RE: M1A1 suspension

[Joe Sommer <anvilus9-at-adelphia.net>]

Steve,

At 04:12 PM 10/30/2003 +0000, <Steve.burdett-at-pembrokeshire.gov.uk> wrote:
>Anyone know why the wheels on the M1 are not symmetrical?

1)  Right versus left asymmetry
The M1 uses torsion tube suspension.  The swing arm
bearings for the left wheels go through the left hull at
the green + marks on my M1 hull JPG drawing.
The right swing arm bearings go through the right
hull at the red + marks.

The left swing arm shafts connect axially to torsion tubes
that pass across the hull and are anchored to the right
inner hull wall.  Consequently, the right swing arm
bearings cannot be coaxial with the left swing arm bearings.

Shafts #1, #2 and #7 are separated by 8 inches and shafts
#3, #4, #5 and #6 are separated by 6.25 inches.

The Tiger reconstruction links provided below give a
good idea how staggered torsion tubes are used for
right and left swing arms.
http://www.tiger-tank.com/secure/journal11.htm
http://www.tiger-tank.com/secure/journal12.htm

The attached file "M1A1_L_R.jpg" clearly shows this
right-left asymmetry.  The attached file "M1A2_section.jpg"
shows seven pairs of torsion tubes in the bottom of the hull
and under the drivers seat.

Although Steve Gusikoski's Tiger #T014 and
Darren Baker's new Tiger use lever arms and
tension springs, I have designed and will use
1/16 x 1/4 x 8 brass torsion bar springs on my
M1A1 similar to real torsion tube suspension.

2)  Wheel spacing #1 to #2 not same as others
No idea why.

Hope this helps,
Joe


**********************************************
Joe Sommer
2378 Nantucket Circle, State College, PA 16803
814.234.4773     anvilus9-at-adelphia.net
http://users.adelphia.net/~anvilus9/

M1A2_section.jpg

M1A1_L_R.jpg