Leopard 2A7V. From Static kit, to RC. Hopefully!

[Meter rat]

First post on the site, so forgive me if it is a long one. 

I purchased a 1/16 Das Werk, Leopard 2A7V, and a Heng Long Leopard 2A6 chassis, with the intention of turning into an RC Model. 

I am hoping to install working lights, smoke and flash, recoil, HL TK7.1, working machine gun, ball bearings in the suspension, and wheels, with torsion bar suspension. 

First decision was to see if the HL hull could be used in its original configuration. The upper hull does fit, but some trimming would be needed. 

 This would be incorrect, but a simple, working solution.

The simplified HL, is not as well detailed as the Das Werk, and it also has incorrect suspension.

 

The Heng Long lower hull will provide parts like return rollers, sprockets, motors, and track tension. 

Ball bearings were installed at the wheel stations. 

Brass and plastic tube was used to make a prototype suspension. 1.8mm spring wire was used. 

Edited Monday at 02:39 PM by Meter rat
Incomplete post.

[Meter rat]

All this was proof of concept that it would work. 

Just using one bearing on the outside of the hull. felt a little flimsy, so a second bearing was installed on the inside. This gave the required support. 

Now a working system has been found. 14 Individual suspension arms have to be made. I now need to work out how to attach the main road wheels. 

This is the Heng Long Leopard hull being stripped of parts. I am hoping to adapt the track tensioners to give a workable design, so the idler wheels do not have to be removed. 

It also appears that the return rollers could be used. 

Finally I am investigating the installation of the motors.  Lots of measurements will be required.

This is the process of building the suspension arms.

Second a piece of plastic is cut and fixed over the brass.

Then a length of spring wire is bent at a right angle, and the brass tube slipped over it. 

A fixing point is made at the other end of the wire. 

The last part of this, is to cut off the kit wheel mount, and enlarge it to 4mm. A 4mm nut is glued inside to make a captive nut. Then the torsion bar is tack glued in place , ensuring everything is at the required angle, and the void filled with Miliput and allowed to dry over night. 

[Meter rat]

Finally. The holes in the wheels are enlarged, and a flange bearing, and plane bearing were fitted. All the threads were cleaned, and the inner wheels bolted on. This allows for removal for maintenance. 

This is how the model sits today. 

Now sitting on all 14 inner road wheels, which can now be removed for maintenance. 

[FullArmor]

This is awesome stuff. Will follow.👍👍👍

[GusMac]

Innovative stuff, looking forward to seeing how it progresses.