CountChocula

Hey all,

Since I'm limited on time, but have made some progress over the past month or so, I thought I'd post some pics of my FT build. The plan is to use the Clark board as it should fit nicely in the tight confines of this little hull. I'm using the Tamiya Twin Motor gearbox instead of the Double Motor gearbox because the output shafts line up with the FT's output axle perfectly so I didn't have to make any mods to make it work. The width of the axles on the gearbox are also almost new perfect, but you'll either have to cut the shafts slightly or take the cheap and easy route I did by shimming the front out a bit to make it all line up perfectly. What makes this little tank different than all the rest is that you can work on the running gear independently from the hull which was really nice to do.

I considered making a custom suspension so the bogies would articulate, but then decided against it as the tank is so small and light that there wouldn't be much travel anyhow so I opted to just put the running gear together stock (with the exception of the drive sprocket) as the model instructions outlined. Other things I plan on doing to complete this build is to use a small 360 degree micro servo for turret travers along with a regular micro servo for elevation.

Anyhow... it's a WIP for sure... here are some pics....

Dave

CountChocula

Here are some pics of the running gear.

mordock999

Hot DOG!! I'll be following Your build with GREAT Interest! Please Give us more information on Your Running Gear(Threads).

Also, where did you get the Tamiya Motor Gearbox?

Panther F

Nice work.

Gives me hope with my kit.






Jeff

CountChocula

The gearbox comes from Tamiya's educational line of gearboxes. It's this one http://www.pololu.com/product/61 and it's readily available which means spare parts are easy to obtain. I would have preferred to use the double motor gearbox as their gears are thicker and more durable, but it's almost as if the twin motor gearbox was made for this tank as it fit perfectly. I drilled two holes on the floor plate and screwed it down. Some people have issue with this gearbox as it can make a loud screeching sound. But looking online, I found out how to quiet them down (specific area to lube) and it works great.

I'm hopeful the stock tracks are up to the task. I was able to hook up a small battery box and the tank moved across the floor just fine. Outside in dirt, we'll have to see how it holds up.

Thanks Jeff, I can't wait to see your build of this tank goes. Are you planning on tackling yours anytime soon?

Panther F

THAT, I do not know. LOL I did get some metal dozer tracks for it but after looking at what I'd have to replace and modify... do I really want to drive it that much? The kits tracks will have to do then.

I have a Panther to finish and when the Taigen T34 becomes available my SU-100 will get top priority.


It'll look good just sitting on the shelf with all that interior to look at.





Jeff

CountChocula

LOL... well now you're starting to sound like me. Rationalize myself out of doing things that will take more time than it's worth the effort for.

Well... my painting skills are somewhat wanting, but I wanted to do a camo pattern something from 1918 perhaps. This is what I ended up with and it's certainly could stand some fixing. but with it almost fully assembled, it's starting to take shape nicely. I put hinges on the drivers doors and the visor is hinged from the kit. The entire top (minus turret... it's just setting there right now for the pics) pops off as I have it held down to the hull using magnets. I'll show a pic of that later, here are some with the running gear attached and the turret.

Dave

Panther F

Oh, I think you nailed it. The camo is perfect... not the normal routine either.

Looks good!





Jeff

Andy Antipas

Dave, it was good to meet you last weekend at the DAK battle. The Renault looks great. I agree that the camo is spot on. Looking forward to seeing it run.

herrmill

Looking fantastic if you'd ask me! I'll be watching your build with interest since it appears this conversion will be scratch build only.

Panther F

They are releasing another version of the FT in 1/16th.

The Model with 8mm Machine Gun in place of the main gun.





Jeff

CountChocula

Hey thanks all... I tried something using masking tape with the 3 colors to see if it would work out ok. It ended up with more patterns (and therefore, more busy looking) than I expected (should have used more tape!) since I wanted to use some black where the colors meet like the picture on the box. But I think I'll leave it as is for now as there's still much to do to get it up and running properly.

