LVT (A) 1 Alligator

[Scrap Hunter]

You guys need to add a little brother to your projects......the M29 Weasel, the amphib version.


Found what I believe may be a suitable Track & wheels set, all though there are not enough wheels only 10 small 11mm diameter wheels in the set & 8 are needed per side.
the Tamiya # 70100 : Track & Wheels set :
* 2 x 30 link tracks 190mm long approx. (19mm wide)
* 4 x 10 link tracks 66mm long approx.
* 4 x 8 link tracks 57mm long approx.
* 2 x large drive sprockets 32mm dia.
* 2 x large idler wheels 32mm dia.
* 6 x large road wheels 22mm dia.
* 10 x small road wheels 11mm dia.
* 1 x drive shaft and 5 x 3mm standard shafts.

[vonrundstedt]

Those open up a lot build opertunities, espescialy tanks with narrow tracks like a vickers gun carrier

[nickmow]

Not wrong VR, I was thinking bren gun carrier. Nice find S.H. thanks mate

[nickmow]

Ok work on the Alligator has been over run by actual work and other issues in the domestic setting. However I have moved on a little. Pictures show the suspension brackets now mounted to the Hull. Note the rather rough "glassing" of the undersurface. I deliberatly didnt sand it as I figured it would have to bare up to being bumped and scrapped. That said and thinking as I type it probably will need smoothing for better waterborne performance. Point to note, this was my first attempt at soldering any real brass work since school (I left there in 1984 !) so one side is a bit rough. However once I got the hang of it, seemed to be a bit neater. The Brass suspension arm mounts have a hole in them which is mirrored on the Hull side through the brass of the suspension bracket. This is to take the rod that each wheel bracket mounts onto. I know I know but it makes sense when you see it !

[littletankman]

Hi Nick looking good mate . On the suspension mounts that you have put on Ive made the same but have a hole both sides ? Do you think this will work . Oh wheels not here yet .

Andy

[nickmow]

Yes mate edited, hole right through as you describe.

[littletankman]

Thanks mate , Ive not mounted them just yet . Been working on my other build whilst waiting on the wheels.

Andy

[nickmow]

Had a bit of a break enjoying the weather and working overtime to save a little for my next BIG project
However Hermans LVT video provided the catalyst I needed to press on with the project a little. Wheels mounted (bar the return rollers which are probably coming tommorow (once the epoxy has set)
Hopefully sea trials will be within a week or two.

[littletankman]

Hi Nick looking very good mate , could you please post a close up of a suspension unit with the spring in place , pretty please . Ive had a break as kids of now on school hols for 6 weeks . There of to there mums for a wedding today and back Sun so might start the Hetzer suspension . Ive got the RX13 HL electronics now to fit into this and replaced the plastic gears with metal. Did you decide on a way to seal the two halfes together and have access . Im thinking of sealing them and having a access hatch to the rear and have some sort of rubber waterproof seal ??

Andy

[GreenAmphibian]

Hello Nick! Your LVT (A)1 is looking really good. Glad you liked the torpedo mod I did on the S-100. I started to have issues with the plastic track I have been running. The outside ends were breaking off when I would go to full power, even in the water. So, I have now decided to switch to metal tracks. I have come up with a way to attach brass grousers to the track so that they hold really well in my tests so far. I have to wait to get some more track in to have enough to do both sides. I have ordered it, so it should be here pretty soon. I am in the process of modifying what I have on hand right now. I will post some pictures (when I take them) to show how I am doing it on my build thread. I will be watching to see how yours does in the water also without the grousers.

Herman