[Support] M25 Dragon Wagon

[Ecam]

The M25 Tank Transporter was a Combination of the M26 Tractor and M15 Trailer 40 ton capacity. Later a soft skin version called the M26A1 and a revised trailer M15A1 with the bridges over the tires and slightly wider to deal with the new Pershing. I read the unarmored cab took 10,000 lbs. (about 4500 Kg) off the front axle compared to the armored. These replaced the M19 that suffered off road. The M26 had a driven front axle a unique rear drive with chain drive. Monsieur Tox and I with a little help from my brother Sassgrunt have been cooking up some plans to work on a few of these with all wheel drive and that unique chain drive. There have been some terrific Dragon Wagon builds my favorite was Ad Lav's: viewtopic.php?t=23841.


Some of this is getting mailed to France I'm still searching for the chain and sprockets.


Armored cab and early trailer.


Soft cab and later trailer.


Chain drive.


Mike's
Why is it that whenever I come up with a brilliant idea, Mike has already started one?


A little axle surgery.

[Ecam]

I intend to do a M26A1 soft cab build only because I haven't seen one in 16th yet. I have found a micro roller chain called "S10". Problem is the site I found it on does not have any in stock but I'm still looking. Counting teeth in pictures and the Tamiya reference model does look like a 2:1 reduction (21 and 42 teeth). And I have found a transfer case that claims a 2:1 reduction. Hoping to get the 1:1 speed to the rear axle and send the 2:1 to the front.

I did have to promise Mr Tox that I wouldn't build at the pace I did with the M32. We intend to work on these at the same time sharing ideas and parts, kind of the definition of group builds.

[Ad Lav]

Look forward to this - I miss mine!

[PainlessWolf]

Good Afternoon!
A picture of Sass' Domicile? I would not believe it if I had not seen it. I figured he was renting space in the Base at Pearl to build his models in.
regards,
Painless!

[MonsieurTox]

It's great some other talented builders paved the way (Ad Lav, Mike even if I was not aware of Mike's build until Eric sent me pics of it ). It's a very exciting project, I'm super glad to be part of that collaborative build, even if until now, I have to admit that Eric did all the hard work ! I hope to be able to contribute in several ways.

I'm going to go with the armored version because, well it's much more easier to build. But the soft cab won't be a problem for you Eric.

I did have to promise Mr Tox that I wouldn't build at the pace I did with the M32. We intend to work on these at the same time sharing ideas and parts, kind of the definition of group builds.

I won't blame you if you start it while I'm in vacations Eric, I will be out for a few weeks those 2 next months so I won't be able to work 100% on my project until september. Oh well, you may have it finished by that time.

[Ecam]

For those who haven't had the Tamiya reference kit here is the underside look at the suspension and drive system.



For the drive axle I came up with this. The aluminum tube 10mm outer and 8mm ID. Had some bearings on hand that fit the axle and tube made spacers to keep things in place. That pen mark is roughly where I hope have the chain sprockets end and the exposed aluminum tube is where the suspension will pivot. There are six bearings in that rear axle plus two more on the pinion and it turns so smooth.







Adding a picture that I forgot. I don't have a metric drill set yet but I did find a "lettered" drill bit that measured close to the 10mm (10.03mm) that I used to open the axle tubes. Those bearings and spacer stopped my bit from going too deep.

[tankme]

Should be a great project. I love the Dragon Wagon especially because I got to drive a real one while volunteering at the museum... Sadly our Dragon Wagon is probably never going to move under it's own power again since it's now been moved indoors at the Army's transportation museum.

https://www.hmdb.org/PhotoFullSize.asp?PhotoID=570717

[Ecam]

I read that the Dragon Wagon was the first use of power steering on an allied vehicle. The DUKW was the first ever use of central tire inflation system.

[tankme]

I read that the Dragon Wagon was the first use of power steering on an allied vehicle. The DUKW was the first ever use of central tire inflation system.

If it had power steering, it wasn't very good...it was not easy to turn despite the HUGE steering wheel.

[MrChef]

This IS going to be the coolest group build I love the Dragon Wagon.

Here's a good video by The Chieftain-

Pt. 1

phpBB [video]

Pt. 2

phpBB [video]