My first Tamiya. How to upgrade electronics?

[palepainter]

I picked this up today locally, from an ad on Craigslist. I had seen it listed for a few months, and really lowballed the guy. He took it. It needs some equipment to get it ready for battle. Barrel recoil and elevation, battle unit and some minor work. Price was pretty good at 200 USD. I will get on it after I am done with the M48.

There certainly are a lot of great Tamiya KT builds here to guide me. Since this does not have a battle system, would I be better off with aftermarket system, rather than Tamiya's?

Thanks,
Pale

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12494752_10153990783119131_2002707066739370074_n.jpg (71.07 KiB) Viewed 1233 times

[jtracks]

I picked this up today locally, from an ad on Craigslist. I had seen it listed for a few months, and really lowballed the guy. He took it. It needs some equipment to get it ready for battle. Barrel recoil and elevation, battle unit and some minor work. Price was pretty good at 200 USD. I will get on it after I am done with the M48.

There certainly are a lot of great Tamiya KT builds here to guide me. Since this does not have a battle system, would I be better off with aftermarket system, rather than Tamiya's?

Thanks,
Pale

11224629_10153990782609131_8326852865068452668_n.jpg

12494752_10153990783119131_2002707066739370074_n.jpg

I picked up a used Tamiya KT myself recently. Mine didn't have a Tamiya battle unit either. However, the KT's turret is an easy one to get into as you probably know by now. I installed the TBU without any difficulty. If you have the Tamiya DMD units, why not install the TBU. I have other aftermarket boards that I equipped with a TBU and the killing range doesn't seem to be as far as with the Tamiya electronics.

[tomhugill]

Is that the old clutch King tiger?

[palepainter]

Is that the old clutch King tiger?

I will take a pic tonight. I wouldn't even know what I am looking for.

[tomhugill]

The have a single 550 motor and one big gearbox. They use the clutches to steer rather than separate gearboxes.

[palepainter]

The have a single 550 motor and one big gearbox. They use the clutches to steer rather than separate gearboxes.

Yes. That is the set up. Two clutches and a large motor. I was able to hook power to it and manually move the servo arms to verif
y it functioned.

[palepainter]

I picked this up today locally, from an ad on Craigslist. I had seen it listed for a few months, and really lowballed the guy. He took it. It needs some equipment to get it ready for battle. Barrel recoil and elevation, battle unit and some minor work. Price was pretty good at 200 USD. I will get on it after I am done with the M48.

There certainly are a lot of great Tamiya KT builds here to guide me. Since this does not have a battle system, would I be better off with aftermarket system, rather than Tamiya's?

Thanks,
Pale

11224629_10153990782609131_8326852865068452668_n.jpg

12494752_10153990783119131_2002707066739370074_n.jpg

I picked up a used Tamiya KT myself recently. Mine didn't have a Tamiya battle unit either. However, the KT's turret is an easy one to get into as you probably know by now. I installed the TBU without any difficulty. If you have the Tamiya DMD units, why not install the TBU. I have other aftermarket boards that I equipped with a TBU and the killing range doesn't seem to be as far as with the Tamiya electronics.

That is good to know, but I do not even see the DMD in the hull.

[palepainter]

Here are a couple of shots of the internals. This one is around 20 years old according the seller. I appreciate all the input. Is this tank before the DMD system? If it is, am I better off going with after market or replacing with all the Tamiya stuff?

Thanks for all the advice,
Pale

[PainlessWolf]

Pale,
For a 20 year old tank, that beauty looks to be in never run, like new shape. Even the motor has a shine still. I am not a Tamiya expert at all. If the tub matched with the newer stuff, you could replace the bits with newer and have a modern version. Seriously tho' , add electronics and at least run some of the shine off of those brand new looking gears and stuff to begin with. ;o)
regards,
Painless

[palepainter]

Pale,
For a 20 year old tank, that beauty looks to be in never run, like new shape. Even the motor has a shine still. I am not a Tamiya expert at all. If the tub matched with the newer stuff, you could replace the bits with newer and have a modern version. Seriously tho' , add electronics and at least run some of the shine off of those brand new looking gears and stuff to begin with. ;o)
regards,
Painless

Thanks Painless. Yes, it is in very good condition. I don't mind the clutch drive, but am wondering how that will play out with any sort of upgraded power board.

Pale