1/24 Vs pro Sherman M4A3 + Tiger 1 to HL 2s radio upgrade

[modler]

Greetings, I have been away from this forum for a while but now I am back with some new model work. Some time ago I got a few Tanks from a member here (M3A4 Sherman and a Early Tiger 1) 1/24 Vs pro series battle tanks. These are highly detailed and painted tanks with hi-Q components and nice detail that are worthy of a 2.4G radio upgrade.

I used HL 1/30 scale 1s 2.4G IR battle system Radio in my first upgrade both M4A3, Tiger 1 Tanks. This works very well but the Sherman(M4A3) was a bit too slow for my tastes so decided to go with a HL 1/24 scale 2s 2.4G IR battle system Radio
in the Sherman and tune it to the speed I wanted which is just a bit faster than the Tiger 1. Both of these HL radios are compatible in battle mode with each other and the circuit boards are the same size and all the I\R components are compatible on a circuit board level as well as Battle mode between Tanks

Oh, and both systems (1/30-1s\1/24-2s) use the same excellent Transmitters!

Testing reveals that the Sherman now has the proper speed with its new 2s power supply lipo and the Tiger 1 as it is now with 1s system works very well as is so no need to upgrade the Tiger 1 as its speed is perfect as is

I upgraded both to HL 2.4G radio system initially and that was a major improvement but because of the drive motors being designed for 6 cells (~7.2V), the tanks were a bit slow with the 1 cell lipo radio system. So after some time I realized a phase 2 upgrade was in order.

This thread will be about the phase 2 upgrade with 2s lipo using a 1/24 series HL radio system. The new radio system for the M4A3 Sherman comes from 1/24 2s HL IR Leopard 2 Battle Tank. This is a very compact and robust radio system that is ideal for 1/35 - 1/30 - 1/24 IR battle tanks.

I will post pictures asap, just wanted to get something up now as I am working on the project.

This Sherman features:

IR battle system with 4 hit LED scoreboard.
Scale metal barrel
IR LED in the barrel for precise aiming
Variable speed Turret traverse L\R and Barrel U\D
concealable U\D channeled IR energy detector (requires opponent tank precise aiming to score a hit)
Track recoil with Gun recoil
Proportional speed F\R with track spin L\R
Precise\smooth gearbox operation
Full suspension with durable ITL tracks.
Scale functional headlights
Multi stage diesel engine sound, Main gun, machine gun with volume control from TX
Start\standby via TX. Headlights blink when in standby.
2s lipo operation with LVC
4 life LED scoring display under a turret hatch

[RonV]

Hi Modler,
I have 4 VS tanks that i want to do the same upgrades to as you have done.
I can find the 1/24 mother boards on Ebay, but no transmitter. I don't want to buy complete HL tanks to cannibalize.
Do you know if the 1/16 transmitter will work with the 1/24 board? I'm thinking about just using the 1/16 motherboard and transmitter

[Ziptar]

I've yet to see any Heng Long 2.4Ghz transmitters for sale by themselves. I've picked up a couple used 2.4Ghz tanks with transmitters inexpensively $30 to $40 on ebay and craigslist here and there just keep an eye out. As Modler said in his post, the Heng Long 1/30 scale 2.4Ghz transmitters, are exactly the same, buttons and all. I have both the 1/24 and 1/30 tanks and the transmitters will bind to either MCB and all functions work as they should. I'd make you a video to prove it but all of my 1/30 tank stuff and most of my 1/24 tank stuff is in storage while I'm living like a nomad. Compare them here: https://www.henglongtanks.com/collectio ... -rc-tanks . The 1/30 scale MCB is the same as the 1/24 MCB with one minor difference, the barrel elevation circuit isn't complete (but, Modler's already shown us how it can be added. viewtopic.php?p=341422#p341422 ). I can only assume Heng Long must've done the math and figured it was cheaper to use the same controller for both rather than making a separate controller for the 1/30 scale tanks without the circuitry for barrel elevation.

Let you in on a little secret, thanks to the 1/30 scale tanks there's an even cheaper source for transmitters. You can find the 1/30 Heng Long tanks on Amazon for ~$40.00 and up but keep an eye on Amazon Warehouse. I've purchased a couple "Open Box" from Amazon Warehouse for $22 and $26 with free shipping (Prime).

The 1/30 scale tanks are also available on Toucan Hobby's website for $30.90 curently. https://www.toucanhobby.com/products/th ... f9fe&_ss=c

The 1/16 transmitter will not work with the 1/24 board. You could probably shoe horn the 1/16 scale MCB into it easily enough by cutting out the battery box and using a smaller Li-Ion battery if need be. Wiring should be simple enough, the 1/24 tanks use the same airsoft, turret rotation, and barrel elevation gear boxes as the 1/16 tanks, at least on those I've bought, they are all 2.4Ghz. Those same parts for the 1/24 scale VS Tanks, Waltersons, Tokyo Mauri, and etc parts listed on ebay look virtually the same as Heng Long's 1/16 scale as well. The wiring for the battery and motors is exactly the same. If you do go with the 1/16 scale MCB it would allow you to add a smoker if desired, if you've got any room left over. Build a small one yourself or repurpose one from something else. Take a look on Aliexpress they come in all shapes and sizes.

