RE: radio
Please note that you will need a Battle System (inforared) if you plan to use your tank for battles. This can be added at any time. Karen at AAF may have told you about it if you called in your order. You do not need the system to run the tank. I had just assumed that the battle system came as part of the package with my first Tamiya full option tank. Have fun. jot
Posted on: 9/1/2012 9:36 PM by Author "Merganser" in the forum "RC Tanks"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11214102

RE: Tank Museum message
The cost of CNC milling machines has dropped. I am sure thar there is a steep learning curve but Sureline sells a setup with software and computer for under $3000. Most WW2 tank bodies are made of flat plates that were welded or bolted together. Amazon sells a Zen Toolworks CNC kit for $360 plus another several hundred for boards and software. You have to have an older computer with XP software and a parallel port. I am electronics challanged, but I would love the hear if any of the technical wizzards have tried this stuff for making tank parts. jot
Posted on: 8/12/2012 12:53 PM by Author "Merganser" in the forum "RC Tanks"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11190572

RE: Tank Museum message
I think that the advent of computer controled cutting machines that can produce injection molds and high quality parts from metal or plastic could be a game changer. What Tamiya does have is a line of 1/35 scale tank kits with drawings, parts worked out for fit, assembly instructions and historical background information. The programs exist to change the scales for these tanks and produce the basic parts for any scale. . Just as the Germans, Americans, Russians, etc used chassis from one tank to build lots of different tanks and TDs Tamiya could use the same concept. They have a number of fine metal chassis just waiting for them to produce the shells for different TDs and tanks.. There are a number of small companies already making special parts for tanks and Japanese industry has a history of farming out sub assemblies that can add the expensive details. I think that what makes the Tamiya tanks the best out of the box runners is their quality metal chassis and good electronics. The Tamiya base module and a few small collaborators could net us a bunch of new tanks. Probably just a dream best left to kit bashers. jot
Posted on: 8/11/2012 10:02 PM by Author "Merganser" in the forum "RC Tanks"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11189991

Tank Museum message
I just got a message from the Tank Museum PX Gift Shop stating that Tamiya is discontinueing the older Tiger I kit although the new upgraded Tiger I will still be available. What is interesting is that they said that this November or February of next year the Tamiya representative might be discussing a possible new release for some time in 2013. Will this be a dreamed of "new tank" or just an upgraded version of something we already have? Hope someone with contact within Tamiya can find out. Six months to wait is like forever. jot
Posted on: 8/9/2012 11:54 AM by Author "Merganser" in the forum "RC Tanks"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11187164

RE: New T-23 tank
Great looking T28 Rex. I wonder what the two winches? on the back were used for - loading shells? I understand that the one remaing T28 is being restored. Have not seen any other tanks with quad treads, but it makes sense in some respects since they could use existing tracks. jot
Posted on: 7/23/2012 8:25 AM by Author "Merganser" in the forum "RC Tanks"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11165713

RE: New T-23 tank
Great project. I am waiting to see someone build a T28 superheavy tank. So far as I know, only 2 of these 90 ton tanks were ever completed. They had two sets of track on each side and a 120 mm gun. per "American Armored Fighting Vehicles" by George Bradford. jot
Posted on: 7/22/2012 8:39 PM by Author "Merganser" in the forum "RC Tanks"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11165256

RE: Tamiya Tiger Build Advice
Hi. The Tamiua site has the following in their discription of the Tiger I: Not compatible with radio systems that have digital trims. Trims must be analog for the DMD unit to operate correctly. Note: 4-channel transmitter with analog trims, 7.2 volt battery and charger are required. I went with the Futaba 4 channel that the AAF Tank Museum sugests for their Tamiya tanks. You can also get some information atRCTankwars.com Would like to hear from some experienced tankers on what works and what way they would go since I don't have any realexperience. I have noticed that most people on this site say they use NMH batteries which are less expensive, have plenty of power and are not so fussy to take care of. jot
Posted on: 7/10/2012 2:28 AM by Author "Merganser" in the forum "RC Tanks"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11149652

RE: Tamiya Tiger Build Advice
What brand of tank did you get? Tamiya tanks seem to require analog (sliding trims) rather then the digital trims used on new radios. HL tanks require either an add on board or complete new electronics to use a hobby radio. There are a lot of threads on this site by people that know a lot more then me discussing the options. Take a look at RCTankWars..com for informaion on systems that you can use for HL tanks. The AAF Tank Museum PX sells a 4 channel Futaba that works with Tamiya. Good luck with your build. jot
Posted on: 7/10/2012 1:44 AM by Author "Merganser" in the forum "RC Tanks"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11149645

RE: Tamiya Tiger Build Advice
The Tiger is here! Working on setting up an assembly area in the shop with a short sided box to keep all the parts corraled. I have a habit of droping small parts - some have disappeared into the black hole where cridical one of a kind parts go. I have my three buckets on order for hanging on the back of the tank. Does anyone know if the buckets were painted to match the tank? jot from a damp Wyoming - first rain in weeks.
Posted on: 7/9/2012 7:42 PM by Author "Merganser" in the forum "RC Tanks"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11149443

