Rubin has created a monster!! :evil: After seeing his and other walking tanks my imagination has shifted into overdrive. His tank has four legs so I decided that mine would have six. The mechanical designer in me went to work making leg assembly sketches.
From there I got on my trusty computer and began to hammer out some of the details like dimensions and such. The computer work has been on the under frame and the hip joint mechanisms.
I have been working on the turret for this beast, but I don't want to reveal it to you yet. Lets just say there will be something from the U.S. Army prowling the rubble of 1946 Berlin.
I am really stoked about this project.
The designs and sketches are taking form. It's the rise of the machine :evil: . I have started building the under frame and the hip joints.
The parts and materials are assembled.
Each leg is made up of four main parts that connect to the central hub that when complete will make up the frame that will support the hull.
Each hip joint will be actuated by two hydraulic cylinders. Each joint will be fully working.
The completed frame leg and joint. Only five more to go.
Ok! I couldn't wait the show you the teeth of the beast. Turret is made up of a Verlinden M4A3 turret with M50 IDF Sherman parts added along with welds and wiring. It is not finished still have more small details to add. Almost of this stuff is coming out of my scrap box. I have added spaced armor to the turret to repel those shaped charge rocket use to defend their ruined cities.
I am kinda working on this from both ends, but I'll get to the middle soon enough. Stay tuned I'm working on a remote control twin 50 cal mount to protect the soft under belly of the beast.
Well folks the mad designer has been at it again. :evil: I have been working on the leg segment and the hull design. So the following images are just a small update from my computer. Stay tuned and thanks for looking.
Well boys and girls the machine has a hull that is not just a figment of my imagination. I have been adding the little details and doing some texture work. Next I plan to add some welds and some spaced armor. Until then here are some update pictures to look at. Comments welcome.
The legs are coming!!!!
Boys and Girls the legs are designed and I have installed a couple. I would have done more, but I ran out of brass tubing. Here are a few update images keep you guys in the loop. Comments welcome.
It's time for the next chapter of "WALKING TANK" "BODY WORK". I still don't have more brass tubing to finish the legs so I decided to work on the hull. I added head lamps, which I drilled out so I can add lens later, and head lamp guards. Some gas caps were also added to the rear deck. The main effort went into adding the standoffs for the spaced armor that I wanted to add to overcome those nasty panzerfaust's.
Base paint color "Dark Green" has been applied.
First armor plates added.
Spaced armor completed.
Ok I got some more brass tubing so leg construction is back underway. The monster is beginning to take shape. Here are some pictures to keep your interest up.
Starting to add stand offs for the spaced armor on the leg.
I have been working on the plumbing of the legs.
All six legs are now built and attached to the center frame and standing unsupported. I have also added a remote control twin 50 cal mount to underside.
I have added the hydraulic lines to all those cyclinders. I am also beginning to add the other lines from the frame to the legs.
I had a idea the other day for a bit of technology that the walking tank needed. So i added a radar dish. It's made out of brass and aluminum tube, copper wire, bits of resin, and spare Panther screen. Here's few pic's. Now back to leg armor......
I have been adding details to the turret and the hull; finishing up the let construction and finally some base coating paint work. The building phase is pretty much done until I get to the base. Fun part comming up "Painting". Well here are some pictures to keep you guys up to date.
Well the painting has begun!! I have been shading and washing. I have even been chipping a little, but far from done. Here are a few pic's to keep the ball rolling. Questions and comments welcome.
Went to work last night and added some markings all of which came from the spares box. I keep all my unused decals and they have sure come in handy. I did some more chipping and weathering using a sponge. I am still learning, but like the result so far, with more to come. I also painted and weathered the last unfinished item the exaust. Painted the muffler and pipe red brown and then added layers of rust colored pastel powder and then dry brushed with gun metal paint.
Considering that this thing is going to draw fire I desided to put a few bullet holes in it. I have done some more weathering with more to come. The hull is about 98% done with only a couple of jerry cans not yet attached. Currently working weathering the legs and after that figure painting.
I have been working on the base that the walker will be placed. I wanted a look that placed the machine in rubble of a city. What I have done is to make a base that is rubble and part of a street. Everything is mounted on to a wood base. The rubble is made of oven bake clay and Tamiya street parts, model railroad rocks and bricks made of cork. The street is made of the same cork cut into brick shapes. I am sure I will add more stuff before I'm done.
