Discussion
Well I mentioned last time I put a build thread on here that my next project would be radio controlled, well here it is, this arrived today my shiny new Tamiya King Tiger Full Option kit: -
Lots of nicely detailed intricate parts and typical Tamiya good quality.
I aim to get all the spray work done asap before it gets too cold outside!
Lots of nicely detailed intricate parts and typical Tamiya good quality.
I aim to get all the spray work done asap before it gets too cold outside!
Simpo Two said:
I thought you meant this rather famous book: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Achtung-Panzer-Development...
Written pre-WW2 by one of the most famous German tank commanders. Pity the Allies didn't buy a copy...
I do have a copy of that Written pre-WW2 by one of the most famous German tank commanders. Pity the Allies didn't buy a copy...
Steve_W said:
So do I - shame how Guderian admired and learnt from British experts such as Hobart yet the British govt. lagged way behind.
Edit to add - Lovely kit OP!
Quite, it was quite amazing to read how he read up on UK tank tactics and even visited the UK, the man had a vision and it worked.Edit to add - Lovely kit OP!
Brigand said:
O/T slightly, but another good Panzer book was 'Panzer Commander' by Colonel Hans von Luck.
It shows the power of the Panther tank, how he and his group of three or four other Panthers could be going up against fifty-odd Allied Shermans, and manage to destroy all of them.
Back On topic though, that King Tiger looks great, is it a typical plastic kit, with the motors etc to put in there?
That will be a cracking model once it's finished, keep us posted on it's construction!
I'll have to look out for that one.It shows the power of the Panther tank, how he and his group of three or four other Panthers could be going up against fifty-odd Allied Shermans, and manage to destroy all of them.
Back On topic though, that King Tiger looks great, is it a typical plastic kit, with the motors etc to put in there?
That will be a cracking model once it's finished, keep us posted on it's construction!
It isn't a typical plastic kit, its a 1:16 scale full RC tank, full of die cast metal parts, twin gearboxes and motors to power it. The turret moves in elevation and azimuth, the gun "fires" and recoils when it does so, the machine gun "fires" and it makes sounds.
I fully intend to keep this thread going as a build thread
A couple of pictures from today - not much aside from etch priming all the metal parts that need painting
and assembly of the commander, main gun mantlet and machine gun
I have ordered an aluminium muzzle brake as the standard plastic item had a botched moulding
though the ali one is only £6.50 plus postage on eBay.
and assembly of the commander, main gun mantlet and machine gun
I have ordered an aluminium muzzle brake as the standard plastic item had a botched moulding
though the ali one is only £6.50 plus postage on eBay.Well today was a day of painting, a few detail parts in the sprues and area coverage using Tamiya spray cans (I'm going to use an airbrush on the more visible parts).
I also started on a few more sub assemblies (exhaust stacks and rear panel - including adding the zimmermit coating to it) and painting the commander and machine gun.
The commander, machine gun exhaust stacks and suspension arms.
That's it for now, I might be able to do some more before next weekend but I'm not sure, the build will progress a bit more when I receive my bearing kit and muzzle brake.
It's odd really as at this point it feels more like I am building a plastic display model rather than an RC one – that will change when I start putting the suspension (real working torsion bars) etc together.
I also started on a few more sub assemblies (exhaust stacks and rear panel - including adding the zimmermit coating to it) and painting the commander and machine gun.
The commander, machine gun exhaust stacks and suspension arms.
That's it for now, I might be able to do some more before next weekend but I'm not sure, the build will progress a bit more when I receive my bearing kit and muzzle brake.
It's odd really as at this point it feels more like I am building a plastic display model rather than an RC one – that will change when I start putting the suspension (real working torsion bars) etc together.
Some more updates for you today, the empty painted hull: -
The suspension arm supports and the screws that hold them in place, the mouse in the back ground gives them some scale: -
The hull with the fitted suspension arm mounts, all locktited in place along with the idler arm mounts on the rear of the hull (note the torsion beam mounts to the right): -
The hull with torsion beam mounts securely bolted in place: -
The torsion beams (front) and suspension arms (rear): -
The Hull from the left showing the suspension arms and torsion beams: -
And from the right: -
I also fitted the equipment tray and fenders and the front drive sprocket guards.
Front: -
Left side: -
That’s it so far, the wheel bearing kit arrived today so when the time comes to make the road wheels up I have all the bits (the plastic parts for those still need painting mind you).
The next step is to go over the screw heads and sprocket guards with a coat of paint.
For anyone thinking of building one of these a little tip on the suspension and metal parts, because of the size of the bolts/screws I found it easier to use one bolt to fix the suspension arm mounts in place then locktite the other bolt in place, before removing the first one and then re-fitting with locktite saves on mess, obviously on bigger things with multiple bolts use two first.
It took about two and a quarter hours to do that part of the build, the zimmermit coating was also applied to the front of the hull which will need a coat of paint as well. I am impressed with the quality of the finish with the Tamiya spray cans I am using for parts like the lower hull and wheels etc.