I had heard the MG version was being released soon as well. I may have to pick that one up sometime too... love these FT's! The detail (especially the interior) is quite impressive. too bad you really can't use any as you'll need most all of the space. What I did with mine as you can see from the pictures, is I made 2 braces, one in the front and the other in the rear. I found this was necessary since you don't use some of the model interior pieces that would have helped brace and secure the sides plus keep them nice and vertical. I also used the rear brace to hold the magnets. The top deck with get ripped out of your hands within an inch of the hull due to the strength of the magnets! LOL

Dave

Panther F

BRILLIANT!!





Jeff

CountChocula

Andy,

It was a pleasure meeting you and your boys and we're glad you could make the trip. We hope you can come back again as well. That Abrams with the TK22 was really impressive and the first I've seen. Thanks for answering all of my questions about it as well. You have a fine motor pool there.

Dave

CountChocula

Hey thanks a lot Jeff. I'm trying to make it as easy to work on as I possibly can. Not that I hope to have to, but in case it needs to be torn down for any reason. Since it's only about 2.25" wide, larger hands need as much room as they can get. I plan on securing the traverse servo to the upper deck so I can pop the entire deck with turret in one pull. We'll see how it goes... right now, it's all in my head! LOL

Dave

Pah co chu puk

That looks sweet with paint. It was cool to see you again and very cool to hold that thing in my hand. So small! You are a master of cool builds.

bowlman

To bad 35rctank wont be doing a system for this tank .

Jimmy

MAUS45

Clark's T35 control board may work? It is smaller than the TK22 control boards.

1sgt

Dave,
Great build. Do you think that engine and trans set up would be good for the 1/18 scale German Halftracks?

Jim

Panther F

Oh gosh now! Eric Scott (heavyaslead) scratch built an FT using a paper model as reference and he had Tamiya gear in it AND a slightly modified HL gearbox. I studied it very close and for a long time too!

It will fit and I had planned on RCing mine but fell in love with all the interior stuff I kinda talked myself out of it. But it looks like I'll have to RC this kit and then get the other version (with the machine gun in the mantlet) for the shelf... just to show it can be done! LOL


That'll put my SU project off to the side for a while.







Jeff

CountChocula

Hey all,

I'm considering either the 22 or 35 board as they're basically the same size from what I was told. Since the motors are the small 130 size, the 35 could work out fine as well.

I have another 1/18th German HT that I plan on doing once again sometime down the road. I think the twin motor gearbox would work fine, but I'd probably go with the double motor gearbox version instead as the gears are thicker and a little more durable IMO. Both types though have a lot of power though and should work fine plus spare parts are plentiful.

I also would use LiPo batteries as they're a lot smaller and lighter for these types of projects.

Dave

Panther F

That should work out pretty good.




Jeff

thecommander

FYI guys.... the 21st Century TU and drives from their RC tanks fit perfectly into the 1/18 251s. I did one 5 years ago. Just adapt the tank drive sprocket hub tot he Halftracks.

CountChocula

That's true Bob, I used essentially one of those from a 1/18th PzIV for my 250/9 HT.

They may be a little harder to find now which is why I'm going with the small Tamiya ones. I do know some guys have used the Tamiya 1/35th scale RC series gearboxes for the FT as well.

Dave

CountChocula

It's been quite some time since I've posted any updated on the FT project as I haven't had much time to work on it. But, I've been able to break away from other priorities to do some work on the turret. Since it's quite small, trying to figure out where to put the emitter left me with few options. What i ended up doing is to cut a small piece of aluminum tubing and placed it there under the barrel. It's now slightly out of scale with the original model recoil cylinder but i think it will still look ok in the end and certainly functional as I'm working on the elevation next. Here are a few pics of the gun/emitter mounted. I also am using the rounded end of the recoil cylinder as a plug that I can take off for battles, put back for table display/shelf. At least it will keep the dust off the emitter when not in use! =)

Dave