RE: Tamiya Tiger Build Advice
Ah, the curse of UPS tracking. My Tiger kit is only 250 miles away in Denver with an arrival date of July 5. Even the Pony Extress was faster. There is an Osprey Modelling book titled "Modelling the Tiger I" which is $13.83 on Amazom right now. Most of the Tigers are in 1/35 scale, but there is one build of a 1/16 scale Tamiya static Tiger. I could spend every nigjht for the next 20 years at this and not reach this skill levels of the modeler in the book, but it does give some nice examples. I intend to someday use my tank in IR combat which would probably remove a lot of outside detail in a hurry. Would like to know what the experts like to do on their battle tanks. Well, maybe I can shrink-wrap the tank for battle. I will keep in touch and share my mistakes. Good luck on your build. jot Another 100 degree Wyoming day.
Posted on: 7/3/2012 3:35 PM by Author "Merganser" in the forum "RC Tanks"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11141773

RE: Clark electronics TK20
There are a lot of ready to fly and ready to run models out using 2.4 Ghz radios. I don't understand why HL does not change their radios - or list an extra cost board to replace the 18 that would allow us to plug in 2.4 Ghz sport radios. I would gladly spend $40 + dollars to outfit each of my HLs even without better sound. The Clark system sounds interesting. Hope someone imports them in to North America. jot from the stepps of Wyoming with battlefield smoke available statewide.
Posted on: 7/1/2012 7:37 PM by Author "Merganser" in the forum "RC Tanks"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11139288

RE: Tamiya Tiger Build Advice
Hi again. Had to run to a movie, so I left off a few items. I ordered some extra track segments since most of the Tiger pictures show extra track segments on either the front of the tank or on the turret. Was looking through pictures of the metal bucket that you often see hanging on the back of lesser tanks and I have yet to see a tiger picture with a bucket. The restoration of 131 found patches of the original paint showing that the tank was painted with RAL 8000 and RAL 7008 when it was captured. You can get extra track and most parts from the tank museum store and a lot of small parts from Mato. Tamiya metal tracks are way expensive so I am wondering if anyone has tried the HL metal tracks on a Tamiya to see if they would work? I do know that most people seem to stay with the kit tracks that they say work just fine. jot
Posted on: 6/27/2012 7:07 PM by Author "Merganser" in the forum "RC Tanks"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11134542

RE: Tamiya Tiger Build Advice
Hi. I have also ordered the Early Tiger kit from the Armored Tank Museum's store. The do sell the Futaba FHSS 4YF-4 channel 2.4 GHz radio system that works with Tamiya tanks. The current electronics systems in their tanks works best with radios with the old style mechanical trims which are in the 4YF instead of the newer digital trims. I picked up a book called "Tiger Tank Owners' Workshop Manual (Haynes) put out by Zenith Press. It covers the history and rebuild of the Tank Museum's Tiger I (131) brought back from Tunisa that is now at Bovington. There is a great build thread on a tiger going on now and lots of old trreads on tigers to be had by using the search function. I will be watching for your prgress reports and will try to post my build experience as I go along. JOT from the burning stepps of Wyoming.
Posted on: 6/27/2012 3:12 PM by Author "Merganser" in the forum "RC Tanks"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11134276

RE: Tamiya increase
There can only be one (well, one more then I have now). I have a Tamiya King Tiger along with a few HLs and I am trying to decide between a panzer IV which is a newer kit and the allure of a Tiger I before the price increase. Being a long way from the nearest tankers in Colorado it would be nice to have something to shoot at that can shoot back. Anyone with comments on which would be the better runner? Does anyone have any plsns for an IR target to shoot at that would register hits? From the roasting stepps of Wyoming. jot
Posted on: 6/13/2012 5:17 PM by Author "Merganser" in the forum "RC Tanks"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11117319

RE: Tank Museum raffle information
Thanks for all you do for RC Tankers. I was holding an order just so I could get in to the next raffle. I didn't win a tank, but I have won with your quality service and great prices. I have your confromation e-mails and should have my parts by next week. Have started saving for my next tank - or maybe - a trip to the Tank Museum. Wow, just looked at the globe and Wyoming is futher from Danville then Berlin is from Moscow. Someday I will be out for a visit if gas prices come down or my ship comes in. John from the not so frozen steppes of Wyoming (over 60 degrees today)
Posted on: 3/15/2012 12:39 PM by Author "Merganser" in the forum "RC Tanks"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11001380

RE: Happy Happy New Years!
Happy New Year from the frozen stepps of Wyoming. We hit 50 this morning. This was alas the wind speed and not the temperature. Will be calling AAF next week for parts. Have just cracked the top of a bottle of rum and I am about to drop the DVD of Patton into the player. Will tost RC tankers everywhere at midnight. Just a question. Does anyone make a practice IR target just it case I ever get to Dannville. I guess I could get a Tiger to act as a stationary target. jot
Posted on: 12/31/2011 8:51 PM by Author "Merganser" in the forum "RC Tanks"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10885451

