Web Hosting by Netfirms | Free Domain Names by Netfirms

M5A1 Stuart Light Tank

Project page

New Fast Production Machine in shop!

Entry Page

Above is a real M5A1 Stuart Light Tank!

Below are models.

SPECS.

1/6 Scale
Wt. 95 lbs. 15 3/4" W. x  30" L. x 15 1/2" H.
Materials: Steel with exception of bearings and tires
Current power: Gas / hydraulics using 21 cc pull start engine
Past power: Vantec dual speed control and electric motors
Battery, gel cell 12v @ 7ahr.
NEW POWER: Dual high torque electric motors with 2 speed gear drive. and
Vantec dual speed control,
and high amp battery.

<--Sgt. Savage..the driver/co owner of "Sardine Tin", tank #001.

Front

<--1/2" drive shaft keyed in sprocket hub.

< <--Scale relationship.

<--Crushing soda cans..not a problem, three passes and its flat!

<-- Serrated position lock and adjustment rod nut.

Power unit, being tested under power. 3-24-00
New 5-18-00..finished main suspension parts.

Main suspension stanchion.

6/20/02 Rear suspension parts in progress. Left is prototype part and right are production ones, finish soon.
7/10/02 Rear suspension mount finished.
9/15/02 Sprockets mounted to hubs, 260 holes drilled and tapped.
3/26/03 Fender parts.
3/26/03 Headlight housings, Frame parts and hoist rings.

5-04-04 New (used) machining center, is being used now to finish this project and will be used after to produce kits and do other jobs.
6-26-04 Machine gun air cooled housings, short for both bow & mantlet and the long for AA gun on top of turret.

7/5/04 Air cooled barrels.
8/15/04 Main gun barrels.
12/7/04 Main gun Mantlet.
04/15/05 Main gun mount and main suspension roller guide plates.
12/04/05 Main suspension assemblies with upper spring mounts.
5/18/06 Assembly work currently in progress.
5/18/06 Assembly work currently in progress.
5/18/06 Tail light mounting plates.
12/18/07 Tail light housings.
Three on the work table.
New DC Motors.

• Stuart M5A1 updates.
• 9-11-99 Production was begun on wheels, horn links and suspension parts. 1st run will be for only 5. It will be a slow process so don't expect them next week.
• 12-21-99 New gas powered (21 cc weed eater engine) hydraulic system nearing completion, I'm now making the mount for this (I finally have all parts except the tubing!) testing soon!  This will be the system for 1/6 tanks only (too large for others). Models will be offered with or without hydraulic power pack. Note: no other system will be offered!
• 12-21-99 40 wheels completed (no urethane rubber tire yet) and lots of the small suspension parts for 5 tanks. I have been straightening and punching holes in the main suspension swing arms.
• 3-21-00 The hydraulic system is alive and functional! Forward reverse and counter rotation! It took a lot of time and still needs some small modifications and final tests. All engine, gear reducer/pump mounts are done. I am working on the tires, then back to finish suspension parts before working on tracks. Plan to post pictures of all around 3-25.
• 3-25-00 New pictures!! Finishing main suspension swing arms, will be working on the upper spyder and links of the suspension. Lots to do yet but you can see some progress.
• 5-18-00 New picture! Here are the finished suspension parts, all five are done and need only minor finish work. I will be working on the mounting stanchion plates and then start the tracks soon. As you can see it takes some time to complete some of the assemblies, my progress is steady though.
• 6-17-00 Stanchion mount and plate for suspension in progress. And differencial steering gear drive started also.
• 6-17-00 Note.. Status on the hydraulic system, due to space restrictions an engine powerful enough to run the system at the level of effeciency that I demand, will not fit in the engine compartment so the Stuart will not be using this system. I will replace the 2 stroke with the most powerful and efficient electric motors that I have found thus far and use a geared 2 speed system, Vantec speed control and high amp. deep cycle battery and include the charger. Only the BEST will be used for my customers! I will continue development of the hydraulics in the future in hopes that I can perfect it for larger vehicles with more space for the engine needed. The system thus far has met the high speed requirements but unfortunately lacks power in the low speed / climbing ability from standing start over obstacles.
• 9-26-00 Track Blocks (675 parts).. Cut to length and ready for the pin holes to be drilled.
• 10-03-00 Sprockets drilling.. prior to cutting the tooth form.
• 10-12-00 Sprockets.. Finished first set of 4 sets.
• 11-15-00 Track Blocks.. Finished drilling pin holes in 4 sets.
• 12-10-00 Cutting cleats on Track Blocks.. First few finished and posted, now have all done.
• 01-03-01 Track Pins.. Cutting slots for retainer wedge.
• 01-25-01 Track Pins.. Pins finished.
• 01-25-01 Horn Links.. Prepairing horn link punch die for production.
• 02-06-01 Horn Links.. All of the parts have been produced.
• 02-23-01 Track Pin Wedges All finished.
• 02-26-01 End Connectors..started...
• 06-08-01 End Connectors Finished
• 06-09-01 ASSEMBLY OF TRACK STARTED
• 06-21-01 FIRST TRACK COMPLETED
• 08-20-01 Last picture of the tracks.
• 9-24-01 Chassis pan in progress.
• 10-2-01 First chassis pan folded.
• 10-4-01 Five chassis pans done, working on deck, hatches etc.
• 10-20-01 Five upper decks completed.
  
