Mk.5 Centurion Tank - a Big Scale Model from AirDave

[Tim Crowe]

Getting there

Pleanty of scope for the builder to add extra details

Tim

[Kevin WS]

Looking nice!

[airdave]

Latest update (June 16) just to keep everyone in the loop.
And to prove that works continues, slowly, behind the scenes!

With many repeated parts for the suspension and track support, its a slow build.
Lots of disks and tubes and strips and stuff to cut out!
Now I see why you guys love Tank models so much! lol

Pictured here, some of the parts for the Return Rollers...



and one of the return Rollers fitted into place.
I am quite happy with this.
Even though there are a few turning or rotating parts, the overall assembly is all fixed.
I am not trying to design a rolling system with moveable track.



and after some tedious work, I have finally got all the main suspension units (minus the actual Road Wheels),
and all the upper Return Rollers in place.
I have also got one of the front (single) Return Rollers installed...just working on the other side now.



I had some concerns over the front Idler Wheels and the supporting brackets and tensioners.
But after some experimenting I came up with an acceptable looking assembly.
I tried to simulate the track tensioner and the pivoting mount for the Idler wheel axle.
everything is fixed in one position, so there is no real adjustment for the Track.
I guess I better get the measurements right!


Idler wheel itself is not complete (no tread) in these photos.


and thats it for now!
...more work tonight!

[NOBI]

Looking great, Dave. I really enjoy your post. In fact, I love armor model more than aircraft model and thinking to design a big scale too.

[brianne]

Action figures would fit in it at either 1/16 or 1/18! I'd love to see this tracked monster in 1/18~

[airdave]

you will never get an action figure through the driver's hatch!!!
I'm not even sure how a real person gets through that hatch?!
They must train little guys to be drivers.

Still unsure about how far I will go with the turret interior.
I know that I will be putting something inside, rather than leaving
it completely empty.
But whether you will be able to fit a figure is a complete unknown.

[airdave]

Originally Posted by NOBI

Looking great, Dave. I really enjoy your post. In fact, I love armor model more than aircraft model and thinking to design a big scale too.

thanks Nobi!

[airdave]

and, finished up the front Idler Wheel.



I'm not completely happy with it, but its acceptable.
Theres a lot of parts to assemble...not difficult, just a bit complicated.
And you have to cut out all the little ribs and glue them in place,
so its a bit tedious and hard on the eyes.

I tried a couple of different simpler versions, but at this scale, a certain level of
detail is required...which just serves to complicate the construction.

The mounting is a little wobbly too...but I won't know how wobbly until I
try to fit a Track. So, for now, I am going to finish up all the other parts.

[thorst]

The wheel looks great Dave!
I guess everyone who buys a tank paper model in this scale knows what he has to expect for the suspension, and your design seems to be very well executed. I wouldn't worry too much

[NOBI]

You have both build and design's talent, Dave.