RC Tank Warfare community hobby forum

The first prototype of my new model is finally here.
As always, it took a little too long but I hope it will be worth it.
This time I managed to get my hands on drawings and 3D scans of absolutely all the parts of the original vehicle.
This takes the accuracy and detail of this model to a much higher level compared to my earlier models.

There have been some problems regarding the misuse of my STL for commercial purposes, so I decided that the next release will be a kit and RTR model only.
This gave me more options, as I don't have to worry about making parts that can be printed by anyone and easily.
The model therefore contains a large number of resin parts, some of which I was only able to print on the fifth attempt before I had designed a part that could actually be produced.
In addition to the high detail, resin also provides the advantage that the kit contains a small number of parts.The relatively small number of the parts...

As for the lower hull - it is made in a combination of ABS and Nylon.The entire front axle and all the printed suspension parts are made of Nylon.
To produce such small parts with the required durability, the use of Nylon is essential.

The steering relies on metal tie rods and ball joints.
Its development was quite challenging.There were 8 versions before I reached the desired result.
It could have been simpler, but I wanted the servo steering to have no negative effect on the axle suspension.
Some elements of the front axle are oversized compared to the original, but I kept all the elements and parts of the original axle.
Except for the steering, of course.
I tried to make the steering according to the original mechanism, but it didn't work well.
Maybe it will work for a 1/6th scale model.We'll see.

Space inside was of course limited, so in the end I was forced to program my own control software.
I don't want to talk much about it yet.
It handles 6 channels but probably less will be enough.We'll see.I'll have to order the DumboRC controller, which will probably be part of the production model.

I set some goals which after a long development I finally managed to meet.

- wheels with bearings
- the most accurate replica of the front axle possible
- functional front suspension
- proportional steering through a combination of wheels and tracks
- functional lights
- all electronics hidden under the hood and floor (compact suspension system required)
- active cooling of electronics
- tracks tensioners
- as always, the possibility of removing every important part for servicing and maintenance

Two motors, size 180 - 100rpm.
1.8kg.cm torque/load
9kg.cm (!) torque/stall
So that's a total of 3.6 - 18kg.cm of torque.

The only thing I would like to add is some sound.
Maybe I'll figure it out somehow.

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First sample of details.Drivers visor.
Some may find it unnecessary, but it's my way of creating and I wouldn't enjoy it so much without it.
I'm always pushing it further.


Lower hull.I have to raise the suspension by some 2-3mm i guess, but that's also part of the development. More pictures and videos coming soon.

Don't know whether this is going to be any help to you, but I tend to use these for simple tracked vehicles: https://uk.robotshop.com/products/scorp ... tor-driver
They might even drive 380 motors if you add small heatsinks to the FET's (the predecessor model 'Scorpion HX' certainly does)

Thank you, but I need something that can use servo (for the front wheels) and motors (for the tracks) at the same time.
Proportional steering that can handle braking one track when turning.
Anyway, I've got this sorted out.

The only thing missing so far is sound.
Hopefully that too will come in time.

My control unit can also control the lights (lots of lights) and the smoke generator if needed (proportional smoke, depending on the motors throttle).
The programming took me a long time (23 versions until I came to a solution), but the result is good.
It is not a universal control unit.
Everything is programmed directly to suit this vehicle.
And it's cheap...

The ESCs for the engines are external, they are not part of the control unit.
But they are small.Everything is small.

I'll add a video tomorrow to see what it can do.

I had to redo the steering (it wasn't reliable, so version number 8 was created).
Once that was disassembled, the suspension inserts were also replaced to raise the ground clearance a bit.
It was previously a bit low.

And on top of that, version number 30 of the control software was created.
I'm very happy with it and the steering is much better than the previous versions.
They say don't fix what ain't broke, but this time it paid off.

Tomorrow I'll put the chassis up and finally shoot some videos.

In the meantime, I'm continuing on the upper hull.
The pics are missing some details (windshield, MP40, etc...)
They will be completed soon.

Looking good.

This is fantastic.
One day or the other, someone is going to bring a 251 to the mass market............I hope its you Mr Koruny

Thank you, gents.

Hopefully in a month or two the first units might be available.
It's getting close.
I don't know if it will be for the "mass market", because my production capacities are not large.
At least for now...

Anyway - here is the promised video.
After many attempts it finally rides the way I imagined.
With the top hull (and more weight) it will move more realistically.

It looks like it's very durable (thanks to the nylon).
I'm crash-testing it properly and we'll see if anything goes wrong.
So far it's exceeding expectations.

I finished the interior yesterday.
The only thing missing are the Tetra fire extinguishers.
I am still waiting for the 3D scan.I hope it will come today.

Grat details. Those springs!

Thank you.
There are more springs but it's hard to take pictures of them now.
The hull is already glued together.

A few more little things I managed to photograph separately.