RE: New 1/6 Scale Tank
That's a very reasonable price for a Hetzer. Always wanted a 1/6 Tiger to pull the kids around the block in their wagon but by the time I can afford one, well, I may be a grandparent! Heaven forbid that baby breakdown in my old age! I'll settle for something lighter like a PZIII, Sherman or Buick Hellcat! Boy I can just imagine running a 1/6 Hellcat around! Imagine a 1/6 scale tank doing 10mph? [:D]
Posted on: 11/21/2009 2:02 AM by Author "swathdiver" in the forum "RC Tanks"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9269299

RE: Panzerkampfwagen M4A1(76)W - Founding Fathers - Build
[link=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zoAghV6qX1w]Running the Diamonds - Quick and Dirty Video of the Sherman.[/link]
Posted on: 11/21/2009 1:04 AM by Author "swathdiver" in the forum "RC Tanks"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9269235

RE: Panzerkampfwagen M4A1(76)W - Founding Fathers - Build
It's a myth that Shermans primarily burned because of their gasoline engines. The main reason was ammunition fires. When wet stowage was introduced in this model Sherman and others, tanks "brewing up" after being penetrated decreased by over half. The numbers might have even been higher had the crews not crammed every nook and cranny with extra ammo outside the protected bins. This is one reason why so many crews began stowing all their personal gear outside the tank so it wouldn't contribute to an internal fire.
Posted on: 11/20/2009 11:00 PM by Author "swathdiver" in the forum "RC Tanks"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9269023

RE: Panzerkampfwagen M4A1(76)W - Founding Fathers - Build
Bill, the 32nd and 33rd Armored Regiments used yellow speed numbers on their turrets when they landed shortly after D-Day until sometime in August when they painted them over with OD as German gunners had a nasty habit of putting shells through Allied stars and markings. These tanks are depicted shortly after issue for "Operation Cobra"; July and August 1944 timeframe. Killick- Thanks for the file! I'm making another one, we made our musette bags with more detail. Going to make some duffels, barrack's bags, shelter halfs, tarps and the all important air recognition panels. Can't have a Sherman without an air panel! After perusing a couple craft stores I figure it'll be easiest to just paint fluourescent yellow onto thick aluminum foil and trim the edges in OD rather then keep searching for the perfect material. Thanks Dan! Here's some pics that were taken earlier. Ohh, and yes Founding Fathers came from Pressed Steel.. err China with that bogie on backwards!
Posted on: 11/20/2009 7:14 PM by Author "swathdiver" in the forum "RC Tanks"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9268470

RE: Tiger 1 Div. GroBdeutschland Winter 43-44
Another masterpiece! Snow Tigers are cool!
Posted on: 11/20/2009 6:55 PM by Author "swathdiver" in the forum "RC Tanks"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9268413

RE: Remote control Tx/Rx
Does the RX18 use a different radio? If one has a tank with an RX13 and another with an RX18, can one just swap crystals or does it have a different radio?
Posted on: 11/20/2009 5:52 PM by Author "swathdiver" in the forum "RC Tanks"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9268282

RE: Revised Organizational Chart - Pz.Abt. 501
My book budget is bust right now. While I'm told it is a good book, folks have exposed a number of innacuracies brought to light with the passage of time since it was published. I did the same with Tigers on the Western Front regarding the 501st. If you happen to scan or come across a copy of that chart I'd like to take a look at it.
Posted on: 11/20/2009 5:43 PM by Author "swathdiver" in the forum "War Room"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9268256

