Spent time on the drive train and got a taste of how the new suspension pieces will work.
Starting to figure out the placement of the drivetrain. FV432 steering differential is up at the front promising steering and braking control
Luchs #3 "Omega" is going to have a 5 speed Eaton manual transmission. Alpha is getting an Allison TX-100 Automatic from the M113 world.
Last weld on the Omega's hull.
Picked up the Swing Arm Hubs this week. ISM did a great job on turning these out. They were over our capabilities here so we leaned on our favorite machine shop.
They will accept the torsion bar on the swing arm side and provide the attachment location for the swing arms. I've lost sleep over these because they are a Panzerfabrik design.... which means we are out in creativity land with a margin for "oops".
These clunky things will be the actual swing arms. 2" wide material they are heavy. If I could do it again I would make them lighter. I think these would hold a King Tiger.
Here is a torsion bar inserted in the hub.
Here is how they will sit. Spacers are necessary to get the exact width of the original Panzer II "Luchs". The swing arms will press and pin to the hub portion here.
On the inside. The broched collar to the right is where the opposite torsion bar will terminate and anchor.
Here the torsion bar sits in its anchor on the opposite side of the hull. We are happy with the way it is all coming together.
Final drives also need the spacers to hold the gearboxes out where they need to be.
Completed a couple of details. Rear tow point.
And the shock guards. I think this feature is unique to the Luchs. It's just a shield to protect the shock absorbers. I can't think of any other panzer with guards for the shocks.
As the track comes back to the front drive wheel it will be moving forward on the top and these shields protect the shocks from rocks and crap that the track will drag along.
There is that pesky Stug IV again. It keeps sneaking in and getting in the way.
We received a special guest. "Tank Hunter." Mateusz stopped by with entourage and shot a little video and toured the shop. @TankHunterPoland
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