Tamiya 1/35 Semi Static Display Panzer IV f.D to RC + Video

[modler]

Panzer VI video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8dXSie64aU
Another video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GP3ctegho_Y

Panzer VI of this thread is under construction so final assembly will come later. I perfect the drive line, radio gear first before completing any of my models.

The Tank in this thread and Videos uses a Computer Transmitter to fine tune the movement to scale like speed with precise track control. This is possible mainly due to the Tamiya, Academy gearboxes which have a high gear ratio and the ability to easily swap the motors for low speed high torque operation which produces scale like speed and smooth realistic operation of the tracks. Its all about motor control in my threads. The final assembly eventually happens

SDM = Static Display Model. No motorized version available so no gearbox mounting plate molded into the chassis. Sprockets and road wheels are meant to be glued in place in a "static position" and will require modification to be used with a gearbox and active Track.

(SSDM) = Semi Static Display Model. Motorized versions available for this type model but gearbox is not included.

So the Panzer VI of this thread is a SSDM.


I have recently built a Panzer II F/G - Panzer III f,L - Panzer IV f,H and now a Panzer IV f,D
Also a Panzer IV Flac Tank, I built 45 years ago also has a twin motor gearbox and runs very well 4.5 decades after it was built
So that is 5 of these less popular Panzer Tanks that are Radio Remote Control

Yes we all have built Tigers, Tiger II, Panthers, JAGD Panthers and such and I never really had the chance at earlier Panzer tanks of WWII until recently. It is hard to find a twin motor motorized version of any of these Tanks but they are out there mostly on ebay but be prepared to pay a lot of money for them as they were produced in Japan in the 60's, 70's and possibly 80's. The newest one I have has date inside of 1975. Now I am talking about the ones with full metal gearbox.

The Panzer IV f,D of this thread is dated 1975. It had a single motor motorized and twin motor motorized remote control version available back in the 70's but those are extremely had to find with any motor these days.
However, this Panzer VI kit has all the parts to make it motorized less the motors\gearbox.
I have found that some Academy 1/35 kits are also configured for motors and will accept a Tamiya gearbox perfectly.

One of the models mentioned above (Panzer IV f,H) is an Academy model with a Tamiya M60 gearbox. More on that later in its own thread.

To make a Panzer IV motorized radio remote control, you can buy one from Japan when available on ebay for ~300+ in US dollars or.....you can use a gearbox from a Tamiya or Academy M60 Tank. The Academy M60 has a twin motor plastic gearbox and is EXCELLENT and works very well. The Panzer III MENTIONED ABOVE has a Academy M60 GB, more on that later (in a separate thread)

The M60 GB has a high mounted output drive shafts and that is what is required In Panzer III, IV's. with out extreme mods.

more as I get time....I add more detail any time I get time to do so. My posts are never final

[jarndice]

Where would I get a gearbox mounting plate for my Tamiya 1/35 Panzer 4 static ?

[modler]

Where would I get a gearbox mounting plate for my Tamiya 1/35 Panzer 4 static ?

I know of no such gearbox plate for this model, however, you don’t need one. You drill 1 hole in the bottom of chassis to locate the gearbox

[jarndice]

Where would I get a gearbox mounting plate for my Tamiya 1/35 Panzer 4 static ?

I know of no such gearbox plate, however, you don’t need one. You drill 1 hole in the bottom of chassis to locate the gearbox

Thank you, I shall perhaps open the box after more years than I care to think of

[modler]

Where would I get a gearbox mounting plate for my Tamiya 1/35 Panzer 4 static ?

I know of no such gearbox plate, however, you don’t need one. You drill 1 hole in the bottom of chassis to locate the gearbox

Thank you, I shall perhaps open the box after more years than I care to think of

I will soon do a thread on a SDM Panzer III converted to radio remote control. To convert a SDM is much more difficult. The model in this thread, has a "motorized remote control" and or "motorized" versions but is also sold without the motors or gearbox. These Type 2 Static versions are much easier to convert as the "mounting plate" is molded into the chassis and the track sprockets are already able to interface to a gearbox and the sprocket axle openings are such as the gearbox is alined for the opening.

So in summation, There are two types of Tamiya static models, SDM (as Tamiya calls it on the box) and Type 2.
SDM = "Static Display Model" is truly "static" as it does not have a motorized version available. These can be converted but requires more skills as Sprockets, Axle output openings, motor mount, road wheels, all may need to be modified. Tracks in these "non motorized" versions also are different and are usually made of a softer Rubber as in the Tamiya Panzer III (throws tracks more easily) as apposed to the motorized versions with tracks made of a different Rubber compound that gets less traction and stays on the Sprockets better and almost never throws a track.

SDM = No motorized version available so no gearbox mounting plate molded into the chassis. Sprockets and road wheels are meant to be glued in place in a "static position" and will require modification to be used with a gearbox and active Track.

Type 2 Static = Motorized versions available for this model but gearbox is not included but can be added quite easily.

[modler]

This Panzer VI is a total success with regards to radio remote control upgrade.

Panzer VI Video.....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8dXSie64aU

I was able to clock 33 minutes on the TX timer with a 1s 150mah 25c Lipo. It is very fuel efficient with this gear ratio and 12 ohm motors.

[modler]

Latest indoor track video of the Panzer VI https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GP3ctegho_Y
at the end of the video, I hit LVC on the right motor after 23 minutes. I thought the ESC or motor had failed

I hate it when a Tank model tracks strait in forward but pulls L or R when going in reverse direction. So you need a independent trim for forward and reverse.

The Heng Long Transmitter I use for 1/24 - 1/30 scale models has such an option on those Transmitters. That is one of the main reasons I like the HL Transmitter plus the receiver boards for that TX are small and have a lot of features like I\R battle system, Sound with 4 levels with the push of a button, DP speed on 4 channels and so forth.

Well, after using that F\R independent trim on the HL TX, it is a must have option IMO. So with that in mind, I decided my Spektrum Transmitter needs that option. So after thinking about it, I came up with a mix that does just that. Don't know why I never thought of it before Anyway I applied it to this Panzer VI which had very poor tracking in reverse. Now it tracks very goods in both forward and reverse. It would take a bit of time to explain how it works and if any interest I will try to do that other wise, it is not that hard to figure out but now, I have used up all the available mixes that are available for this memory slot. You get 4 programmable mixes and 3 more with less options per memory slot.