RE: Tanks and Radio
Tamiya's RC Tank page for the Tiger has the following: "Not compatible with radio systems that have digital trims. Trims must be analog for the DMD unit to operate correctly. Note: 4-channel transmitter with analog trims, 7.2 volt battery and charger," I think that after market control boards for HL tanks can use digital trims, but I have no experience with them. .
Posted on: 12/28/2011 10:39 AM by Author "Merganser" in the forum "RC Tanks"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10879787

RE: SLU and this Radio + Receiver
Interesting pictures of the radio. It looks like it uses old style mechanical trims which are what is recomended for Tamiya tanks. You might also look at AAF Tank Museum's store since they sell a Futaba 2.4 radio with similar mechanical trims for $90.00.
Posted on: 12/27/2011 12:02 PM by Author "Merganser" in the forum "RC Tanks"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10878273

RE: Belt drive vs. Gears?
I saw an interesting review of a Schumacher Mi 1 4wd 1/10 scale sedan in the June issue of RC Driver magazine. The writer states that the "two belt drive system is a tried and true setup". This is a toothed belt with a "belt tention puley". They do have a picture that shows the belt and the pulley. I visited the Schumacher site (a British company) and they use belts in several cars. They do have parts for sale. I am sure that someone on this site must have some hands on experience with belt driven cars. I look forward to someone producing a reliable systen. The still frozen tundra.
Posted on: 4/8/2011 9:33 PM by Author "Merganser" in the forum "RC Tanks"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10452184

RE: Earth Quake in Japan
Take a look at this site to see what Japan is experiencing. It has not stopped shaking since the first quake. I can not imagine what the long term effects of this is going to be on poeple's psyche. http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/recenteqsww/Quakes/quakes_all.php
Posted on: 3/15/2011 9:47 AM by Author "Merganser" in the forum "RC Tanks"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10401496

RE: HELP NEEDED, panzer 4 painting
Just my two cents, but no panzer is complete without a few "kill rings" on the gun tube.
Posted on: 2/20/2011 5:55 PM by Author "Merganser" in the forum "RC Tanks"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10351287

RE: RADIO AND MOTOR SETUP FOR KYOSHO BLIZZARD DX
The Kyosho America site now has a listing where you can put your name down to be notified when the new blizzards are released. One is electric and the other is nitro. They may be just fishing to see how much interest there is. To see the page click on specialty. The frozen tundra
Posted on: 2/7/2011 8:01 PM by Author "Merganser" in the forum "RC Tanks"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10319993

RE: If you could buy a new Tamiya...
Once again General Winter has stopped a German tank attack dead in it's tracks. The KT I have on order is stuck in Hodgkins, IL and is on a weather delay per UPS. I guess I should have ordered a T-34. Forlorn in the frozen tundra.
Posted on: 2/4/2011 1:56 PM by Author "Merganser" in the forum "RC Tanks"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10312473

RE: King Tiger Winter Camo
Not a German tank, but the book "Sherman Medium Tank 1942-45" in the New Vangard series by Zaloga has a picture of one of the most inventive winter camo schemes I have ever seen a picture of. Only an American would be crazy enough to combine whitewash with spun glass like we used for decorating christmas tree bases in the old days to conceal a tank. The picture is on page 24. The caption said it looked a bit tacky, but after looking at the picture for a while I bet it worked out just fine. The frozen steps
Posted on: 2/2/2011 8:56 PM by Author "Merganser" in the forum "RC Tanks"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10308559

RE: If you could buy a new Tamiya...
The Panther G is back on Tamiya's site listed as "temporarily out of stock" instead of "discontinued". It looks like someone screwed up and they fixed it after it was brought to their attention. Too late for me since I called Karen at AAFTank and ordered a KT. I already have a metal tracked HL Pershing with airsoft from Phil, but I wanted to have a tank set up from the ground up for IR combat. I think that building a kit will help me understand the different systems. I will get the upgraded electronics for the HL down the road. and maybe go with HL for the Panther. Having lots of fun learning new stuff. The frozen tundra
Posted on: 2/2/2011 12:01 PM by Author "Merganser" in the forum "RC Tanks"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10307410

RE: If you could buy a new Tamiya...
Hi. I hope that you are right - or that Tamiya is about to come out with a "new improved" model. The Panther was my first choice. I am new at this and have a lot to learn. http://www.tamiyausa.com/product/category.php?sub-id=33000&page=2 is the site that had the "discontinued" on it. The site listed the kit at about $1400 as their "list" price and it is the Tamiya official USA site. The Tamiya site directs people to an information site that discribes a fault and asks people to contact them for parts to correct the fault. The kits are still available at several places such as Tower Hobbies so I might still decide to get one. The frozen tundra.
Posted on: 1/31/2011 3:27 PM by Author "Merganser" in the forum "RC Tanks"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10303269

RE: If you could buy a new Tamiya...
I am looking at getting a Tamiya tank and I was at their web ste a bit ago. The Panther G full kit shows as "discontinued". Does anyone have the scoop on this? I am looking at getting a tank with wide treads since that would seem to be better in the snow. Thanks. The frozen tundra.
Posted on: 1/31/2011 2:45 PM by Author "Merganser" in the forum "RC Tanks"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10303151