A little advice on buying a second hand Tamiya/ Got IT!!

[billpe]

Thanks fellas, I thought it sounded like a good price, I just wanted to make sure I think I am going to get it he also offered the following, but I think I will be able to take care of most of that myself.
If you would like me to
1. shorten motor wires and install Deans plugs
2. Install a DSM 2 radio with battle buttons installed on transmitter
3. Add a volume control to the radio and tank
4. combine the two electronic power wires to a single Dean's plug
5. Include a 5000mh battery with Dean's plug
6. include a battery charger
7. include a caring case that is modified to hold the radio and charger in the lid
8. add plugs between the electronics and top deck and turret for easy separation and maintenance

an additional $425.00

Cheers
Mark

The battery and charger are nice but the rest isn't really needed and its all quite expensive. For that 425 you could get some impact tracks, a spektrum DX6i (once you've put the guns on switches, you'll never want to go back to moving the trim to fire!), a bunch of receivers for all your tanks so you can control from one Tx and still have change left over for some paint and a few beers.

Once the Tiger is installed, you only will ever need to remove the turret to charge the battery (and you can change the volume too/access the MFU and DMD switches) and if you want to combine the power connectors for both the DMD and MFU you can buy a premade wire for a few $ or the parts for even less. Just make sure you move the power switch to the hull - I've put mine next to the front brace, stuck to the chassis.

[Markocaster]

Thanks fellas, I thought it sounded like a good price, I just wanted to make sure I think I am going to get it he also offered the following, but I think I will be able to take care of most of that myself.
If you would like me to
1. shorten motor wires and install Deans plugs
2. Install a DSM 2 radio with battle buttons installed on transmitter
3. Add a volume control to the radio and tank
4. combine the two electronic power wires to a single Dean's plug
5. Include a 5000mh battery with Dean's plug
6. include a battery charger
7. include a caring case that is modified to hold the radio and charger in the lid
8. add plugs between the electronics and top deck and turret for easy separation and maintenance

an additional $425.00

Cheers
Mark

The battery and charger are nice but the rest isn't really needed and its all quite expensive. For that 425 you could get some impact tracks, a spektrum DX6i (once you've put the guns on switches, you'll never want to go back to moving the trim to fire!), a bunch of receivers for all your tanks so you can control from one Tx and still have change left over for some paint and a few beers.

Once the Tiger is installed, you only will ever need to remove the turret to charge the battery (and you can change the volume too/access the MFU and DMD switches) and if you want to combine the power connectors for both the DMD and MFU you can buy a premade wire for a few $ or the parts for even less. Just make sure you move the power switch to the hull - I've put mine next to the front brace, stuck to the chassis.

Thanks Bilpe for the advice
I am going to get it as is and do like you advised. Put the extra money towards other upgrades later,
Cheers Mark

[Markocaster]

Cool the seller is putting it all together and testing all the systems for me before I pick it up. Even throwing in a battery and adapting it to take one batt! He seems like a cool guy. I should bring it home tomorrow night.
Thanks again for the advice guys

Funny I now have 3 tiger tanks, they really do multiply

[jarndice]

Marc I had to laugh about your multiplying Tigers especially with Hermans very good news, I suppose when you both find out what causes it you will stop. and what a great way to get a Tamiya Tiger, well done, though a bit jealous. shaun

[ALPHA]

Cool the seller is putting it all together and testing all the systems for me before I pick it up. Even throwing in a battery and adapting it to take one batt! He seems like a cool guy. I should bring it home tomorrow night.
Thanks again for the advice guys

Funny I now have 3 tiger tanks, they really do multiply

Sounds better and better... Have fun Marc

ALPHA

[Markocaster]

Very stoked tonight I met a cool guy and brought home my first Tamiya tank


He checked everything out for me and gave me a storage case and extra battery
Showed me how it all worked etc. looking forward to attending my first battle next month
The Tamiya is overall much lighter than the metal taigen I have , the sounds are much better and it runs well although I wouldn't say much different than the Taigen other than faster .
It feels quite different since it is a kit and plastic and the taigen is more solid, however I think the tamiya will be easier to detail and fix up? Very happy with my new toy
It needs cleaning up and has a few missing detail bits. So now I have to decide how to paint it.
Maybe something like this

Cheers Mark

[billpe]

They're pretty easy to paint, the detailing either pops off or unscrews, the wheels and idlers are grub screws and the sprocket is a phillips head screw driver. You'll want to take the barrel out before you paint as well - however by the looks of it its a plastic barrel? It didn't come with the metal barrel? Its a standard part of the kit.

Once you get the metal tracks on it, it will gain a bit of weight but it will have much less flex than a Taigan because the Tamiya is a metal box within a plastic surround all the way up to the deck, which is better designed than the HL hull design the Taigan copies. Having buckets of metal on a 1:16 is overrated anyway, it just stresses the components and once under a layer of paint you can rarely tell the difference. The tamiya has metal where it counts.

If those hatches haven't been glued shut, I'd suggest you put the power switch directly under one of them. Its meant to go into the turret but its not the most ergonomic place if you need to tear down the tank at all.

[ALPHA]

Hey Marc.... you got a great foundation there...and it looks like Bill has given you some nice tips...So the only thing I can add is take your time...do it at your own pace....and walk away if things get really tough...
The paint scheme you've chosen is pretty cool.... Look forward to seeing the end result

Have fun with it...

ALPHA

[billpe]

There is actually a booked called "Modelling the Tiger 1 Pz.ABT 502 Russia 1943" where a guy builds a Tamiya 1:16 Tiger 1 and uses that exact scheme based on some pretty good reference images. You can get it for a few $$ on Google Play.

I tried to find the source book he used for the original photos but I'm not sure which one it is. I'd really like to get my hands on it and the story of why that scheme is so much more intricate than the other schemes of 502.

[PainlessWolf]

Good Morning, Mark,
Great looking Tamiya there! Congratulations! It looks like the older variant of the Tamiya Tiger but that hardly matters since you are planning upgrades anyway. Check out Painkiller's Collection sale for books as well here on the Forum. He has some pretty useful subject matter for you to go over if you find something that you would like. As you upgrade, the 'solid' factor for your Tamiya will kick in. Like Billpe says, once under paint, metal is hard to detect. Mind the amount you add, bearings and upgraded idler tensioners are available since you plan to add metal tracks. Most of all, enjoy!
regards,
Painless