[modler]

I've yet to see any Heng Long 2.4Ghz transmitters for sale by themselves. I've picked up a couple used 2.4Ghz tanks with transmitters inexpensively $30 to $40 on ebay and craigslist here and there just keep an eye out. As Modler said in his post, the Heng Long 1/30 scale 2.4Ghz transmitters, are exactly the same, buttons and all. I have both the 1/24 and 1/30 tanks and the transmitters will bind to either MCB and all functions work as they should. I'd make you a video to prove it but all of my 1/30 tank stuff and most of my 1/24 tank stuff is in storage while I'm living like a nomad. Compare them here: https://www.henglongtanks.com/collectio ... -rc-tanks . The 1/30 scale MCB is the same as the 1/24 MCB with one minor difference, the barrel elevation circuit isn't complete (but, Modler's already shown us how it can be added. viewtopic.php?p=341422#p341422 ). I can only assume Heng Long must've done the math and figured it was cheaper to use the same controller for both rather than making a separate controller for the 1/30 scale tanks without the circuitry for barrel elevation.

Let you in on a little secret, thanks to the 1/30 scale tanks there's an even cheaper source for transmitters. You can find the 1/30 Heng Long tanks on Amazon for ~$40.00 and up but keep an eye on Amazon Warehouse. I've purchased a couple "Open Box" from Amazon Warehouse for $22 and $26 with free shipping (Prime).

The 1/30 scale tanks are also available on Toucan Hobby's website for $30.90 currently. https://www.toucanhobby.com/products/th ... f9fe&_ss=c

The 1/16 transmitter will not work with the 1/24 board. You could probably shoe horn the 1/16 scale MCB into it easily enough by cutting out the battery box and using a smaller Li-Ion battery if need be. Wiring should be simple enough, the 1/24 tanks use the same airsoft, turret rotation, and barrel elevation gear boxes as the 1/16 tanks, at least on those I've bought, they are all 2.4Ghz. Those same parts for the 1/24 scale VS Tanks, Waltersons, Tokyo Marui, and etc parts listed on ebay look virtually the same as Heng Long 1/16 scale as well. The wiring for the battery and motors is exactly the same. If you do go with the 1/16 scale MCB it would allow you to add a smoker if desired, if you've got any room left over. Build a small one yourself or repurpose one from something else. Take a look on Aliexpress they come in all shapes and sizes.

Yes every thing in your post is correct Ziptar

I have cut out the battery boxes in all of my 1/24 conversions. After doing that there is plenty of room in there.
Yes the 1s 1/30 circuit boards can be modified to have main gun Elevation by adding the driver chip but be warned, requires good soldering skills. The 2s boards are a better bet as they can be had for around $22. https://www.ebay.com/itm/116023473282 (Blue board TK24-RXV4)

The RXV4 receiver (BLUE) from the link above is currently out of stock but can be found elsewhere on ebay.

I previously posted that the RX-30-24 V1 receivers were a no go. That has changed. You just need to make sure you have a V1 transmitter if using any 1s BlACK RX-30-V1 or 2s VIOLET RX-24-V1 receiver.

Pictures below show both versions

RX-30 receiver = 1s 4.2 V.
RX-24 receiver = 2s 8.4V.

[modler]

Hi Modler,
I have 4 VS tanks that i want to do the same upgrades to as you have done.
I can find the 1/24 mother boards on Ebay, but no transmitter. I don't want to buy complete HL tanks to cannibalize.
Do you know if the 1/16 transmitter will work with the 1/24 board? I'm thinking about just using the 1/16 motherboard and transmitter

Those are nice looking 1/24 Tanks RonV. I would certainly upgrade them to the HL Blue 1/24-2s RXV4 Circuit Boards

There is more info in another thread where I upgrade a HL 1/30 Sherman with a TK30-RXV3 1s to a TK24-RXV4 2s here

viewtopic.php?t=35836

[RonV]

I've yet to see any Heng Long 2.4Ghz transmitters for sale by themselves. I've picked up a couple used 2.4Ghz tanks with transmitters inexpensively $30 to $40 on ebay and craigslist here and there just keep an eye out. As Modler said in his post, the Heng Long 1/30 scale 2.4Ghz transmitters, are exactly the same, buttons and all. I have both the 1/24 and 1/30 tanks and the transmitters will bind to either MCB and all functions work as they should. I'd make you a video to prove it but all of my 1/30 tank stuff and most of my 1/24 tank stuff is in storage while I'm living like a nomad. Compare them here: https://www.henglongtanks.com/collectio ... -rc-tanks . The 1/30 scale MCB is the same as the 1/24 MCB with one minor difference, the barrel elevation circuit isn't complete (but, Modler's already shown us how it can be added. viewtopic.php?p=341422#p341422 ). I can only assume Heng Long must've done the math and figured it was cheaper to use the same controller for both rather than making a separate controller for the 1/30 scale tanks without the circuitry for barrel elevation.

