|
|
|
|
| Type: |
M48A3 Patton |
Armament: |
90mm |
| Built: |
Spring 2003 |
Armor: |
120mm |
| Builder: |
Randy Reynolds |
Rating: |
40/4 |
| Status: |
Under Construction |
Battles: |
0 |
| Owner: |
Randy Reynolds |
Points Earned: |
0 |
| Call Sign: |
Grrrunt |
Points Given: |
0 |
| Notes: |
| |
Riveted Aluminum Hull Hand-formed Molded Turret EV Warrior drive system Attachment Chain Track
|
|
|
|
|
|
My tank is a model of an M48A3 Patton tank. I chose this particular
tank because of the elliptical hull with it's "Frogs Nose". The hull
is made of .062 aluminum, riveted with aluminum rivets. I began construction
in early spring 2003, conforming to the 36" rule, which makes it a 1:7.53
scale model. The hull is 37.5 inches long over the mud skirts and
22.5 inches wide across the same. It will be tall, as most U.S. Tanks are,
somewhere between 15 and 16 inches.
The turret will be formed from aluminum screen overlaid with fiberglass
cloth to achieve the classic domed shape of the Patton.
The drive system consists of two EV Warriors (24 volts) and
two 1:5.30 gearboxes bought used from trash compactors.
Two garden tractor batteries will fit in the hull
for power. (I added an inch to the hull depth to accomodate the batteries.)
The track is #2060 attachment chain
bought from Will Montgomery, driven by #60 - 14T steel sprockets on
1/2" drill rod shafts.
The suspension consists of springs on the outside of the hull with
trailing links that attach to the road wheels.
|
|
|
|
Click Photo For Enlargement (267 Kb) |
|
|
|
This photo shows the completed hull riveted together using counter-sunk
or "flush head" rivets. It is mostly .062 aluminum
through out, with the upper and lower nose formed from .032 aluminum. The
bottom hull where the trailing links attach is 3/4" square aluminum bar.
The rest has 3/4" aluminum angle.
|
|
|
|
|
This shows the EV Warriors on the sides where they will be mounted.
The upper hull is hinged to allow as much access as possible.
|
|
|
Click Photo For Enlargement (94 Kb) |
|
|
|
Click Photo For Enlargement (109 Kb) |
|
|
|
The top view of the hull shows some of the distinctive curves of the
Patton tank. The disk in the middle is the bottom of the turret
on which a shaped dome will be constructed.
|
|
|
|
|
The nose was hand formed and fitted using very simple methods.
I used the support poll (4" pipe) in my basement to effect the
"Frogs Nose" of this model. The two halves were gas welded
together while on the hull.
|
|
|
Click Photo For Enlargement (278 Kb) |
|
|
|
Click Photo For Enlargement (213 Kb) |
|
|
|
The back of the tank shows the beginning of some nicely detailed
vents and radiator fins. They'll be a little difficult to keep clean,
but they'll look great in either case.
|
|
|
|
|
This shows the #2060 attachment chain tracks and the beginnings of the
formed turret. The turret is made of aluminum screen wire which is easy
to form into smooth curves. It will be painted first in sections with
two-part epoxy, then overlaid with figerglass cloth, probably using 4-6 plys.
|
|
|
Click Photo For Enlargement (332 Kb) |
|
|
|
Click Photo For Enlargement (210 Kb) |
|
|
|
This close-up shows the wheel and suspension arrangement. The springs
are surplus springs used on car seats to return the seat-back to an
upright position. They come in left and right hand configurations and,
best of all, they were only 12 for a dollar.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
