Cheuk Yu • 2020 • Model Making
Inspired by the T49 Light tank from World of Tanks
Built using basic DIY materials
Functional turret rotation and gun elevation/ depression
Tracks move along with the running gear when manually rolled
Achieved a high level of exterior detail using basic materials
Painted in a desert tan finish with black track accents
Popsicle sticks, Cardboard, cardstock, Paper
Craft knife, Exacto knife, scissors, wire cutters
Spray paint, Masking tape
Super glue, wood glue, hot glue
This project was a response to a design challenge: design a foldable container that protects raw eggs from a six-foot drop. The container I designed is made from a single sheet of cardboard, engineered to help redirect impact forces away from the eggs. The fully assembled structure is a rectangle with its cross-section shaped like a square with a cut-off triangular corner. Within this cross-section are three triangular-shaped sections, each of which helps redirect impact forces away from the eggs. These three triangular sections act as a shock absorption layer, redirecting the forces away from the eggs. The container has a capacity of three eggs, and each of them is sandwiched between two sheets of cardboard in the center "Pizza slice" area for even distribution, and to ensure that the eggs are stored in the very center of the container, with even spacing from the edge. This, combined with the direction of the cardboard grain, aligned parallel with the container to enable the container to flex and further reduce impact force like a crumple zone.
The result is a successful drop test from a height of six feet, while still allowing the container to fold flat for storage. This ended up being one of my favourite projects to work on, not just because of the challenge itself, but because it gave me a chance to experiment hands-on with structural design and materials in a practical way. There was a good amount of trial and error, but each attempt made me think more carefully about how the shape, layout, and material all need to work together to manage impact.
A selection of process and final-stage photos that highlight the progression and detail of this project. From initial preliminary work to refined finishes, these images provide a closer look at the build and design journey.
(Full image gallery available on separate page.)
A quick demonstration of the T49 model’s functional turret and a main gun capable of elevating and depressing, highlighting some of the mechanical features of this paper-based tank model.