LAV 25 RC conversion goes for swim. 1/35 scale.

Film of an rc Trumpeter 1/35 LAV 25 heavily modified to drive and swim. The model is 8x8 and is, partly as a result, very slow both in and out of the water. You have been warned! But, as you will see, it works pretty much; it gets in, swims about and gets out of the water unaided.

It originally only had power to the four rear wheels (which is an option on the real thing) but it would not egress from water - except backwards sometimes - so transmission was fitted to front wheels as well. I finished it sometime around 2006/7.

The wheels are powered by a single motor which is connected to a transfer box underneath.

Power to the propellors comes from two tiny pager motors which are connected by shafts and pinions to crown gears fitted to the screws themselves. It has full independent suspension.

I fitted the available extra-wide tyre upgrade to improve bouyancy and increase grip when getting out of the water.

See my channel on    / @gonzomechanic7196