4 Exciting News from FOA!

[anthianl]

Hello RC Tank Warfare Group!

Below are a quick recap of all the action on the Rocky Mountain Front:

1. NEW MPSS suspension system, flexible, adjustable and very sturdy. We have adapted this suspension to the Panther/Jagdpanther and also to the Tiger I bodies. This was a critical step for our company to make our ABS or thin steel bodies STURDY for RC use. Judge for yourself, here are two videos of these systems installed to tanks: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdD_BMQT ... e=youtu.be and for the Panther https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2KPlZT2ajFU. Availability to market - June 30.

2. We are going to "Weekend of Heroes" in Monroeville PA on June 8,9 http://www.aweekendofheroes.com/. We are bringing with us 4 NEW products

3. NEW: Stuka Zu Fuss is our newest conversion on the Sd.Kfz.251 Ausf.D. This kit includes the Dragon 1/6 Rockets and crates, with the metal cast frames and steel rotating plates http://www.fieldofarmortanks.com/product_p/foa30004.htm. Availability to market: NOW in stock!

4. NEW: The Panther we are bringing to the "WOH" show will be a "Combat Vehicle", which means its motors are 250W+ of power, chain drive, and ability to turn on heavy grass - with the MPSS Suspension System. This design will support FOA new "Combat Platforms" with fast turret rotation, gun elevation and Paintball Marker (and Airsoft for its coaxial MG!). Availability to Market - Summer

5. NEW Announcement - FOA teamed up with Armorpax to bring to the market the M16 Motor Gun Carriage. This kit is a LIMITED edition and only a limited number of M16 will be offered to customers. The Armorpax Quad .50 is a stunning platform, mounted on the FOA M3 (modified) vehicle. Photos will be available next week, and the M16 will come to "WOH" - Availablity to marker: July 14 (Bastille Day?)

FOA, Supporting the Sixth Scale Hobby

loic@fieldofarmortanks.com

[Peiper]

Long time no update. When are the Tiger and Panther going to be available to buy ?
The post here says ' Availability to market - June 30' but the FOA website now says xmas 2013 for the Tiger, but no mention of the Panther ?
Is the Tiger already available in the US, cuz the FOA site said one has been in combat since September and it has fought in 2 battles.
Will it be available for delivery to England B4 xmas ?
Also, what is the difference between the MPSS, you mention here and the MPSS3 that the FOA site has? Is MPSS for normal R/C use and MPSS3 for combat use ?

[anthianl]

Peiper, please let me answer your questions:

1. The Tiger is available to buy now, but shipping will happen when the motors will arrive in the US, mid-December 2013. They are now on the water... http://www.fieldofarmortanks.com/produc ... 0001rc.htm. FOA ships with discounted FedEx Economy, which takes 5 days from Utah to the UK. If we get the motors by December 16th, then it could be under the Christmas tree.
2. The RC Combat Panther is on the back burner. The ABS tracks did not sustain the powerful torque of the TTMS Motorization system. It broke repetitively when engaging an obstacle (like a curb). We have now received replacement tracks in a different plastic medium. The manufacturer claims it should be stronger. We still have to test it. It is scheduled for 2014

This one of the "unedited" video of breaking tracks.. excuse the language. Actually the driver was going too fast, but the tracks broke again and again on the same weakest point.


3. Availability to Market: FOA does not want to sell products that are not tested. This is why we waited until the RC Combat Tiger fought in battles before offering it to customers. MANY systems have to be tested: suspension, motorization, turret rotation http://www.fieldofarmortanks.com/produc ... -ttrs2.htm, gun elevation http://www.fieldofarmortanks.com/produc ... -ttes2.htm, electronics http://www.fieldofarmortanks.com/produc ... ontrl1.htm, and paintball feed/firing/barrel performance.
4. MPSS versus MPSS3? MPSS3 http://www.fieldofarmortanks.com/produc ... -mpss3.htm is the 3rd generation of the MPSS System. We have "toyed" with the optimum suspension system thorough 2013. Many improvements have been made when we connected with the R/C Tank Combat crowds of the Eastern US.

You can see below the RC Combat Tiger we took to combat (and banged up) that is driving, turning and firing (please note video camera antenna, for testing purpose)


Sorry I did not see your post before. I do receive email notifications but I must have missed yours
Happy Combat,
Loic

[Peiper]

Thank you for explaining the large delay in your reply.

Please can you tell me what the actual cost (£/$) of the 'discounted FedEx Economy ' will be, to post a tiger 1 to the UK, with the drive motors, the turret rotation and the gun elevation system ? Do you offer a recoil system for the models ?

Are there any videos available of the Tiger in Combat ? Its first real combat with the 'R/C Tank Combat crowds of the Eastern US' must have been quite a big event for all the people . I would like to see how it performed. I have checked out youtube, but there are no vids of it at all, not even phone ones.
Is it possible to gear it down to a more realistic speed ? Its current speed is to fast, it is like a racing car and looks a bit silly.


I guess that the MPSS3 is the latest version of the suspension for the Tiger ? I'm a bit worried that you say that 'We have "toyed" with the optimum suspension system thorough 2013'...... It does not make me very confident as a buyer from the UK. A manufacturer does not 'toy' with designs. Tell me, do you make these kits or just import and modify them?

