Hello,
My son is getting to the age where I'm thinking about building him some large wooden trucks and lorrys. Doing some research online I discovered that there are a plethora of plans, books and accessories - including wheels, axels etc - to help you along.
Then I had a mad thought---what if you could buy large-scale caterpillar tracks and rollers? A whole world of construction / fantasy vehicles (I think I'd avoid tanks at his tender age!) would open up! I wondered if anyone had the same thought and tried to scratch working tracks or had come across any sites that might sell kits you can use and adapt to your own project?
Any thoughts on this would be very welcome.
Cheers
A
Hosted by Darren Baker
Toy tank/caterpillar tracks
Andronicus
Joined: March 13, 2007
KitMaker: 391 posts
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Posted: Monday, March 03, 2008 - 11:31 PM UTC
Ray_from_SA
Joined: December 31, 2007
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Posted: Tuesday, March 04, 2008 - 01:02 AM UTC
It totally depends what 'scale' you have in mind or how much money you wish to spend, but I can tell you that Tamiya makes workable tracks and various idlers and drive pulleys in 1/16 for their radio control tank range - if you so wished I am sure something could be adapted.
MrMox
Joined: July 18, 2003
KitMaker: 3,377 posts
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Posted: Tuesday, March 04, 2008 - 01:18 AM UTC
This would make your son very happy and the most popular kid in the area....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NxoSS6Js0s&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NxoSS6Js0s&feature=related
pigsty
Joined: January 16, 2007
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Posted: Tuesday, March 04, 2008 - 01:41 AM UTC
Completely irrelevant, I know, and no earthly help for your question, but ... I remember the old Gerry Anderson shows like Thunderbirds had a lot of nifty-looking vehicles in them, and one or two had tracks. Does anyone know where he got his running gear?
Andronicus
Joined: March 13, 2007
KitMaker: 391 posts
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Posted: Tuesday, March 04, 2008 - 03:58 AM UTC
Quoted Text
It totally depends what 'scale' you have in mind or how much money you wish to spend, but I can tell you that Tamiya makes workable tracks and various idlers and drive pulleys in 1/16 for their radio control tank range - if you so wished I am sure something could be adapted.
Hi Ray
That sounds interesting---I'll take a look at their site. 1/16 isn't a scale I'm over familliar with but it sounds about the right kind of size.
Thanks for the tip.
A
Andronicus
Joined: March 13, 2007
KitMaker: 391 posts
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Posted: Tuesday, March 04, 2008 - 04:00 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Completely irrelevant, I know, and no earthly help for your question, but ... I remember the old Gerry Anderson shows like Thunderbirds had a lot of nifty-looking vehicles in them, and one or two had tracks. Does anyone know where he got his running gear?
Now that's a good question---some of those vehicles would be very cool to use as inspiration!
A
Andronicus
Joined: March 13, 2007
KitMaker: 391 posts
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Posted: Tuesday, March 04, 2008 - 04:01 AM UTC
Quoted Text
This would make your son very happy and the most popular kid in the area....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NxoSS6Js0s&feature=related
V cool. It sounded like pedal power...
volkjagger
Joined: November 22, 2006
KitMaker: 39 posts
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Posted: Monday, March 10, 2008 - 08:12 AM UTC
you can have a look at this site rccombat have a look at there how to page
you did not say which scale you wanted
http://www.rctankcombat.com/
hope this helps
you did not say which scale you wanted
http://www.rctankcombat.com/
hope this helps
squeeky1968
Joined: June 06, 2006
KitMaker: 315 posts
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Posted: Tuesday, March 11, 2008 - 06:39 AM UTC
Believe it or not Gerry Anderson got most of his running gear from Airfix and Tamiya !!.
Comet Minatures were doing a space tank from the TV series Space 1999 that included the running gear from a Centurion tank,i Do`nt know if it`s still available but i hope this answers someone`s question.
Comet Minatures were doing a space tank from the TV series Space 1999 that included the running gear from a Centurion tank,i Do`nt know if it`s still available but i hope this answers someone`s question.
Andronicus
Joined: March 13, 2007
KitMaker: 391 posts
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Posted: Tuesday, March 11, 2008 - 11:11 PM UTC
Hi Paul,
This idea is still v much at the notional stage so I've not figured out a scale yet--I was just interested in finding out if it is possible to get scale track/running gear that actually ran...
Thanks for the link it looks v interesting.
A
This idea is still v much at the notional stage so I've not figured out a scale yet--I was just interested in finding out if it is possible to get scale track/running gear that actually ran...
Thanks for the link it looks v interesting.
A
GeraldOwens
Joined: March 30, 2006
KitMaker: 3,736 posts
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Posted: Wednesday, March 12, 2008 - 03:53 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Hi Paul,
This idea is still v much at the notional stage so I've not figured out a scale yet--I was just interested in finding out if it is possible to get scale track/running gear that actually ran...
Thanks for the link it looks v interesting.
