T62 Planetary Exploration Vehicle (PEV)

[philp]

Ok, so starting with the 35th scale Tamiya T-62 batmancustoms sent me and going to try and convert it into a 72nd scale version of a PEV.


May use some of the design for the tank in Terrahawks based on these pictures but modified.  These are just to give some ideas.




Thinking of a large cab/work area at the front and some type of diggers or drills, etc and keep the engine in the rear.

[philp]

Found this while looking for other stuff (don't you love it when that happens). This is the Russian huge all-terrain vehicle "Kharkovchanka".









I could maybe combine 2 group builds into 1.  Maybe some different modifications and still make it for other planets.

[nev]

Cool idea.  Spreading Socialism to the stars

[retro_seventies]

Couldn't agree more - this has great promise.  Can't wait to see what happens next 

[philp]

Couldn't agree more - this has great promise.  Can't wait to see what happens next 

You and me both.  Trying to finish my Navalize it GB so this is on hold for a while.

[Jeffry Fontaine]

The AT-T series tractors are one of my favorites.  Never could get enough of those when I was looking at reconnaissance imagery of denied areas since there so few to be seen on the targets that I worked.  Most of the AT-T series that I saw were the MDK and BAT type engineering tractors with the trench digging machinery or the bulldozer blade. 

[philp]

OK, flunked the Naval GB so back to this one.

Still stuck for ideas so looking for more help.  Orginally figured a cabin area for crew and living quarters up front, engine in the rear and some type of exploratory equipment mounted in the middle.  But what type of equipment?  Shovel(s), drill, etc and anybody got anything that would look good?

Also thinking of a ramp in the front for smaller, scout type vehicles to be stored.

[deathjester]

An extendible derrick for a core sample drill would be a vital bit of kit for any exploration vehicle.  That, and a very large comms dish.

[Weaver]

How about putting the cabin and engine on one side of the hull and having two or three interchangeable modules on the other, so that one module has forward access, one has top access and one has rear access? The front module would probably be best used for sampling equipment on arms sticking out of the front or pivoted on it's roof (like a crane). The middle module would be for comms and EM sensors with a serious transmitter dish on top of a tower plastered with aerials, and the rear module probably best used for deployable vehicles.

The sampling sensors, EM sensors, comms and vehicles would be tailored to the planet being explored. For example, on a planet with a thick atmosphere, you might carry small helicopters which can either carry one man or function as unmanned UAVs. If that same planet has fierce winds though, you might be better off with low-slung tracked crawlers. If the planet has big expanses of frozen liquid, then hovercraft might be appropriate etc....

[Weaver]

Philip: scroll down this page to the Nomad Explorer for some inspiration:

http://www.spacefuture.com/archive/elements_for_a_sustainable_lunar_colony_in_the_south_polar_region.shtml

[philp]

Thanks Weaver, that helps.

I have been scouring the web trying to find images with very little luck so any and all help there is greatly appreciated.

I did find this and while it doesn't fit with my plan, I may steal a few of the ideas off of it.

[Jeffry Fontaine]

Phil,

Those are definitely some very interesting drawings you found.  Reminds me of the U.S. Army land trains but definitely on a much larger scale. 

[Weaver]

Almost certainly better looking crew too....