[Peiper]

No reply this time
there is no-way that a kit could be got across the Atlantic in time for xmas an anyway no price for the posting.
Looking at the field of armour site the product are definitely imports
prices for the kit are quoted as MSRP and as our price If field of armour actually >made< the kits they would not have 2 sets of prices !
http://www.fieldofarmortanks.com/category_s/33025.htm

[anthianl]

Peiper, I responded to you by private email.

FOA kits are all "made in the USA". The only kit we do not make is the ArmorPax Quadmount Maxson which is mounted on FOA M16 static kit. As for RC components of the "Combat Tanks", FOA acquires those components all over the world, but your order is assembled in FOA facilities.

The "RC Combat" Tiger I will be available early February 2014. This tank, including all RC components, but excluding the 23 lbs of batteries, will be shipped in two boxes. Shipping should be around 20% of the kit, or close to $400-450. The tank weight with batteries is 135 lbs.

The Gettysburg event was a "testing ground" for the new "RC Combat" Tiger I. The current kit has seen many modifications, especially the change of the building medium. It is not 100% metal anymore. We saved 20 lbs by using thick ABS, and kept the strength by adding a metal inner frame. Several videos were presented of the show. One of them showing the Tiger "jumping" over some tree stumps. There were two cameras available, and they were mounted on other tanks. However, FOA will publish a video in the next few days about the performance of the new Hybrid RC Combat Tiger I, with paintball demonstrations, coaxial laser pointer and spring actuated loader.

Maximum speed of the FOA Tiger I is 3.65 mph. Which is a "real speed of 22 mph", close to the posted Tiger speed of 24 mph

The MPSS system has been developed and battle tested throughout 2013. It's individual suspension capabilities are an integral part of the "RC Combat" Tiger I. MPSS is an FOA patented product. The tank also includes the TTMS Motorization, TTES Elevation, TTRS Turret Rotation, CLPS Coaxial Laser Pointer, and ECS Electronic Control System. All these systems are tested and designed for "RC Combat", which include performance, durability, reliability.

Now let's bring the Adrenaline... Have you fired a KwK 36 L56 lately?
Note: camera in photo below is for testing purposes only

[Peiper]

This is what the guy sent me in pm... it does not answer my questions
To answer your questions, let me give you some update on the RC Combat Tiger I Ausf.E tank:

1. We dropped the "full metal" Tiger and FOA is now developping the "Hybrid" Tiger. We reverted back to ABS with a metal inner lining. The tank is as strong, but easier to build, easier to detail, and lighter by about 20 lbs
2. The video will show your the adaptation of the TTES gun elevation system and the Laser Pointer System
3. We have added some metal accessories to the Tiger, in order to support the harsh conditions of "Paintball fighting"

Our laser cutter was down due to some mechanical failure of their machine from mid-December to mid-January. I'm meeting with him today to finalize the production of the "RC Combat" Tiger I.

Cheers from Utah,
Loic

[Peiper]

Thanx for the pm, but it has taken 35 days for an answer, after I wrote the questions..

anyways, while your on the forum, can you answer some old and some new questions for me?
I. where is the Panther?
II. is all the plastic Sherman and Tiger made in the US? Does field of armour mold the Sherman hull?
III. if you make the tanks why are the prices for the kit are quoted as "MSRP" and as "our price"? surely if field of armour made the kits their wouldnt have 2 sets of prices!
IV. i cannot find the videos of field of armours Tiger at Gettysburg, other than the "root jumping", where are they and was the Tiger damaged?
V. didn't any of the "Combat crowds of the Eastern US" have a video or a phone?
VI. how are the thick ABS 'plastic' parts held together?
VII. has the Tiger now been geared down to reduce its go-kart speed?
VIII. why have metal accessories been added to the Tiger " in order to support the harsh conditions of "Paintball fighting"" when you have dropped the "fullmetal" Tiger and gone over to ABS?
VIII. I need a Panther!----> Where is the Panther and do the replacement tracks work?

Lets see sum vids of the tanks in action....not just driving backwards and forwards over wood -Sherman Tiger and aslo the Panther - not just this lame still od a camera on the roof Wot does it look like when it moves and shoots?

[anthianl]

Hi Peiper,

Let's answer your questions as you list them:

I. Panther? The Panther plastic tracks failed. The 4 pin-connectors on one side is thinned in the middle, and they break during "high stress" climbing. Like going over a curb. We received new tracks with a different plastic. The mold maker thinks it will hold. We will test the tracks when the Tiger is finished. The Panther will follow the same path than the Tiger: ABS with inner metal lining. We hope to stay below 150 lbs. I have ordered the ABS Panther design from the 3D Designer. We intend to work on it in February 2014.

IIa. Let's talk Sherman for a minute: This project is on hold as well. The "hard rubber" tracks are not suitable. We are going to make an announcement about it in about 30 days. We are working a deal to bring a suitable running chassis to the market. The Sherman tank presented on the website is the DRAGON kit with laser-cut inner lining. Here is a YouTube video of the tank running http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iAGMAuxsMUw

IIb. The FOA Tiger is "made in USA". Actually, even our molds are in the US.

