I finished the motorized upgrade phase of this sweet model yesterday and today added a adjustable track tensioner and started testing and I am really liking this Russian APC. I was worried that the tracks would not work well as I have never seen any like these before. They are black flexible plastic which allows the tracks to slip somewhat allowing for very realistic operation. I now realise that these are the best tracks for a model tank as it allows a bit of slippage keeping excessive loading off the gearbox and drive sprockets. This APC can do things a rubber tracked tank can not do. Rubber tracks SUCK! Actually these particular tracks on this BTR slip like metal tracks do thus emulating metal tracks! That's right, metal track like operation for indoor running. If you try running a metal track tank indoors during a rainy day or something, you are likely to make your life partner very unhappy with the damage that a metal track model can do to fine finished surfaces like table tops and other indoor surfaces.
Anyway, the motorized upgrade was a total success and I am very happy with this model.
It is a great model but...One of the tracks was broken due to the way it was attached to a parts tree vs the box size. This required a difficult repair that can only be achieved by an experienced modeller if you expect to use it in a motorized model.
There is not native gearbox available for this model. The only way to appreciate the great track design is to see them in action.
Other that that, it is a great model! I have not finished to outer hull yet but soon will as the motorized upgrade is DONE!
Here is a video of the BTR-50 doing some bridge operations along with a slow locked track slide down the front of the bridge and then climing the bride head and then doing a pirouette at the top and coming back down the bridge head with one more 180 turn to face the bridge head for another pass. I could do this over and over just watching it do its thing...
https://youtu.be/7Xy3fFBVJik
Build specs..
This model runs off a 1s 500mah lipo which allows it to run for 20+ minutes continuous. Uses 6v 130 motos for low speed low current high torque operation.
entire drive system can be removed in 5 minutes for service or repair.
2 channel made in china 27mhz TX\RX with twin ESC ($3.00) is very small robust cheap Radio Remote Control system.
Total cost of this BTR-50, $27.50 or 21.16 Pound sterling + labor.