The Wonderful World of Half-tracks!
Hello all, I was hoping to see what the latest and greatest in half tracks is these days, as I'm attempting to spark interest in our club and get some projects rolling! Idea : Clark board, possibly custom sounds & full combat capable. Might keep it as a light vehicle with MG only or as a lightly armored tank. Role : Scout. Operator can roam freely about the field on foot, spotting 'hidden' tanks (this happens often at our field, lots of grass & camo schemes!), and directing fire. So the issue lately is finding a good donor static kit (mostly German 250/251s), adequate gearboxes for them, etc. The best eBay has to offer in 1/18 are well over $100 now and are a tad expensive. So, any ideas for hulls or gearboxes, allied or axis? Input appreciated!
Posted on: 6/18/2013 8:54 AM by Author "Strato50" in the forum "RC Tanks"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11546790

RE: Gearboxes.
I'm looking for a gearbox in the same rough size for a on-the-drawing-board german halftrack build I'm dreaming up for combat. What I've read so far are the 1/24 VS Tank gears or 1/18 Millennium Toys sealed gearboxes... but I've yet to find a source for either on their own. Where can I find VS Tank gearboxes?
Posted on: 6/18/2013 8:36 AM by Author "Strato50" in the forum "RC Tanks"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11546765

RE: Henglong new 1/16 leopard2 is released!!!
Tempting as that is, I'll wait for the review. I want to see suspension and idler mounts before I dive into a big tank like this :P
Posted on: 6/17/2013 12:01 PM by Author "Strato50" in the forum "RC Tanks"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11545945

RE: Panzer IV F1
Looks great, Asiatam did a good job on the metal wheels and idler. Does that go in with the stock HL screw? The Mato return wheels attach with the stock coarse-thread hardware, pretty strong as is.
Posted on: 6/15/2013 3:56 PM by Author "Strato50" in the forum "RC Tanks"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11544255

RE: New to me PZ4
Everyone's going PzIV crazy.... yay!
Posted on: 6/15/2013 11:17 AM by Author "Strato50" in the forum "RC Tanks"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11544032

RE: Show us your Sherman
[quote]ORIGINAL: Rex Ross [quote]ORIGINAL: YHR I sure like that Ram Rex Keep em coming guys. We will put the run on those Gerry's [/quote] ~~~~~~ That Ram II is one of my favorites. The Canadians and Australians developed some really interesting AFVs in WWII. [/quote] Can I commission a Ram from you? ;) How bout one of those awesome looking French / Lee looking conversions? Just so good looking!
Posted on: 6/14/2013 8:38 PM by Author "Strato50" in the forum "RC Tanks"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11543649

RE: Question about Porsche Jagdtiger
I found this article http://www.missing-lynx.com/articles/german/amjt/amjt.htm , has some good images and descriptions of parts. Parts themselves for 1/16, I'm not really sure!
Posted on: 6/14/2013 6:04 AM by Author "Strato50" in the forum "RC Tanks"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11542963

RE: HengLong / Clark TK22 - Panzer IV !
Finally "done"... a relative term here. Waiting on the eventual purchase of metal suspension, but for now she'll run and fight well!
Posted on: 6/12/2013 8:33 AM by Author "Strato50" in the forum "RC Tanks"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11541108

RE: Show us your Sherman
My Mato M4A1 76, with Clark TK-22. Probably my best runner, barrel recoil & servo elevation. Painted in 'approx' Canadian colours, Italian campaign.
Posted on: 6/12/2013 8:20 AM by Author "Strato50" in the forum "RC Tanks"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11541098

RE: Panzer IV F1
Are you going to go with any specific paint scheme yet?
Posted on: 6/12/2013 7:05 AM by Author "Strato50" in the forum "RC Tanks"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11541027

RE: question for you alll
[quote]ORIGINAL: treadhead Okay, THANK YOU all for the replies. the diagrams and links were exactly what I was looking for. Now I know what I did wrong. It will be fixed when I get the chance to work on it. Hopefully tomorrow night. Depends on babysitting. My son's guard unit just got activated to provide help at the Black Forest wild fire. He and his girlfriend will need a little help with the baby. Again, Thank You all for the replies. [/quote] That's what we're here for, let us know how it goes. Also good luck to your son! That sounds like a crazy thing to be involved with.
Posted on: 6/11/2013 10:31 PM by Author "Strato50" in the forum "RC Tanks"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11540798