Let you in on a little secret, thanks to the 1/30 scale tanks there's an even cheaper source for transmitters. You can find the 1/30 Heng Long tanks on Amazon for ~$40.00 and up but keep an eye on Amazon Warehouse. I've purchased a couple "Open Box" from Amazon Warehouse for $22 and $26 with free shipping (Prime).

The 1/30 scale tanks are also available on Toucan Hobby's website for $30.90 curently. https://www.toucanhobby.com/products/th ... f9fe&_ss=c

The 1/16 transmitter will not work with the 1/24 board. You could probably shoe horn the 1/16 scale MCB into it easily enough by cutting out the battery box and using a smaller Li-Ion battery if need be. Wiring should be simple enough, the 1/24 tanks use the same airsoft, turret rotation, and barrel elevation gear boxes as the 1/16 tanks, at least on those I've bought, they are all 2.4Ghz. Those same parts for the 1/24 scale VS Tanks, Waltersons, Tokyo Mauri, and etc parts listed on ebay look virtually the same as Heng Long's 1/16 scale as well. The wiring for the battery and motors is exactly the same. If you do go with the 1/16 scale MCB it would allow you to add a smoker if desired, if you've got any room left over. Build a small one yourself or repurpose one from something else. Take a look on Aliexpress they come in all shapes and sizes.

Thanks for the response and the information, there's a lot to take in. Somehow, I missed it when you posted it.

[RonV]

Hi Modler,
I have 4 VS tanks that i want to do the same upgrades to as you have done.
I can find the 1/24 mother boards on Ebay, but no transmitter. I don't want to buy complete HL tanks to cannibalize.
Do you know if the 1/16 transmitter will work with the 1/24 board? I'm thinking about just using the 1/16 motherboard and transmitter

Those are nice looking 1/24 Tanks RonV. I would certainly upgrade them to the HL Blue 1/24-2s RXV4 Circuit Boards

There is more info in another thread where I upgrade a HL 1/30 Sherman with a TK30-RXV3 1s to a TK24-RXV4 2s here

viewtopic.php?t=35836

Modler, thanks for the complement's information and ideas.

[modler]

I am still using my VS 1/24 Tiger 1 and M4A3 Sherman tanks. I will post more info asap on these Tanks. The VS 1/24 Tiger 1 is using the HL 1/30 RX with 1 cell. Works great with this RX and has very scale like speed and power.

Oh yeah, I also did a Tamiya 1/25 Tiger 1 using the 1 cell 1/30 HL RX here..
https://youtu.be/nQyzQDez32g


VS Tiger 1 with HL 1 cell (1/30) RX
https://youtu.be/l-eaFpPGLEs

[modler]

After upgrading the Vstank Tiger 1 to HL 1/24 2s radio gear, I was not able to get the main gun recoil to work properly. So now I am in the middle of revising that function.

This Vstank Tiger 1 has had the original radio gear replaced with a 2.4G HL RX24 V4 receiver. This board is used in Tanks that have IR battle mode as well as BB gun shooting. I initially used the BB gun output to trigger the recoil and that was fairly simple to do but pushing 2 buttons is required for the recoil to work in IR battle mode so so would be 3 buttons for recoil in IR battle mode. So I decided to make the recoil sync with the 10 shot IR battle button in IR battle mode, only one button is required for IR laser and recoil. The recoil function is initiated by the IR laser via the custom upgrade circuit board mod.

Here is a short video of the Tiger main gun recoil function.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/-hq_wwzDBZ4


UPDATE
I will soon show a schematic of the wiring required to make the recoil function of the main gun work with the HL RC24 receiver. This is an option that does not require a custom circuit board and can be activated by the BB gun firing buttons.

[modler]

I recently did some work on my 1/24 Vs fleet and found out that the RX24 V1 circuit board works great! You just need the V1 Transmitter. The V1 Transmitter can quickly be identified by the single beep tone it makes when you push the TX on button. The BLACK RX24 V1 receiver is the only one that works with a V1 Transmitter. I bought a set of new Poco Diva Amazon set of 1/30 HL battle tanks and of course the first thing I do with any new Tank is to take it apart and look inside. I was very surprised to see a BLACK RX30 V1 circuit board! So I dug up the 5 V1 boards that I had from ~4 years ago and tried them and they work great with the the new V1 Transmitters that came with the HL 1/30 Tank set.

So in summation..

Black RX-30-24 V1 receiver boards only work with V1 transmitter only (single beep tone with TX on button)

RX-30-24 V2,V3,V4 all work with V2 and up transmitters. Will not work with V1 transmitters. (multitone with TX on button)