Starting the M41 Bulldog...
Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2020 2:46 pm
So as part of my "quarantine"; I'm rebuilding a Bulldog for use on the field... This was one of my used tank acquisitions.
This is not my first build (rebuild) of a tank, but it is one of the first that I am actually updating with some images as I go.
Start, a used M41 HL Bulldog. Metal tracks, drive sprocket, upgraded with steel gears/motors, magnetic hull, sealed battery compartment and a bulkhead brace.
Was still a BB unit that had been converted for easy internal hull access.
Started by removing tracks and road wheels.
![Image](https://i.servimg.com/u/f54/19/50/73/31/p4010811.jpg)
Motors, magnets & bulkhead were existing.... (as were the weights on the front hull lip...)
Look at the plastic HL swing arms... (I may have to change those at a later date...)
![Image](https://i.servimg.com/u/f54/19/50/73/31/p4010818.jpg)
3D printed Speaker mount installed and TK-40 mounting board mocked up.
The speaker box was purposely placed there to give a side for a battery to lean against.
![Image](https://i.servimg.com/u/f54/19/50/73/31/p3250810.jpg)
A prototype next gen JCC recoil unit being installed.
(This one will use the direct recoil linkage. Optional spring/impact linkage will still be included in kits)
![Image](https://i.servimg.com/u/f54/19/50/73/31/p4010815.jpg)
Since I am replacing the airsoft guts, I need to hog out some turret internals. In the upper half, I increase the opening for the mantlet as well.
Added in a stiffener to accommodate the torque generated by the HL elevation mechanism.
![Image](https://i.servimg.com/u/f54/19/50/73/31/p4010816.jpg)
Lower turret half gets the mantlet and stiffener treatments as well.
![Image](https://i.servimg.com/u/f54/19/50/73/31/p4010817.jpg)
Chopped the barrel off. Installed a brass recoil sleeve in the mantlet, decided to make it permanently attached to the recoil unit.
Actual plastic barrel is effectively a sleeve held on my a small M2 screw just on the underside of the barrel behind the fume extractor.
Also added the IR port tube in the mantlet.
![Image](https://i.servimg.com/u/f54/19/50/73/31/p4010812.jpg)
Layout inside the turret. HID Flash wiring routed through the recoil unit and to the muzzle brake.
It is to be installed on a side wall of the turret. IR wiring not yet installed.
![Image](https://i.servimg.com/u/f54/19/50/73/31/p4010814.jpg)
Showing off the tubing through the mantlet from the outside.
16mm OD tube w/ 1mm wall for the recoiling barrel. 7mm OD tube w/ 1mm wall for the IR emitter
![Image](https://i.servimg.com/u/f54/19/50/73/31/p4010810.jpg)
Other angle for the turret (wires through the upper hatch to keep them out of the way...)
![Image](https://i.servimg.com/u/f54/19/50/73/31/p4010813.jpg)
Added in a JCC Tamiya TBU base (trimmed to fit) and a 3D printed spacer in the cupola pocket.
That gives a correct height to have the hatch closed and not interfere with the TBU socket.
That's it for now... Next: to finish off the turret wiring
This is not my first build (rebuild) of a tank, but it is one of the first that I am actually updating with some images as I go.
Start, a used M41 HL Bulldog. Metal tracks, drive sprocket, upgraded with steel gears/motors, magnetic hull, sealed battery compartment and a bulkhead brace.
Was still a BB unit that had been converted for easy internal hull access.
Started by removing tracks and road wheels.
![Image](https://i.servimg.com/u/f54/19/50/73/31/p4010811.jpg)
Motors, magnets & bulkhead were existing.... (as were the weights on the front hull lip...)
Look at the plastic HL swing arms... (I may have to change those at a later date...)
![Image](https://i.servimg.com/u/f54/19/50/73/31/p4010818.jpg)
3D printed Speaker mount installed and TK-40 mounting board mocked up.
The speaker box was purposely placed there to give a side for a battery to lean against.
![Image](https://i.servimg.com/u/f54/19/50/73/31/p3250810.jpg)
A prototype next gen JCC recoil unit being installed.
(This one will use the direct recoil linkage. Optional spring/impact linkage will still be included in kits)
![Image](https://i.servimg.com/u/f54/19/50/73/31/p4010815.jpg)
Since I am replacing the airsoft guts, I need to hog out some turret internals. In the upper half, I increase the opening for the mantlet as well.
Added in a stiffener to accommodate the torque generated by the HL elevation mechanism.
![Image](https://i.servimg.com/u/f54/19/50/73/31/p4010816.jpg)
Lower turret half gets the mantlet and stiffener treatments as well.
![Image](https://i.servimg.com/u/f54/19/50/73/31/p4010817.jpg)
Chopped the barrel off. Installed a brass recoil sleeve in the mantlet, decided to make it permanently attached to the recoil unit.
Actual plastic barrel is effectively a sleeve held on my a small M2 screw just on the underside of the barrel behind the fume extractor.
Also added the IR port tube in the mantlet.
![Image](https://i.servimg.com/u/f54/19/50/73/31/p4010812.jpg)
Layout inside the turret. HID Flash wiring routed through the recoil unit and to the muzzle brake.
It is to be installed on a side wall of the turret. IR wiring not yet installed.
![Image](https://i.servimg.com/u/f54/19/50/73/31/p4010814.jpg)
Showing off the tubing through the mantlet from the outside.
16mm OD tube w/ 1mm wall for the recoiling barrel. 7mm OD tube w/ 1mm wall for the IR emitter
![Image](https://i.servimg.com/u/f54/19/50/73/31/p4010810.jpg)
Other angle for the turret (wires through the upper hatch to keep them out of the way...)
![Image](https://i.servimg.com/u/f54/19/50/73/31/p4010813.jpg)
Added in a JCC Tamiya TBU base (trimmed to fit) and a 3D printed spacer in the cupola pocket.
That gives a correct height to have the hatch closed and not interfere with the TBU socket.
That's it for now... Next: to finish off the turret wiring