Not so new Fanatic - plus my PIII and JT

[LukeZ]

Hi all! I'm new here to RCTankWarfare but not new to RC tanks or RC generally. Since a young kid I've been building and flying model airplanes and you can see some of my work on RCGroups under this same username, most notably my Short Solent build. I also maintain the Ivan Pettigrew sticky over at RCGroups.

But planes as you know have to be kept lightweight in order to fly well, and I really found satisfaction in the "fine scale" part of modeling, which is difficult to do with airplanes. Plus they inevitably crash. For some reason I was never attracted to static models - even if I don't fly/drive them much for some reason it just makes me feel good to know that whatever I build is actually capable of functioning. On top of all that, I do like to tinker with electronics, of which there isn't much in a model plane. When I stumbled across RC tanks I realized I had found the prefect pursuit. Throw in my fascination with history and WWII in particular, and I was hooked immediately.

I bought my first tank from the late great Phil Pflueger in 2010, a HL PIII, shown below. I probably spent over a year on that thing and goodness knows more money than I ever imagined. My dissatisfaction with available electronics then led me on a multi-year undertaking to develop my own replacements, which I will post about separately.

I'm also posting a photo of my Torro Jagdtiger work-in-progress. It has a long way to go, the paint is complete but I've only just barely begun the weathering process.

I hail from the vast, empty and windswept state of Kansas, USA!

Cheers to all,


LukeZ

[maxmekker]

Hello, and greets from Norway . That jagd is mighty fine . Looking fw to follow the weathering .

I have one to ( still wip) and love it

phpBB [video]

[LukeZ]

Hi Max! I have followed your JT thread over on RCU (in secret ). I really like this tank. I bought all the parts separately (chassis, hull, wheels,etc) so they all came unpainted, which to me was a plus. Still had to remove the tools from the hull but at least they weren't molded on!

I was not as courageous as you were with the skirts! But I think yours looks good. My problem is I can't decide what I prefer, skirts or no skirts. In the end this is all I took off... laughable really!

[43rdRecceReg]

A Warm welcome..long term fanatic! That's quite an eloquent introduction, together with an eye-catching opening salvo of neatly framed shots. The more, the merrier. I often look at RCU, incidentally, but remain in the background. I've often noticed the
tribute to Phil Pfleuger there, without being aware of the background story. Anyway, he gave you a good start with that Pz111...so, it's touching that there's continuity and legacy in all of this

[jarndice]

Roy Hi, The late and much missed Phill was one of the true heroes of our hobby, he would always be prepared to take that extra step to make sure all was well with every Tank and every part he supplied,
He would turn up at meets miles from his home and his kind and helpful way not only helped solve many a tankers problem but he truly endeared himself to everyone with whom he came in contact,
I corresponded with him for far too short a time before we lost him but I learnt a lot about R/C Tanks and about myself.
I hope the good Lord has furnished Phill with a fully equipped workshop and an endless supply of R/C Armour to keep the beatific smile on his face,
RIP a true Gentleman.
Shaun.

[c.rainford73]

Really beautiful paint job on that jagdtiger. Your Panzer III looks like a museum piece! You are lucky to have one of his tanks.
One of my favorite camo schemes on the JT but I've yet to get up the courage to try it myself.

Super job

Will be following to see it completed

Carl

[43rdRecceReg]

Roy Hi, The late and much missed Phill was one of the true heroes of our hobby, he would always be prepared to take that extra step to make sure all was well with every Tank and every part he supplied,
He would turn up at meets miles from his home and his kind and helpful way not only helped solve many a tankers problem but he truly endeared himself to everyone with whom he came in contact,
I corresponded with him for far too short a time before we lost him but I learnt a lot about R/C Tanks and about myself.
I hope the good Lord has furnished Phill with a fully equipped workshop and an endless supply of R/C Armour to keep the beatific smile on his face,
RIP a true Gentleman.
Shaun.

..Indeed, Shaun. Many thanks for the heads-up on Phil. I, myself, have met a few inspirational people in my time (mostly musicians..until now), who have given of their time, and hard-won expertise, selflessly. Phil was clearly one of those rarities. Hope you're well, by the way, and we'll all be looking forward to Luke's input shortly, I'm sure. Just built a Tamiya 1/35 Cromwell in my absence from the Highlands (back in a few weeks), to keep the withdrawal symptoms at bay...and was most impressed by the accuracy of the detailing, as well as the precision of the fit. The old peepers and fingers were a tad challenged, though
Back to you, Luke sorry for butting in...
Roy.

[Rad_Schuhart]

Jesus christ, I just saw your hidroplane. Hats off.

I really would like to be able to make my own 1/16 plane (a BF109 maybe?), but I dont even know where to begin.

[silversurfer1947]

Jesus christ, I just saw your hidroplane. Hats off.

I really would like to be able to make my own 1/16 plane (a BF109 maybe?), but I dont even know where to begin.

Guillows make a balsa kit http://www.anticsonline.co.uk/1722_1_1042775.html

[LukeZ]

Thanks for the friendly comments guys. I did not know Phil well, I only spoke with him on the phone a few times, but for just buying a cheap plastic Heng Long from the guy, the service he gave me was as if I were the most valued customer at the Mercedes dealership. Really I don't know how he managed the time to maintain such a connection with each of his customers, but I think for him the human element was the greater part of his satisfaction from the hobby. He put many of us on a path to success in what can often be (and was even more so then) a finicky hobby with many pitfalls. As others have said more eloquently, the hobby is surely the worse off for his absence.

Carl you mentioned something about a museum piece, of course my model is far from it in reality, but after I built it I was so pleased with myself I couldn't help but make a museum case for it, which turned into a challenging and rewarding effort all unto itself.