Green Amphibian

I have finally started my DD build. I am still trying to get a couple of components, but I am working around them right now. I still need sprockets, plastic chevron pattern tracks, and another pair of plastic bogies. Enough of me talking, here are some pictures of what has happened so far and parts I am going to be using.

Herman

pattoncommander

Nice project. Are you going to make extandable/retractable floatation screens? From what I have read on the DDs, it's going to a pretty involved model. Good luck...waiting to see it rolling.

Green Amphibian

Hi Bill,

The screen will be manually erected I'm afraid. I am working on making the propellers turn left and right and be able to be disengaged and

reengaged remotely however.

Herman

Rex Ross

Herman.......

Are you really going to make this DD Sherman so that it actually floats? My first thought would be to make sure the weight of the Sherman would be less than the weight of the volume of water it would displace.. Also, if it is going to be a floater, how in the world are you going to seal it up so that it doesn't become a submarine? Now ya got me curious about this......I think I'll experiment with a Sherman in a plastic bag and a bathtub full of water this evening.

Rex

Green Amphibian

Rex I have been thinking about this for quite some time now and I think I have figured out a way to do it. I'm not letting the cat out of the bag just yet, but I will when I prove that it will work. I may even have to add ballast! Let me know how your tub test turns out.

Herman

Rex Ross

~~~~~~~~

The news is good.........I used one of my old Tamiya Shermans with a metal pan, metal suspension and metal track. The only plastic was the upper hull and turret .......the heaviest Sherman I have weighed almost 8 pounds with a battery. I used a plastic kitchen trash bag and lowered it into the water and turned loose of the bag.

It sank down to the top of the track and floated! It didn't float perfectly even, which I expected, but ballasting it a bit should cure that. I can do another test with a Mato Sherman if ya want tomorrow.

I'm really surprised it only displaced water to the top of the tracks. I may fool around with this some more just for fun.

Rex

yellowshaker

My Feedback: (1)

This thing is actually going to be amphibious??? Oh wait, I forgot who I was talking to here.

flamme

If my post can help you

http://rc-panzer.*****.com/t3060-SHE...PLEX-DRIVE.htm

http://rc-panzer.*****.com/t2909-SHE...PLEX-DRIVE.htm

flamme

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=UDgEX5wAc3w

flamme

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2QOz...layer_embedded

Green Amphibian

Flamme,

I thank you for that information, it is very informative and will help me quite a bit. Your models of the DD are actually what got me interested in doing one. I guess I have a theme going in my tanks and LVTs of having them all revolve around water.

Herman

Buckeye36

My Feedback: (3)

I can't wait to see this one Herman!
Do you think it will be ready to swim by the November Danville event?

Green Amphibian

I am hoping to have it done by the end of the year. If it is ready I will bring it with me to Danville in November. No promise on that though.

Herman

Green Amphibian

Here are a couple of updated pictures on what I have been doing on the build. I have modified the Tamyia turret to an early low bustle configuration with a 75 MM gun and split hatch. I have modified the lower ring to be removable with 4 screws and to be acceptable to the Mato rotation unit. I have also installed the cut-water on the transmission cover. I have done some other things too, but they are not ready to have their pictures taken yet.

Herman

yellowshaker

My Feedback: (1)

Nice work! This is gonna be a great one!

Buckeye36

My Feedback: (3)

Looking good Herman!

yellowshaker

My Feedback: (1)

Herman, have you figured out how the pops will engage and disengage?

Green Amphibian

Yes, I have. I am instigating the building of the required parts as I type. In other words ya, I'm working on it. It will require 2 servos to accomplish, but I have all of the mechanical parts on hand. I just have to assemble and modify them. I will post pictures of the build steps when I prove it works.

Herman

Green Amphibian

Some more progress. I have also fitted magnets to the bottom hull and screws in the posts in the upper hull. It holds quite securly and is easy enough to take off.

Herman

Panther F

Ooh, la-la! Me likey!

















~ Jeff

Green Amphibian

Here are two closeups of the textured paint on the turret. Don't look to closely at the mods, I'm still working on it.

Herman

Rex Ross

~~~~~

That textured paint looks interesting. I'm gonna get some!

Thanks

1sgt

Great looking build. Can't wait to see it finished. You mentioned that you are using magnets to hold the top onto the hull. Did you have to shorten the screw posts at all to compenate for the thickeness of the magnet. I would like to do this to my tanks as well. Just not sure whats involved. T

Thanks for sharing.

Jim

Green Amphibian

Simple modification. Even I was able to do it. obtain some steel screws that will screw into the upper hull posts without destroying them. Put one screw in each post so that it fits all the way in it. Obtain strong magnets about 3/8 dia. and 1/16 thick for each mounting hole. Dremmel off the screw bezel on the lower hull for each mounting hole. Glue magnets to lower hull in place of the mounting holes. Let dry and then place top hull on lower hull. If the magnets are not touching the screws, unscrew them until they do. Pretty solid mount with out having to take off the tracks and unscrew the top hull to get into it. I used magnets on my LVT builds to hold the lids on also.

Herman

yellowshaker

My Feedback: (1)

Yes, the magnets are a great asset in this hobby. They certainly make life easier when it comes to doing any repairs inside the hull or turrret.