III. Pricing: FOA sells to vendors as well as directly to public. The vendors are aware of the 20% discount to the public directly. Since many of our vendors are outside the US, they set their own pricing since VAT and extra shipping charges may apply. FOA offers a "drop ship" program to vendors as well. FOA does not have a vendor in the UK.

IV. The "Full metal" Tiger was sent to Gettysburg to "fight" 9 other tanks. Two tanks failed during the first day of combat (Hetzer and Comet ). Most tanks had "technical issues", like it happens in real life in combat. See "Stress report" here http://www.rctankcombat.com/battle-repo ... Test.shtml. FOA Tiger did not participate in the first "Saturday morning" battle because the laptop did not charge properly (actually if you look at the picture of the comet kill, you will see the Tiger in the very background, right side, charging). But I "borrowed" T040 Cromwell to learn the basic principles of fighting. The report of my lousy first performance is here http://www.rctankcombat.com/battle-repo ... cess.shtml. FOA Tiger fought in the Saturday afternoon, Sunday morning and Sunday afternoon battles. The battle results are here for Sunday afternoon http://www.rctankcombat.com/battle-repo ... unds.shtml

The Tiger performed well. As I wrote and posted photos on this page http://www.rctankcombat.com/tanks/T087/Page2.html, the only major problem encountered was that the 12-gauge swing arms bent under the stress of combat. I just removed the first left wheel, and continued combat. This is a VERY INTERESTING FACT. RC Combat in 1/6th scale is VERY DEMANDING on the system components of your tank. There are DIFFICULT engineering problems to be resolved. We have now doubled the swing arm strength in the new "Hybrid ABS/inner metal shell Tiger I Ausf.E.

Videos: I know of one other video that is not posted. It is a race with Mike's tank. I didn't take that video, I asked for it, but I'm not sure it was processed. Two tanks were equipped with "turret mounted" videos, mostly on the first day of fighting. But that's all we have at this time. As we finalize our RC Combat Tiger, you will see running/shooting videos. As for combat videos, I'm waiting for the next Spring battle.

VI. The "new" Tiger I design is actually the "venerable OLD" FOA Tiger I with inner metal lining and many improvements for RC use. We found out that we gained 20 lbs with this design (that saves almost the weight of the two lead batteries!). You could replace the lead batteries with LiPo or LiFe, and you could save another 10 lbs! But be very careful in the use of these batteries as there could be a fire hazard.

FOA currently has a full ABS RC Combat tank. ABS glue is used to put the ABS plates together, but the inner metal lining hold the hull very sturdy, enhanced by the TTMS motorization frame, and the MPSS suspension rails. This hull is VERY SOLID. I started to take videos, but we want to make a nice video of the performance of this tank. I wish I can say we will post it this coming week, but we had TWO WEEKS of engineering nightmares. We are experimenting on the QLoader paintball feeder, and some paintball break in the feed. The laser coaxial pointer is mounted on existing screws of the paintball marker, and pressed on the plastic handle - squeezing the solenoid. This issue is now resolved. We are also dealing with the laser pointer calibration screws and we have a 4 inch accuracy at 50 feet!

Engineering a "RC Combat" tank in 1/6th scale has only be attempted once by a business before. It was not pursued. FOA is practically done with this design. All the components are in. The only upgrades still pending are the control system which will be upgraded to a PS2 Controller and simplification of the internal control elements. A company in Michigan is doing this work. It means that the mixer for the motors will disappear, the switches for the marker and the laser pointer will disappear, the marker control board will disappear, and the receiver will be integrated. This control board is not yet available to the Robotic market.

VII. I clocked the Tiger speed on Friday. It is 3.64 mph. Which is about 22 mph real speed. The Tiger actual speed was 24 mph (on roads). Changing the teeth on the motor and sprocket gears will change your speed. Our first RC Combat Tiger was going 7 mph (42 mph real speed!). I felt it was dangerous for a metal Tiger to go that fast. I could barely keep up with the tank, and I'm a marathon runner!! Gearing down the Tiger has helped bring the speed down, but it has increased the torque on the sprocket. It is good news because it gives us a LOT of power. It is bad news if you cannot "tame the beast", and can potentially break your gears/tracks. So far, we have not broken ANY Tiger tracks. They have performed "flawlessly".

VIII. Current accessories for the Tiger are "plastic molded". We have worked on bolts, laser cut latches and brackets. When a paintball will hit your Tiger, you should not worry to loose your accessories! And we are trying to keep those latches and bolts "scale accurate". I'm not sure if you are familiar with "RC Model Warship Combat" groups. There is a video here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LP95CK1qKwI. Those guys remove all accessories because they shoot each others with metal BBs pellets...

I answered your Panther question above.

Please remember, FOA is NOT designing those tanks as RC. It is a "RC Combat" vehicle with much more power, sturdiness, and ability. It is much easier to "design down" than to "design up" a vehicle! (same as picture resolution on computers...)

Happy Modeling,
Loic

[anthianl]

and here's the promised video