M548 tracked vehicle

[cooper_xl]

Hi guys!

I fell in love with a truck some time ago. It's big, heavy and ugly and I didn't see any built until today(as far as my research went)


Your halftrack builds left me with a feeling that i need one of those to but not an halftrack, I should go to a full tracked vehicle.
The Unimog build it's in a bit of a standstill because it needs a good amount of metal fabrication and I needed a styrene build to do on the weekends. And when I revealled the idea to a coworker, he said that rode those in the army so he is my official consultor

Introducing the M548, a cargo and transport vehicle from the 60s:






To the build!


It's a big one, measuring 25x58cm, in true 1/10 scale:


[url=https://flic.kr/p/WyzwTZ]


First cuts:

[url=https://flic.kr/p/WiAVKf]

[url=https://flic.kr/p/VjZ5Rv]


[url=https://flic.kr/p/Wyzxb2]


the nose:


[url=https://flic.kr/p/VjZ69p]


[url=https://flic.kr/p/VjZ5Ug]


[url=https://flic.kr/p/VjZ66D]



Test fit:

[url=https://flic.kr/p/Wyzx24]





Back to the nose:

The 1:1 has 2 headlight clusters, containing regular headlights, blacklights for stealthiness, horn, blinkers,etc(depends on the variant). on mine I went for regular lights, red lights to simulate the blacklights and horn





Tought in machine them but 3d print makes it easier,machined only the housing and the lenses were cut from 1:1 car lights:

[url=https://flic.kr/p/VjZ6aM]



[url=https://flic.kr/p/VjZ6gD]


[url=https://flic.kr/p/VjZ6fr]

[cooper_xl]

The running gear will be metal heng long gearboxes:

received_10211755783000793_zps9gf6lgoc by pedro azevedo, on Flickr



They came with tiny motors(280 or 370) so I'm in a process of adapting them to 540 motors. Seemed easier, one it's done

received_10212259514313761_zpsj60watwf by pedro azevedo, on Flickr



This running gear is perfect for this truck. 2 gearboxes with 1 motor each seems that would take too much space but no:


68dc920e-c635-4fac-bcfe-f73c0b49cee2_zpshcsscu29 by pedro azevedo, on Flickr


They sit perfectly under the cab floor like the 1:1 and the bottom of the gearboxes align perfectly with the underside

The complete running gear it's 2 motors, 2 ESCs, 1 (or 2) bats. I was afraid of having to buy a stick radio like all tank guys have but I've tinkered with my usual radio that offers 4 mixing slots and have found the perfect way. Progressive control in both throtle and steering

[Mike Flea]

I'm subbed, I drove one of these in Germany during Reforger back in 1982. I was a Section Chief for a Tracked Artillery unit out of El Paso, Tx with the 3rd Armored Cav

[Inspector86]

You need to take a look at the Sabertooth 2x12 tracked vehicle ESC. It has built in throttle and steering mixing. I have this ESC in a Blizzard and use my GT3C to control it.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[Gula]

I second the Sabertooth esc. I have one and use it to control a tracked vehicle with a pistol radio.
On to your build, superb I must say! Your skill has become a lost art nowadays, so keep up the good work.
What color will you paint it: OD or a desert color?

[cooper_xl]

Originally Posted by Mike Flea

I'm subbed, I drove one of these in Germany during Reforger back in 1982. I was a Section Chief for a Tracked Artillery unit out of El Paso, Tx with the 3rd Armored Cav

Thanks, I think you'll like this

Originally Posted by Inspector86

You need to take a look at the Sabertooth 2x12 tracked vehicle ESC. It has built in throttle and steering mixing. I have this ESC in a Blizzard and use my GT3C to control it.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Originally Posted by Gula

I second the Sabertooth esc. I have one and use it to control a tracked vehicle with a pistol radio.
On to your build, superb I must say! Your skill has become a lost art nowadays, so keep up the good work.
What color will you paint it: OD or a desert color?

Saw that ESC, seems very nice but kind of expensive. I have an idea to control it with a pistol radio. Tried a stick radio like all tank guys use but....it's not for me.


