HMMWV Tank Simulator - 1/35 diorama

[Kurnas]

This is a diorama i'm currently working on, started approximately 3 weeks ago after several years of wanting to do it.

The HMMWV Tank simulator is a vehicle used by the IDF for Tactical training of Tank crew members without needing to use the actual tanks (which probably cost a lot more thank the HMMWV)

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FydS7fRMD_0[/youtube]

 

[Kurnas]

Step 1: Building the Basic HMMWV

Since there isn't a kit for the HMMWV tank simulator (at least non that i know of) i decided to use Italeri #249 as the base for the tank simulator and scratch building the tank "costume" on top of it.





first placement on the wooden base:

the figures are from Aurora model:

and the dogs are from Nemrod #NMA004

 

[Kurnas]

Step 2: Building the Tank "costume"

to start planning the scratch building i downloaded from https://grabcad.com/ a 3d model of the HMMWV:

Using Solidworks i edited the 3d model to 1:35 scale and created a model of the tank costume on top of that:

i spent a lot of time thinking how to create the "tank's turret", these are the ways i thought about:
1. buying a tank kit just for the turret.
2. carving.
3. Vacuum forming.
4. 3d printing.

3d printing seemed like the easiest way and this is the result:
3d model:
printed model:

to build the frame holding the turret i used the spare sprue parts from the HMMWV kit.
using a small candle i slowly heated the sprue and bent it to the desired angles:

 

[Kurnas]

Step 2: Building the Tank "costume"-continue

to build the back "fuel tanks" i used left over barrels from an old Tamiya kit #186:

to make something that looks like the night vision and targeting system installed on the tank simulator i used one of the radio models from Verlinden:

 

[Kurnas]

Step 2: Building the Tank "costume"-continue

to build the back panels of the tank "costume" i used the 3d model i made to create drawing of the needed panels: (dimension in mm)

i than used Evergreen Styrene sheets to cut the shapes of the panels and carefully glued them together:




same method was used for the front panels:






detailing the turret:

 

[Kurnas]

made some more progress with the detailing:



i've tried building the "cage" surrounding the lamps without much of a success:


anyone has an idea? a tutorial? a relevant link?

 

[MaschinenKrueger]

What a unique project! Great start. What "tank" is this suppose to represent?

Here's how I would attempt the lamp cage.

Create a scale drawing looking from the top down.
Glue this to a piece of cork board or balsa wood.
Use brass wire to form the ring and solder the ends.
Use pins to hold the ring down to the drawing. This is where cork or balsa wood are handy
Bend the 6 "L" segments and cut to the correct length.
Use blue tack to locate the "L" to the radial line and solder the end point
Do this for all 6 but one at a time. It might help to place a bit of damp paper towel over the prior solder joint to keep it form reflowing.

Be careful with clean up to not break the joints.

If you don't solder brass, try. It really is the best way to make this and you get to learn a new skill.

I suppose you could make this with thin styrene rod or sprue but it will be more delicate.

 

[Kurnas]

What a unique project! Great start. What "tank" is this suppose to represent?

Here's how I would attempt the lamp cage.

Create a scale drawing looking from the top down.
Glue this to a piece of cork board or balsa wood.
Use brass wire to form the ring and solder the ends.
Use pins to hold the ring down to the drawing. This is where cork or balsa wood are handy
Bend the 6 "L" segments and cut to the correct length.
Use blue tack to locate the "L" to the radial line and solder the end point
Do this for all 6 but one at a time. It might help to place a bit of damp paper towel over the prior solder joint to keep it form reflowing.

Be careful with clean up to not break the joints.

If you don't solder brass, try. It really is the best way to make this and you get to learn a new skill.

I suppose you could make this with thin styrene rod or sprue but it will be more delicate.

That is actually a Great idea even though I have never did brass soldering.
mind that the brass wire diameter is 0.3 mm so I hope it will work ok. i will defiantly try it tomorrow.
in case it won't work perhaps i'll mange by soldering it with a tin coil?

i served in the air force so i never seen those HMMWV personally. i only know of it from pictures and stories that i got from my wife who used to drive these about 10 years ago.
i don't think this HMMWV is supposed to represent any specific tank since the same model is used by both the blue and red teams during the training.
according to this website it represents a T-72 tank. i think it looks more like the T-55.