Working tank suspension

[rockpaperscissor]

Albert Pushitov, one of the fellas over at the VK paper tank community page, just completed this T-72 build in diminutive 1/72 scale. The static model is impressive, but I was blown away by the flexibility of his working suspension. I hope he will share the construction details.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9qGW3oHI4k

[Texman]

I too hopes he gives an instruction on how to do it.

[Vinalssergio155]

That's amazing, I never saw a model either of paper or other material move like that. Thanks for showing this Don
Sergio

[SCEtoAUX]

Looks almost like the real thing. Must have been quite a process to get it to work like that.

[elliott]

That's incredible! Let us know if he reveals his secrets please.

[peter taft]

Oh very YES ! How smooth is that ? Yeah look forward to the secret revealed...if he would be so kind

[CharlieC]

Interesting....

I did note the model doesn't seem to have a hull below the level of the mudguards. A T-72 in 1:72 has hull length of about 95mm so the model isn't really tiny.

Look forward to finding out how it was done.

Charlie

[rockpaperscissor]

I'll poke around on his VK homepage today. Hopefully there'll be some photos of the construction method. I'll be sure to share if I find something.

[rockpaperscissor]

I think this image will illustrate his method without too much comment from me. It looks like the first and last axles are at a set height, and the 4 in the middle are allowed to slide up and down independently with a loop of paper to limit the travel. I'm surprised at how simple this is. The track is built up of individual links, using 2 internal threads to join them. There is a track guide on each link to keep the caterpillar centered on the wheels and there is a slight gap between each link for maximum flexibility. Mind, this is a 1/72 scale model. He has built working suspension on other vehicles as well, including a tiny 1/72 Tetrarch - amazing.

[maurice]

The basic principle in use here is quite simple. It consists of three sets of rigid walking beams on each side so that no actual springs are needed at this size and weight.
Parsing the u-tube video frame by frame confirms the use of 3 bogies. At some points it can be seen that one wheel (which one varies) is not in contact with the track - a sure sign.

The pic below is lifted from
ATV Walking Trailer ( 3D model ))
It shows the type and form of beam used and probably explains the lack of lower hull noticed by Charlie.
Ingenuity comes into the practical implementation in paper as there are some complex factors to take into account and balance against each other.
At 1/72 scale with wheels 7/16" (11.1125mm) in diameter I am certain wire and/or wood must have been used for most of the axles involved.

How can I be sure of all this? Well back in 1977 I built a mock-up chasis of such an arrangement with just 2 bogies each side - think Vickers Light MK VI track profile.
Effective scale of 1/36 allowed every bit of it to be made from paper and manila folder.
I never did get back to it.
Will try to post some photos but don't hold any breath, Flinders Medical Centre has much to answer for.

rockpaperscissor would you please post a url for Albert Pushitov's work(can't think that's really his name ) .