I like scratchbuilding. Now everyone prints,even when it's not really needed. Will have 3d prints in this but only the necessary






more stuff:

Added the side windows


these rear vents:







Most of the m548 I've seen online(and the ones on our national army) have canvas top but i found that are hardtop variants and knew right away that's the best option:





so, stacked a couple of layers of pvc and tried to do the round corner windows

[Mike Flea]

Coming along nicely, mine was a soft top, had the winch, but not the .50 Cal mount on top of the cab

[cooper_xl]

Originally Posted by Mike Flea

Coming along nicely, mine was a soft top, had the winch, but not the .50 Cal mount on top of the cab

Nice. A friend of mine had some experience with them. Our military has them working as support vehicles for the M102s, carrying ammo and charges
I should have went for the canvas top, it's growing on me and there's much more reference photos.








Took care of the passenger door. Driver's one was already made a couple days



I wasn't planning on opening doors but someone ( ) convinced to do them and being honest,looks better and helps with the interior



Next, I progress on the "dash",the real one it's barebones,military style








Mine it's not 100% accurate but after paint and details, I think it will look good enough













The dials extend to the other side of the sheet,will have wires behind to simulate the connections and only the tip of the LEDs will be showing


Keep tuned, this project will no be abandoned...

[Mike Flea]

Dash looks accurate, good job

[cooper_xl]

Originally Posted by Mike Flea

Dash looks accurate, good job

Thank you!





Tackled the roof:


















It's far from finished but I need to sort out the interior before gluing the roof and give the final touches

[cooper_xl]

Start of the rear tailgate


The 1:1:









I assumed that the tailgate can be opened to both sides so I went with it


Basic shape, 2 layers of PVC and one of the hinges:






Closed:



One way....



...or another

[cooper_xl]

Did a small change on the tailgate. Went with the inicial idea of using 2 long rods with dual function depending on which side the tailgate opens









Also took the chance to do something more on the interior

[cooper_xl]

Small stuff, added the steps:






I sanded them better after these photos




Sometimes the photos trick the size of things because there's no reference points. So this is....



...the truck's actual size

[Mike Flea]

That, at 1/10 scale, looks a tad longer than my 1/6 G.I. Joe Jeep at 17 1/2 in.

Imagine if you would have made it 1/6 scale!

[cooper_xl]

Originally Posted by Mike Flea

That, at 1/10 scale, looks a tad longer than my 1/6 G.I. Joe Jeep at 17 1/2 in.

Imagine if you would have made it 1/6 scale!

Never compared the 2...had one of these in house for a while. Now I have a Dragon Willys but never put it side to side. This M548 is 58cm long and 25cm wide






Had the chance to make the hull. Had to bent a 0.8mm aluminium sheet and now with the angle grinder I'm making the last bends. Rivets to hold the corners and epoxy to reinforce

The truck it's very dirty because of handling it at the shop to fit the hull




Front:




Bottom:





Gearboxes in place:

[cooper_xl]

Not having the "hull" done, delayed progressing on the body. With the hull, everything is figured out.



Another view of it,to show better how much space it has for transmission and eletronic






mAh for days....(actually, I'll use only 1 battery, 2 if the stress it's too much)





Was planing to do these "fenders" as part of the hull but they were looking bad:




This section was also to be in aluminium but because the hull is removable, there will be gaps showing, so I enclosed it in PVC. Now it's easier to add details



Then, made this bulkhead(?) with service panels for the engine

[Mike Flea]

Scrub with Dawn detergent, or similar product, before doing your paint. Dawn removes grease without damaging the plastic, it's what they use to get petroleum off of birds and sea mammals after an oil spill.

[cooper_xl]

Originally Posted by Mike Flea

Scrub with Dawn detergent, or similar product, before doing your paint. Dawn removes grease without damaging the plastic, it's what they use to get petroleum off of birds and sea mammals after an oil spill.

didn't knew that. Thanks for the tip!



Today didn't do much visible. Lots of sanding and trimming. The most visible change was the floor of the cargo bay. Had the piece cut from the beginning and now it found it's place


First, some reinforcements :




Then, a kind of hatch to change batteries:




Maybe some magnets to close properly:




Tailgate on:

[cooper_xl]

Well, I can't leave the truck unattended...Seriously,cat?




Today's work was figuring out how to close the doors. Seems to work




I wasn't liking the squareness of the rear. Looking at more photos, realize that was a mistake. Redone it with angled sides:




Got the cushions for the seats:





The footrests:





And the levers to steer:






Tried running a gearbox on the hull. The gearbox is loud and the metal hull amplify that. Guess I'm not needing a sound generator

[Mike Flea]

Great job on the working doors and the pedals