Panzerkampfwagen M4A1(76)W - Founding Fathers - Build
Howdy fellow tankers! This will serve as the build page for our #2 Sherman tank, "Founding Fathers". It's 76mm gun tube has been christened, "Sons of Liberty". This tank has run flawlessly since new and has yet to be opened up. The stock paint was joined by Polly Scale black for camouflage shading and weathering washes using Polly Scale Earth Red and Dirt were applied after marking up the crew areas with some dry brushing. Oily Black paint was also thinned into a wash and poured over the fuel tank caps and allowed to spill naturally all over the back and sides of the tank. Then Tamiya weathering pastels were used to pop out the details such as the casting numbers and foundry symbols. The first modification was to make a Culin Hedgerow Cutter, also known as Rhinos and these were made from styrene I-Beams in my parts bin and then painted in rust and weathered to reflect the fact the only days before they were in the surf at Normandy Beach having been placed there by the Germans to tear the bottoms out of the landing craft that arrived a month earlier on June 6th. It was made to fit in between the tow mounts on the differential cover and was secured with RTV for ease of removal. First outting in high grass ripped it off so unless the plans are to run it on more or less "scale" terrain, they'll stay off. Next project was a bucket. Came out nice but promptly fell off and was lost while chasing a cat in high grass. Made 3 more, 2 from styrene and 1 from brass as will be shown in the days ahead in accompanying photos. 3/16" hobby plywood is used so the crew can pile up their personal belongings on the outside of the tank in front. Shermans had a nasty habit of brewing up when penetrated by the explosive filled shells of the Germans. One solution was to move all flammable items to the outside of the tank and that's why in the later war years you see all the crew gear hanging on the Shermans when in earlier times they were relatively free and clean topside as it was stowed inside. Next project was to make the 10-in-1 Rations that were common to ETO Tankers. 10-in-1 was 10 meals in 1 day or for a tank crew, 1 box would feed the crew for 2-3 days. Founding Fathers' boys are well stocked with 3 cases on board! The other 2 tanks in the Company have 2 each! The file was given to me by a fellow Shermanholic and expert from the 1/35 community and I scaled them up and printed them out 4 at a time on a manila folder with the printer on it's best settings. You can e-mail me for the file but you'll have to resize it as the big one is 45mb. I cut them out with the hobby knife, painstakingly folded and glued them together and used black electrical tape to mimic the straps. Many Shermans drove around with at least one and sometimes 2 5 gallon drums of 50W oil. Since this would be potentially fatal to the tank if it caught fire on the rear deck, they were often stowed on the front fenders. Should one get shot up and catch fire, there's nothing nearby (hopefully!) to catch fire and they'll fall off. I found some 30 year old Tamiya 1/35 drums that I'd made as a kid and put one on each tank after cleaning up the seams, adding some detail and repainting. Not exact but pretty close to scale. Bill wrote asking if I had any German Jerry cans one day. I found one, then 2, then a bunch more US ones. Painted them up and put them on the tanks. Did the same with all the helmets. Each one has the Division and Regimental insignias on each side. Founding Fathers liberated a shot up road sign near St. Lo and the crew placed that below the 5 sleeping bags made out of an ace bandage and rubber bands. The TC also got himself a little souvenir, a nice NAZI beer mug! Can you see it on the rear of the turret? As we speak the crews have dismounted and are raiding a nearby wine cellar to go with their "liberated" French Swiss Cheeses! [:D] Here's some pics:
Posted on: 11/20/2009 4:49 PM by Author "swathdiver" in the forum "RC Tanks"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9268049

RE: Which tank is best for my son? Many questions!
I wouldn't recommend the 3-1 gearboxes for a kid. The tank will be too slow and they'll quickly grow frustrated with it! If it comes with the latest electronics, pop in some high speed Graupner Speed400s and your budding tanker will appreciate it even more! If it doesn't, adding a cooling fan while you're breaking in the gearboxes will take care of the extra heat caused by the motors. Ohh, if you have 2 or more tanks in the motor pool, you'll never want when one of them is down for repairs. Only the kids and the most broke amongst us have only one tank!
Posted on: 11/20/2009 3:44 PM by Author "swathdiver" in the forum "RC Tanks"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9267974

RE: My Sherman's First Field Test
Great pictures! What are all those bombers still doing around there? Aren't they supposed to be crapping in my backyard now? LOL Well, you've motivated me to put on my shorts and flip flops and take my tank for a walk too! [:D]
Posted on: 11/20/2009 3:15 PM by Author "swathdiver" in the forum "RC Tanks"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9267898

RE: Who is frustrated with this Hobbie?
Violent city? I hear that town's like Badghdad in 2006! My hat's off to you sir! Not sure if I can help but feel free to send me a PM if you like.
Posted on: 11/20/2009 2:34 PM by Author "swathdiver" in the forum "RC Tanks"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9267799

