RC Tank Warfare community hobby forum

Decided to try and convert my static 1/16 scratch built model into an rc and did lots of headscratching.

I was trying to work out how to fit the motors/electronics/batteries into a very small space and rechecked my scale plans to find I hadn't built the chassis quite deep enough. Also I have a possible buyer later for my static model, so I decided to start again from scratch and build it in the same way as the normal tank models. I am going to build a working chassis, and then build a separate mountable body to go on top, that way I can always get at the working bits without fighting the body parts in a very confined space.

Anyway here are the blueprints


The biggest problem with this model is the undercarraige, and scratch building in styrene just doesn't cut it for working components like wheels and suspension (I know this because I made the first set for the static model and frankly they look ok for display but they are unsuitable for a working tank). Anyway after getting a recommendation from Woz to look at Openscad I downloaded it and after a few false starts I created the suspension parts and wheels (with help on the wheels from Woz) and Woz will be printing me a full wheel and suspension set. Woz also has the scad for the driving sprocket and the track links I think, so anyone wanting to have a bash at building one can contact Woz and cross his palm with the appropriate amount of readies. I am going to use the track from the Tamiya wheel and track set (as I did with the static build) until I can find a proper set but I should be able to get the thing working with the temporary set.

Anyway waiting with bated breath for the components to arrive from Woz so I can get started.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.........That's NEAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ALPHA

I love it! The Universal Carrier is such a neat vehicle. If you can succeed with the suspension & track components, that would also allow you to build a Maultier, as the suspension parts were nearly identical.

Yup, those problems are resolved thanks to Openscad (and Woz and his magical printer) - all can be ordered from Woz. Watch this space as the pieces arrive and get assembled. Looking at the Maultier the suspension and track components are identical - you might need Woz to design a new drive sprocket. Alwyn

ooooh. Want. Must have....

Seriously, is Woz just doing the running gear or the whole thing?

Cheers
Tim

Tim, Woz is just doing the running gear, the rest is down to my scratch build, but the build itself is not complex once the running chassis is done (he says laughingly!). Seriously Tim, the suspension bits could be upscaled to 1/6 as I see you are 1/6 fan - just becomes more expensive is all. You would have to talk to Woz about that.
regards
Alwyn

Always fancied a universal carrier, as said tracks are always a issue but I wonder if Asiatam Maultier tracks would be OK.
Regards
Steve

Hi Steve, I have had a mail from Woz and he can do a set of tracks and sprockets for £30 so I think I will be going that way. I looked for Asiatam Maultier tracks but couldn't find any.
Cheers alwyn

And so it begins....

Chassis parts cut from 2mm styrene


Quick splash of styrene solvent and we have a chassis


Checking out the space for the MFU and motors. The 2.4ghz mfu is a model 1 with crap sound, but as I'll only have space for a tiny speaker then no worries.

The problem comes with the batteries, and I will have to use 1.5v AA rechargeables and position them in boxes in the load bay - disguise them as cargo I suppose.
I'll probably crack on with the main body while I wait for Woz to send my suspension bits so that will be after the festivities.
Alwyn

I sent Sassgrunt a battery that came from the HL Panzer III. It was really small. I didn't measure it before sending it off. Had two leads (one for the charger). Might be easier to disguise.

Don't know if this works for tanks, but years ago 10th scale R/C cars all used a stick pack 7.2 V (six cells) like we still have today, and would get about four minutes "race" time on a charge. Then smaller cars came out that used 4 cells instead of six and the race times increased to 10 minutes. Radio stayed the same, as I think ESC's did too. Could four batteries be hidden/disguised easier than six?