RE: Panzer IV F1
[quote]ORIGINAL: yellowshaker ell, I can understand making parts that are atched, but if that's the case, they should sell them as a kit form.In any case, my solution worked and the tank will roll. Now to figure out what position the return rollers are supposed to be in... I have read that stock, they are in the wrong position, but so far no luck in finding the correct mounting spots... [/quote] I had just recently read it on here, but cannot find the exact amount but with HL, it's simply the most rearward return roller that has to be lowered by 3-4mm, from what I've been seeing.
Posted on: 6/11/2013 7:17 PM by Author "Strato50" in the forum "RC Tanks"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11540668

RE: Slowing down a tank...
Any digital radio can reduced throttle input by % increments, unless you're stuck with an analog.
Posted on: 6/11/2013 4:19 PM by Author "Strato50" in the forum "RC Tanks"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11540519

RE: Panzer IV F1
[quote]ORIGINAL: philipat [quote]ORIGINAL: yellowshaker The idler, like most of these parts is not made to fit the asiatam tensioner. When you tighten it down, the idler is tight against the tensioner and will not turn. I modded it with bearings and the shaft so that it could turn free and fit this tensioner. It did not throw off alignment. As for the bearing size...I honestly don't know. I had a few bearings laying around from previous projects and the brass was in the box which fit through the center...I went with it. I will check and see if I have any more bearings and check sizes for you later on. [/quote] I think that I read somewhere that the Asiatam tensioner was made for the HL idler and the Tank-Modellbau tensioner for the Asiatam idler.  Seems rather confusing...make the part for your own parts. <img src=''http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/js/fckeditor/editor/images/smiley/msn/angry_smile.gif'' alt='''' />  I like your solution to the problem. [/quote] That is what Welsh Dragon models told me as well :P
Posted on: 6/11/2013 3:50 PM by Author "Strato50" in the forum "RC Tanks"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11540501

RE: question for you alll
It should run fine with the smoker removed, all of my tanks do not have it. I suspect one of the power leads might have been snipped by mistake to the board, or came loose from the power switch. Do you get the blinking headlights at least? Double check the solder points between the battery, power switch and the control board (Rx-18 in your case) Turret wiring again shouldn't affect start-up. This might be more than you need but always a good reference : http://www.hobbyhavoc.com/oldhavoc/index.php?topic=1289.0
Posted on: 6/11/2013 5:52 AM by Author "Strato50" in the forum "RC Tanks"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11539934

RE: Panzer IV F1
Ah I see. With Mato both sides are recessed. I really don't mean to take over your thread so I'll move this to mine after, hehe.. but here at what the Mato wheels look like. Top row : Front side (darker), rear side (unpainted), bottom row: Left inner hub, mounts on the axle, right outer hub, slides over inner hul. As you can see there is no difference on the outside, both sides sit too closely.. really dumb on Mato's part :( Thanks!
Posted on: 6/11/2013 4:38 AM by Author "Strato50" in the forum "RC Tanks"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11539748

RE: Panzer IV F1
Hmm yea that looks the same as the Mato outside. I guess it's the same on the inside? Looks good :-P
Posted on: 6/10/2013 8:46 PM by Author "Strato50" in the forum "RC Tanks"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11539687

RE: Panzer IV F1
Can you post a picture of the back side of the metal road wheels? The Mato metal wheels have an indent that's giving me the alignment issues, whereas the plastic HL ones stick out further. Hehe I suppose I should also ask if the suspension is the same size as the stock units too! I like the bearing job I'm considering it for mine too!
Posted on: 6/10/2013 7:34 PM by Author "Strato50" in the forum "RC Tanks"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11539623

RE: witch is best gearbox for hl tiger 1 ??
I just installed the Taigan black steel 4:1s in my Tiger, they dropped right in and work great. I have 3 sets now and all 3 are very smooth an sturdy. Just make sure if you order them that you're getting the 'real' ones, with ball bearings on the drive shaft. I've seen too many eBay auctions listing "Brand new Taigen steel gearboxes!!" that are still the same non-bearing HengLong type with painted black pot metal... keep an eye out.
Posted on: 6/10/2013 4:15 PM by Author "Strato50" in the forum "RC Tanks"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11539446

RE: Panzer IV - Suspension
This is so weird & confusing, uggh. But thank you all for your input it's been invaluable.
Posted on: 6/9/2013 5:05 PM by Author "Strato50" in the forum "RC Tanks"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11538442

RE: Panzer IV - Suspension
Hmmm that's discouraging.. so you had both the metal road wheels AND metal suspension and it was too short? I'd LIKE to think they actually built these upgrades for the tank and made sure they fit.. I have x50 M3 button head hex screws and a bunch of M3 washers as well that fit nicely into the metal wheels... I plan to tap the metal suspension for the M3 bolts and avoid the whole issue of self tapping screws into metal. Half of the time they snapped inside the hole on my Panzer III build.. I would be eternally grateful to anyone that can compare the metal & plastic suspension pieces together and tell me the difference! :P
Posted on: 6/9/2013 6:11 AM by Author "Strato50" in the forum "RC Tanks"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11537912

