Started on a new RC 1:16 project, LVT 4 Buffalo, the troop carrying/cargo version of the LVT (A)1 I did. Hoping to make the ramp workable/watertight (open to any bright ideas). Last one took 9 months but hoping to get on with this one a wee bit quicker



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Drawing up plans was the hard part as I couldnt find Line Drawings anywhere. So Used the LVT (A)1 set as a base and upscaled an Italeri 1/35 kit


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Part B of the plan involves RC'ing the jeep !

Hey NickMow...

Not sure what you really are asking for but if the last pic is to scale ... I would suggest you either make the LVT bigger ... or reduce the jeep to a Mini(Honda Zot will be about the same)!!

Why go to the trouble of small scale in RC? You will need a microscope for the finer details.
Small scale is excellent in models of which are static displays ... Why not go a little bigger and make it worthwhile?
Will take about the same time (if not less) and allow for something to have a real grunt about.

Just my view

Cheers
P.S Just as another thought ... How would you conceal the RC components?

Well mate, 1:16 is quite big, The LVT 1 comes in at 51cm long, its in keeping with many other 1:16 RC tank models. The Last Photo shows a 1:16 jeep sat on the top aspect plan, in the cargo bay. The model above it is a 1:35 LVT that I was using to take measurements from (an increase of 218%). RC Components will be going in the Front Cab, Battery under the Deck of the Cargo bay. Not so much of an issue as RC stuff is so much more compact than it used to be. I already did a RC 1:35 LVT (A)4 which is as you say quite a job in small scale Also an 1:16 LVT (A)1 in RC which I think I posted up here before. Heres the link

http://simhq.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/3197600/1.html

Videos of both on page 2.

My question is about getting the rear ramp to seal against water when Closed. Today I poured out some silicon rubber onto a flat surface. Im figuring I can then cut strips of it when dry to make a seal, and putting very small rims on the ramp to press into the rubber when Closed. The real deal had a rubber strip around the back which did the same. Just wondering about pressure and if Im missing something that a boat fan might know.

Silicon may be a little too tough textured to get a seal without some considerable force ... have you thought about trying the rubber they use for sealing door-jams in cars etc? Just a thought

Cheers

I'm keeping an eye on this. I do custom action figures, so I tend to be interested in anything even remotely in the same scale.

I ordered some 1mm rubber sheet and 1mm Neoprene rubber sheet of ebay to give those a go. Its the force needed Im worried about furball, Trying to keep it scale where practical,though the door seal rubber sounds like it might work as its relatively soft. Im going to work on the ramp and seal first before taking it any further though. As that will dictacte a lot of the rest of the construction. If it fails I will just have to do it with the ramp sealed up.....or Never float it, which would be dissapointing

Or a bilge pump for small leaks, better look into the model equivalent LOL !

NickMow, I suggested the door seals for the fact you mentioned ... They are soft.
Relatively easy to obtain without much expense ... even less if you borrow you mates car and have a pair of scissors handy!

Seriously,the soft rubber should mould within each other, meaning, you will need two surfaces of the same to contact.
I'm not sure what you have to work with or whether this is available to do so within your model.

Secondly, I would be quite confident in saying you will need to tighten up the servo as far as possible but more so by using trim so as not overstrain.
It will be all trial and error.
Matey, just taking guesses here as I do not know what equipment you are using.

Aviation is much more my scene, and just thinking at this momement, they make RC Subs ... Maybe if you can look at one to check out what they use to seal internals of them. Youtube is a great resource.


As a thought ... No such thing as a problem, only solutions!

Best of luck mate and I will still keep thinking. Any idea is better than none.

Cheers

Thanks mate appreciate your ideas, still experimenting at the moment, boat some RC boat chap at RCgroups forum suggested using silicon sealer, You basically cover the ramp in cling film, put the sealer on the Hull and close the ramp, let it set, trim off the excess and You should have a "perfect seal" that said he also mentioned a bilge pump LOL

An automotive electric fuel pump

I would guess that you would need a pretty strong force to close the ramp against the seal. I don't know how strong a miniature hydraulic ram would be for what you are wanting to do but that might be the best option to have a good seal against water entering the rear of the model.

You could use a windscreen washer pump so she doesnt sink fairly small item you would pick up at a wrecker for a couple of bucks ..



Maybe some vaseline or similar smeared on the two bits of rubber will help with the watertight seal ? I don't know .. Furball told me he has lots of just laying around so i assumed that was what he used it for ....;)

Washer pump ! Great idea, I'll go look at the local scrap yard this week, thanks very much for that.

Bit of an update on the build, Here with my LVT(A)1 for comparison


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and an update on the ramp



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Ive only really done the panel work and sort of avoided the tricky mechanical stuff, for when I have a bit more spare time !