Building a tank

For those of you just tuning in, I'm trying to figure out how to build a tank. Yes, I'm crazy. Does anyone have any ideas what the best way to build it is?

I want something with a 30mph+ top speed, and room for three people and a cannon. The cheaper the better.

I thought you were talking about a gas tank....but that was a bad assumption it appears

A "tank" loosely defined, is a mobile cannon. If you mount a cannon to a geo metro, its loosely defined as a tank.

The question that needs to be asked is what is YOUR minimum requirement in building a "tank". Cause from here, if you just want a mobile cannon, all you need is a cannon and any random car to mount it to

The question that needs to be asked is what is YOUR minimum requirement in building a "tank".
UncleBob....Shhhh.....:eek:

Yes, I'm crazy. Does anyone have any ideas what the best way to build it is?

I want something with a 30mph+ top speed, and room for three people and a cannon.
I'm not so sure there will actually be 3 people in the tank with him...and I don't think he should have a weapon...:eek: :eek7:

:grinno:

First decide if you want a real tank with track drive, or if you would be happy with a rubber wheel equipped Armoured Personnel Carrier (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V%C3%A9hicule_de_l%27Avant_Blind%C3%A9), (which looks like a tank with wheels.)

The former would be really expensive to do if you want 30mph.
It would be relatively easy to fabricate an early WWII style tracked tank (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panzer_II), using an old bulldozer chassis and lots of fabrication of steel plate. But 30 mph would never happen.

One could use a heavy truck chassis and lots of fabrication to build an APC, complete with 80 mph(!) built - in.

The alternative is to go to Russia and buy one. Seriously, the former eastern block nations are awash in obsolete military equipment. Many former Soviet republics are also awash in crooks and gangsters who, in exchange of US dollars can get you pretty much anything you want.

oh god, not this again...

Yeah, a truck-cum-APC seems like a far easier idea... besides, I could always convert it to over-the-tire tracks in the future...

I know (from your other thread) that you don't really want this, but there are several tank-track conversions for trucks. You could construct a tank using HD truck parts and then fit the axles with individual tracks. It wouldn't be a skid-steer hydrostatic drive, but it would get you a buildable vehicle with tracks.

http://www.mattracks.com/assets/images/H2_home.jpg

http://www.mattracks.com/assets/images/alaskaback1.jpg

Buy an old skid steer loader.

Cut the chassis into four to make it wider and longer.
Fit a higher revving motor and some idler wheels between the normal wheels.
Bingo, skid steer tank which could do about 30mph.

seriously though, i think this is one of those things where, if you have to ask, you arent capable of even doing it anyway.

do this
http://www.siege-engine.com/chunk01/d1.1-085.jpg



in all likelyhood, this bottom pic is what its gonna end up being
http://www.gizmology.net/images/tank11.jpg