RC Tank Warfare community hobby forum

Hi, thank you for your encouragements. For me, the fun part here is to do something rare and potentially create unique vehicles. The mechanical aspect being both interesting and a learning experience.

Continuing with the build


A quick study of the rough 1/35 kit shows the structure of the missing chassis under the 1/16 hull.


Needed to extend the front plate and create an anchor for the chassis, and design a way to make it removable.


The front of the chassis is inserted first on the hull with the two metal pins. I still need to create a way to screw the chassis at the rear.


After more analysis, i decided to create a platform at the back for the control board. There is enough room between the board and the top of the hull for it and all the cables sticking out. The steering servo was installed on the right side of the gearbox with a long push rod connected to the steering pins linked together with a tie rod.


I gave the push rod a light curve to completely clear the suspension unit.



I gave the steering a powerful metal gear servo, making it easy to steer whether the vehicle is running or stopped. I had to limit the angle of steering in order to protect the operation of the dog bone with the outer cup. There were locking if the angle of steering was too great. I have new dog bones on order, i will try to improve the angle, it is currently enough but not great.

The control board platform clears the main drive shaft.


The chassis as used for the initial test run. The battery will be located at the back. However, i need to find a place for the speaker, or maybe change it for one or two smaller ones. TBD once the turret rotation is in place so that i can determine the available room at the front of the vehicle for the speaker.

I am using a Heng Long TK 7.1 control board. Vertical Stick 2 has the forward/reverse and controls the speed. The vehicle is steered using the horizontal slide bar under stick 2 (available only on TK 7.1), the steering servo is connected to CH5.

I did a test run of the chassis in the backyard. The vehicle is extremely powerful. The Axial gearbox coupled with the 540 motor, an 8x8 chassis and TK 7.1 are working perfectly together. The only issue encountered after a 10 minute run is a flat tire and one suspension screw that got loose. It is a real success so far. It's really enjoyable to see a chassis created from different parts working so well. I will post a video later.


Continuing on following post.

Every mm counts.


I have determined i will be able to close a large portion of each openings on the bottom plate. It will avoid a lot of dirt going inside the hull. For now, i want to have access to the suspension for the testing phase.


A walk around of the chassis with the hull on top, looking good.


After a lot of adjustments performed on the suspension tie rods, the wheels and the steering angles have improved significantly. Everything is a lot more strait. Getting there.


The model as it stands today.

Regards, Louis

Louis, the ingenuity, skill, and care you show in the mechanical parts of this build just astound me.