Re: M1 Abrams and other modern MBT's

[Steve Edwards <sedwards-at-awger.net>]

SUSAN GUTBRODT wrote:

> Hey,
> Let's go 1/2 scale and we actualy drive and use simunitions....hehehe


1/2 is on the small side of tolerable... great for the kids, but I'm 
6'4".  2/3 is about the limit for what you can do without having to get 
an oversize permit (an oversize permit is required to transport anything 
over 8-8.5ft wide, depending on the state), and should be big enough for 
a crew of three (driver, cmdr / gunner, hull gunner / loader).  
Full-size may require a permit but has the added benefit of being able 
to hook up with the WWII reenactors (I don't think they'd touch anything 
that wasn't full-size).

If you wanted to stick with 1/2 scale, go with something like a 
Jagdpanther that doesn't have a turret, so you have enough room for a 
full-size person on either side of the main gun (no turret basket to get 
in the way of the driver's seat) and enough headroom that you can 
actually sit upright.

Standard paintball markers (converted to full-auto) will work well for 
coax and hull MGs. Main gun would be a 3" air cannon; if you got tired 
of shooting fruits and vegetables you could get real fancy and make 
fin-stabilized, paint-filled projectiles out of molded hard gelatin.

Armor would have to be upgraded, as a 3" air cannon -at- 100psi can fire a 
lemon through unreinforced 1/2" plywood. I suggest sheet aluminum or 
steel, say, 1/16" thick. Viewports should be plexi or lexan at least 1/2".

Primary powerplant should provide compressed air for the guns and 
electrical power for the drive motors. Top contender is a 4cyl VW engine 
converted to an air compressor, also driving a heavy-duty alternator to 
charge the batteries (hydraulics are also a possibility, but IMO a pain 
in the arse).

Hmm...

I was all set to start on a Jagpanzer IV because (a) I think they're 
really cool, (b) the basic chassis could be duplicated for an early- or 
late-war production tank, and (c) there're waaaaay too many Tigers -- 
but having such a low profile it wouldn't work very well at 1/2 scale 
(2/3 would be alright tho). However, the Jagdpanther has a torsion bar 
suspension (which will provide a better ride and will be easier to 
replicate)... at the cost of a higher profile (better for a 1/2 scale 
model that you're going to get into, but worse for a 1/4 scale model 
that is going to battle with 1/6 scale models).

    - Steve "No, I've never thought about it" Edwards