I have to say the Mechano thing is spot on it was reminiscent of that, taking my time is going to be the rule of thumb with this, I am currently doing a part time degree so there will be periods where I get nothing at all done on it. Though the tank will form part of the project for the degree - I intend on building my own electronics.
The suspension arm supports and the screws that hold them in place, the mouse in the back ground gives them some scale: -
The hull with the fitted suspension arm mounts, all locktited in place along with the idler arm mounts on the rear of the hull (note the torsion beam mounts to the right): -
The hull with torsion beam mounts securely bolted in place: -
The torsion beams (front) and suspension arms (rear): -
The Hull from the left showing the suspension arms and torsion beams: -
And from the right: -
I also fitted the equipment tray and fenders and the front drive sprocket guards.
Front: -
Left side: -
That’s it so far, the wheel bearing kit arrived today so when the time comes to make the road wheels up I have all the bits (the plastic parts for those still need painting mind you).
The next step is to go over the screw heads and sprocket guards with a coat of paint.
For anyone thinking of building one of these a little tip on the suspension and metal parts, because of the size of the bolts/screws I found it easier to use one bolt to fix the suspension arm mounts in place then locktite the other bolt in place, before removing the first one and then re-fitting with locktite saves on mess, obviously on bigger things with multiple bolts use two
first.It took about two and a quarter hours to do that part of the build, the zimmermit coating was also applied to the front of the hull which will need a coat of paint as well. I am impressed with the quality of the finish with the Tamiya spray cans I am using for parts like the lower hull and wheels etc.
I have to say the Mechano thing is spot on it was reminiscent of that, taking my time is going to be the rule of thumb with this, I am currently doing a part time degree so there will be periods where I get nothing at all done on it. Though the tank will form part of the project for the degree - I intend on building my own electronics.
Well here is another instalment of pictures from the build, first the idlers, reading on it one of the problems with the stock idlers is the fact the drums can slip, so the eagle eyed amongst you will spot two strips of 2000 grit wet and dry paper amongst the idler components:
These were glued (using cyano) and left to go off before assembly, hopefully the extra friction will stop the drums slipping in the bands.
The idler mechanism installed:
The other failing with the idlers seems to be the screw to clamp it tight is on the wrong side of the band it needs to be more outboard so it doesn’t pull the band in when tightened.
The road wheels painted and the rear panel (sans all scale details for now) painted with the zimmermit applied (exhaust armour is currently unpainted).
The drive motors and gearboxes installed in the Hull:
The rear panel bolted in place – I used threadlock on these bolts despite the instructions not mentioning it.
The assembled road wheels and idlers, each road wheel (including the three screws that hold them together) contain 11 parts. Took me a while to assemble them all, the idlers contained less parts but no provision for bearings so plenty of grease (impact bearings rather than the stock plain bearings on the road wheels negate the use of it all) should help stop them wearing too quickly:
Finally the hull with the mudguards bolted on and the zimmermit applied, the turret is placed on the top and also has the zimmermit applied.
The next job is the finale for the lower hull, the fitting of the drive sprockets, idlers and road wheels before fitting the tracks, the tracks will come off again when I paint the camouflage pattern on the tank to prevent overspray.
These were glued (using cyano) and left to go off before assembly, hopefully the extra friction will stop the drums slipping in the bands.
The idler mechanism installed:
The other failing with the idlers seems to be the screw to clamp it tight is on the wrong side of the band it needs to be more outboard so it doesn’t pull the band in when tightened.
The road wheels painted and the rear panel (sans all scale details for now) painted with the zimmermit applied (exhaust armour is currently unpainted).
The drive motors and gearboxes installed in the Hull:
The rear panel bolted in place – I used threadlock on these bolts despite the instructions not mentioning it.
The assembled road wheels and idlers, each road wheel (including the three screws that hold them together) contain 11 parts. Took me a while to assemble them all, the idlers contained less parts but no provision for bearings so plenty of grease (impact bearings rather than the stock plain bearings on the road wheels negate the use of it all) should help stop them wearing too quickly:
Finally the hull with the mudguards bolted on and the zimmermit applied, the turret is placed on the top and also has the zimmermit applied.
The next job is the finale for the lower hull, the fitting of the drive sprockets, idlers and road wheels before fitting the tracks, the tracks will come off again when I paint the camouflage pattern on the tank to prevent overspray.
Well this morning I fitted the road wheels, idlers drive sprockets and tracks, Yes it is a big kit, the instruction book underneath (~A3 sided when folded out) gives it scale: -
Yep I was surprised by the volume of metal parts but that can only be a good thing
No the upper hull is thick moulded ABS plastic, the gun barrel is also metal.
Oh and for prosperity I dry fitted the hull and sat the gun less turret on top.
These have since been painted and are currently drying off their first coat now.
Yep I was surprised by the volume of metal parts but that can only be a good thing
No the upper hull is thick moulded ABS plastic, the gun barrel is also metal.
Oh and for prosperity I dry fitted the hull and sat the gun less turret on top.
These have since been painted and are currently drying off their first coat now.
RicksAlfas said:
Great thread. I fancied one of these when I had a Tamiya catalogue in 1980-something or other.
