Phil's Tank [TANKS]

[sasquevaneach-at-aim.com]

The tank is moving ahead. I took all your advice about putting the drive sprocket at the back, however when I measured everything there was not room to fit everything in at the back. The back of the Hetzer slopes inwards and the idler is right at the end, and as the wheels are very close together there is no room to move things round.

I am therefore building a "cage" type front sprocket, like Chrys's, and if I make sure the track is reasonably taut (the original had a return roller) hopefully it will all work. Alternatively, I can drive everywhere backwards!

I have also just ordered the axles and drive shafts (stainless steel- that was what I could find on e-bay (or anywhere else)) and bearings from Technobots. I have also primed the lower hull and wheels- much easier when the wheels are off!

Thanks to whoever came up with the "poor man's lathe" system of using a drill on a stand as a lathe- it worked a treat and I now have acceptably round drive shaft pulleys.

I'll post some photos when I get a moment.

Phil "Getting on with it" Palmer

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