Sariel.pl

Model of a classic Morgan 4-4. Features full suspension, remote drive & steering, functional steering wheel, lights, manually opened doors and manually adjusted seats.

Datasheet:

Completion date: 03/01/2009
Power: electric (Power Functions)
Dimensions:  length 48 studs / width 17 studs / height 16 studs
Weight:  1.39 kg
Suspension:  front – pendular without shock absorbers/ rear –  independent
Motors: 1 x PF Medium, 1 x PF XL

From time to time I am accused of ignoring aesthetics for the sake of functionality. These accusations are still present, even though the influence of LUGPol users made me pay much more attention to aesthetics than I used to do earlier. With this model, I wanted to answer this kind of accusations, and to prove that I can build a good-looking medium size car model, despite the failure the Cobra model was.

The front part of the car was the biggest challenge. I have developed my mini pendular steered suspension module specifically for this model, and managed to contain it under the narrow, low bonnet. The steering lock was greatly limited by the mudguards. Steering was controlled by a PF Medium motor with a safety clutch, thanks to which it was possible to use driver’s steering wheel instead. The drivetrain was very simple, and consisted of a PF XL motor driving the 3-studs wide differential. There was no rear axle, however, and instead the rear wheels were suspended on dragged longitudinal rocking levers. This solution provided better stability than a pendular suspension could provide (no torque effect), as well as more internal space for the battery box behind rear wheels. The only drawback was the robustness and stiffness of the rear suspension, which were worse than in case of a pendular one. The PF XL motor was located under the seats, and the IR receiver was put between them.

The look of the model was fairly accurate, with a number of minor concessions to the functionality. Namely, the front mudguards were not fully covered, but had holes behind the headlights, to preserve internal space for the front wheels’ movement, the tresholds on the sides of the car were taller than they should be, in order to contain all wires inside the chassis, and there was an opening atop the rear part of the body, which provided access to the battery box switch. Given the size of the model, I consider these concessions acceptable.

The model was well received, partially thanks to the mr Fluffy’s great work on modeling. Some of the people following my work called it a rehabilitation after the Cobra failure. Additionally, it was my first construction published at LUGPol outside the Technic section – I’ve chosen the Model Team section instead.

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Media reference:

Klocki