Current and Finished Projects > Land
1/35 Vickers 'Siete Toneladas'
Frank3k:
I was inspired by Apophenia's Vickers Mark E 6-ton light tank with a VVSS suspension to try and make a 1/35 version. I have many Vickers 6T/7TP/T-26 kits lin my stash, since it's one of my favorite tanks.
This will be my second build of a Vickers/7TP/T-26 tank inspired by Apophenia's artwork - 2 years to the month!
Here's his original artwork for the 'Siete Toneladas' (on the right):
I thought I had enough parts left over from the 8TP build, but I used all those special parts to build that version. So back to the stash, where I picked out the HobbyBoss Soviet T-26 Light Infantry Tank Mod.1935
For the VVSS, Jeff sent me some spare bits that included most of the running gear from a Tamiya M5A1.
Shockingly, this HobbyBoss kit is a pretty straightforward build (except for the individual track links, which I won't be using) with modest use of PE. The first discrepancy I found between the 'Siete Toneladas' artwork and the parts I had on hand was with the running gear. Two suspension units easily fit where the original suspension would have gone. No need for the half VVSS:
I enlarged the mounting holes and connected the Tamiya parts with a plastic rod, for rigidity:
I used the kit's return rollers because the fit the Tamiya rubber tracks just fine. I have most of the hull built, but I have two issues to fix; first, the artwork shows the Vickers style uncovered rear air intake, while the T-26 kit uses the later curved intake cover. I may go with the curved one, but I built an uncovered version to compare.
The more serious problem is with the fenders. The M5 track is wider than the original T-26 track, so the track connectors and part of the tracks jut out past the fender. I may have to design and draw up wider fenders or figure out a way of spacing them away from the hull.
Story:
1) "spacing them away from the hull" would seem to be the better choice.
2) Stop being so damned inspirational.
Jeffry Fontaine:
Frank. Let me know if you need any more Stuart VVSS parts.
Old Wombat:
Looking at your version, Frank, & apophenia's artwork; the extra half-unit is still a good idea, as it adds an extra road wheel to distribute the weight of the tank & reduce ground pressure, it also increases the height of obstacles that can be cleared, by having the front road wheel further forward & the rear road wheel further aft, & reduces the risk of throwing a track when manoeuvring.
The two-unit system is workable but it will reduce mobility, obstacle clearance (including the increased risk of bottoming out on an obstacle it may just scrape over at the front) & agility.
Still, nothing's perfect. ;) :smiley:
apophenia:
Yeehaw! Fantastic to see this in plastic, Frank!
I had no real plan for my 2 + 1/2 suspension arrangement other than trying to match the ground contact of the Vickers 6-Ton. As Guy suggested, beyond balance, I was also hoping for better cross-country handling at speed (which I'd hoped would be closer to M2 Stuart top speeds than that of the 6-Ton).
That said, looking at Frank's double suspension units, I'm guessing that this version of the 7-Ton would still be faster than the original ... just maybe a bit more of a handful cross-country. Still, the beauty of Frank's arrangement would be speedier development with quicker delivery of the 'Siete Toneladas' into the field in Spain.
And no need for Rock Island to faff about designing my half-suspension unit :smiley:
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