One of the few positives to come of this pandemic is that the restrictive nature of scarcity can be a boon to creativity. Plus, the doom and gloom of it all is causing people to loosen up and do things they never felt free enough to do before in the demanding world of the before times.
For example, [ossum] makes R/C vehicles on commission to exacting standards, but took a break from perfection to build this remote control hellscape-faring van by the seat of his pants. It’s quite a resourceful build that combines pieces from previous projects with a few standard R/C parts and a handful of clever hacks.
The body is a test print of a 1957 Chevy Suburban van that [ossum] made for someone a few years back. It’s mounted on a scrap metal chassis and moves on printed tank treads designed for a different vehicle.
Since glass is a liability in an apocalypse (and because [ossum] doesn’t have a resin printer yet), the windows have fortified coverings that are printed, patina’d, and detailed with tiny rivet heads.
As far as hacks go, our favorite has to be the clothespin steering. [ossum] only had one electronic speed controller, so he used a servo to actuate a pair of spring-loaded clips, alternating between the two to move the tank-van. There’s a short video after the break that shows the rack and clothes-pinion steering, and it’s loaded up right after a brief demo of the van.
We realize that everyone’s apocalyptic needs are different, but there’s more than enough here to get you started. Don’t have access to enough R/C parts? Gear boxes and drive shafts can be printed, too.
Some folk are truly talented with imagination. That model needs a full size version. :)
I love how the most popular versions of the Apocalypse nearly always include sufficient fuel to run gas guzzlers though.
However, an Apocalyptical bicycle doesn’t have quite the same appeal…. :)
“However, an Apocalyptical bicycle doesn’t have quite the same appeal…. :)”
Nick Andros begs to differ.
*silent nod of approval*
“However, an Apocalyptical bicycle doesn’t have quite the same appeal…. :)”
Weapons and armor would weigh it down.
Thanks, appreciate the compliment! I always find my imagination works better with a few unexpected constraints thrown at it.
I’d like a 1:1 too but I think I’d be scared of the giant clothes pegs switching huge currents behind my head ;-)
My favourite vehicle for the apocalypse would have to be the Landmaster from the film “Damnation Alley”.
Live the dream, make trinary wheels out of ATV parts and install them on a minivan.
The problem with most Post-Apocalyptic thinking is that most people think they will survive, when they won’t. The fact is when you see the Terminator crushing the human skull with it’s foot in the start of T2 is that would probably be your skull. PA movies are just fun fantasy.
IDK I’m doing pretty well so far, this corona thing is my 63rd Apocalypse counting everything like y2k and 2012 and all psychic and doomsday predictions.
“Since glass is a liability in an apocalypse ”
Cameras, and view-screens for the high-tech. View-ports for the low.
creative…. good
War………………war never changes.
I love it! It looks like Mad Max’s bread van! Oh here’s an idea, since I think [ossum] is in the U.K. judging from the placement of the window coverings on the van how about a post apocalyptic Milk Float! “Here’s your milk Mam, sorry about the zombie blood on the bottle.”
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milk_float
A good guess but I am actually in South Africa, I reckon it is the UK’s fault we drive on the left though, so you were basically correct!
I do rather like the idea of fresh milk delivery, come rain shine or apocalypse ;-)
Mad Moo, Beyond Dairy Dome!
Beautiful work man! I am just about ready to strap a cell modem to the top of mind and send it to the nearby supermarket for beer. :-) https://medium.com/@kb8rnu/building-a-network-controlled-robot-with-arduino-and-raspberry-pi-77dd9134e48c
Very cool, It’s always more fun with a camera onboard! I’d been considering FPV-ing this one but not sure yet,it’d either have terrible visibility or require a non-driver’s-seat camera position, which breaks the immersion for me.
Wow – this would look great sitting on one of my Mid-Century modern book shelves.