Into the Blue ... Coolbank Mklll Crusader

[PainlessWolf]

Good Afternoon,
Just received this tidy Tank in the post this morning. I had been anticipating it since first notices about it derailed my desire for a Tongde Churchill. After the great performance and detail of the Coolbank Stuart, a Coolbank release really hits the "I Want!" Button. I have been wanting to get into British Armor, preferrably early War, so this was really Good Timing. I do not anticipate having to order a lot of detail parts for this Tank but I will do some research and find something like I managed with the Stuart.
regards,
Painless

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[AlanWhite]

I am really considering this 1 as well to add to my collection

[Herr Dr. Professor]

Mine came on Tuesday, and I have yet to run it. Like you, I don't plan to spend a lot on details, but I have already dug up some used books on the Crusader. I do like all the parts, making it fun like a static model.

[PainlessWolf]

Herr Doc!
Coolbank has made a Great Start out of the gate with their releases (So much so that I have seen obvious Heng Long and Tongde Tanks advertised as Coolbank models) I'll follow along and see how yours progresses. I need to start working on mine in between the painting and work on the KT Lower just to clear off the Counter. The Spouse has spoken!
regards,
Painless

[Herr Dr. Professor]

The new Coolbank Crusader has some trouble making anything but a sweeping turn on a short carpet. I suspect it would throw tracks rather readily. The same was not so of the Coolbank M5 Stuart; however, that little tank has noticeably less length (and surface) of track on the ground than the Crusader, so the tracks on the Stuart create less resistance to turning than those of the Crusader. The sound it rather quiet, as was that of the Stuart, and I cannot seem to see any smoke from the smoker, but I have not yet tried that much. (I did remove the smoker from the Stuart as it was so ineffective.)

Do I like the Crusader? Of course, I do. But, then, I tend to like 'em all: even kept a PanTiger just for posterity (let the posterior jokes commence).

[PainlessWolf]

Good Afternoon!
I spent most of yesterday up til bedtime building this Tank. I say building because Cool Bank was not Joking when they said, "DIY when installing accessories". I spent an hour replacing a tiny magnet on the battery cover with one taken off another part and then carefully filing/ sanding the bottom edges of the cover so that it would sit flush. Not everyone encounters this issue but there will be something. There was an apologetic post from Coolbank on a Video from Mr. Tanks-A-Lot saying something about prototype tanks being shipped out and that issues encountered would be fixed on future releases. Anyway, I love this Tank. Apart from time spent doing actual modeling to get the detail pieces to fit, every feature has worked on it. I need to do a bit of detail painting/weathering and add the markings to finish it up. It will look great with my Desert PzKfw lV. If anyone has figured out a way to install the Sand Shields besides gluing them into place, I'd like to know. I'm leaning towards strips of metal glued under the fenders and small earth magnets glued under the edges of the Shields...
regards,
Painless

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[HERMAN BIX]

Now, on to making a Bishop with you !!

[PainlessWolf]

Herman!!
Hello! Mr. Tanks-A-Lot did give a sort of sly wink and suggest a Tongde Churchill as a next good British Build. I'll look up the Bishop as well and see whats entailed. ;0)
regards (and what happened to your Hooben Ferdinand Build?)
Painless

[michaelwhittmann]

The hatches open!

The controller looks "complicated" with extra options.
Is it easy to run?
Is it both infrared and bb?

[PainlessWolf]

Mr. Whittmann!
Thanks for looking in! The Controller is near Hobby Grade. Does a lot more than a standard HL or Taigen controller. The tank runs well, faster than standard at full throttle but it can be compensated for with a precise hand on the throttle and creep along nicely. Infrared only, no BBs.
regards,
Painless