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Re: Dragon Wagon M26-M15-A1 + Sherman 1/35 motorized RRC
Posted: Mon Jan 27, 2020 9:50 am
by Evill
Thanks for answering so fast.
I got the kit at EBAY, it consists of two tractor units, a trailer, already assembled and a complete kit in its new box, but without instructions. I try to find the instructions, but if I don't succeed, I don't think it's very difficult to build it.
Thanks for your effort.
Re: Peerless Max Dragon Wagon M26-M15-A1 1/35 motorized >RRC
Posted: Sun Mar 01, 2020 3:51 pm
by modler
In this thread I talk about and show a Peerless Max M26 - M15-A1 used Tractor trailer from ebay that I recently acquired for a very reasonable price. After bringing that model back to life by converting to DSM2 RRC and fixing most of the things broken on it I realized that my original P-Max needs some cosmetic work. I had modified the back of the cab area to allow for a servo installation years ago when servos were still quite large. I never realised how bad that looked until I had both sitting next to each other. I somehow still had some of the parts for the original P-Max to reinstall.
Below are some pictures showing the progress of this P-Max#1 retrofit.
On the screen display of my Dx6i, the model memorie for this model is P-Max #2. So I have two DSM2 RRC P-Max models in running condition and I will feature both here as soon as I have the bugs and retrofit completed. Because they are Both DSM2, I can run them together sequentially using the same Transmitter and if the Tanks on the M-15-A1 trailers are also DSM2, they can all be run sequentially with the same Transmitter!
This DSM sequential model operation is something I have been thinking about for awhile now and I have already done it with other models with control of 2 models but then I realised I could have as many models available to run that is only limited by the number of memories available in the Transmitter.
So I plan on running both P-Max models and both Tanks that are on the trailers for a total of 4 models to be run sequentially with the same TX with the ability to switch to any of the four models at any time simply by selecting the models memorie number on the Transmitter and downloading its data on the TX to run it. I may do a seperate thread on this model running theory as I have not fully exploited its potential and options yet.
P-Max #1 has a custom all metal 4WD gearbox (rebuilt\modified from the original steel gearbox frame) with Mabuchi 130 motor that recently was reinstalled as it was finally perfected. It is a very smooth drive unit with super low speed throttle resolution that I have always wanted from this model When backing up with a Tank load, load speed resolution is a must for realistic operation. This model runs on a 1s lipo.
P-Max #2 has the original 2WD metal gearbox unit with original Mabuchi 140-RH motor. This model runs off a 2s lipo.
Re: Peerless Max Dragon Wagon M26-M15-A1 1/35 motorized >RRC
Posted: Thu Mar 05, 2020 6:15 pm
by modler
I was driving around my Peerless Max #2 Tractor A15 Trailer around and decided that the ramps needed to function properly so I put the trailer on the bench and it was in pretty bad shape. I bought this second P-MAD on ebay back in December of last year and have been working on it since then and finally got the M26 Tractor working very good with a DSM2 upgrade. This A15 trailer is quite complicated and to restore full function to the ramps will take some time. Below are pictures of the work in progress.
Re: Peerless Max Dragon Wagon M26-M15-A1 1/35 motorized >RRC
Posted: Fri Mar 06, 2020 8:55 pm
by modler
I finally got the M15 trailer rebuilt and it now has working ramps that open\close like they should.
Here is a short video of M26 Tractor#1 going up a ramp. This would be impossible if not for the 4WD rear axle.
https://youtu.be/zkKZrTxept4
This is what a all metal 4WD gearbox sounds like
https://youtu.be/7uwCZ-HVLAo
Re: Peerless Max Dragon Wagon M26-M15-A1 1/35 motorized >RRC
Posted: Wed Jul 06, 2022 5:19 pm
by modler
I have been thinking this model as a 6x6 using the MTM gearboxes .
download/file.php?id=83502&mode=view
Re: Peerless Max Dragon Wagon M26-M15-A1 1/35 motorized >RRC
Posted: Wed Jul 06, 2022 8:47 pm
by tankme
I've actually had the opportunity to play with a real M15 trailer. It's a funny system. There is a hand crank connected to each set of the rearmost wheels that spreads the wheels out so that the ramps can go down between the tires. As you have them in your last pic, that is the travel setting where the wheels are cranked to the narrow setting. It's a really strange system and one I've never seen replicated on any other trailer.
Re: Peerless Max Dragon Wagon M26-M15-A1 1/35 motorized >RRC
Posted: Thu Jul 07, 2022 8:29 pm
by modler
tankme wrote:I've actually had the opportunity to play with a real M15 trailer. It's a funny system. There is a hand crank connected to each set of the rearmost wheels that spreads the wheels out so that the ramps can go down between the tires. As you have them in your last pic, that is the travel setting where the wheels are cranked to the narrow setting. It's a really strange system and one I've never seen replicated on any other trailer.
wow, how cool is that
I just ran the truck that has the 4wd rear axle on my work bench test track and it failed to negotiate the track due to not being a 6x6. the front axle needs to be converted. I was looking through my spare parts and found a front wheel drive axle with steering that may go in this model for a true 6x6 1/35 scale model.
It is a difficult track at the first turn and even some tanks have difficulty getting up the hill in that turn so a wheeled non AWD vehicle has little chance of making it to the top.
Re: Peerless Max Dragon Wagon M26-M15-A1 1/35 motorized >RRC
Posted: Mon Jul 11, 2022 3:02 am
by Herr Dr. Professor
I have heard that the Dragon Wagon tractor unit was so called because, in those days of interestingly inefficient infernal combustion engines, flames would occasionally shoot from the exhaust. Can such an attribution of the name be verified? I do know that at night, good ol' Farmalls can put on a fireworks display.

Re: Peerless Max Dragon Wagon M26-M15-A1 1/35 motorized >RRC
Posted: Thu Dec 14, 2023 4:46 pm
by modler
Herr Dr. Professor wrote: ↑Mon Jul 11, 2022 3:02 am
I have heard that the Dragon Wagon tractor unit was so called because, in those days of interestingly inefficient infernal combustion engines, flames would occasionally shoot from the exhaust. Can such an attribution of the name be verified? I do know that at night, good ol' Farmalls can put on a fireworks display.
I do not know but I know where one of these machines are in a junkyard near Akron Ohio. They also have some Shermans and Stuarts.
Re: Peerless Max Dragon Wagon M26-M15-A1 1/35 motorized >RRC
Posted: Fri Dec 15, 2023 3:15 am
by Herr Dr. Professor
In the mid '70s I live just north of Akron. Which part was the junk yard? (The C'hoga River lit up a bit.) I was back in the '90s and saw that the whole area looks better.