Another update....
I cannot get 'Star type Circlips' locally so I have had to use M4 threaded bar for the axles and then alter the wheels so that they can run independently on each axle ( They are currently a 'Friction Fit' and turn together which is OK for 'Push Along' but not good for RC)......( Thanks Storky for the heads up)
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The threaded bar may well rub an oval in the hull where it passes through and rotates so I will be adding Heat-Shrink tubing to the axle at those points to protect it.
Its just a sliding fit at the moment !
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The wheels are dismantled by undoing the two screws that secure the two halves together. The Friction Fit collar is cut off the outer wheel and reduced in length, before being rotated and glued back into position in the inner wheel. The collar now simply acts as a spacer so that the wheel runs true on the axle.The cut off piece (shown next to the wheel) has to be removed so that there is 'Space' created inside the two halves of the wheel for the pair of lock-nuts and the washer.
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The Wheels simply have to be pulled off the axles when they are on the tank.....but once you have pulled one off it is almost impossible to grip the axle to remove the other.
I put the end of the axle in a cordless drill, take a firm grip on the wheel and spin the drill whilst pulling on the wheel....It quickly pops off because the plastic is heated by the friction of the axle spinning !
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Production line of wheels, waiting whilst the glue sets !
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The Idler wheel is 'glued' together so it has to be split and then Countersunk to allow the fitting of the two locknuts and washer on the new axle.
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New 'Black' spacer collar added to the HM Armed Forces Tank ....to allow the fitment of a Heng Long Turret.......Sorry for taking the 'Lazy Mans Route'
..but I am pressed for time.
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Panzer III turret in place on top of the Upper Hull...... It looks a bit 'small' ...but I think that it looks OK and is possibly more likely to survive any of the inevitable crashes that will result for a 5 Year old son Driving...... Maybe it could pass as a 'Troop Carrier' type vehicle ...for the Lego PlayMobil Army!
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Using the Panzer III turret allows me quick access to a turret rotation and a gun elevation system.....and
NO The airsoft will
NOT be active..
...Because a 5 year old son who doesn't think that > NO < applies to him...is a recipe for Disaster
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Next up ..Fitting all the wheels...a base plate for the electrics...remote charger port..... Oops...How many days til Crimbo ?
....AND my son is now on Holiday.....so no more spare days....
..and..PAINT
Never Forget......
The Propaganda of the Victors....... becomes the History of the Vanquished
...and would explain why I have a really good set of tracks that look and feel like Tamiya and a not quite so good set that must be Heng Long !
....... 