RE: Who is frustrated with this Hobbie?
What specifically has your goat? Sure there are challenges at times, this isn't the type of hobby you can turn off your brain like watching tv. I've been looking for the right materials to make shelter halfs, tarps, and air recognition panels for the new Shermans. Made a few barrack's bags out of an old pair of jeans but the first try was a bust. So it's not perfect but there's a sense of accomplishment after having made 10 musette bags and sleeping bags so far. Ohh, also made some cups, buckets, a bottle of wine and two big hunks of French Cheese!
Posted on: 11/20/2009 1:57 PM by Author "swathdiver" in the forum "RC Tanks"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9267763

RE: Which tank is best for my son? Many questions!
My kids love their Walker Bulldog. It's the most manueverable tank we own and can conquer just about all the terrain we throw at it. See my build page: http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_6530883/anchors_6530883/mpage_1/key_Panzerkampfwagen/anchor/tm.htm#6530883 Also check out the new Mato M4A1 Sherman. They're brand new and so far so good. All of these RC tanks are like the real ones, you drive them for a while and then have to work on them to fix things. Teaches discipline and various hobby skills like using a soldering iron. Some will also appreciate the history, the Sherman was the tank that won WW2.
Posted on: 11/20/2009 12:14 PM by Author "swathdiver" in the forum "RC Tanks"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9267117

Revised Organizational Chart - Pz.Abt. 501
This chart was created to update older ones in use across the internet. This is based on the photographic record, unit history and some deductions where the photographic record is incomplete. This chart is valid for the Pz. Abt. 501 in Tunisia before they were integrated into the 10th Panzer Division. On 26 February 1943 the unit was absorbed into the 7th and 8th Kompanies of Pz.Rgt.7 and many tanks were re-numbered but not all. In the Stab there are no known photographs of 02, 06, 08-10. In the 1. Kompanie we are only missing photos of 100 and 144. In the 2. Kompanie we are searching for photos of 200, 211, 212, 214, 221, 222, 224 and 234. Your comments, corrections and additions are welcome to improve the knowledge base!
Posted on: 11/20/2009 8:00 AM by Author "swathdiver" in the forum "War Room"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9264897

RE: Revised Organizational Chart - Pz.Abt. 501
I put "mid" when I should have put the date but couldn't remember exactly. If memory serves, the chart in the book is wrong. That's why I put up the new one. Compare the two and let me know.
Posted on: 11/20/2009 7:59 AM by Author "swathdiver" in the forum "War Room"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9267107

RE: trimming leds???
Sure, you can grind them down with a dremel or file to get a flat face. Do not expose the metal inside or you'll wreck it.
Posted on: 11/19/2009 11:03 AM by Author "swathdiver" in the forum "RC Tanks"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9265030

RE: New Mato Sherman arrived- some minor problems
Wow, even Mato models in "outfitting" their tanks when you take ownership, just like HL used to! [:D] Now that you've worked on your tank, you've "bonded" and have a greater appreciation for it! [:D] Enjoy!
Posted on: 11/18/2009 7:15 PM by Author "swathdiver" in the forum "RC Tanks"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9263817

RE: sherman suspension
The HVSS which is modeled on the Tamiya M4 Sherman is superior in performance to the older, VVSS which also used skinnier tracks. I'll speculate and say that Tamiya figured their customers would appreciate the wider tracks for greater performance. The Tamiya M4 did see service in WW2, as did several other variants equipped with HVS Suspension but their combat service was limited to about 6 months versus the entire war for the earlier suspension.
Posted on: 11/18/2009 7:12 PM by Author "swathdiver" in the forum "RC Tanks"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9263807

RE: Coming Soon
Thanks for continuing to advance the hobby Don!
Posted on: 11/18/2009 9:06 AM by Author "swathdiver" in the forum "RC Tanks"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9262446

RE: Happy with the Tamiya Sherman M4(105) HVSS
They look great John! The HVSS suspension is a better runner then the older VVSS, however it doesn't really historically represent the Sherman variants that fought all throughout the war. The big hatch HVSS models first saw combat in the ETO during December '44. That means they saw combat for about 6 months versus the VVSS Shermans first battles in North Africa in 1942.
Posted on: 11/18/2009 9:00 AM by Author "swathdiver" in the forum "RC Tanks"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9262431

RE: NEW 1/16 M36 Jackson Turret Kit- NEW UPDATES 11/15/09
Jeff is right, no muzzle brakes for the 90mm M3 installed in WWII M36s.
Posted on: 11/18/2009 8:55 AM by Author "swathdiver" in the forum "RC Tanks"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9262422

