Building a Tank??

[Matt Kahle]

Well then Patracy what would you do for tracks? I'm a big fan of t-34 tracks I like tracks that can be repaired unlike the rubber tracks from a cat equipment.

 

[SilverCat]

I have the location to use it. Many of the construction items listed above are owned by a buddy of mine and shouldn't be an issue. I'm not going to be doing any casting probably.

Has as anyone checked out that DARPA vehicle forge program??

 

[insanejecke]

Here were a Chinese man build his own home made tank .

http://www.techeblog.com/index.php/tech-gadget/chinese-man-builds-working-replica-of-russian-tank

http://www.ecns.cn/2011/08-15/1646.shtml

And one of a Russian that does the same thing.

http://www.odditycentral.com/news/russian-ww2-enthusiast-builds-his-very-own-armored-division.html

So it can be done. and you can make money from it lol

 

[andy3]

The M8 & M20 Scoutcar idea is awesome!

 

[Another Ahab]

Here were a Chinese man build his own home made tank .

And one of a Russian that does the same thing.

Both nice items, though the Chinese version looks like it might involve fiberglass (which just isn't real armor), BUT still that's a nice machine.

And I'm loving the Russian program of trading "Track for Crack": building armor to get the local kids off drugs. How great is that?!

 

[SilverCat]

Does anybody on this site use mortarinvestments to look at items??

 

[m16ty]

I'll admit I haven't paid any close attention to tank tracks but I've never seen a piece of construction equipment with casted tracks. All I've ever seen were forged. I wouldn't think cast tracks would be strong enough.

I'm good friends with a guy that owns a forging company but I still think it would be much cheaper just to buy tracks than it would be to either build or buy a mold and forge them yourself. Molds are usually very expensive. I talked to him one time about forging towbar parts and he knew a guy that had the milspec molds but it was still going to be very expensive unless you did a very large run. He used to have the government contract to make front shackles for deuces and 5-tons.

 

[SilverCat]

I wasn't planning in fabricating my own tracks anyways. I'll likely purchase some tracks.

 

[datadawg]

Is it possible to find an old Soviet tank and buy it for scrap and a few bottles of Smirnoff? I can't imagine it makes sense to build a tank, unless your time is worthless (or valueless) OR you simply enjoy doing this kind of "work" so much that rational/economic calculus is irrelevant. I am sure some Soviet tanks are sitting in fields now, waiting. I shudder to think of logistics though in importing something like that.

 

[SilverCat]

I know for a fact that it's a bit under $4000 to ship a BRDM-2 sized vehicle from The Czech Republic to Houston Texas. Also, don't you just need to fill out forms or whatnot and be approved to have one shipped in??

 

[m16ty]

Everybody wants a tank from the time they are old enough to talk. The reality is that they are very expensive to own and operate though and their use is very limited.

I would imagine building one would be equally expensive (if not more), not counting all the man hours you'll have involved. Sure, I could build something out of plywood that would look pretty good at 100' but to build one that is remotely identical to a real tank is going to take some major cash.

 

[6x6TRex]

I helped build a Sdkfz 250/1 a couple years ago out of the remains of a 89 K5 Blazer. It took a long time, a very large chunk of money and many changes before it was finally completed but it can be done!



Some videos and pictures of it completed:
http://s125.photobucket.com/user/Miker_10/library/250_1?sort=3&page=1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9nPZULsc1g


You can build a tank out of wood also!

 

[doghead]

Get a 3d printer.

 

[zout]

Just get yourself a big air compressor and one of these - fake as you can get: http://www.alibaba.com/product-gs/780843688/newest_military_inflatable_tank_The_tank.html

 

[Another Ahab]

Just get yourself a big air compressor and one of these - fake as you can get: l

Kind of like the "Quaker Guns" used to fool McClellan by General Johnston in 1861.

Or one of these, which I think was from Operation Fortitude (prior to the Normandy Landings).

Guaranteed rust free!

 

[SilverCat]

Haha, I think I'll go a little bit more real than a blow up tank. I have read about those fortitude tanks though.

I am more of a Civil War kinda guy though.

 

[Another Ahab]

Haha, I think I'll go a little bit more real than a blow up tank. I have read about those fortitude tanks though.

I am more of a Civil War kinda guy though.

I hear you. And I think there were other Quaker Gun stories besides Johnston's but I can't recall any others right now.

Anyway, rooting for you strong on your tank idea. It's hard not to like armor. How about tackling something like a 3/4 or 1/2 scale reproduction of something historic?

Maybe something like a British Mark V (see attached). It's kind of fundamental, which might make the work easier:

 

[vettes]

The panzer 1 is a smallish tank. I have seen guys take a bren gun carrier and convert it using 1/4 inch plate. Brens are pretty easy to find. Also if a high speed tractor (m4-5) is too costly what about a regular bull dozer? after all, all you want is the lower half anyway and im sure there out there cheap

 

[SilverCat]

My only concern about tackling something historic is accuracy. In doing something real, I'd want to be as accurate as possible. Where do I find plans and outlines and whatnot for tanks?? In the cabin and externally??

 

[SilverCat]

Vettes- I am liking the idea of a light tank build. Something smaller but doable.