LAV 25 RC conversion goes for swim. 1/35 scale.

Film of an rc Trumpeter 1/35 LAV 25 heavily modified to drive and swim. The model is 8x8 and is, partly as a result, very slow both in and out of the water. You have been warned! But, as you will see, it works pretty much; it gets in, swims about and gets out of the water unaided.
It originally only had power to the four rear wheels (which is an option on the real thing) but it would not egress from water - except backwards sometimes - so transmission was fitted to front wheels as well. I finished it sometime around 2006/7.
The wheels are powered by a single motor which is connected to a transfer box underneath.
Power to the propellors comes from two tiny pager motors which are connected by shafts and pinions to crown gears fitted to the screws themselves. It has full independent suspension.
I fitted the available extra-wide tyre upgrade to improve bouyancy and increase grip when getting out of the water.
See my channel on / @gonzomechanic7196

[@baromidennis3364]

This is Awesome!!!! As a former LAV-25 Crewman and 1/35th scale modeler I applaude your skills.

[@gonzomechanic7196]

Thank you for your kind comment. Took a while before bits stopped breaking - most of the wishbones and rear suspension arms were replaced with soldered brass eventually - but seems OK now. These kits are not really designed to be treated this way!

[@Sean-ww6jc]

@@gonzomechanic7196 are all those metal parts handmade?

[@gonzomechanic7196]

@@Sean-ww6jc Yes. All scratch-built using the originals as a guide. The plastic parts kept breaking. A few projects further down the road and I'd now say that you have to swap out all the plastic for brass on wheeled vehicle projects. Very time consuming but saves annoyance later.

[@Sean-ww6jc]

@@gonzomechanic7196 damn amazing , i will try to convert this car by trunpeter, and i plan to use Orlandoo components instead, don't have your skill...

[@Shisxz]

Hello, friend, I saw your KZbin video about converting the plastic model LAV-25 into RC, and I got interested in the idea and bought one to do just like yours. Your video is from 7 years ago, and it's hard to understand a lot of things. I really liked your channel and your old projects. I'm from Brazil and I would like to know if it would be possible to record a more current video showing the inside of the tank and its internal wiring, as well as how you installed the axle and motor. I'm not going to make it run inside the water, so I believe it will be easier! Please record a new video of the LAV 25 showing it from the inside! A hug from your Brazilian follower, thank you.

[@alexanderzwergenhacker5719]

My Dude, great Job now i will build one in 1:6

[@juangonzaloaruquipavera9011]

good job..

[@gonzomechanic7196]

Thanks

[@davepriddy9263]

Great work and video.

[@gonzomechanic7196]

Thank you very much!

[@Shisxz]

@@gonzomechanic7196 Hello, Gonzo. Can you record a video showing your LAV-25 in more detail? I'm eagerly waiting for this because I want to make one like it, but mine won't go on water. I would like you to record a video explaining how you made the cardans, where you placed the engine, and how you positioned the servos for steering the tank. Also, show the transfer case for the four axles. Please, Gonzo

[@customrctruck]

Fantastic!!!! I am also working on my APC, scale. 1/10. Renault VAB 6x6

[@mysteryunwrapping9518]

Amazing

[@hebelehubele872]

You have skill next up you need a transmitter

[@SashaNaronin]

Awesome! Any advice on how to make those dog bone style universal joints? I need ideas on how to make the ball on the end of the shaft. Also, how did you insulate holes where shafts come out of hull?

[@gonzomechanic7196]

Hi, sure but it's easier to do than describe. Basically, to make the dogbones, I got brass tube and made a very fine slot in each end with a fine dremel cutter and then soldered short lengths of 0.8mm brass wire into the slots. The other end of the coupling is slightly wider brass tube (i.e. about 50% wider than the dogbone tube), agin with corresponding slots cut in. All the suspension and drives are outside the hull and exposed to water. The drive is a small mabuchi motor with a worm gear that drives a gear on a vertical bar contained in a tube leading down to the transfer box which keeps the motor out of water as its above the water level. Hope that helps.

[@modelstime1358]

Very cool!+

[@RayVal53]

Lol... Youve got the wire cutters on there! Awesome!

[@maxcipolla2198]

Bellissimo complimenti !!!!! Ottimo lavoro.