Armortek 1:6 scale Challenger 2

[Armortek]

And here she is - the first render of the Armortek 1:6 scale Challenger 2

[Andre Meylan]

Congratulations !!! What a pretty beast

Cheers, Andre

[Armortek]

CHALLENGER 2 ROAD WHEEL SUSPENSION

We're looking into an exciting suspension setup for our Challenger 2 model, inspired by the real-life hydropneumatic suspension manufactured by the Horstman Group. This system, called Hydrogas, is known for its excellent handling and comfort, using three main parts:

Hydraulic Cylinders: These handle vibrations and manage suspension movements by using hydraulic fluid.

Pneumatic Springs: Nitrogen gas provides the spring action, allowing adjustments to the ride height based on terrain and load.

Dampers: They control the flow of hydraulic fluid, ensuring smooth and steady suspension movements.

We'll be experimenting with this hydropneumatic suspension setup on our Armortek Challenger 2 (although we will use 78% Nitrogen). If it's effective and reliable, we'll stick with it. If not, we've got a backup plan ready, using traditional compression springs instead.

[Adrian Harris]

I was wondering whether they would be sealed for life, then realised a 78% Nitrogen mix is also called "air"

Adrian.

[Chris.Marshall]

OK Interesting !

A while back I did some thought work on a C2 suspension set up and was looking at coil springs too. I like the idea of gas suspension, the fact that it can be adjusted to accommodate changes to vehicle weight, but there are certainly risks in this scale. Main focus area would obviously be the seals. Dust can be a seal killer and the moving part needs a very high finish, often a hard chrome. Very interested in how this progresses, great if it works, but the proof would be longer term reliability in service.

Also.....

A wee question to the C2 experts here..... I note that on the spec, the model is listing pressed steel wheels..... My understanding is that C2 has alloy wheels ( reduces unsprung and overall vehicle weight ). Is that correct for all variants or did C2 run on steel wheels as well.

All the best,

Chris.

[Armortek]

The real thing uses Aluminium road wheels.

[Chris.Marshall]

Thought so !..... I do have enough of the appropriate grade of alloy..... But it's a long job on a manual lathe

But really interested in the suspension. That's quite a challenge in 1/6. How to maintain pressure vs leakage from such a small cylinder. Or will there be a compressed air supply to all suspension units from a central compressor / receiver... HMMMM ????? As a regular inhabitant of the 'rabbit hole of complexity' this is genuinely fascinating. I built a low pressure ( 2 atm ) air brake system for my last locomotive and it was a total rabbit hole , it works pretty well, but I must have lost months to it over the years I have been working on the locomotive.....

C.