as strong with shear loads along the layer lines. To make the wheel axles I used some K&S assorted small brass tubing to give a strong metal axle. This tubing can fit into each other and can be cut and glued together to remake the stock suspension axles (i.e. the tubing has the same diameters as the original axles). The axles pivot on 1mm steel music wire. I snipped off the pegs that are molded into the hull for the suspension arms and used a dremel to make holes for the 1mm wire. After gluing everything together the suspension works well and I'm extremely satisfied with the results. Now I need to affix the gearbox inside the hull and cut the shafts to fit the sprockets while I await my metal track kit

[Flyboyz4]

Here are a few more pictures of the suspension and it in action.