A
Tamiya also does model engineering kits to no particular scale, with working plastic track, suspension and motors, which budding engineers can tinker with to their heart's content. These would be in the educational toy section of the shop rather than with the military miniatures.
volkjagger
Joined: November 22, 2006
KitMaker: 39 posts
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Posted: Wednesday, March 12, 2008 - 05:55 AM UTC
volkjagger
Joined: November 22, 2006
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Posted: Wednesday, March 12, 2008 - 06:32 AM UTC
this guy has build a standoff model of the sherman for his son to drive around in
http://www.gizmology.net/tanks.htm
the basic idea is there can modit to fit your needs
http://www.gizmology.net/tanks.htm
the basic idea is there can modit to fit your needs
Andronicus
Joined: March 13, 2007
KitMaker: 391 posts
Armorama: 321 posts
Posted: Wednesday, March 12, 2008 - 10:17 PM UTC
[/quote]
Tamiya also does model engineering kits to no particular scale, with working plastic track, suspension and motors, which budding engineers can tinker with to their heart's content. These would be in the educational toy section of the shop rather than with the military miniatures.[/quote]
Great---another really useful tip! Thanks
Martinnnn
Joined: April 26, 2004
KitMaker: 5,435 posts
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Posted: Thursday, March 13, 2008 - 01:30 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Quoted TextThis would make your son very happy and the most popular kid in the area....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NxoSS6Js0s&feature=related
V cool. It sounded like pedal power...
That one was build by a fellow Dutchie
Very cool project indeed, followed it at the forum of my 1/16 RC tank club.As for the tracks, there are several large scale caterpillar tracks available, but mostly quite expensive. These for instance from Conrad.nl (webshop):
You could also make your own tracks and wheels from i.e. wood or if you've got the tools, metal.
Maybe another idea is something like Mecano (not sure how old your son is). I used to play with this stuff when I was a kid and always used the caterpillar tracks (then already hehe). The model below is a bit difficult, used to build much easier stuff to my own imagination, but I was always having fun.
Even military stuff available
Just a thought
Hope this helps!!
stoney
Joined: October 16, 2006
KitMaker: 480 posts
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Posted: Thursday, March 13, 2008 - 02:38 AM UTC
As a kid, my dad used to make me some cool wooden toys. I remember A big Cat with a movable blade and rubber tracks. What he did was use a strip of old tire and made burly rollers out of dowell under the chasis. The tracks didn't move but it sure looked cool. throw a couple of sparkplugs into the "engine" and it really adds. Good luck, and remember that kids play with stuff, ie break stuff, if you really want to make it for your kid, dont worry to much aboot "counting bolts" 
WhiteWolf
Joined: August 13, 2004
KitMaker: 67 posts
Armorama: 53 posts
Posted: Wednesday, March 26, 2008 - 10:48 PM UTC
Quoted Text
Completely irrelevant, I know, and no earthly help for your question, but ... I remember the old Gerry Anderson shows like Thunderbirds had a lot of nifty-looking vehicles in them, and one or two had tracks. Does anyone know where he got his running gear?
I always loved the UFO SHADOMobiles, and found out the SpFx guy used the old Remco/Reading/Topper 'Tiger Joe' tank toys (they are quite large, and the 1/6 guys are scavenging most of them for tracked chassis these days (search for James DeSimone) as seen one one of his LTV's:
http://gijoeinformation.com/gallery/albums/SupplyDepot/abh.jpg
Here you can see the tracks/roadwheels on the new replicas:
http://fabgearusa.com/ltd_edition_shadomobile_3_replica_from_ufo.html
And I found a few Youtube clips of it (but with rubber band tracks)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmMBMC2A7YU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5t2DHuswwWU (factory assembly of toys)
THIS is the real deal (mine was missing figs, gun barrel and brake, and the turret MG, but the gearbox was intact with the controller, and the proper cleat-type tracks (not rubber bands)
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=370035726459
Andronicus
Joined: March 13, 2007
KitMaker: 391 posts
Armorama: 321 posts
Posted: Thursday, March 27, 2008 - 01:00 AM UTC
Hi everyone,
My son is not yet two. My first project will be a big truck to hold all the Hot wheels cars Daddy can't help buying him. Once that's under my belt -and I've learnt a few lessons- I'll tackle tracks rather than wheels! The meccano kits would be fun when he's the right age.
The r/c paint ball tank guys have a number of ingenious ideas about fabricating working tracks---from bicycle chains to treadmill tracks from your local gym!
As this would be for a kid durability would definately be the driving force--rather than any attempt at accuracy.
It's fun making stuff for yourself but I have to say making stuff for my kid has a special kick!
Cheers
A
My son is not yet two. My first project will be a big truck to hold all the Hot wheels cars Daddy can't help buying him. Once that's under my belt -and I've learnt a few lessons- I'll tackle tracks rather than wheels! The meccano kits would be fun when he's the right age.
The r/c paint ball tank guys have a number of ingenious ideas about fabricating working tracks---from bicycle chains to treadmill tracks from your local gym!
As this would be for a kid durability would definately be the driving force--rather than any attempt at accuracy.
It's fun making stuff for yourself but I have to say making stuff for my kid has a special kick!
Cheers
A
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