Are they still a current model?
Yeah they still make them as far as I know, they are a little different to the 80's ones though, both in terms of electronics and metal parts content.Are they still a current model?
The 80's models didn't (I don't think) have the recoiling turret, engine noises and firing machine gun strobe LED. They also used one large drive motor and clutches to drive the tank around rather than two independant motors.
Their current line up:
M4 Sherman (105mm howitzer)
M-51 Super Sherman
M26 Pershing
KV-1
KV-2
Panzer IV
Jagdpanther
Panther Type G
King Tiger (Tiger II)
Tiger I
Leopard 2 A6
They vary in price the M4 Sherman being the cheapest at around £400 (with a bit of searching) up to the Leopard wich costs around £900 though it is a very very nice bit of kit.
The RC battle system can be fitted to all of them so you can have tank battles
Not much progress since the last one, I have assembled the gun mantlet and elevation support:
The gun barrel is simply slipped in for prosperity - the whole lot needs another two coats of paint at least before it is finished and ready to have the mechanism fitted before mounting in the Turret.
The gun barrel is simply slipped in for prosperity - the whole lot needs another two coats of paint at least before it is finished and ready to have the mechanism fitted before mounting in the Turret.
perdu said:
Scarily big from looking at the CD case
It is becoming a very impressive beast
wow
Tis going to be rather large yes It is becoming a very impressive beast
wow
A bit more progress today, the gun now mounted in the mantlet with the recoil motor and flash unit fitted to it.
The upper hull with the rotation motor mounted inside.
The turret painted awaiting the fitting of the gun and a few internals.
Well I have made some significant progress since the last update, as you will soon see.
The upper deck and hull section, with the turret wheels added, turret rotation motor and “machine gun” fitted:
The chassis and lower hull with the electronics fitted:
The Turret with electronics fitted:
The assembled turret with CD box for scale:
And finally the assembled tank, just needs the camo paint applying and the scale details and it is sorted,
:
Further updates will be forthcoming when I start painting
The upper deck and hull section, with the turret wheels added, turret rotation motor and “machine gun” fitted:
The chassis and lower hull with the electronics fitted:
The Turret with electronics fitted:
The assembled turret with CD box for scale:
And finally the assembled tank, just needs the camo paint applying and the scale details and it is sorted,
:Further updates will be forthcoming when I start painting
Edited by mattmoxon on Saturday 12th November 13:51
Well finally another update, The KT is back on it's tracks with all the spray work completed, which I incidentally tidied up with a brush afterwards, my airbrush is great for area coverage but there is far too much overspray for painting patterns free hand.
Anyways:
Pre light weathering and detail parts fit of course.
pretty happy with it so far, I am reluctant to make it too tidy as well its a tank and they aren’t tidy.
Anyways:
Pre light weathering and detail parts fit of course.
pretty happy with it so far, I am reluctant to make it too tidy as well its a tank and they aren’t tidy.
Big Fat Fatty said:
A little tip for limiting the overspray from an airbrush is to just take the nozzle/needle protector off, you get much finer lines rather than it spreading the coverage out. The tank looks awesome camo'd up, I'm looking forward to seeing it finished
Tip noted for next time I build something Cheers, I hope to get the scale details painted up and fixed on tonight then I can lightly weather it, I just need to find a scale western front to drive it through now
Well the kit supplied scale details are all glued on, I have a few paint touch ups where I used a bit too much glue 
but other than that, it is ready to have the six (yes six whole decals) to put on as well as the weathering.
Overall the build has gone well, it was a bit fiddly the odd time (some of the screws are tiny) but not complex I can also see why they can take a long time to build the volume of scale detail that can be applied to these things is immense. I have only used the kit parts because it is going to be driven as often as possible and loosing lots of nice shiny bits is not what I want to be doing as it barrels through the undergrowth
but other than that, it is ready to have the six (yes six whole decals) to put on as well as the weathering.Overall the build has gone well, it was a bit fiddly the odd time (some of the screws are tiny) but not complex I can also see why they can take a long time to build the volume of scale detail that can be applied to these things is immense. I have only used the kit parts because it is going to be driven as often as possible and loosing lots of nice shiny bits is not what I want to be doing as it barrels through the undergrowth
Well the last bits and bobs have been finished on what was a nice sedate build of my Tamiya King Tiger tank.
Naturally I applied some weathering to the tank, including a rusty wash on the tow ropes and other external metal parts and a dirty wash on the whole tank (post fitting the decals). Turned out pretty well I think
The washes I made myself out of paint and thinners, they worked really well to dirty up the tank nicely and take away that factory fresh look.
Videos will be along as soon as I have the chance.
Naturally I applied some weathering to the tank, including a rusty wash on the tow ropes and other external metal parts and a dirty wash on the whole tank (post fitting the decals). Turned out pretty well I think
The washes I made myself out of paint and thinners, they worked really well to dirty up the tank nicely and take away that factory fresh look.
Videos will be along as soon as I have the chance.
Edited by mattmoxon on Saturday 19th November 18:22
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