Task Force 72

Howdy All ,

As you are all aware , I am building USS Missouri & wish to rotate the 16" turrets & elevate the barrels.

Am interested in what mechanisms members have either done or seen to rotate gun turrets & elevate gun barrels.
I am looking at using the KISS ( Keep it simple stupid ) method so if someone can share their expertise / experiences
I would be very greatful.

Cheers,

Jim
FBGW

Rotation - work out how far you want the turret to turn first.
You can get servos on a computer radio to turn pretty much far beyond the usual +-45 degrees by adjusting the End Point settings. If this range can't be extended or is not enough, try interconnecting gears on the turret and servo, gearing the turret down and increasing its rotational direction for each degree of turn from the servo. Similar effect can be achieved using pulleys or toothed belts.

Elevation of the barrel - simplest way is a mini servo linked to a push rod inside the turret or servo arm connected to the barrel inside the turret. This servo moves with the rotation of the turret and simply moves the barrel(s) up and down. You'll need to keep the barrel light as the servo lift point is close to the point of rotation (and represents a short fulcrum). If the servo can't lift it - gear the barrel rack and pinion style. You can still use a servo to actuate it.

Hope that helps

J