M548 tracked cargo truck

[Member ScaleAddict Scaling Like A Pro★★★★★]

How’s this for a project?

This is a M548, a cold war cargo truck used until today

My project it’s kind of ambitious with scratchbuilt body and well,almost everything else, real 1/10 (25cm x 58cm,replica suspension system

Do you like to see it?

[Sysop Retrocosm Scale Off Road Pro★★★★★★]

Oh yes, make it so!  This would be epic.

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[Member M and M Scaling Like A Pro★★★★★]

Plus 1.. Can’t wait!

[Moderator Pete Attryde Scale Off Road Pro★★★★★★]

I too would like to see this built, it might even spur me on to start on the M5 Halftrack.

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[Member ScaleAddict Scaling Like A Pro★★★★★]

Ok guys… I’ve started this some time ago and kept it in a restrict circle until i see i could pull it through

Backstory: the Unimog build was in a standstill, needed more fabrication and the motivation had died off. One night, saw the ad for a mobile war game featuring a curious looking tracked truck. Did some research and fell in love for a truck so ugly that’s almost russian 🙂
Talked to a coworker(ex-military) about it and not only my country has them but he rode one while in service

To the build!

Because this truck was a side affair, tried to go slowly, only to see where it would lead

Size compared to a D90

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:

[Member ScaleAddict Scaling Like A Pro★★★★★]

The running gear will be metal heng long gearboxes:

They came with tiny motors(280 or 370) so I had to adapt them to 540 motors. Seemed easier, one 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 battery . 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
They I found that a V-tail mixer from airplanes allows to use any grip radio.

[Member ScaleAddict Scaling Like A Pro★★★★★]

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

[Sysop Retrocosm Scale Off Road Pro★★★★★★]

Excellent progress, she’s shaping up nicely.

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[Member ScaleAddict Scaling Like A Pro★★★★★]

This is the passenger door:

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 is 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 metal ,will have wires behind to simulate the connections and only the tip of the LEDs will be showing

[Member mark Scale Off Road Pro★★★★★★]

Fantastic choice of build. I must purchase a military anorak and learn about of these  machines they have.

[Member ScaleAddict Scaling Like A Pro★★★★★]

mark wrote:

Fantastic choice of build. I must purchase a military anorak and learn about of these machines they have.

I’m not pro-war but military vehicles are fascinating

[Member ScaleAddict Scaling Like A Pro★★★★★]

Made the passenger bench

Bishop seems to like it

[Member ScaleAddict Scaling Like A Pro★★★★★]

Hi!

started the roof:

It’s far from finished but I need to sort out the interior before gluing the roof and give the final touches

Did the tailgate too:

On 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

[Member ScaleAddict Scaling Like A Pro★★★★★]

After some thought if I 3d print the traction wheels or machine them, went for the 3d print because of their complex shape

the 1:1

Mine have more teeth because of the different design of the tracks

Unfortunately, miss the teeth pitch and it doesn’t lock properly with the track. Back to the drawing board to modify the teeth….

[Member ScaleAddict Scaling Like A Pro★★★★★]

Small stuff, added the steps:

I sanded them better after these photos

And because sometimes photos can’t show the proper size of scale trucks, there’s something for reference :

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