The Western Slope Division is amphibious now! With the recent acquisition of a Torro 1/16th scale Ford GPA we now have amphibious capabilities. We are still testing it’s performance capabilities, and applying unit markings, but so far we are very pleased with how well it works on land and in water.
The Western Slope Division is developing a Bailey Bridge system made from 3d printed parts. It is designed at 1/16th scale , and while it is true to the original overall dimensions, some minor changes were needed to accommodate the scale 3d printing process. Just like the real ones, this bridge system can be deployed in a number of configurations, and it can be disassembled and stored until needed. All the parts can be transported in a 1/16th scale CCKW.
UPDATE: 1-31-2022
The bridge has now been built out to 8 sections. Support piers have also been developed allowing long span bridges.
These pictures are of the prototype being tested. Early engineering tests imply that a long span bridge using this system is capable of holding a 1/16th scale RC tank without any problems.
The bridge is 6 sections long now, and has been set up in Tankland.
Not quite done, but now it’s running…
More pix and info to come.
It’s done now, ready for rescues.
Click the link below to watch the CCKW pull a trailer off road.
CCKW OFF ROAD TRAILER PULLING TEST
CCKW SNOW TEST, WITH AND WITHOUT TRAILER
Both the 3d printed CCKW trucks are built and ready for their RC gear. One has been shipped back to Detroit to the friend who printed them, and the Western Slope Division gets to keep one. This is the one that went to Detroit.
This is the one that stays in Colorado.
This is a link to a movie of it running.
Another fine book in the Pen and Sword Images of War series is:
SS PANZER DIVISIONS ON THE EASTERN FRONT by Bob Carruthers.
This book is chock full of striking photographs taken throughout the war, from the invasion of Poland, to the last battles in Hungary. Most are candid shots, often in the heat of battle, and they clearly show the daily life of the SS soldiers. While I can never condone the ideology of the SS soldiers, this book plainly shows that they often fought bravely against overwhelming odds, and that they gave their lives in overwhelming numbers compared to their brothers serving in the army.
Another striking aspect of the pictures in this book is the sheer volume of photos to browse. Page after page of photos carried me through the war, from the farms of Poland, to the steppes of the USSR, and back to Germany. The pictures also show how the SS enjoyed far better equipment and weapons than their brothers in the army. Indeed, any study of World War Two German equipment that did not include the SS panzer divisions, would miss all the best stuff. For modelers and history buffs alike, this book is a treasure.
The Western Slope Division is building two RC World War Two CCKW 2 1/2 ton trucks from 3D printed parts. There are no instructions, so the build has been slow, with lots of dry fitting of parts before gluing. They are not done yet, but here are a few pictures.
The 3D design is by a guy in the UK named Martin, thank you Martin for producing this nice model.
The 3D printing is by a guy in the USA named Gary. Thank you Gary for including me in your project. This has been fun.
One truck will stay with the Western Slope Division, and one will be shipped back east to support Gary’s task force.
Gary’s truck is almost done. It just needs headlights and taillights, the canvas cargo bed cover, lettering, numbers, and stars.
Having air support is critical to success.
Drone footage of TANKLAND.
Western Slope Division 