1/35 M4 Halftrack(s) to RRC Tamiya, Testors

[modler]

Great job!

I'm starting to try myself in the "animation" of models in 1:35 scale:



https://youtube.com/shorts/V3WQe5LtYMs

Very nice. Some day soon I will do a 1/35 Tank with active suspension.

[Herr Dr. Professor]

It's good to hear from you again, Modler! Thanks for the M4 video, entertainment on a winter day.

[modler]

It's good to hear from you again, Modler! Thanks for the M4 video, entertainment on a winter day.

Well I lost my "in home" work shop but finally able to do some model work at my new car\model shop which I work on classic cars and models of all types with an electronics lab on the side

Decided to improve the gearbox mount on the Half track with a one screw mount that allows easy removal of the gearbox for service, motor upgrades, gear ratio swaps etc. I ordered 6 additional motor\gearboxes of different gear ratios so I can tune this model for optimum torque vs speed. MTM gearbox\differential needs to be removable to achieve this. I figured this mounting strategy out on a M10 Tank destroyer back in August of 022 and will now implement it on this M4 Half track.

These fancy micro gearboxes are a game changer for "animating scale models". I tried several times over the decades of years (45) to animate this M4 with limited success and was not able to use the stock M4 frame in those attempts but kept the frame in the hopes that some day I would be able to use it so as to have a accurate model of the M4 in 1.35 scale. I have about 35 1.35 scale models that are RRC and a few have been with me for decades so they are not too pretty to the casual observer. They are like time capsules to me and I get much pleasure seeing them MOVE under their own power

[Herr Dr. Professor]

Since you and I are on different Great Lakes, but not across the big pond, I have questions about sources:

1) What brand and where did you get this handy-dandy looking micro drill set?

IMG_9355.JPG (88.92 KiB) Viewed 43915 times

2) Do you have a good source for miniature hardware? Hobby stores are expensive; I scrounge, even dumpster dive for anything that looks like it might yield miniature hardware, but still, a reliable source with variety would be helpful.

3) I use at least four types of glues, adhesives, and cements on models, with five more used on occasion, but what kind of glue is this?

IMG_9346.JPG (27.49 KiB) Viewed 43915 times

[modler]

Since you and I are on different Great Lakes, but not across the big pond, I have questions about sources:

1) What brand and where did you get this handy-dandy looking micro drill set?
IMG_9355.JPG


2) Do you have a good source for miniature hardware? Hobby stores are expensive; I scrounge, even dumpster dive for anything that looks like it might yield miniature hardware, but still, a reliable source with variety would be helpful.

3) I use at least four types of glues, adhesives, and cements on models, with five more used on occasion, but what kind of glue is this?
IMG_9346.JPG

Guten Morgen Herr Dr. Professor
The micro drill pack is available on ebay.
I scrounge micro screws\hardware from old industrial electronics and miniature radio control toys, Radio control planes (GWS), Helicopters and the like.

The candy in the picture came from France and was a little bonus with my MTM order Nice people to do business with. Oh, and I do use a uncommon German glue called UHU POR Styrofoam adhesive 40g tube.

I will post some pictures asap. Internet is very slow today.

[modler]

With the GB secured and with the proper track tension, the M4 Half track is now back on line with no track slippage.

Here are the things I have done to make the MTM GB installation more robust and serviceable.

1. Modified the axle assembly so that it is a 1 piece steel axle inside the 2 piece plastic outer axle. Then the outer plastic axles are joined in the middle with CA glue after fittings the ring gear in flat keyed center of the 2 piece black plastic axles.

2. GB mounting hole drilled into correct half of GB shell. This allows service and or repair or motor change.

3.Plastic tie strap secures the black plastic outer GB shell. This along with screw mount allows GB shell to come apart as opposed to being glued in place.

Yes I know this model is beat up due to many attempts at "animation" but thats OK because it is the prototype and future models will be much better esthetically I'm sure.

So the major elements of animation for this model are.....

1. UM servo added to modified toy steering escapement for steering. I would have used the stock steering had it been present.
2. Improved Ultra Micro MTM GB for track drive using the stock polymer tracks with strengthened stock track bogie system.
3. 1s DSM2 6 channel radio system featuring low power 1s 30~100 mAh lipo operation.

[Herr Dr. Professor]

Thanks for the help on the POR glue and the handy-dandy looking micro drills (as if I need more micro drills ). If that POR works on styrofoam, it might be quite handy for materials that can be damaged by solvents. Oh, and, yes, your M4 Half Track is a veteran. I am impressed that you kept it all this time. I wish I had done the same.

[modler]

Thanks for the help on the POR glue and the handy-dandy looking micro drills (as if I need more micro drills ). If that POR works on styrofoam, it might be quite handy for materials that can be damaged by solvents. Oh, and, yes, your M4 Half Track is a veteran. I am impressed that you kept it all this time. I wish I had done the same.

Yes and I am very attached to this model. A little paint job and some repair work to the body and it would be presentable But that won't happen as I like it as is

[modler]

Thanks for the help on the POR glue and the handy-dandy looking micro drills (as if I need more micro drills ). If that POR works on styrofoam, it might be quite handy for materials that can be damaged by solvents. Oh, and, yes, your M4 Half Track is a veteran. I am impressed that you kept it all this time. I wish I had done the same.

Yes and I am very attached to this model. A little paint job and some repair work to the body and it would be presentable But that won't happen as I like it as is

The photo shows a tie strap mod for holding the GB together instead of gluing it together. This mod makes the Gearbox "Hobby Grade"

[modler]

Thanks for the help on the POR glue and the handy-dandy looking micro drills (as if I need more micro drills ). If that POR works on styrofoam, it might be quite handy for materials that can be damaged by solvents. Oh, and, yes, your M4 Half Track is a veteran. I am impressed that you kept it all this time. I wish I had done the same.

Yes and I am very attached to this model. A little paint job and some repair work to the body and it would be presentable But that won't happen as I like it as is

The photo shows a tie strap mod for holding the GB together instead of gluing it together. This mod makes the Gearbox "Hobby Grade"

Testing the M4 HT proves this mod and the GB screw mount works great.