Something I've been doing the past days

[atcttge]

Yes Alpha, that was my intention actually. Which is why I haven't glued the driver's hatch, and ICWS so I can make the periscopes after painting.

[greengiant]

scalawag - type in Global Security. org, and then hit the search button, on their site you can find most all the abbreviated names of the components for any ABRAMS model. The SEP version has the most, it also has a lot of pictures so you can see where everything is located. The site is pretty easy to navigate through.

[greengiant]

The more we share info the better RC TANKWARFARE's forms become as an info source for people.

[atcttge]

Too tired to do some exterior detail work so instead did some non-detail, functional work on the tank. Like my Leo2, I've decided to eschew with the screws and use magnets to hold the hull parts together to provide quick access to the interior. I placed four (soon eight) magnets on the front, and will put four at the rear to keep the hull together. I'm using N42 magnets. Two of the magnets are glued directly under the hull deck. The other two are mounted under thin steel brackets which in turn is glued to the lower hull. I'll be removing the battery compartment and sealing permanently the battery cover to the hull. Will also plug some of the holes under the hull. The electronics will eventually be relocated to the underside of the hull deck and the battery to be on an elevated platform in the hull to give it some protection against water when it goes through puddles. Anyhow, here're pix of the magnets and mounts on the hull front:





The deck and hull magnetized together:

[atcttge]

Lifting the front of the tank through the driver's hatch to show that the magnets work. Of course the tank will get heavier when I add the metal tracks etc but I don't intend to lift the tank this way anyway:

[ALPHA]

While you are at it ATC...you might want to put some braces across the Hull..when you do get your metal running gear...it puts quite a load on the sides of the Hull ...causes it to bow inwards....I had a hunch it would happen to mine...and for sure ...almost two days after taking it out of the box...the upper part of the Hull started to cave in...braced it up using some "boom" material from a broken Helicopter

ALPHA

[atcttge]

Can you take a photo of the bracing you did? I heard that unlike the Leo2, the HL M1 hull is weak and does need structural support.

Also, can you please check the area where the suspension arms are joined to the hull, specifically the area inside the hull, where the screws are located? Mine hasn't ridden much but there are micro cracks in the plastic already just like my Leo2. In my Leo 2, I reinforced these areas with metal strips, glued to those tabs, then covered in Milliput to clamp it all down and prevent any cracking.

[ALPHA]

Can you take a photo of the bracing you did? I heard that unlike the Leo2, the HL M1 hull is weak and does need structural support.

Also, can you please check the area where the suspension arms are joined to the hull, specifically the area inside the hull, where the screws are located? Mine hasn't ridden much but there are micro cracks in the plastic already just like my Leo2. In my Leo 2, I reinforced these areas with metal strips, glued to those tabs, then covered in Milliput to clamp it all down and prevent any cracking.

OH...That sounds serious ...never noticed ...will have to check for those cracks...have taken mine out several times already lol...I will try and post a picture of the bracing soon...I did it in a pretty simple way...there are probably better options...I just didn't have any nuts and bolts handy...

ALPHA

[greengiant]

I also had mine start to bow in when I added extra weight to the hull. Did simple fix by putting some of the weight tubes between the first set of screw posts in the forward part of the hull and some of the others between the battery box and hull wall then hot glued them in place. Hull is solid as a rock now.
I to will have to see if I have any of those cracks forming, with all the weight I put in it must weigh a bit over 10 pounds now.

[ALPHA]

I also had mine start to bow in when I added extra weight to the hull. Did simple fix by putting some of the weight tubes between the first set of screw posts in the forward part of the hull and some of the others between the battery box and hull wall then hot glued them in place. Hull is solid as a rock now.
I to will have to see if I have any of those cracks forming, with all the weight I put in it must weigh a bit over 10 pounds now.

That sounds exactly like what happened with mine Giant...except my additional weight came from the metal running gear...sounds like you braced the same areas too

ALPHA