RC Universal Carrier 1/16 Scratchbuild

[AlwynTurner]

Suspension almost complete, all the springs are done, the drive sprockets fitted. just some longer bolts to fit and some tuning of the springs.

The wheels aren't wonky - it's the camera wide-angle lens distorting things!

The tail is sitting a little bit high but as the superstructure is built then the extra weight will level it out.

It's already leveling with the MFU and battery inside.

Still some suspension tidying but I will leave that until I get the chassis running, and I need the tracks for that. I still have half a track to build plus some more track links to come from Woz.

Alwyn

[wibblywobbly]

Amazing work going on there Alwyn, looks like Woz's printer has been running overtime. Lol. Can't wait to see more pics as the build progresses.

[AlwynTurner]

Well the first track is complete!!




There are 177 links in the track. Each link comprising the link itself and the tread, and they each had to be cut, trimmed, drilled, glued, treated with acetone, retrimmed, redrilled, sanded, trial fitted, adjusted, and finally fitted. We are talking about blood, irritation, very sore fingers, very very bad language, but at the end it's looking worth it. The track sits very well on the suspension and drive sprockets, and I can't wait to get the electronics connected and try it out.

Small issue though, . . . . I have another track to build with another 177 links ....... This is where I reach for some alcohol for my nervous system and also find the plasters and arnica cream for my fingers.

All I need now is another 180 track links to arrive from Woz and the madness continues....

Alwyn

[Bogeyman]

Well done Alwyn, have good slug of the Jameson's I can see in the background, it looks amazing, can't wait to see this one done, I have always had a soft spot for the little bren carrier, used to have one in 1/72 when I was little lad.

John

[AlwynTurner]

It Lives, It Lives. I think that's what Boris Kharlof said in Frankenstein. I connected everything up including the front light, and lo and behold it turned on and the motors worked!! Not only that but I had even soldered the wires on the right way first time (and given no instructions in the Tamiya kit that was a real first). I also managed to fit Neodimium magnets to hold top and bottom together, they are surprisingly strong and the two sections really have to be pulled apart.




I had to strip and rebuild the front of the top deck as the track is wider than I expected and was fouling against the mudguard, so all the front armour had to come off. I also found that I had mounted the front wheels 4mm too high and there wasn't enough clearance between the tracks and the top deck, so they had to be moved down. The joys of scratch building, but it all went back together well and is now working properly.

I even found time to build a Bren Gun (you can't have a Bren Gun Carrier without a Bren Gun!). The gun behind is one I made for my static model.

[AlwynTurner]

And the tracks are complete..... PHEW! What a mission.





Tested it out and had a couple of small problems with the track jumping off but that was due to a couple of dodgy links in the track and the front wheel support not been solidly supported, all fixed.

And here's the (crap) video


I don't think Dougal (our crazy labradoodle) was suitably impressed!

Now to tidy up the wiring etc and get down to some serious modelling. Alwyn

[doc larsson]

wow

genius work.san i have it when it's finished ?

[PainlessWolf]

Good morning,
Patience pays off, it's a Runner! ;o)
regards,
Painless

[AlwynTurner]

Decided because I have lost so much of the cargo space to electronics to make this a mortar carrier version, then I can load the cargo space with mortar shell and stuff:

Fitted the back plate of the chassis and put the on/off switch under the tow bar so it's partly hidden and mounted the rear mudflaps and tow bar.

More views


Next job will be to strip the lower body and undercarraige and prep and paint it before moving on to the upper body.
Alwyn

[jarndice]

I am left wondering whether to say FABULOUS, MAGNIFICENT, a TOUR DE FORCE, or sod it I'm off to dig the garden and swear at those darn seagulls
Thanks Al truly inspirational.
shaun.