Hello group,

Started a project based on the MAN Military truck on my broken down Red cat Crawler.
The original crawler was a 1:24 in scale. This one has been stretched to be as scale as possible.

Will start posting images later today.

Just to get an idea of what I am trying to achieve is attached.


CF

Progress as of yesterday..

Last night I completely dismantled the redcat and cleaned all the parts.
Remved the springs from the shocks as they were brushing with the servo mount, provided better articulation, but as this is a truck, I will not need much articulation.
So probably will put the springs back after some modification on the servo mounts.

Will post pictures as I progress, currently aquired the aluminum rectangle hollow beams which will be the main chasis

CF

Modified the drive shafts to make them longer.
That, is a ball point pen..I guess..

Second and third picture, Made in Japan..ha ha..
Tested the drive unit and seems to be aligned and holding strong..

Tonight's progress will be addition of wheels, drilling the chassis and cutting notches to accommodate the shock absorbers.

Regards,

CF

Subbed. Should be fun to watch. All the best.

Dorwin, with your attention to detail, this will turn out to be another masterpiece. All the best!

Ok here I go..
Filing with a mini file is one heck of a task..
Got the chassis up to the mark, drilled the main holes to accommodate the ball links for the shocks and the linkages.
I also made custom cut linkage rods out of CF, this gives me an advantage to keep maximum ground clearance in terms of the trucks scale..
Some things I cannot explain, maybe will make sense as the build progresses..

-screwed the ball links
-filed the notches
-refitted the shock springs..

Ordered my 1.5mm styrene sheets for the body works..

Good night guys!!

CF

late last night made a mock up of the fittings to check the articulation on my failed chassis..
looks promising..

Difference between the old and the new setup.

Second Picture, New setup mock up.

chassis works almost completed, waiting for the styrene sheets..


CF

Testing..

How do I change the Topic of this thread?

This is the plan..
The build will progress with this design as a base.

CF

seems like the styrene sheet will take a while to arrive, just got off the phone, they saying, its on its way.
Will post a video of a test run today, did run it last night, but the lead strips in the wheels seemed to wobble at the rear, opened the wheels apart and realigned and fixed them. Runs better now!
Lastly, decided that I will not be using any springs on the shocks, a little non scale look on that part I must guess! but whatever
the outcome on the chassis, the body is gonna be super awesome..stay tuned!!!

Cheers!!

CF

Ok, sometimes, scaling down a project is just not fun without putting on your own touches..
see for yourself..


CF

I had a bit of Styrene left in the tool box..
One thing about styrene is that it is so easy to work on.

CF..

Its been 2 weeks and the styrene has still not arrived, hopefully today could be a good day!!

Cheers!!

Amazing .. I find the small small details very impressive, Neat and Very nicely Executed.
Bravo !

My styrene finally arrived last night, but cannot work on it till Saturday, being a weekend, gotta take the Mrs to her parents.
Am all set to start this build, and I already have the reference pictures needed..
will keep you guys posted!


CF

Good Morning members,

The styrene that I received was a bit thicker then expected, its the best material to work with..
Finished on the body last night, I used the styrene and rubber foam board sheet of 6mm.
I really don't know what to say, but the outcome is just marvelous


CF

and some more...

and some more..

Team Subaru was more then happy to let their car on our truck..Who knows, maybe they'll meet at Dakar..

CF

Today's plan is to finish with the front grill, mirrors and fuel and utility tanks.

Finally finished most of the build..
Last night completed the rear view mirrors, fuel tank and utility boxes etc..
Today late afternoon, completed the front grill, the step ladders, brackets..feels like its coming to what I was expecting..
Hope you guys like the build log..
I am shooting every step and posting here so someone else wanting to build one has a database of ideas..
Not sure which paint scheme to go with?
The Olive drab or the desert camo.
I have been seeing these trucks almost every week returning from Iraq, and almost all that I've seen are the Desert Camo's,(maybe because they fighting in the desert) and this paint scheme is what I think I will go with.
enough of talk, here's the progress..


CF

Tonight I am planning to sand all the rough edges, specially on the rubber foam. The styrene is easy to sand, all those rough edges you see wont be there by tomorrow..

some more..

lets not forget picture # 4 = Hobbyking heatshrink exhaust pipe...