RE: M4A1
Nice work Dan! I better post some new photos of mine, including the Berlin sign too! [:D]
Posted on: 11/18/2009 8:48 AM by Author "swathdiver" in the forum "RC Tanks"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9262410

RE: My experiences with my new Mato Sherman
What color are you going to paint it?
Posted on: 11/17/2009 8:48 PM by Author "swathdiver" in the forum "RC Tanks"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9261411

RE: pershing tracks?????
They're really tight when new. They'll loosen up after 10-20 hours of use.
Posted on: 11/17/2009 7:55 PM by Author "swathdiver" in the forum "RC Tanks"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9261242

RE: Mato's vs RCCommand's 3:1 gearboxes
The only place I know that sells them is Hobby-Lobby. Maybe an internet search will turn up a new vendor.
Posted on: 11/17/2009 1:51 PM by Author "swathdiver" in the forum "RC Tanks"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9260380

RE: Mato's vs RCCommand's 3:1 gearboxes
Scale speed for the KV-1 is 1.24mph/2KmH. I would probably go for the Mato or Asiatam ones for the money. Higher reduction offering more potential tractive effort with the right motor. Not sure any stock electronics can handle the long can 400s. If memory serves the 480s pulled 6 or 7 amps through the Asiatam 89-1 gearboxes. Amps would be higher in a lower numerically gearbox. So I think the only electronics that can handle them are Tamiya and El Mod. I think it's best to stick with the Graupner Speed400s for the Heng Long boards as the most powerful motor.
Posted on: 11/17/2009 10:34 AM by Author "swathdiver" in the forum "RC Tanks"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9260005

RE: Slightly disappointed by Mato Sherman
Probably, they created problems for the old HL TK-RX13 boards as they ran the transistors near maximum capacity. Stalling the tank in debris blew lots of boards. To aleviate the problem they then added the slipper clutch in the gearbox then introduced the lower rpm white capped Suntech motors. Changing the pinion will transfer more of the load from the motors to the gearbox. Adding a fan would help too. In my 2 Mato M4A1s, I'm not fooling with any of that right now. Just running them and enjoying them. One of these days my stopwatch will turn up and I can do a speed test! Scale top speed is 1.81mph/2.91KmH. If they do something like that I'll he a happy camper. Wouldn't mind a little more torque but I'll probably save that for when the new gearboxes for them are released.
Posted on: 11/17/2009 8:45 AM by Author "swathdiver" in the forum "RC Tanks"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9259821

RE: unnumbered tiger I tank
Don't worry about it. I did my first one in Dunkelgelb which didn't see service in North Africa. Looks similar to yours eh?
Posted on: 11/17/2009 8:37 AM by Author "swathdiver" in the forum "RC Tanks"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9259809

RE: Mato's vs RCCommand's 3:1 gearboxes
RCCs 3:1s. Perry, I know! Why don't you build a little one while you're at it? [:D] You know way more about that stuff then I do! In a simple sense, the higher numerically the number of the gearbox ratio with a 3-5 pole motor turning the highest rpms that won't blow the board will offer the most torque. When I coupled the Asiatam 3:1s (89:1) with the 480s and El Mod, no matter how hard I gripped the sprocket or shaft with pliers I could not stall the motor even at low rpm. That setup puts out a ton of torque!
Posted on: 11/17/2009 7:44 AM by Author "swathdiver" in the forum "RC Tanks"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9259754

RE: Mato's vs RCCommand's 3:1 gearboxes
Physically I have not compared them but they are not the same animal. If one is looking for a slight increase in tractive effort the RCCommand gearboxes will serve you well with little loss in speed. The Mato gearbox offers much greater tractive effort with high speed motors to maintain reasonable speed. The stock Heng Long gearbox has a reduction ratio of 39.326:1 The RCCommand gearbox has a reduction ratio of 46.317 The Mato gearbox has a reduction ratio of 79.644 Now, with the above information let's say you wanted to compare these in a Tiger with the same motors. The HL will turn 1.47mph, the RCCommand 1.25mph and Mato's .93mph or 1.23mph using the supplied high speed motors. Now if you take RCCommand's gearbox and change the pinions to 8Ts you get 57.897:1 and 1mph or 1.326mph with high speed motors.
Posted on: 11/16/2009 10:58 PM by Author "swathdiver" in the forum "RC Tanks"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9259236