The_Stuff

that might not be a bad idea to pickup. the tracks go together by a T part at one end going thru a U shape on the other. the top of the T uses pegs and peg holes to attach to the middle of the U part. for a light as a feather tracked car etc, i can't see them breaking but if they did it would most likely be that U.

Panzerwaffe

Does anyone know where you can get a Sd.Kfz. 9 Famo Haltrack in 1/15 or 1/16 scale? Attached are some pictures of one from a Dutch forum. Also attached are some real ones in action.

brel

I could never fathom out why half track were built or how they were steered because the tracks grip the ground is better than the front wheels

wackywheelz

Tracks to go where regular wheeled vehicles couldn't, wheels to maintain car-like handling - and if you could drive a car, you could jump straight in and drive a halftrack/semi-track

brel

how were they steered, because the track grips the ground better than the front wheels

pzrwest

Well halftracks can go places regular wheeled trucks can't go. These 8 ton halftracks were used to haul the 88's around and had room for the crew as well. I know that an 88 could be drawn by a regular large truck but that would only be on a road in good condition. Once it was chewed up by traffic and then rain sodden a truck just wouldn't do it and would never haul the 88 cross country

pzrwest

Halftracks used both the front wheels and the track for steering. The front wheels would turn the halftrack but after turning the steering a certain amount the track clutch/brakeing system took over for tighter turns. The halftrack could not pivot like a tank does

brel

Pzwest + Whackywheels, thanks for the information about the half tracks, they just seemed a bit strange to me that's all

smittyrob

This Famo was scratchbuilt

http://www.tanktraxx.com/gallery/index.php?cat=4

smittyrob

I would like a 1/16 halftrack as well.

The_Stuff

I found mine on evil bay. there is 1:16 scale ones but they are more models i think.

also the steering question is bang on. turn slightly was steering wheels. turn sharp hit a brake on the side you turned towards. and they used the tracks cause they could go in insane places that regular wheels would get stuck in.

All Tanked Up

Try Imperial: http://www.imperial-modellbau.de/shop/index2.htm

Scroll down and you should see a 1/16 half track on the top right hand side.

All Tanked Up

Here is a 21st Century 251 scaled up to 1/16 using the 1/25 Tamiya Panther as well and a Nikko buggy front end. It is r/c with servo barrel elevation. Not battle ready, yet. But may go that way. The 21st Century wheels were graphed onto the Panther wheels. The 21st pak40 was used for the gun's muzzle and parts inside the vehicle. But the barrel is a custom aluminum barrel. Then the pak40 wheels were used on a towing cart for the ammo.

BIGMIG

Looks like you put a lot of work in that half/track,I like it and great job. BIGMIG

Panzerwaffe

Smittyrob and All Tanked Up,

Thanks for the links and nice Halftrack with the PAK 40.

The_Stuff

Found this while youtubing. there is a part with a 1/2 track of some sort. gives you a feel of how turning and sharp turning was like in one of these.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=heICakyN4Wg

wackywheelz

That thing sucks, it sledges while turning. Whilst steering wasnt the 251''s best feature, it certainly turns better than that!!

The_Stuff

well look how old it is and the condition. i wouldn''t be surprised if the brakes don''t work right anymore on it. still that would be awesome to have. 1 is better then 0

blitzkrieg65

Stuff,

That is a cool video, the first time I had seen one in action! And I tell you what Merle (Bullyshs from SCAT) has a 1/18th scale one running and it ran about the same as that beast! I was surprise how slow and unmaneuverable these machines are, but they still look cool!

The Blitz

wackywheelz

I think it may be a thrown together "bitsa"...

Prometheum5

Great thread... been reading thru it and examining all the pics... I picked up the Pakwagon version today to go wiht the figures I've started to accumulate, and this thread has inspired me to see if I cannot R/C it... I'm thinking I can get away with just buying the Tamiya Twin Gearbox and the HL Smoke and Sound upgrade set, and then it's simply a matter of installing the parts, soldering some wires, and sourcing a battery (I'll just use the drive sprockets and tracks already on the toy)... if this is incorrect, could someone tell me what I am missing? My only real problem is that I'm having a hard time figuring out where to buy the HL S&S parts from... and I'm hoping that if this works for the 251 I can do something similar using the gearbox and Upgrade set to R/C my Forces of Valor Sherman.

ksoc

The stock 21st Century tracks stretch too much. That is why Merle went with the Tamiya track kit - for the drive sprocket, idler, and track. No matter how much he tensioned the them, the tracks kept stretching. The Tamiya system in not perfect, but it is better than stock.

Prometheum5

Thanks for the info... I picked up the twin-motor gearbox and tracked vehicle set (not the full chassis kit, just the running gear), and went to try and fit the gearbox, but Tamiya shorted me a gear, so I've gotta wait for them to send me a replacement [:'(]

The_Stuff

I am still waiting to buy some smoke and sound boards. I got a trip in a week to good ol Chicago, Il. so my funds are saved up for that.

skosti

Actually american and german halftracks worked quite differently. german Halftracks had unpowered front wheels and after a few degrees of steering they used the tracks for steering like a tank. also their tracks were like tank tracks made up of individual links and very maintence intensive. American Halftracks had a powered front axel and steered just with the front wheels. they are very like a truck to drive. also the american halftrack uses a a track made of rubber with steel cables inside. Just like the rubber band tracks found on many models. also the track require almost no maintence and seem to last almost forever almost all american halftracks you see running these days are using tracks made durring the war or shortly thereafter. which makes them 50 or 60 years old and still going strong.