I was given a basket case 1/18 LAV 25 a few years ago and recently got to wondering if It could be salvaged. It has all of the R/C parts in it but I don't know if they work. Also, the transmitter is gone and some body parts were missing. If nothing else, it would serve as a project to restore and practice doing some camo painting. Why this thing was equipped to squirt water is a mystery to me. Possible flame thrower? This may be as far as I get with this project.



rex

nice Rex i have been wanting to get one myself to add a Clark and to paint up but haven't got one yet

Rex, are you sure about the 1/18 part? I bought this one and hobbyraw says it's 1/16. Did they lie to me? Are they two different units? They look pretty darn close, right down to the decals.



Are the RC Tank Gods doing this on purpose? Throwing a project at you that I just happen to have one of? Or maybe they're giving us a sign because I just happen to be talking to Greg (Airbrushler) about a project and maybe I should trade the LAV to him so the two of you can do a ... what? ... group build? Dual build? Whatever. The point is, I have one, too, and doing the AA Bulldog was such a blast, what do you have in mind for yours? What are the electronics like now? Stock? Still got those plastic wheels? I can't wait to see where you take this!

When I decided to do something with my LAV 25, I did a Google search and started with this reference, and found other sources and references along the way.


https://www.google.com/search?q=1/18+assault+forces+lav+25&biw=1120&bih=597&tbm=isch &tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=kr5YVY-ZMNLWoATHyIO4DA&ved=0CB0QsAQ


A GI Joe box I saw said 1/18 up in the left top corner --- maybe I was wrong. It looks like that LAV made the rounds with a number of manufacturers and they equipped it and painted it in a different way. They all look exactly the same, with the oversize plastic tires that stick out on the sides too far. The dimensions on the one I have checks out to be pretty close to1/16 scale. I don't have a clue about the quality of the original electronics.
rex

Looks like it's had many lives, and they just call it 1/18 or 1/16, depending on what line of toys they're marketing it with. Maximize the profit potential, and all that other happy horse-hockey. I can solve the mystery about the water squirting - because it's a lot of fun. Definitely toy stuff, but a big attraction to the under 12 year old target demographic. Squirt you sister!!

So I'd say we agree the first thing that has to go are those tires. Any ideas? I'm thinking something like this



Maybe something like this. They might not be too wide. Maybe some of our rock crawler buddies will have ideas. Could we get away with 1/14 RC truck wheels? I think Kizwan knows a bit about those.

There are probably a jillion r/c rubber tire sizes and tread designs out there, and I'm sure some would come close to what would work for this model. Then there's the cost and shipping of eight tires. I think maybe the age old problem of finding proper track for a tank project is easier than finding tires.

Hmmmm ....... that gives me an idea ......... here's Mato Pz III track without having to modify the lower hull. Wider track might mean a lower hull rebuild, but why not??? Another idea ----- build a lower boat hull and turn this LAV into a PBR !!!



I've done sillier things when I forgot to take my medication LOL


rex

Rex, have you tried a Wasserschlepper?



I think if I scratchbuilt one of these I'd consider it an achievement of a lifetime. Yeah, it's that cool.

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Go for it !!!!
I have looked at that Wasserschlepperfloatinzeepanzergizmo a few times but it don't have no guns on it !!!!! Are you sure it's German? Sheeeesh --- It's gotta have guns sticking out of it or it's just a target. But like you, there is one monster project that I think is irresistible, and I may start it someday if I totally loose my mind and run out of my medications. I have talked myself into and out of doing this beast a number of times.



A Japanese type 2 Ka-Mi amphibious tank with detachable floats fore and aft. What more could a guy want?
rex