TheBennyB

After a year or so of brainstorming with Daryl on how the best way to approach this lower hull I took delivery of it a couple weeks ago.
Daryl came up with the idea of mounting the early generation tamiya gearboxes I had laying around from the side instead of from the bottom
so they wouldn't interfere with the torsion bars. Daryl also milled the wheels from Delron as a single piece and have bearings. Started breaking it down tonight for primer and to start dry fittings on wheel hubs and the idler which will be spring loaded. This build will be kinda slow with life and other projects like the Puma, so be patient!

TheBennyB

Also started messing with the resin Juckenburg wheels to fit as wheel covers. Just a spin on the belt sander to cut down OD. The outer rim of the delrin wheel will then be painted to simulate the rubber tire of the wheel.

purgatory

nice work, impressive

Dropship Ace

Nothing better than a RC tank with metal for bones. Will keep a watch on this.

Keep it up.

Rustytrax

The luch is a demon!

TheBennyB

Small update. Got the spring loaded idler done. Drilled and tapped a collar as well as retaining screws for the springs. Gonna have to mess around with different spring weights to get the tension I'm looking for but the base is there. Now I can reassemble the lower running gear and gearboxes to do some trials. Will try and shoot a vid of that.

Dropship Ace

Looking so good, well constructed and designed. What turret are you going with this build?

TheBennyB

Thanks for the kind words Drop. I'm using the Juckenburg resin kit for the upper and turret.

Panther F

Yep... this is some serious tanking (Eh?) for sure.

That kit from Classy Hobby has nothing on this one Benny, nice work. AND you're lucky to get Daryl involved as he's a pretty busy guy!




Jeff

TheBennyB

Got the gearboxes in and the running gear installed. Did a couple short runs in the shop and runs pretty smooth. A bit slow so I've got just enough room to throw some 14T pinions on to speed her up. Some pics of the basic running gear and some of the upper and turret mocked up just for fun.

MAUS45

The Panzer IV drive sprocket is convincing and adds to the overall appearance of your running gear. Good use of existing tracks and idler as well. Would be a good choice for the Classy Hobby kit if it ever comes out. Daryl is a wizard when it comes to working out something like your lower hull and road wheels. Can't wait to see it finished.

TheBennyB

Thanks Maus. Yea, Daryl and I went through alot of ideas on the wheels. First idea was to use some panther wheels, then thought of maybe boring and sleeving the resin wheels, finally Daryl decided milling them from Delrin would be the best bet for durability and size with use of the HL Pz IV tracks. Hope to get a vid of the lower hull trials after Thanksgiving
as I'll be out of town.

Panther F

Lots of cool work!

Thanks for the "peek" of the turret sitting in position too.



Jeff

Panther G

Actually, Daryl would have "turned " the wheels, not milled them. LOL.

TheBennyB

Yea, Yea Gregg. Always a couple in the crowd.

YHR

This is a great material, Tamiya used this on the wheels on the Leo one kit, and they are great. Delrin on Delrin will last a very long time, and is so good you don't need bearings.

TheBennyB

Started dry fitting the electonics. Using velcro to attach to a plate to keep everything above the torsion bars. In a couple test runs with speed 400's and 12T pinions I'm running in the high 6's which is a tad quick but workable. Will still have to see what kind of torque I have after 2 hits though.

TheBennyB

Also got the 4 outside road wheel covers done. OD sanded down and a recess milled to allow room for the wheel screw head.

manchu9inf

that is looking really good!!

tankman

A very impressive build so far, shall follow along with interest.
Alan

TheBennyB

Thanks for the kind words. Hoping to get the inner roadwheel covers done and begin work on the upper/lower mating before I head out for the holidays.

TheBennyB

Got the inner road wheel covers done. Same process as the outer wheel covers. Sand down OD then make a recess for the screw head.

Dropship Ace

Looking ace.

Should have used the Puma turret in the background in my opinion though.

Panther G

Hey, Brett. did Daryl make those torsion bars himself or where they purchased somewhere?. i would be interested in what type of steel wire they are. Obviously a spring steel but what source?

philipat

Looks great! Well done!