RC Tank Warfare community hobby forum

Oooh! I tawt I taw a haftrack! I DID! I DID see a haftrack!

Herr Dr. Professor wrote:Oooh! I tawt I taw a haftrack! I DID! I DID see a haftrack!

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Yes Herr Dr, you did That M4 Half track chassis is from a model I built in 1983. I still have it of course and actually the chassis was removed in 1983 and has been sitting around since then, I have always wanted to build the chassis into a working model but have never found the appropriate gearbox until now. The MTM fits right in there.

here is a short video of the rebuilt gearbox with a Halftrack sprocket installed. https://youtu.be/kBy7XCbifjY

So now looks like we are doing a half track

Here is a video of 1 track running. https://youtu.be/ufJjediYq38

I have a 1/16 Famo to tackle next, and I am puzzled about how to coordinate steering front wheels with tracks. I will be interested to see how you do it, even if with completely different electronics.

Herr Dr. Professor wrote:I have a 1/16 Famo to tackle next, and I am puzzled about how to coordinate steering front wheels with tracks. I will be interested to see how you do it, even if with completely different electronics.

Ideally, you would have 2 motors\gearboxes for the tracks just like a tank and with steering wheels in the front. Then you program a mix in the TX to slow the track on the same side as the direction of the turn for tightest turn. I have a 1/18 Hanomag half track that has the right track motor configuration to allow this mix and it needs a radio upgrade so I will do a thread on that soon.

meanwhile, I have decided to make both tracks work on this HT frame using the MTM gearbox. This little venture has given me some experience with the MTM gearbox and I am starting to like it and have some plans for future models.

Here is a video of the finished MTM installation on the 1/35 scale half track frame. https://www.youtube.com/shorts/1d_Wy4AniIY

The MTM gearbox works so well in this model that I have decided to "MAKE IT MOVE" under its own power with radio remote control.

The steering box is not scale but good enough for this old beat-up chassis. I want to drive it around to test the durability of the gearbox with these tracks. It is recommended that plastic ITL tracks be used and should be "loose" but I have jacked this box up to be able to handle a bigger load.

This project is still going. I have ordered a new Crusader as I got new gearboxes from MTM and I am going to install them in a new Crusader model. If anyone reading this knows where to get the right aftermarket Tracks for the Crusader, please let me know.

The one in this thread runs good with the Tamiya gearbox from a Chieftain but I had to mod the chassis for that to fit properly so I ordered another Crusader for the MTM conversion. I want to install the MTM gearbox in a fresh chassis with no mods.

modler wrote:This project is still going. I have ordered a new Crusader as I got new gearboxes from MTM and I am going to install them in a new Crusader model. If anyone reading this knows where to get the right aftermarket Tracks for the Crusader, please let me know.

The one in this thread runs good with the Tamiya gearbox from a Chieftain but I had to mod the chassis for that to fit properly so I ordered another Crusader for the MTM conversion. I want to install the MTM gearbox in a fresh chassis with no mods.

I got the new Crusader and it is Desert Tan which I like better. The plastic ITL tracks I was using have not worked out and I am still looking for plastic ITL tracks for the Crusader.

This thread did turn into a M4 Halftrack build using a single MTM gearbox and is a success. I gained experience with the M4 build and the Crusader which ultimately will result in a successful twin gearbox Tank build

Meanwhile, I have focused my attention to a different tank as far as MTM gearboxes are concerned here.

viewtopic.php?f=33&t=33496

I made some changes to the MTM gearbox assembly which results in
1. much stronger axle assembly
2. the gearbox covers are now removable thanks to a tie strap mod
3. the gearbox is easy to R and R because a 1 screw mount for gearbox.

So now I want to try METAL TRACKS

There is a good chance this will work and if not, no biggy as the axle is the part that would fail and there is enough spare axle in the kit to replace if necessary.

So this thread is not done yet

Looks like the post office in Lakewood lost my parcel from Hungary

modler wrote:Looks like the post office in Lakewood lost my parcel from Hungary

Ok I went and riled them up at the post office and I got results The package was delivered just before 7 pm so its all good now

This Crusader build is now with metal tracks!