Armortek Model Suspension Systems

[Armortek]

Hi all

Ever since Armortek produced its first kit there has been great debate over model suspension and ride height. Each model has raised a number of debating points about how hard or soft the springs should be or how high the ride height should be.

An Armortek model is designed as a durable running model, capable of handling a wide range of outdoor operating conditions. The springs are designed to cope with this and and with the type of driving that might be expected. This is very different from a true scale suspension design. We all drive over rough ground at speeds, which if scaled up would probably kill the crew. The model is nothing like scale weight, a Tiger 1 would be about 230kg scale weight.

The net consequence of the above, is that the model requires more ground clearance and harder than scale suspension. This is compromise with true scale accuracy, but is unavoidable if a durable running model is to be produced.

Models with lowered ride heights particularly, and with softer springs to a certain extent, will have to be operated and driven with extreme care to avoid damaging idlers, sprockets and other details.

One final note, all the models settle with time. Torsion bar types suffer the most, but all the models will get lower to the ground as everything beds in and the tank has been driven over a few out of scale bumps etc. If you aim for a true scale height when your model is brand new, you will inevitably have to raise it after a period of running.

I hope this explains some of the logic behind what we are trying to do with these model suspension designs.

Mark

[Fabrice Le Roux]

Mark,

As Sheldon Cooper said in The Big Bang Theory sitcom, "Gravity, thou art a heartless bitch!"

Appreciate how much thought goes into these issues at the design stage

Thanks
Fabrice

[Tom Jensen]

Thanks for the thorough explanation Mark. Nonscale suspension has always been a pet peeve of mine. I can better appreciate the conservative engineering in this area now.