Ok, here's the Halftrack wrap up. Basically, I painted, removed & filled both mounting/shipping tabs and reworked the exhaust to better replicate an actual exhaust. As Rich would tell 'ya... One could spend weeks super-detailing WW II vehicles and this 1/18 Halftrack is NO exception but for now, my goals (working steering & exhaust) were achieved.
Looks great ! The WWII half-tracks were tough and versatile vehicles and it is really good to have this modified 1/18 model of it. My Grandpa was a Assistant Chief Engineer at Diamond-T trucks in Chicago where many of these were built, as they also did at General Motors and others. American production certainly helped win WWII.
One thing I never noticed on the American half track is there are no teeth on the inner aspect of the track segments to engage with the drive wheel. Was it just friction at the interface? Rubber on rubber?
Extremely intricate but job well done. Thanks for sharing the step by step detail. Great photo essay.
You're welcome David. I made a point of posting this particular project in hopes of helping others do the same (making operational steering ). For many years I've seen this ubiquitous Halftrack model, yet never any steering mods. It was about time! 😉
Looks great ! The WWII half-tracks were tough and versatile vehicles and it is really good to have this modified 1/18 model of it. My Grandpa was a Assistant Chief Engineer at Diamond-T trucks in Chicago where many of these were built, as they also did at General Motors and others. American production certainly helped win WWII.
Thanks. That's a nice story/memory, thank God for his contribution along with the millions of others. He was clearly part of the "Arsenal of Democracy."Â Â I've learned that these Halftracks weighed about 14,000 lbs and got 2.5 miles to the gallon; I can only imagine the complex but efficient methods of mass production involved. Much of that success can be directly attributed to quality engineering. Your Grandfather was a true hero.
One thing I never noticed on the American half track is there are no teeth on the inner aspect of the track segments to engage with the drive wheel. Was it just friction at the interface? Rubber on rubber?
Well, I've watched a few YouTube vintage WW II training films on how two soldiers can replace a "thrown track" (that weighs about 700lbs) in 15 minutes. It would appear that friction/tension is all that keeps it in place. 🤔 🤔
HA! I only have about 50 on the back burner...... and about 100 more ideas: 4-door conversions of 1/18 triple-nickel Chevys, a 4-door 1957 Plymouth Police car, 1955 Chevy sedan delivery panel truck, upgrade about 75 models, finish up some gasser projects, fashion some "up-tops" for a few convertibles, make a 1952 Hudson 2-dr Hardtop from a convertible, etc., etc., re-start my all-metal 1932 Duesenberg project.....  I'd love to scratch-build "the first car," .... a 1/18 1769 Cugnot Fardier.
What will I do? 🤔  Who knows? 🙄   Not me! 😉  Stay tuned...........
HA! I only have about 50 on the back burner...... and about 100 more ideas: 4-door conversions of 1/18 triple-nickel Chevys, a 4-door 1957 Plymouth Police car, 1955 Chevy sedan delivery panel truck, upgrade about 75 models, finish up some gasser projects, fashion some "up-tops" for a few convertibles, make a 1952 Hudson 2-dr Hardtop from a convertible, etc., etc., re-start my all-metal 1932 Duesenberg project.....  I'd love to scratch-build "the first car," .... a 1/18 1769 Cugnot Fardier.
What will I do? 🤔  Who knows? 🙄   Not me! 😉  Stay tuned...........