This project took a year to complete. Here is the finished product.
From there I got on my trusty computer and began to hammer out some of the details like dimensions and such. The computer work has been on the under frame and the hip joint mechanisms.
I have been working on the turret for this beast, but I don't want to reveal it to you yet. Lets just say there will be something from the U.S. Army prowling the rubble of 1946 Berlin.
I am really stoked about this project.
The designs and sketches are taking form. It's the rise of the machine :evil: . I have started building the under frame and the hip joints.
The parts and materials are assembled.
Each leg is made up of four main parts that connect to the central hub that when complete will make up the frame that will support the hull.
Each hip joint will be actuated by two hydraulic cylinders. Each joint will be fully working.
The completed frame leg and joint. Only five more to go.
Ok! I couldn't wait the show you the teeth of the beast. Turret is made up of a Verlinden M4A3 turret with M50 IDF Sherman parts added along with welds and wiring. It is not finished still have more small details to add. Almost of this stuff is coming out of my scrap box. I have added spaced armor to the turret to repel those shaped charge rocket use to defend their ruined cities.
I am kinda working on this from both ends, but I'll get to the middle soon enough. Stay tuned I'm working on a remote control twin 50 cal mount to protect the soft under belly of the beast.
Well folks the mad designer has been at it again. :evil: I have been working on the leg segment and the hull design. So the following images are just a small update from my computer. Stay tuned and thanks for looking.
Well boys and girls the machine has a hull that is not just a figment of my imagination. I have been adding the little details and doing some texture work. Next I plan to add some welds and some spaced armor. Until then here are some update pictures to look at. Comments welcome.
The legs are coming!!!!
Boys and Girls the legs are designed and I have installed a couple. I would have done more, but I ran out of brass tubing. Here are a few update images keep you guys in the loop. Comments welcome.
It's time for the next chapter of "WALKING TANK" "BODY WORK". I still don't have more brass tubing to finish the legs so I decided to work on the hull. I added head lamps, which I drilled out so I can add lens later, and head lamp guards. Some gas caps were also added to the rear deck. The main effort went into adding the standoffs for the spaced armor that I wanted to add to overcome those nasty panzerfaust's.
Base paint color "Dark Green" has been applied.
First armor plates added.
Spaced armor completed.
Ok I got some more brass tubing so leg construction is back underway. The monster is beginning to take shape. Here are some pictures to keep your interest up.
Starting to add stand offs for the spaced armor on the leg.
I have been working on the plumbing of the legs.
All six legs are now built and attached to the center frame and standing unsupported. I have also added a remote control twin 50 cal mount to underside.
I have added the hydraulic lines to all those cyclinders. I am also beginning to add the other lines from the frame to the legs.
I had a idea the other day for a bit of technology that the walking tank needed. So i added a radar dish. It's made out of brass and aluminum tube, copper wire, bits of resin, and spare Panther screen. Here's few pic's. Now back to leg armor......
I have been adding details to the turret and the hull; finishing up the let construction and finally some base coating paint work. The building phase is pretty much done until I get to the base. Fun part comming up "Painting". Well here are some pictures to keep you guys up to date.
Well the painting has begun!! I have been shading and washing. I have even been chipping a little, but far from done. Here are a few pic's to keep the ball rolling. Questions and comments welcome.
Went to work last night and added some markings all of which came from the spares box. I keep all my unused decals and they have sure come in handy. I did some more chipping and weathering using a sponge. I am still learning, but like the result so far, with more to come. I also painted and weathered the last unfinished item the exaust. Painted the muffler and pipe red brown and then added layers of rust colored pastel powder and then dry brushed with gun metal paint.
Considering that this thing is going to draw fire I desided to put a few bullet holes in it. I have done some more weathering with more to come. The hull is about 98% done with only a couple of jerry cans not yet attached. Currently working weathering the legs and after that figure painting.
I have been working on the base that the walker will be placed. I wanted a look that placed the machine in rubble of a city. What I have done is to make a base that is rubble and part of a street. Everything is mounted on to a wood base. The rubble is made of oven bake clay and Tamiya street parts, model railroad rocks and bricks made of cork. The street is made of the same cork cut into brick shapes. I am sure I will add more stuff before I'm done.
This project took a year to complete. Here is the finished product.
