1/16 Scale Ford "Quad" Field Artillery Tractor Design and Build

[missileer]

Dave,

This is a fantastic project! And I'm addicted to details, so the more the merrier. When you release this one, I plan to acquire two copies (one for me and one for my grandson). My grandson is a brand new "Brown Bar" in Armor and is heavily into models of Tanks and Artillery. This will be a great center piece.

John

[airdave]

Originally Posted by missileer

Dave,

This is a fantastic project! And I'm addicted to details, so the more the merrier. When you release this one, I plan to acquire two copies (one for me and one for my grandson). My grandson is a brand new "Brown Bar" in Armor and is heavily into models of Tanks and Artillery. This will be a great center piece.

John

Glad you are enjoying it.
And I appreciate the commitment* to purchase a copy.

And let it be known, I would never expect anyone to buy multiple copies for sharing with family.
You don't need my permission to share the kit with your Grandson...but you have it anyway!


*same goes to all who have offered the same commitment.

[airdave]

So, I am still fiddling around with the Axles and related parts...before I permanently attach them.
In the meantime, I decided to tackle the Steering Unit and then I can finalize the steering linkages.

I have become a little concerned about how the Steering Box fits under the Body.
I may have to redesign the Body I already created...

for now, the Steering Box sits on top of the front Frame and will connect via a short linkage rod (to the right front wheel hub).



My first attempt worked well, but I decided it looked a bit large.
So I cut it all off, and reduced the size of the central unit (about 70%).
I kept the tubular parts the same size, so as not to make them any harder to build.
I like the finished dimensions.

Upright tube (steering column) is probably to be trimmed to fit under the body.
It probably won't reach up into the cab...it doesn't need to.



I'm going to take a break from the Frame and Axles for a while...to build a couple of Wheels and Tires.
If all goes well, I'll build all four and mount them to the Axles.
That way, I can assemble the Frame and it will sit properly, and I can examine the height and clearances
(before starting on the rest of the Chassis components. eg Transfer Case, Driveshafts, Transmission, Engine...)

So, next report will be on Wheels and Tires!
................

[Don Boose]

Definitely looks like a real vehicle.

Superb craftsmanship!

Don

[missileer]

Originally Posted by airdave

And let it be known, I would never expect anyone to buy multiple copies for sharing with family.
You don't need my permission to share the kit with your Grandson...but you have it anyway!


*same goes to all who have offered the same commitment.

First, let me thank you for your generosity. Next let me quote the words of Capt Marvel before he was demoted to Shazam, "HOLY, MOLEY!" If I didn't know that was paper, I would have sworn that you were in the back yard welding a full scale mockup!

[airdave]

Wheel and Tire report...

I ended up building two wheels.
I have since made adjustments to the design files and I will now be printing and building two more.



Adjustments were mostly to colour and fill.

I found the center of the tread strip too light...I "painted" it with some gray marker during the build to dull it down.
I have adjusted the design file.

I've also coloured (gray) the joiners and hidden backing pieces, so less white shows through seams and gaps.

Its a tedious build...took me at least 6 hours for each complete wheel.
21 parts for each Tire and Wheel Rim.
Lots of cutting...especially the tabbed joiners and the Tread part.

But for the most part, they look good when finished...if you don't crush them!
I crushed the first, and it now has a couple of dimples in the sidewalls.
For the second one, I was more careful, and i coated the insdie with PVA glue for more strength.
But to be honest, the dimples look like a real tire surface thing! Thats my story!

I will document the Tire build with the next pair (as a tutorial)
and then I think I'll go back to finishing the drivetrain, before I glue the wheels in place.
That way, they are not in my way, while designing and fitting things.

[gotham]

Love the wheels and tyres. 6 hrs build per wheel, oh my stars & garters ! But they do look good, and what else are you going to do with 24hrs of your life anyway ?

[Don Boose]

That chassis and undercarriage has heft!

Very realistic and beautiful.

Don

[airdave]

Originally Posted by gotham

what else are you going to do with 24hrs of your life anyway ?

EXACTLY!!

I sit down in front of the TV in an evening for a couple of hours,
or 3-4 hours on Sunday watching Car Racing.
And I work on model building at that time.

It took almost three nights to finish a wheel,
so I estimate that at somewhere about 6 hours of casual work.

The second one probably went a bit quicker.
If you were working at four at once, you might shave a lot more time off.
Or not...depending on how interesting the TV programs are.

[rifleman]

wow dam fine work sir