Helmut is a radio controlled scratchbuilt, fully operational, steel,
aluminum, pvc and plywood 1/3 scale reproduction of the German Mark V,
"JagdPanther Tank.
Helmut is powered by an 11 1/2 horsepower gasoline engine that drives a
hydraulic double pump that powers (2) hydraulic motors through (2)
proportional hydraulic valves. The hydraulic system is controlled by
an electronic processing receiving unit that makes Helmut go forward,
reverse, left and right. It also controls his speed, which can be up to
(4) miles per hour. An industrial (8) channel radio transmits signals on
49 Mhz to Helmut. Four channels are used to operate Helmut's drive system.
Two channels are used to raise and lower his gun.
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Helmut was upscaled from a 1/35 scale model and was also developed from
engineering drawings and photos taken of the real vehicle in the Ordnance
Museum located at the U.S. Army proving grounds in Aberdeen, Maryland.
Helmut's dimensions were developed and drawn using computer aided drafting
and are retained in a computer aided design -CAD- model.
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Helmut's body structure is made from reinforced plywood that represents
the actual plate thickness of the real vehicle. His suspension details
and components, gun yoke/mantel, engine deck and drive system are housed
with structural steel.
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His gun mantel is made from PVC
(poly-vinyl-chloride) and his trunnion is made from laminated wood and
machined to represent the actual casting. His main gun, a 88mm high
velocity gun barrel and muzzle brake are made from machined PVC.
His 7.92mm mantel machine gun is made and machined from round aluminum.
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Helmut's inner and outer drive sprockets, sprocket spacer, road wheel
axles and suspension details and components are made and machined from
steel. His suspension axles and struts are machined from steel and heat
treated.
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Helmut's exhaust manifold and pipes were made from steel pipe and welded
together. His exhaust pipe cap covers are made from plate aluminum welded
together and bolted in place. Helmut's tracks (87) per side and spare
tracks attached to his side glacial are made and machined from cast
aluminum and held together with steel pins and retaining rings.
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His road wheels, 8 (A)s and 16 (B)s are cast and machined from aluminum.
His road, trailing and intermediate tires are made and machined from
laminated plate PVC and spray painted black.
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The doughnut holes and remaining material from his road tires were
machined into his structural details - hatches, ports, axle wheel caps,
ventilators, engine gratings, lift hooks and fan covers. Helmut's sides,
floor, rear bulkhead, pannier floors, front and rear glacial plates are
routed using router tools designed to rout each detail from different
plywood thicknesses to simulate the real vehicle.
Helmut's structural details were developed and made from dimensional
drawings and held in place by adhesives and steel fasteners. These
structural details, hatches, ventilators and operation details were
also machined from excess PVC. Helmut weighs approximately 1,400 pounds.
Helmut's color scheme has been changed to camouflage from Orca (sand).
Helmut is painted with conventional markings and was the 4th tank in the
2nd platoon of the 1st company serving with the antitank division of
"Das Reich", number (124).
Helmut's theme-entry into service in the fall of 1944, in western Europe,
without "zimmerit" antimagnetic coating.
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On display in Toledo, Ohio, USA.
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My thanks to David.
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