ORIGINAL: kclank
I am sure i will get laughed at for this but here are some shots of my Elefant build. Background: I am using Tanks and Trolls upper hull. The tracks will be Heng Long metal Panther tracks until impact or someone else brings out a correct set. The sprockets will be T1 with 4 spoke facades, the original plan was to begin modifying a Pantiger hull but it looks like it is easier to scratch build a plywood hull instead. 3:1 gear boxes being used. I want to make the suspension work like if not look like the real thing but i will have to see how it goes. I am using aluminum road tires with resin inserts to the road wheels. In the final form the wheels will be grroved to make them look like pairs of wheels but the will only have one bearing per set. So all comments, critiques, suggestions, praise and laughter are welcomed.
It has been a while since i have worked on this project but with the imminent threat of Hooben producing one i thought i would get back on the stick. I have thrown away most of the Tanks and Trolls parts as they were way to brittle and would not have lasted in tank battles. I purchased the Asiatam tracks and suspension parts, discarding my previous ideas on making the wheels, etc.
The running gear has been tested and works real good. A friend ran me a new fighting compartment on his rapid prototype printer (i dropped and shattered my other one) but it required lots of finishing, still needs more work but it seems to be coming in. i have used about 3 pounds of styrene to build up the lower hull and the fender substrates. I am now working on the upper front deck (what you see is mostly paper), then the lower rear end pieces. Lots of little brackets, clips, holders, restraints and mounts; holes to drill and bolt heads to be installed. the fenders will be finished with tread-plate. i have not done much thinking about the gun assembly yet but i am planning elevation, traverse and recoil. The electronics will be Tamiya. With the size of this beast i could probably put in a 6" speaker but we shall see. here are some updated pics. comments are welcome, but be kind.