[MOC] Citroën-Kégresse 10 HP half-tracked expedition vehicle

Posted December 10, 201410 yr

This is another MOC I'd like to present as a part of my introduction here on Eurobricks. As my current work is still very much in a WIP state (but should be presentable very soon), it's another older model that I made in September/October 2011.

As a long time Citroën aficionado, my favourite car maker was of course one of the first subjects I tried when going back into LEGO.

One fascinating type of vehicles Citroën made in the '20s and '30s are half-tracked vehicles. Based on their normal production cars, they featured a relatively classic front end, while the rear wheels were replaced by tracks. Besides being used in snowy areas as buses or snowploughs, as agricultural or military vehicles, the most famous purpose of these cars were the expeditions Citroën undertook in those years. They led deep into the African or Asian continent where no vehicle has been before, sometimes crossing mountains where the cars had to be disassembled and carried over some dangerous passages.

The model for my MOC was a 10HP type which was used for the crossing of Sahara in 1922/23. Pictures and more info (in French!) can be found here: http://passioncitro....e-22590275.html

The goal for this build was to include the following:

- fake engine with transmission to the rear tracks

- front pendular axle with steering (via steering wheel)

- tracks with suspension

- realistic bodywork

- scale given by the wheels from 8258 (used as front wheels)

Later I included also an XL motor for driving the tracks, as the behaviour of the tracks on smooth floor was very unsatisfactory when the car was pushed.

Some views of the finished vehicle:

This is how the chassis looks without the body:

The transmission from the motor to the driveshaft was later changed from 8T-8T-24T to 12T-36T.

This shot shows a bit better how the steering and pendular axle work (on an older version of the chassis):

The two movements are independent of each other, of course.

Having no remote control at the time, I placed a switch between the battery box and the motor which I could take out of the car on its cable. This way, it was much easier to control the car than with fidgeting on the battery box switch:

Of course I have disassembled the MOC long time ago, as I was pursuing other projects. However, the idea is still in my head to make an improved version of it with the more parts and experience I have now. I still like the front end a lot, including the mixed studless/studded building style of the front body. For me, it somehow reflects the look of these vehicles which always had an improvised touch.

What I'd entirely revise are the tracks. The suspension is somewhat quirky and very far from the original. Also, the tracks are really not up to their job, and I'd use rubber tracks for better adhesion. Then I'd also add some more detail to the rear body, as it was rather plain looking. Plus a remote control for driving and steering.

More pictures and some (low quality) videos are on my Bricksafe page: http://bricksafe.com...n 10HP Kegresse

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