1/35 Halftrack Beetle

[frank2056]

I saw this image either here or in another search:



It seems to be the only picture of this vehicle online. A scale model was built here

The vehicle seems to have used the front of a VW Beetle and the tracks and engine from a Kettenkrad.

I have an old kit of the 1/35 CMK Type 82E VW Beetle in the stash - nice kit for the era, but there are better models now. I also have the tracks from an old Tamiya Kettenkrad. I figured that I could combine the two into a larger pickup style vehicle and imply the use of the original Beetle engine, with the Kettenkrad drive wheel driven by the Beetle's rear axle.

The CMK is pretty simple and well molded and the basic surgery went well. I 3D printed an ABS core for the rear and added parts from my junk boxes to fill out the rear section. This is where I am right now. Most of the parts are tacke don right now. I scratchbuilt an engine air intake:







It may be a bit long and impractical, but I'll see how far I can take this.

[Old Wombat]

I see that Steve approves, as do I, but is wondering if it can jump fences.   

[frank2056]

I'm not sure Steve approves of any of my recent vehicle builds - too slow.

With the long body and low clearance, I think this vehicle may high center on a rock, then break. I may cut the rear section in half. I'll play with it some more tomorrow.

[su27rules]

Love it!!          

[kerick]

A little shorter would be ok. Otherwise it's looking great. I think such a vehicle working on a farm would be very useful.

[Old Wombat]

Frank, I don't know how far you've gotten on your mod's but how about;
1) reducing the gap at the front of the tracks to about half;
2) making two engine air intakes that go either side of the rear window (each about half the width of the current one); &
3) move the cargo tray forward to the rear of the cab, or with a much smaller gap (say 0.5mm), the air intakes could drop into the top of the tray* with a toolbox between them &, possibly, a steel-tube-&-mesh barrier behind them.





[*: The air intakes would cut across the top of the track-well below the level of the tray.]

[frank2056]

Guy, Most of the dimensions and position are set by the rear axle and the engine. I'm trying to keep the VW mods to a minimum; some farmer needed a vehicle with more grip in the field; he had an old VW and found a broken Kettenkrad and mated the two.
This is what I printed today. Everything is tacked on and the tracks on the other side aren't even on. Modifying the two tracks was easy - the old plastic was the biggest concern. I think it looks a little better now.



There's storage space on top of the rear box, plus about half the volume under it (from the overlap of the two middle wheels to the rear). Plenty of room for cargo. I'll probably add mudguards, which will add some storage space as well. Something like this:

[kerick]

I like where this is headed. The shorter bed looks good.
That original photo looks like it would be a challenge to get in and out of. This looks much better!

[su27rules]

      

[frank2056]

I skinned the 3D printed ABS skeleton and added some details. This is what I have so far (just needs a few more bits before painting). The green shackles are from an ancient RPM FT-17 kit:



The two hinged hatches are for engine access (with the handle) and for general storage at the very rear:


I also printed some very thin ABS sides to represent either plywood or fabric covered sides. The front wall closest to the cab would have prevented the engine hatch from opening fully, so I modified it (rather than reprint). :




I'm not sure if I want to use the sides. The rear hatch would swing to the side to allow access to the rear cargo hatch.

[Wardukw]

Frank ..what can I say ...but I love it 😀
I do love my halftracks and this is very plausible..if you or the farmer who built it used the steering linkages from the Kettengrad then steering would be pretty damn good ..same as the 250 and 251 series of halftracks .

With the cargo area how's about just cutting em down to half that height?
I'd still work as a cargo area for sure and be alot more accessible.

[zenrat]

And yet Steve still looks doubtful...

[scooter]

My tuppence, having driven, ridden in, and fallen off of various large Army tactical vehicles during my military career- why not hinge the tailgate like on Humvees, 2.5 and 5 ton cargo trucks where, if you don't use the chains to hold it at 90 degrees, it drips down flat(ish)?

[kerick]

My tuppence, having driven, ridden in, and fallen off of various large Army tactical vehicles during my military career- why not hinge the tailgate like on Humvees, 2.5 and 5 ton cargo trucks where, if you don't use the chains to hold it at 90 degrees, it drips down flat(ish)?

With a foot step built in.

Steve says,"How fast will it go and what color will it be?"

[frank2056]

My tuppence, having driven, ridden in, and fallen off of various large Army tactical vehicles during my military career- why not hinge the tailgate like on Humvees, 2.5 and 5 ton cargo trucks where, if you don't use the chains to hold it at 90 degrees, it drips down flat(ish)?

Well, the idiot designer of this vehicle went with "vibe building" and didn't plan ahead. I'll have a talk with him and cut another line for the rear cargo compartment and add a handle.