Post all your larger scale RC Tanks, Half Tracks and Military Vehicles, build threads here. From 1/12 all the way up to 1/4! all here! Your Larger Scale figures are also welcome here.
Hi.
After introduction as a new member i have been asked to upload some photos into this forum. My friend and myself are building 2 x 1/8th scale panzer III Ausf 'N' metal models but have never been involved in tanks until 2 months ago. It just seemed like a good idea at the time
We did approx 4 weeks research trying to gain ideas on how to proceed. The hardest plan was the tracks. We wanted them to look reasonable but without months and months of painstaking work. We considered home casting and conveyor belts and finally came up with the idea of double chains and machined track pieces. We wanted to use attachment chains but the cost was far too high. £400 ($600 usa) just for the chains alone.We started by cutting small pieces from a 3 metre length of aluminium for the trackpieces (see photo) and then drilling, countersinking and milling the pieces. We then attached these pieces to the 2 lengths of chain using home made rivets.(next photo). I wont bore you any more just now.Will update tomorrow with photos of the suspension arms.
Here is an update to progress so far. We have completed the bearing blocks that will support the suspension arms. Cut from a 2 metres length of aluminium, squared off on the lathe, drilled right through and 2 phosphur bronze bearings added.Finally 4 holes drilled and tapped to ensure a secure fit to the body.Further work on these will need to be done to construct some type of spring at the rear to effect the suspension.
Work has just started on the lower body which can just be made out in the photo
Attachments
basic shape of the tank is starting to show.Drilled holes are for the bearing blocks
Hi Interesting project would like to see more photos of your tracks ,are you using cycle chain or something like this ,looks like you have an engineering background,I would love to build a large scale tank but like you the cost of buying tracks and sprockets is well above my budget.I have a small lathe and have made some of my own parts see this post http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_71744 ... tm#7174469
Will watch your progress with interest
UPDATE.
We bought the sprockets to fit the chain but they had massive bosses that we didnt need so here is a photo of a sprocket after having the excess cut off on the lathe.. The idea is to cut off every second tooth as the track pieces have been fitted to every 2nd link so without the tooth being cut off they would collide. Also attached is some of the finished bearing blocks ready to be fastened to the lower body. Hopefully over the weekend i will post photos of the finished suspension arms that will fit onto the bearing blocks.
971wright wrote:Hi Interesting project would like to see more photos of your tracks ,are you using cycle chain or something like this ,looks like you have an engineering background,I would love to build a large scale tank but like you the cost of buying tracks and sprockets is well above my budget.I have a small lathe and have made some of my own parts see this post http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_71744 ... tm#7174469
Will watch your progress with interest
regards pete
Hi Pete
We are using conveyor belt chain with bought sprockets to fit the chain. We will have to work on the sprockets to make them look like the panzers drive sprockets but decided that it was better for the chain to run correctly on the sprockets than having them look exact..I looked at your photos and your items you made look good...Why not try a bigger tank but do it slowly over a couple of years so the cost isnt too prohibative. As for engineering background I was a firefighter for 32 years (recently retired hence the tank project) and am learning everything from my mate.You look as if you have the knowledge to complete one....
This site is a group of tankers that build and battle 1/6 scale tanks,their are many track options listed,how to section is great.Also several conveyor belt companies listed in the vendor section.Intralox being the main source for belting.http://www.rctankcombat.com/http://www.intralox.com/
Latest update
Things are going well and as well as completing the suspension arms, the first drive sprocket was almost finished. It needs a bit of filing and polishing but we are pleased with the general look of it.The suspension arms took a lot of milling and the holes have been threaded. A thread will be put onto the end of each shaft and to secure in place a small threaded hole has been put into the end where a locking screw will be used to stop the arms coming loose.Hopefully all will become clear as you look at the photos. Thank you for your comments and for the links to different sites as everything is useful to gain more info. Keep the comments coming whether good or bad.
Hello Solosyphos,This link is to a vendor that sells 1/6 scale parts,The link is for German parts.They also sell American armor parts which you can access once on the site.Check out the control arms they offer,not as good as your in my opinion but suitable for most static kits. http://eastcoastarmory.com/germanparts.htm Keep up the good work and you can not post to many pictures so keep it coming,cheers Blake