RE: Panzer IV - Suspension
I was thinking of that but, I don't think so.. the screw that holds the wheel on doesn't tighten against the wheel itself but against the end of the axle. The head of the screw stops the wheel from falling off. Any spacer I put behind the wheel / under the screw head will give me fewer precious threads to keep the wheel on... Same goes for putting spacers behind the bogie itself. Doesn't really work, everything gets wobble-y :P From the few pictures I've found of the metal suspension, it actually looks like it sticks out further. I'm just not sure :\
Posted on: 6/9/2013 1:50 AM by Author "Strato50" in the forum "RC Tanks"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11537836

RE: Panzer IV - Suspension
I can always count on you to fix my pictures when I'm too lazy! :P
Posted on: 6/9/2013 1:46 AM by Author "Strato50" in the forum "RC Tanks"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11537830

Panzer IV - Suspension
Hey guys.. I'm trying my best not to bury the forum in Panzer IV threads but I think I need some fresh eyes on this one. So far I've installed my new Mato metal wheels on my P4, with new sprockers & idler and almost immediately noticed the track & sprocket alignment was way out! I did the usual troubleshooting but upon realizing the track & IDLER were out by the same amount, it dawned on me that it was the wheels themselves that were sitting closer to the hull than the stock plastic ones. So my question is this; I still have the stock plastic suspension arms installed with the metal wheels... does anyone know if the metal-upgrade suspension 'push' the matching metal roadwheels out further thereby aligning the wheels, idler & sprocket? I think it'll take someone comparing the 2 pieces together to see if they do... ...but as always RCU I'm confidant I'll have an answer soon :P As you can see in these pictures, I've mounted the stock plastic wheel & metal wheel to the same bogie. The plastic wheel sticks out at least 3-4mm further than the metal because of the design difference.
Posted on: 6/9/2013 1:18 AM by Author "Strato50" in the forum "RC Tanks"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11537821

RE: parts for PzIV F2
I have an F2 barrel, but no mantlet. If you find somebody with just a mantlet or nobody else at all, it's yours :P
Posted on: 6/8/2013 4:56 PM by Author "Strato50" in the forum "RC Tanks"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11537549

RE: My version of the Stug III
Oh, very nice. I've always liked the mesh one's too, Tamiya needs to release a kit for their Pnz4 J :P Which gearboxes did you install?
Posted on: 6/7/2013 11:17 PM by Author "Strato50" in the forum "RC Tanks"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11537002

RE: HengLong / Clark TK22 - Panzer IV !
That's always a good idea. I'll play with the caps and try them out. These tires do not have the label although my mato panzer iii does. These rubber rims are actually thinner than the panzer iii.
Posted on: 6/7/2013 9:19 AM by Author "Strato50" in the forum "RC Tanks"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11536246

RE: HengLong / Clark TK22 - Panzer IV !
Thanks MAUS! I felt sort of silly not realizing I had more than I thought.. hehe.. I've installed the road wheels, they look great, minus the caps. I have a feeling I'll lose a few of those... debating whether to actually install them!! The rubber of the road wheels rubs up against the stop-blocks for the suspension, so I'll have to file those down a bit. Otherwise they run nicely. I put a few drops of oil inside each 'hub' and it's not leaking out... yay lube!
Posted on: 6/7/2013 8:59 AM by Author "Strato50" in the forum "RC Tanks"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11536230

RE: HengLong / Clark TK22 - Panzer IV !
I feel like I'm talking to myself again ;) Anyhoo I have a good question... I've never quite seen a set of wheels like these, so I'm posting pics and asking for help. Ordered metal parts from Freakydude, I'm quite happy with them, nice solid Mato tracks, idlers, sprockets, and wheels... ...Oh these wheels. I have no idea how to assemble them, or what some of the parts are actually FOR. Anyone around here ever assemble a set of Mato P4 wheels? They look like they're designed to take bearings... hmm. I don't know what the pieces in the picture are at all. Thanks for any help! *edit* My mystery pieces are actually the return rollers, I didn't know they came with the wheel set... d'oh ;)
Posted on: 6/7/2013 8:06 AM by Author "Strato50" in the forum "RC Tanks"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11536171

RE: The Ultimate Weapon of Mass Destruction
You're a mad man :P It needs a mini-bar at the rear. I noticed the Tauchpanzer snorkel set, so it can swim too. Nice :P
Posted on: 6/7/2013 8:02 AM by Author "Strato50" in the forum "RC Tanks"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11536165