Re: Tamiya Display models - fitting gearbox
Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2019 10:37 am
Ok, well I managed to have a wee peek inside my Tam KT. Here's a shot of the Sherman LH box compared with the King tiger LH box. They're both around 42mm broad by 90mm long, and so is the Jagdpanther frame.
Surprise, surprise, the Pz IV box would also fit nicely.
Apart from the shine on the motor, and the KT box frame's height above the tank floor (spacer/stand-offs account for that), they both appear identical. I guess, all Tamiya would have to do to change the ratios would be to put an extra tooth, or two on the pinion gear. The minuscule increase in circumference wouldn't affect the diameter enough to mean changing the adjacent transfer gear. But that's just speculation.
Here's the Jagdpanther kit's LH frame compared with the KT unit for breadth. They're identical.
Finally, well, here's my low mileage (yardage, really) Tam KT. She needs someone like Tom, or Adam to apply to subtle weathering and pin washes. When the weather improves in the Spring, I'll have a go myself.
I imagine someone's done a study of Tamiya tank transmissions (ratios, torque stats., etc); but I'm not quite that nerdy. Yet.
As things stand, though, in spite of the different part numbers and, it has the be said, pricesof Tamiya gearboxes, after a cursory peek, many appear to be pretty much the same. Stand-off positions and output/driveshafts seem to make the difference.
That gives you some scope for using the included Kit parts, if you can come by used gearbox bits, or even gearbox replacement kits somewhere online.. I'm fairly new to Tamiya kits (of any description), having only indulged in the last couple of years. There are bods out there with far greater intimacy with Tamiya tank products than I have. Still, I think I've almost taught myself something about their transmissions I didn't know before. Hope it all helps anyway.
Surprise, surprise, the Pz IV box would also fit nicely.
Apart from the shine on the motor, and the KT box frame's height above the tank floor (spacer/stand-offs account for that), they both appear identical. I guess, all Tamiya would have to do to change the ratios would be to put an extra tooth, or two on the pinion gear. The minuscule increase in circumference wouldn't affect the diameter enough to mean changing the adjacent transfer gear. But that's just speculation.
Here's the Jagdpanther kit's LH frame compared with the KT unit for breadth. They're identical.
Finally, well, here's my low mileage (yardage, really) Tam KT. She needs someone like Tom, or Adam to apply to subtle weathering and pin washes. When the weather improves in the Spring, I'll have a go myself.
I imagine someone's done a study of Tamiya tank transmissions (ratios, torque stats., etc); but I'm not quite that nerdy. Yet.
As things stand, though, in spite of the different part numbers and, it has the be said, pricesof Tamiya gearboxes, after a cursory peek, many appear to be pretty much the same. Stand-off positions and output/driveshafts seem to make the difference.
That gives you some scope for using the included Kit parts, if you can come by used gearbox bits, or even gearbox replacement kits somewhere online.. I'm fairly new to Tamiya kits (of any description), having only indulged in the last couple of years. There are bods out there with far greater intimacy with Tamiya tank products than I have. Still, I think I've almost taught myself something about their transmissions I didn't know before. Hope it all helps anyway.