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:




First cuts:









the nose:












Test fit:







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:










The running gear will be metal Heng Long gearboxes:





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




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





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

cooper_xl

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

cooper_xl

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...

stigno

Nice project

RacingRookie27

iTrader: (14)

Looks like a really fun project. You’ll have to post the finished product.

cooper_xl

Thanks!

Thanks! I'll post the struggles ...errr....the progress


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


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
















Also 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

cooper_xl

By the way, 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:




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

cooper_xl

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:





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





Another 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

cooper_xl

I needed an idea for these "hooks" (?):




They are all over the cab,inside also. My logical way to do them was in metal but i needed a bunch. Already did ones for a 1/6 willys but were bigger and only 4 of them..

So I tried to model and 3d print them . Are a bit small but the printer handled well

Are a bit rough but sanding and paint will improve












M548 carry a set of tools on the front. Sledgehammer,shovel, picaxe and axe

Started with the sledgehammer:









I think the shovel exceed my skill level...let's see




Also worked on the rear section, that small door to the cargo area














the paint will do wonders

cooper_xl

Axe done and put to work

























glued the roof and did the opening of the hatch












A splash of color to see how it looks




I have the rear lights, but they'll be painted separately. The d-ring shackles were designed by me and printed in one piece but they move freely

also got to take care of those scratches

cooper_xl

Well, when the windows were cut, didn't notice that the real ones weren't square. Small detail but bothered me ...





So...










Another job was making the hooks for the canvas. Was thinking in buying those tiny hooks for bras but then, i preferred to do only to see how it could look

cooper_xl

Gear lever:



goes next to the dash:

cooper_xl

Well,the looks are important but it also has to move...


My attempt of replicate the real traction wheels:









made the hubs for the traction wheels:



quick mockup:









I had the idea of machining the road wheels from aluminium and use rubber around like the 1:1 but it was 2 much trouble with the tracks I've got


Speaking of tracks, I know they're are not similar to the 1:1 but they were the best cheap ones I've found

cooper_xl

how about this road wheel?






And this:









So, most of them have that truck style exhaust with the cap on top that opens but I've found this one with another exhaust type and went for it:





The reason? It's easier to add the smoke generator later