Taigen Panzer IV, BB to IR and metal upgrades

[Arnie_DK]

So, as promised in my KV-1 thread, here is my PzIV, that I am working on, alongside the KV and vice versa

So far I have assembeled the Asiatam hull (didnt take pictures during, since its pretty straight forward really), cut out the hatches to replace with metal and replaced the BB unit with a IR Asiatam recoil and xenon flash.

Still a lot to do, but work is getting done.
Two "major" problems is the barrel and flash unit. Aparently the barrel is not designed to take a flash or even an LED, so I had to take a chance and drill it out a bit. The flash is not about 1/3 through and though the flash isnt visible from the sides, it can clearly be seen from the front.
After cutting away the turret bin, to replace with the metal one, there simply is no room for the flash unit, so for not its put in the hull. Might look at drilling a bit in the new turret bin, to allow it to be placed in there.

Picture time!

First of, everything laid out, except for electronics. Will be using standard Taigen 2,4 with a Mako 2.




A close up of the Asiatam hull. I plan on modding the suspension leafs as I have seen others in here have done.


And here all the hatches is dryfitted. Also, some of you might notice that the barrel is aiming really high. Thats because I forgot to get the elevation arm set in its right position, when testing the functions in the turret

[ALPHA]

Hey Arnie...one thing about Taigen's PanzerIV you might want to pay attention to...the suspension...the main leaf isn't that good...they don't have enough "spring back"...so you might find it a little stiff...or no suspension at all....the arms will "rock" back and forth...but they won't compress well...What I did to mine is to replace the main leaf with those from Heng Long....others have used clipped down zip ties and even shaved down bamboo with great result...I'm not sure Taigen made any improvements..the best way to test is to press down on the hull ...see if there is any "bounce" if none...then they haven't done anything....if it does bounce..then they have and the mod won't be needed...

Saw your Kv...Looking good Arnie

ALPHA

[Arnie_DK]

They have done nothing. Thats why I first want to try and do the mod where I bend one of the leafs into a "V"
Found the mod in your thread

If the V thing dont work satisfactory, I will get me some HL leafs instead

[ALPHA]

They have done nothing. Thats why I first want to try and do the mod where I bend one of the leafs into a "V"
Found the mod in your thread

If the V thing dont work satisfactory, I will get me some HL leafs instead

When I tried torquing the Taigen Springs..(didn't do a V but more of an upside down U ) it actually made the problem worse...mostly because the retaining pin would slide on the spring ...it's strange..the Spring Taigen supplies basically has no "spring" to them...found they are very soft...which is unlike spring steel

Good Luck

ALPHA

[Arnie_DK]

Been a bit busy lately, so not much work have been done, but a few things have happened.

I made the suspension mod. Will see how it works or If I should get the HL leafs. But will try this out first.


Have also extended the front fenders, to allow the tracks to run freely. I noticed that the standard fenders, where too short anyway, compared to what I found on the net.




And I wont be using the quick opening system that came with the hull, since I cut off the upper hull studs, when I installed the metal hatches.
So I have glued in two pieces of 2,5mm ABS to hold the hull in place in the front and back. Will probably install some magnets too, just to be sure, but for now its sits fine and I can almost lift the tank with the upper hull.

[ALPHA]

Looking Pretty

Good luck with your suspension mod

ALPHA

[Arnie_DK]

Gave the KV a rest today and spent some time on the Panzer instead. Most of the day have been spent restoring my workspace, to an actual working workspace
During cleanup,I found out that aparently, I like screwdrivers



And after there was room for work, I spent my time, soldering.
All works and its real nice and tidy in there I think

[Arnie_DK]

Btw, this is what my workspace looked like yesterday. Quite a mess!!!

[ALPHA]

You should have just posted the dirty work space Arnie...Now...you will have any spouse who see's what you have done cleaning and straightening out your space...to have the same expectations from the rest of us

ALPHA

[Arnie_DK]

Haha sorry
My wife decided on getting this particular house we live in, because it had an extra floor. I could have that for myself, if I promised to keep my projects out of the first floor

Btw, decided to try and blacken the tracks a bit, so I made a bath for them, consisting of a bottle of humbrol satin black and about a bottle of Terpentine. Let them soak for a few hours, took them up. Soaked them again and now they are hanging out to dry.