Mark IV by Hooben

[ankh]

phpBB [video]

This is Hooben kit - mostly metal, plastic tracks.
Great quality of the parts, the kit is not really for beginners.
Chain driven with low RPM motors. HL 7.1 inside. Each gun is controlled separately (rotation, up/down, flash, smoke) - I used additional 7.1 servo that triggers bespoke 4x 3 pole switches, and replaced servos with small N20 motors to avoid servo position memory issue. I didn't bother with MMGs so all fire at the same time. Sound (tiger ), smoke, cabin light.
Only problem - no way of getting inside if something goes wrong - when it's put together that's it.

Paintjob:
- metal primer (grey) followed by Vallejo Premium Color White Primer
- AK Interactive 3rd Gen WWI British Colors Modulation Set # 11644 - all the base colours
- shading: Winsor & Newton Winton Oil Colour Raw Umber,1414554
- filter: MIG MIG1511 BROWN FOR DARK YELLOW
The rest is chipping (acrylics) and weathering (pigments and variety of AK Interactive products).

[HERMAN BIX]

That has to be one of THE best models Ive seen recently.
Even the Challenger sound set is acceptable when placed in the context of this model for some odd reason.
How did you manage to divert the barrel smoke to each 6pdr and not compromise the independent control??!!

Outstanding Mr Rad, and well deserving of a TOTM trophy for me.

[Kaczor]

Looks and runs great! I'm planning to buy it this year. Thanks for the painting information.

[ankh]

Thanks Guys. Painting not a problem but I hate weathering in that scale so just basic streaking, chipping, pigments. I don't have patience for that .
For the gun smoke I intended to use 6V solenoid valve but it too much current I believe and it was resetting the board. I ended up using 2x HL smoke units so three in total when you add exhaust. All managed by a simple contact switch (3 pole), 4 of them (smoke motor, flash, gun up and rotation motors). I designed and printed simple housing, servo on top with long screw attached to the arm. Normally open position directs voltage to one turret electronics, when you move the servo via 7.1 remote slider switches are closed and voltage goes to the other. Servos would be easier to use here but they have the position memory so when I would switch between the turrets the turret/gun would move by itself. Converting servos to normal geared motors didn't work - too fast, with resistors not enough torque. I ended up using N20 geared motors with about 10rpm at 6V. Oh, both barrel flash/smoke is controlled using just one circuit.

@Kaczor - the kit is worth every penny. Fantastic components, manual translation is rubbish but very detailed pictures so I had no major problems. This is nothing like Hoobens plastic kits, I'd recommend it to any non-beginner. Just keep in mind there are about 2500 rivets to do... you'll have nightmares about them.

[Kaczor]

We would appreciate pictures of the interior.

[DymondTank]

Never buy from hooben . Their models are awful . Electronics are a sham. That is a warning do not buy from hooben . You pay the money you got to keep pushing them to send your purchase out

[ankh]

@ Kaczor - I didn't take any during the build process. Check this forum, there are some pictures there: https://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/rc-tan ... e-kit.html

@DymondTank - my experience with buying that tank was not brilliant. They sold out their firs run, I placed the order in November, received mid-March, but keep in mind we had Christmas and Chinese new year in the meantime. Their support team was responsive but they kept promising 'shipping in 2 weeks'. So buying wasn't smooth but I completely disagree with you about quality - you'd change your mind if you'd build it. I have their Sherman Fury (more towards a toy, not worth the price), Tiger P kit (I can't complain about it, it was fine), and Mark IV which is a proper high end product. This is based on my 80+ models (anything from RTR to 3d printed and scratch builds). I honestly can't think of any other model in my collection which is better quality and more detailed. When I think I paid 400 for it, compare it to 200 per HL Tiger, it's a bargain. Almost all metal. Electronics - well it's personal. I don't like and don't use them but it's cheap alternative I'd place around HL pre-6.0 boards. The sound is terrible, functions very limited, but you have an option for hooking up standard RC receiver and using RC grade controller. No other board at that price can do it.

[Kaczor]

How is maintenance resolved? Is there top or side access?

[ankh]

That's the problem... almost no access. You can unscrew a plate located under the tank where you put a battery. You won't be able to access much. I run smoke pipes there for top-ups.
You can unscrew several M1 bolts holding the top rails, then you can easily remove driver/commander compartment which let's you access the main board.
Finally there are several M3 flat head screws on each side of the tank (covered with putty in my case so can't use them without ruining the paintjob) - when you undo them you can remove the side panels and only then you have fairly ok access to interior. But - either you have no access to the inside or you have ugly and fully exposed screws on the sides - I decided to hope for the best .
You have very limited access to side turrets via small doors and when you remove the tracks which is easy. Of course full access if you unscrew those side panels.
In essence - when something goes really wrong you're in trouble.
This was not the smartest solution at Hooben's end - instead of the side screws I would go for more 'slide in to lock' solution or even neodymium magnets plus some basic mechanical locking of the side panels. Well - will look into that when I'll have to repaint the tank. For now - fingers crossed.

[MrChef]

I am Not a fan of these early tanks. I can appreciate their purpose and value historically but I've never liked them aesthetically.

But WOW! You have done an amazing job! I didn't even finish the video before I had to tell you this. The Guns, independent smoke/flash awesome. Great Paint work, finish. I did finish the video btw. For me finishing and weathering these things is my most treasured time.

I love what you've accomplished.

Cheers to you and I'm not even from "that" side of the pond.

The only thing I wish I could see is your tank rumbling across a mock trench or barbed wire in no-mans-land...

Chef