Another American newbie, this time from Texas

[Clunkmeister]

Hey folks, I'm Ernst from Texas. I've been modeling in 1/32 and 1/35 on and off for well over 40 years, and have been flying R/C almost that long as well. I just turned 50 his year, and after much soul searching, picked up a Tamiya M4 E8 105mm howitzer full option kit, and am looking forward to giving this a try.

I don't have much experience with electric R/C, except for an Eflite Blade 400, all my R/C has been glow or gas powered.

I'd like to build the M4 as a reliable runner, and am interested in aftermarket upgrades for scale, super reliable operation.
The exterior will be scale looking with no crazy paint schemes, etc.

I'm really a newb with tanks, and I'd sure appreciate any and all guidance offered by the resident M4 experts.

[Paul W]

Well Well Well Howdy Ernst! Glad ya found your way over here. Looking forward to seeing what you can do with your M-4 Project too.
Paul

[hotte8487]

Hello Ernst,

welcome to this forum and greetings from Germany.

[Clunkmeister]

Well hey Paul, fancy meeting you here. I'm thinking a captured M4?

[Clunkmeister]

Hey Hotte, good to meet you, sir!

[PainlessWolf]

Evenin'
Welcome to the Forum! Plenty of great M4 builds in the sub forums under HL and Tamiya and Other. Check some of those out and as always, plenty of pictures!
regards,
Painless

[Clunkmeister]

Thanks Painless. From what I've seen, there are several true masters on this site. The quality of the builds is outstanding. Then you guys take them outside and run them through he mud... It boggles my mind.

[Clunkmeister]

A bit more about me...

I'm big into 1/32 scale airplanes, and am on a serious WW1 kick, especially Wingnut Wings. My latest completion was a 1/32 Gotha bomber with resin figures and open spoke wire wheels.

Like Paul W here, I've been big into HO scale model railroading, with Canadian Pacific in the late 50s as my focus. I've pretty much hung up my engineers hat though, and except for my brass stuff, I'll eventually get the rest to a good friend, cuz I know he'll use it.

I've never been much of an armor guy, to me as an airplane guy, I've always thought of tanks as targets...
I gave a bunch of 1/35 scale armor, still in the boxes, and three 1/16 scale static models... Still in their boxes.

I've been building since about 7 years old, when my Dad bought me a Monogram (I think) Huey. I think back to the glue fingerprints, and now I can say they were epic. Almost like Zimmerit.

I self taught myself to fly R/C airplane simply because there were no pilots around. I'm dating myself here, but my first R/C plane was a Goldberg Sr. Falcon with a Kraft .61 and a Pro-Line radio. I re-kitted that thing many a time till I figured it all out.

Any questions? Please feel free to ask.

E

[jarndice]

Hallo Ernst, Welcome to the Forum,
Many of us fly r/c but there is no avoiding one basic law, GRAVITY
You spend a fortune, and it ends up a wreck in a field with the kids rolling around on the grass laughing and saying stuff like "That was great dad, do it again"
Right now I am in the middle of building a 1/8 r/c DHC 2 Beaver in British Army camo and markings but it will only fly in still air and no rain for I want this to be a keeper,
There is no denying 1/16 armour has many advantages over aviation. It does share one thing though, It is just as costly
The M4 has been well covered by PAINLESS WOLF and CANNED HEAT as well as some other quality builders and I can only suggest you check them out on the HENG LONG/TAIGEN/TAMIYA build pages of the Forum, and do not forget to look at "TIPS & TRICKS" there you will find much to make your build easier,
There are far to few North American dealers on our lists so any suggestions both "RECOMMENDED" as well as those for the "BLACKLIST" would be gratefully received.
Enjoy it here and we look forward to your offerings.
shaun

[Clunkmeister]

Well thank you, jarndice. I'll paraphrase another book by saying what I know about 1/16 scale armor will easily pass through the eye of a needle.

I hear all the talk about roller bearings, side supports (I understand that one), low speed transmissions, etc, etc.

Tamiya's control system to me seems a touch bit goofy if you want turret traverse, elevation, or fire the guns. You'd think you should have two separate channels for gun aiming at least.