M270 MLRS Scratch Build

[hawkeye3guns]

Hi all
Well with my hands being a bit restless, and I could not get my head around the hull shape of the M88 hercules at the moment, so I thought I would have a pratice with this one first.
I got the plans from Blueprint.com and then after a lot of research, found out that just about every country thats got these, have a differant variant ie hull shape, Transmission, and even loadout. So it looks like I have plenty of variations to choose from. The hull basic shape is the same, its just in the details.

Plans.jpg (75.72 KiB) Viewed 5313 times

Hull shape development on 0.7mm sheet steel

Basic hull bent to shape and mig welded

Hull bent up and mig welded.jpg (98.29 KiB) Viewed 5313 times

The running gear and tracks are made up from a mix of M26 tracks and modified wheels and suspension, the idler wheels are modified T-34 and the return rollers are a mix of modified M26, Scratch build and using Panzer 111 modified bits.

suspension posts pressed into the hull and then mig welded on the inside to secure in place

suspension mounting posts.jpg (94.37 KiB) Viewed 5313 times

the first suspension arm in place and offers up to the suspension top

First suspension arm in place.jpg (88.18 KiB) Viewed 5313 times

First side nearly done and starting to look something

getting there with running gear.jpg (73.94 KiB) Viewed 5313 times

This photo is for all people out that have trouble connecting up there tracks (MY SECRET TOOL for the job)

how to connect the tracks (first get a helping Hand, Paw) LOL.jpg (91.25 KiB) Viewed 5313 times

first veiw with tracks on.jpg (92.84 KiB) Viewed 5313 times

. Thought I would fit the track on one side first before marking out the return roller position to get the right clearance.

Slightly modified Panzer 111 return roller mounts

Panzer 111 return roller mounts.jpg (76.48 KiB) Viewed 5313 times

Well thats where I am at the moment hope to get some more done later this week and I'll up date the pictures as I go.
regards Denzil

[ALPHA]

Nice results with the mix and match of Parts Really like the Hull fabrication...might have to give that a go one day

ALPHA

[wibblywobbly]

Love the MLRS, Christian had one in development but I don't know if he ever got it finished. There is one on YouTube with rockets that fire?

Keep the pics coming, looking forward to following this.

RobG

[trackmech81]

That will be a nice build when done.....on a side note for your Herc., use a rectangular hull with an open front like the Tamiya Sherman, and make the front piece separate. You could use the 1/35 AFV Club kit as a template. One day I will be making one. You may have to go for a 1/18 scale if you want it to look right, but if you do, you can use of the Tamiya Pershing road wheels and the Impact rubber and metal t84 Pershing track and sprockets.

[hawkeye3guns]

Hi all
Well despite my heater packing up in the garage I managed to get in two good days of modelling so heres the result so far.[/attachment]

modified M26 return rollers fitted.jpg (78.61 KiB) Viewed 5272 times

Low profile gearboxes fitted.jpg (95.73 KiB) Viewed 5272 times

I did some simple wiring and ran the hull / motors on the garage floor and so far she runs a treat with no sign of track jumping, must have got something right I found a Model railway shop online that sold styrene sheet in thicknesses from 0.5mm up to 5mm. So brought 4 sheet of 3mm to make the basic chassis and superstructor.

3mm styrene sheet cut into basic chassis shape (1).jpg (75.5 KiB) Viewed 5272 times

Basic chassis and cab - engine housing block.jpg (80.44 KiB) Viewed 5272 times

I looked in my bit box and due to the thickness of the chassis was able to mount/screw the turret motor direct to the chassis

heng long turrent gearbox and training ring fitted.jpg (79.01 KiB) Viewed 5272 times

. Again for strenght I made the rotating base of the Launching box out of 3mm styrene.

basic rotating base for rocket box.jpg (95.41 KiB) Viewed 5272 times

rotating base structure coming together.jpg (94.56 KiB) Viewed 5272 times

. I fitted the rotating base to the chassis at this point and checked for freedom of movement, and just using a 1.5v battery the rotating part moves freely from lock to lock.

Side view of vehicle at the present.jpg (94.09 KiB) Viewed 5272 times

.
Well that's where I am at the moment might get somemore done this week. But duty call's or rather the good lady does so we will see, but the next job will be the basic rocket pod and then the big job of designing and making the rocket pod's lifting actuators and also some sort of firing mechanism for the rockets ( not sure whether to go for the 12 multi launch rockets or the 4 air burst system rockets)
regards Denzil

[trackmech81]

Excellent work man.

[PainlessWolf]

Good Afternoon,
I've been following along using my 1/32 scale version of this Launcher. Indeed, amazing work!
regards,
Painless

[wibblywobbly]

Excellent work here, it will be rock solid when finished thanks to your engineering skills. Can't wait to see it finished.

[971wright]

Hi Nice Work Denzil going for a beer got the brain in gear. Looks like it will be a vey good runner ,will need to see it when you have finished it.

regards pete

[hawkeye3guns]

Thank you all for your comments, I trying to get back in the garage (hopefully soon) but struggling with a bad back and hip at the moment so I'll post some more pictures as and when I get back to work bench, I manage to design and make the lifting actuators for the missile box. but thats all at the moment .
regards Denzil