Two Tamiya King Tigers

[ra272]

Hello there. First please forgive my poor English, I'l try my best to make clear sentences.

Here are two "King Tigers" project I made last years.

I was searching for an old 56004 king tiger to restore (the one with one 540 motor and two clutch transmission) , unfortunately I bought a used one that was not exactly what I wanted.
This is what I received at the time.



It was an early two motors version with plastic/brass transmissions...in very bad shape. One transmission was destroyed (historically correct for a Kingtiger ).






I was very disapointed, so I decided to not restore it, and go a different way.

New Taigen steel transmissions with super high gear ratio (17t motor pinion, one gear removed).



Modified rear hull.



Modified transmission installed to fit Tamiya chassis and wheels.



Super High speed Sport Tuned 380 motors. 2 cheap ESC, an aircraft receiver with mixed chanels and a LiPo shorty pack: that thing is fast.



The final result...I'm sorry for the King Tiger lovers.



The inspiration:



So, back to tanks please.

My second attempt to get a clutch 56004 Tamiya King Tiger was very very good. A nice, nearly complete one for under 150£ with a FM 4 chanel Futaba radio.
Some parts where missing (MG, spare tracks, exhaust ...) some parts where broken (upper hull, gun, commader cuppola...), but with all the parts from the first King Tiger, I was pretty sure I can do something nice with this one.

[jackalope]

I know where I can get you a King Tiger with single motor and dual clutch set up but it's kinda rough and he wants $400 U.S. for it. It runs and all works but needs a good rebuild and I'm not sure how the clutches are as it can not turn on carpet or do 360 spins.

[maxmekker]

Cool stuff, when time be sure to show video

[ra272]

I'll try to make a short video of the "Fastrax", but It's really tricky to drive it, it's quick, it's drifting madly and the Tamiya tracks are really fragile.

Now for my second King Tiger.

The chassis was in very good shape with working electronic, lots of dust an stains but really nice for a model that old.



Some cleaning.



Complete rebuild of the clutch transmission. The Mabushi 27t 540S (left) has been replaced by a much slower RC4wd 55t crawler motor (right).



This two clutch Tamiya transmission cleaned and reassembled, it is not a very efficient system, but isn't it a real beauty ?



Next, the plastic parts...lots of work.

[PainlessWolf]

Good morning, ra272,
I love to see 'old and set aside' brought back to useful life and fun! Following along. That clutch is a thing of beauty. Solid engineering from back in the day.
regards,
Painless

[jarndice]

I am with you Painless, When you see such engineering, the high prices charged by Tamiya become more understandable.
Shaun.

[ra272]

I took the best parts of the two King Tigers and removed paint with hoven cleaner.



I had to repeat three time to have something clean, the yellow has dyed the plastic.

Here is the tank almost complete with all the parts I had.



The front light and rear mud flaps were missing on both tanks, I replaced them with Henglong metal parts.





The front MG was broken, I rebuild one out of an old Dremel mandrel, and I heated it with a blow torch to have a black color.

[ra272]

Sprayed all parts with Tamiya primer.



I used Tamiya spray cans for the main color as it is much stronger than airbrushed acrylics.



The chassis back in working order, with old mechanical speed controller, the turret commutator, and even the flash light of the gun are controlled by a servo.

[jackalope]

Not sure if you missed my post but I know where a 1980's 1st production Tamiya King Tiger is, guy wants $400 for it if you're interested.

[ra272]

Not sure if you missed my post but I know where a 1980's 1st production Tamiya King Tiger is, guy wants $400 for it if you're interested.

Thank you for the hint, but I have too many project for now.