NEW-ZEALAND-L Archives

Archiver > NEW-ZEALAND > 2005-07 > 1120870268


From: Bernard Hall <>
Subject: RE: [NZ] Army Tank
Date: Sat, 09 Jul 2005 12:51:08 +1200
In-Reply-To: <000201c5841d$14a1c030$c6b337d2@Milller>


The tank............
Take one cotton reel.
On one end melt candle wax, to cover to a thickness of about 2 mm. this is
to help the reel and matchstick slide against each other.

We used to cut knitches (Like a saw tooth) around each rim of the reel to
get traction and to climb over small obstacles.

Use a full length match stick on the wax side, this will drag in the floor
one side.
Use a half match stick on the other side. This must be fixed stationary.

Thread an elastic band through the hole in the reel push the match sticks
through each end of the band.
Hold the short match stick firm and twist, wind the long one round and round
until all the slack in the band is taken up and fairly tight. (remember the
long match is on the wax end.)
Then just put the tank down on the surface you wish to play on and gently
let the long match go. The short one must remain firm.

It is absolutely desirable to use a wooden reel not a plastic one.

If you need a drawing Ill sketch and scan..

Good luck

Bernard

Cotton reel TANK COMMANDER.





Ph 03 9424210
Mobile 021 257 8848
-----Original Message-----
From: Dusty and Barbara [mailto:]
Sent: Saturday, 9 July 2005 11:33 a.m.
To:
Subject: [NZ] Army Tank

Hi List,
Can someone help, I remember my father making an Army tank out of a cotton
reel for us. I was very young so can only just remember them. I think he
used a rubber band and matchsticks. For some reason I remember a candle but
don't know where that came in to making it. I know it use to move. Has
anyone have a plan for the tank please. I was the eldest and hope to write a
small book on my fathers life and things I remember for my sisters and their
children who can't remember him.
Barbara



--
No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Anti-Virus.
Version: 7.0.323 / Virus Database: 267.8.11/44 - Release Date: 8/07/2005


==== NEW-ZEALAND Mailing List ====
Send messages and queries of general interest to
the list, but personal messages DIRECTLY to the individual


This thread: