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Landships II -> Landships WW1 Forum -> Tanks -> "Little Willie" construction details
Post Info TOPIC: "Little Willie" construction details
Schnuck


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"Little Willie" construction details
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Hi,

 

Is anybody here, who can explain to me, how the track bodies from “Little Willie” are connected to the main body, and how it works? Is it possible, that the tank can be used without the tail wheel assembly? On some pics I saw, that the track bodies are fitted on one point in the middle of the main body, and they can move up and down, like a rocker. Is there a connection, where they can be fixed to the main body, when using no tail wheels? It would be great, to get any kind of pictures of "Little Willy", no model kit pics please, because there are some realy nice on the board.

 

Best Regards,

 

Volker

 



-- Edited by Schnuck on Thursday 5th of June 2014 08:34:30 PM

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... regards, Volker
Roger Todd


Legend

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RE: "Little Willie" constuction details
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As far as I'm aware, there was only one attachment point in the centre of each track frame, around the transverse axle which carried power from the engine and transmission to the chain sprockets. In fact, according to David Fletcher, the track frames could pivot, in a limited sense, about those attachments, providing the only suspension.

See Dick Harley's drawings which I posted on this thread:

http://www.landships.net/t56615653/layout-of-little-willie/



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airdave


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RE: "Little Willie" construction details
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"suspension" is actually at the front.

The track assemblies are mounted on one large central "axle" pivoting just about in the center of the Tank.
But something else would be required to maintain a balance and stop the Track sponsons from pivoting completing around that axle.

There is a suspension device at the front of each sponson connecting to the Tank body.
I have no detailed photos or technical drawings, but I think the operation is straight forward.

A "lever" extends out from the tank body.
On the sponson is a metal box with a slot in it.
The lever enters the slot and limits the deflection of the sponsons.

I believe the box also has a bolt or threaded adjuster.
Probably a small spring above and below the lever to add "suspension".
Probably more as a re-centering device, but the springs could provide
some cushioning effect against any relaxed movement of the sponsons.

 

13eaaf6e-397a-4a08-b4e3-5591f1f68e9d.jpg



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Schnuck


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...thanks a lot, that is exactly what I wanted to know.

Volker

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... regards, Volker
airdave


Major

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Schnuck wrote:
..Is it possible, that the tank can be used without the tail wheel assembly? ...

 

 

From what I know, the steering carriage is a removable device and the Tank can operate without it.

The original Bullock tracks did not steer well, even though there was some independant control.

And the steering carriage was added to help drag steer the vehicle around.
But its obvious from photos, that Willie was operated without the carriage.



-- Edited by airdave on Friday 4th of July 2014 01:10:49 PM

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