• 11-07-01 Hatches, engine deck door, hinges ready for assembly. Started cutting final drive bearing housings, bearings purchased.
• 11-20-01 Finished front drive housing and bearing assemblies, installing in hulls.
• 11-24-01 Ordered some gears for the first differencial.
• 12-8-01 Completed the center cross for the differentials.
• 12-17-01 Hulls in progress.
• 2-8-02 Working on rear suspension, hatch hinges and painting.
• 4-4-02 Rear suspension parts, new email.
• 4-15-02 Axle slide blocks & swing arm bushings.
• 5-05-02 Swing arms with nut retainer plates welded to bushings.
• 5-24-02 Swing arms with spring actuator arm and brass bearing and lower travel limit.
• 6-20-02 Working on rear suspension housings and associated parts.
• 7-10-02 Rear suspension mounts done.
• 8-9-02 Rear wheel done with exception of rubber.
• 8-9-02 Front hubs for sprockets in progress. Suspension and Track mounting next.
• 8-24-02 Front hubs almost done, lack bolt holes.
• 8-24-02 Rear wheel pictures added, lack rubber, soon.
• 9-15-02 Mounted sprockets to hubs, 260 holes drilled and tapped.
• Currently working on mounting all suspension and track components to all 5 tanks.
• Currently work is going slow but will be picking back up to full speed in Feb.
• Purchased a CNC Machining Center! This will help finish these vehicles and then go on to produce high quality kits and parts.
• The New (used) machine... finally running and making limited parts at this time (5-3-04), will within a week be making all my new parts to complete the current project. After that I will be designing the new kits! I will finally be able to be creative, more productive + be able to fill orders for kits when I start. Machine is capable of tapping holes, contoured parts etc. can hold up to 20 different cutting tools and memory will hold many programs to be recalled to make parts again and again. It has taken 3 months from purchase Jan. 21 to get delivered (1 mo.) to get installed (3 weeks) and the rest to fix minor problems and get running. So much for used equipment. But I like it! It will be using 4 vises or 2 with a horizontal rotary table instead of just the two pictured. This is a fast production machine, a part that used to take me 8 hrs to make on a manual mill will take about 10 to 20 minutes! Cool!! Just wish it could do everything else for me.
• Machinegun parts, short air cooled housing for mantlet and bow guns and the long for AA gun on top of turret.
• Air cooled barrels, long ones done.
• Main gun barrels added.
• Main gun Mantlet 1/2 done, still needs holes for machine gun, gun sight and main gun and machine out the back side to lighten.
  
• Main suspension parts assembled and upper main spring mounts.
  
• Assembly of parts taking place on the hulls. This covers many aspects from painting to fitting and bolting.
• Assembly of suspension and track taking place on the hulls.
• Tail light mounting plates.
  

  ---

  Prices: Stuart M5A1, email inquiry, or if you wish to be on a cancellation list.

  ELECTRIC POWERED: $3500 0 Available.

  QUESTIONS..RESTRICT TO PROJECT ONLY !!!

  

  E-mail Me: DSPRING3@SBCGLOBAL.NET

  
  Primary business: truck accessories mfg., Jeep vehicles. Calif. sellers permit since 1990.