Japan WW2 type 97 1/35 conversion to RRC using SERVO gearbox

modler · Post by **modler** » Thu Feb 15, 2024 6:57 pm

This will be the first WW2 Japanese tank in my collection.

Just got one of these new, sealed in the box from 1975! I will be doing something different on this one using servos for the gear box and then using the servo circuit boards as ESC's.

Some servos can be modified by adding a few resistors to be repurposed into speed controls.

Herr Dr. Professor · Post by **Herr Dr. Professor** » Fri Feb 16, 2024 3:11 am

I often wondered how much servos will stand up to continuous running? Oh, and I like your modeling table right by the Pella windows that can be opened for fresh air on nice summer days.

modler · Post by **modler** » Fri Feb 16, 2024 4:53 pm

Herr Dr. Professor wrote: ↑Fri Feb 16, 2024 3:11 am I often wondered how much servos will stand up to continuous running? Oh, and I like your modeling table right by the Pella windows that can be opened for fresh air on nice summer days.

I have several micro Tanks with coreless motors and they seem to hold up good. Of course they are lightweight Tanks with 1s lipo.

Depends on what you mean by continuous running. I run these smaller Tanks until the battery is done, anywhere between 10-20 minutes. Oh, there is little else that will fit in this tank. Even the MTM gearboxes are too big for this one

Yes on nice days I certainly open the windows for fresh air, I live in a rural area where the air quality is good.

Making good progress on the Type 97 Tank.

here is a short video of the gearboxes running
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwMF8jKSIDE

Post by **HERMAN BIX** » Fri Feb 16, 2024 11:57 pm

Interesting work Mr Modler
Do you think the servo concept would work to animate a 16th scale static model such as a Takon Panzerjager 1/B Mit StuK 40/L48?

ColemanCollector · Post by **ColemanCollector** » Sat Feb 17, 2024 1:12 am

What a fantastic subject to animate. This will be a righteous thread!

Mike.

modler · Post by **modler** » Sat Feb 17, 2024 3:47 am

Time to install the tracks and do a test run

Ok, this T-97 has super gradient ability. The tracks system works perfect. No danger of this thing throwing s track

Here is a short video of the Tank doing a test track run

https://youtu.be/St8xM1NH6Z0

modler · Post by **modler** » Sat Feb 17, 2024 4:32 am

HERMAN BIX wrote: ↑Fri Feb 16, 2024 11:57 pm Interesting work Mr Modler
Do you think the servo concept would work to animate a 16th scale static model such as a Takon Panzerjager 1/B Mit StuK 40/L48?

Yes with the proper servo it would work. the servos I used for this T-97 are the one of the smallest available but are quite adequate for this 1/35 model. As small as they are (BB303 servos), I still had to do some light grinding in a few critical areas. I don't think you will see another 1/35 T-79 animated as the time required is astronomical.

I ran this test for 25 minutes with no issues. The 150mAh lipo can do >30 minutes

Here is a short video of the T-97 doing a run on my test track right off the assembly line.

https://youtu.be/St8xM1NH6Z0

modler · Post by **modler** » Sat Feb 17, 2024 4:41 am

ColemanCollector wrote: ↑Sat Feb 17, 2024 1:12 am What a fantastic subject to animate. This will be a righteous thread!

Mike.

Oh well yes Mike, this is a very interesting and challenging model to animate. I recently starting looking at obscure and or lesser know Tanks of WW2 especially Japan models and some others that I would have not chance with until recently when I got the idea to use "servos" as the gearbox. They are the smallest gearboxes around after all

I use "control mouse pad click" (apple) to open image in a separate window to get a zoomed view.

Herr Dr. Professor · Post by **Herr Dr. Professor** » Sat Feb 17, 2024 2:41 pm

Yes, do take on the less commonly known tanks, as 1/35 provides so many great choices. As you likely know, the only Japanese tank in 1/16 is the Takom kit of the Type 94 (https://forum.largescalemodeller.com/to ... -tankette/). There are three versions, Japanese early and late war and a "Chinese" one. I have all three, but have only built (static) the Chinese one in pristine condition precisely because the figure included with the model looks as if he's a young fellow waving in a parade.

modler · Post by **modler** » Sun Feb 18, 2024 2:02 pm

Herr Dr. Professor wrote: ↑Sat Feb 17, 2024 2:41 pm Yes, do take on the less commonly known tanks, as 1/35 provides so many great choices. As you likely know, the only Japanese tank in 1/16 is the Takom kit of the Type 94 (https://forum.largescalemodeller.com/to ... -tankette/). There are three versions, Japanese early and late war and a "Chinese" one. I have all three, but have only built (static) the Chinese one in pristine condition precisely because the figure included with the model looks as if he's a young fellow waving in a parade.

Guten Morgen Herr Doctor, The 1/16 T94 Tank's in the link are awesome

. I would like to animate one of those.

Here is a short video of the T97 running under its own power with a on\off switch.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/6UK6cOvt ... ture=share

Here is another video of the T97 doing a ramp test.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=St8xM1NH6Z0