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CDERT UAV



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by Duane King

Scale: 1/35
Year of time divergence: 2003

Civil Defense Emergency Response Teams [CDERT's] were formed by the Homeland Security Agency to cope with the Local/Regional situations arising from the Nuclear Winter and Oil Shortages caused by the Middle Eastern/Asian Conflicts of 2003 (also referred to as the Year of the Apocalypse).

CDERT's drive specially adapted Humvee Rescue Trucks, known as Urban Assistance Vehicles or UAV's. These M997 Derivatives are larger and have capabilities that allow the three man teams to be on station in remote locations as needed.

This version shows the custom made Webtrack Drive System that allows the UAV to travel over the deepest snows (or buried cars!) that now pound New England for 6 months a year. The various roof mounted tanks give the vehicle the multi-fuel capabilities needed to by pass the odd/even rationing queues that dot the region. The Solar Panel Array/Radar Mast helps to maintain the onboard electronics, the gyroscopic spin power supply is a plus on cloudy days.

Other basic equipment for CDERT's are ladders, tow chains, a never-get-stuck winch, a collapsible boat, and the standard first aid equipment needed for emergencies, including nuclear, biological, or chemical attacks.

The Model

Based upon a 1/35 scale Hummer chassis, the rescue body is scratch built (it has a door opening on the rear to accommodate the future electronics for the headlights). The Webtrack suspension system is scratch built. I engineered the system to be as realistic as possible complete with shock absorbers and control arms. The rollers move, rock forward and backward and the 'shock absorbers' actually allow for movement in and out. The treads for the system were donated by a 1/35 scale tank. The roof mounted tanks and domes are made out of plastic and brass tubing, with wooden end caps. The Solar Panel Array/Radar Mast is from the Armageddon Space Station, but the panels have been cut for positionability, with the end product to be able to fold the panels down for transit. The Mast moves up for deployment or down for transit. The Roof AC Units are model railroad stuff, as are the tow chain hooks and the hook for the scratch built winch box/front bumper assembly. The brush guard, various cockpit details, jerry cans, and rooftop boxes are from the parts box/military accessories. The tow chain and winch cable are from the jewelry aisle of the craft store. The ladder, and extension ladder assembly is from a piece of Plastruct ladder product.

The decals are a combination of homemade and commercially available issue stock (NASCAR, HO Railroading, and Microscale stuff).

Image: Look at all that stuff....

Image: Front view

Image: Talk about 'clearance' ....

Image: Overhead




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This page was last updated 22 May 2003