Hey, check out what I found. In my search for all things steampunk, I came a cross a guy who has converted some old Tamiya tanks to be steam powered. The only electronics according to him are the reciever and some servos for controlling the steam engine.
He also has some walkers and other neat doo-hickys. Not exactly tanks since they have no gun, but I thought it might interest people here.
http://www.crabfu.com/steamtoys/
Just click on a picture and it'll give you more detail, some have videos.

Anyone know where i could get one of these clutch driven Tamiya chassis he talks about? They seem to be an older model and not produced anymore. How much can I expect to pay for it?

yup we have found that before. simply amazing.


previous thread

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_56...tm.htm#5619620

Oh, sorry for the repost then, I don't visit here too often so dont always know what has and hasn't been posted.
Mods can take care of this however they wish then.
Still be nice for some info on the chassis though.

Pooka:

Its the old Tamiya 56002 Leopard or 56003 Gepard chassis (they used the same chassis, & samel clutched gearboxes with slight variations in the motor mounts. Sadly, parts for these chassis are rather hard to come by (roadwheels & polycaps that held them on are unobtanium) as are many of the styrene hull parts (rear chassis plate, turret, etc)

You see 'em up on eBay every so often, and one of questionable quality went cheaply last week for under $110 US. I asked about the roadwheel rubber 9its prone to dry-cracking at over 20 years old) and seller wouldn't answer, so I dinna bid. Another down in Auz was near-new (just built up and not yet complete) and went for over $400 US.

It all depends on your luck... and who else is looking that week. You want it for the chassis, you could try one of the Leo 2A5/2A6's made, or the 1/16 hobby Engine Abrams, or at the high end, the Tamiya Leo 2A6.