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As with most plans, mine started out on paper. Well, to be technical, it started out as a Corel Draw file in a computer, then it went on paper. I found some four view drawings on the net of the tank I wanted to model. Then I traced the images using Corel Draw. This gave me vector images I could then scale to any size. Since I work in a sign shop, I have access to a 36” plotter. This was used to draw all the templates for the aluminum I was about to cut.
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Click Photo For Enlargement (35 Kb)
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Click Photo For Enlargement (30 Kb)
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The first thing I wanted to build, was the turret. I don’t know why... I guess I just got a vision. The turret is laminated from 3/4” plywood, held together with screws and wood glue. Unfortunately I have no photos of this process, but the guys at work told me it looked like a collection of toilet seats. After the toilet seats were assembled, I clamped it in a large vise, and went nuts with a belt sander to get the right shape. The hatch covers and most other detailed parts are made from aluminum. The gun mantlet is PVC pipe, and the 17 pounder is just a broom stick with a larger dowel carved to look like the muzzle. I’m still debating if I should go with a paint marker or an airsoft gun.
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Here’s a detailed photo of the turret near completion. This turns on a “lazysusan” that's about 12” in diametre. I still need to finish the periscope covers, the coaxil machine gun, and the 50 cal. All the hatches open so me and my sons can play with our action figures. Yes... I’m 38 years old, and I still play with dolls.
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Click Photo For Enlargement (69 Kb)
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Click Photo For Enlargement (77 Kb)
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The frame for the hull is 1” aluminum square tube. This gives a solid foundation for everything I’m about to build next. Since I’m an idiot when it comes to welding, I had the welder dude at work help me with this step.
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Now for the heart of the beast. I was real lucky here boys! I was given two electric motors from a wheelchair. 24 volts, 110 RPM. These babies are designed to haul 250 lbs at 5 m/h all day. With the right gear ratio, these suckers should pull my car out of the ditch! I had them tested, and they run like new! I was going to get similar motors from eBay, but decided to look localy first... Glad I did. I’ve seen used motors like these sell anywhere from to . A tank is nothing without power. This one will have lots. The photo shows left and right motor placement side by side, but I may need to put them tandem. This would make more room for drive gears or a pulley system.
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Click Photo For Enlargement (84 Kb)
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Click Photo For Enlargement (87 Kb)
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Probably the most important part of your tank will be the tracks. I’m still scratching my head over this... but I think I’m going to go with roller chain (not bike chain). Aluminum cleats will be bolted to every other link. Flat tapered head bolts are counter sunk into the 1/8th inch aluminum cleat, and may have a rubber pad on them as well. This photo shows my prototype. I’ve discovered that the nuts need to be nylon lock nuts because regular nuts shake loose. If you tighten them too much, the roller chain won’t roll. Not good. Drive sprockets will need every other tooth missing in order to bypass the nut and bolt. I’ll cut a prototype sprocket from ¼” plexi-glass to see if it’s going to work. If it does, I’ll cut the same shape from ¼” steel.
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Remember I live on the Canadian Prairie where it can be -40 C in the winter. A belt type track system may freeze and become too stiff to turn. With a chain, you won’t have this problem. Now that I have a solid plan for the track system, I start work on the hull. Using vector drawings from a 36” plotter, I glue paper templates to 1/8” aluminum sheet. Then all the shapes are cut on a band saw. At this point, things are assembled and held together with only a few machine screws. Welding won’t take place until I’m happy with the way things look, fit, and operate.
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Click Photo For Enlargement (89 Kb)
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Click Photo For Enlargement (101 Kb)
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I’m building the Firefly during my coffee breaks at work. This adds up to ½ hour per day, and it’s taken about five months just to build the turret. Now that I’m building the hull, things seem to be moving much faster. Other employees are also taking interest as the tank starts to grow. Some guys have good advise, and are very helpful, and other guys... Well... Lets just say they may become target practice!
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The R/C Tank Combat Website has been an invaluable source of information for this project... In fact, I think it’s one of the reasons I started this. I also wanted to show my sons what can be done with your hands if you put your mind to use. Too many kids spend too much time staring at a TV... Did I just sound like my dad? I have two sons, and this project also teaches them that Canada was a major factor in the Allied victory. Many Canadian crews operated the Firefly, and the Germans soon learned to respect it’s 17 pound gun. I’m very proud of Canada’s achievments during the dark days of WWII. Whether it was on land, in the air, or at sea, it seemed Canadians were always handed the hardest jobs and were given little credit.
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Click Photo For Enlargement (94 Kb)
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