Unboxing the TongDe Chaffee

[Herr Dr. Professor]

Painless, couldn't one also just cover the straps with stowage? In fact, I have some straps that could be used to fasten down the stowage--that is, when I get to the project one of these years.

[michaelwhittmann]

HDP: I'll wait for you to post yours. Captains before Corporals.

P B W: I did a combo of your and HDP's idea to hide the hideous straps You'll see when I
SHOW OFF.

[Herr Dr. Professor]

Good grief! Don't wait for me: it took me two weeks just to remove the TK5.3 and rewire and install a TK7.0 in my Challenger 2. I will be watching SHOW OFF to see what you do.

[michaelwhittmann]

I'll wait for my British tank crew to come in. Enjoy your builds.

[Herr Dr. Professor]

Here are some more photos of the TongDe Chaffee opened up to reveal the hull electronics and wiring.

The electronics are secured with rather good wire management. Making re-connections or repairs and tracing wires might, however, be a bit of a challenge. The battery is packed in tight and can be charged from the outside, but to change it out, the hull has to be opened (4 screws only).

Chaffee secured electronics.jpg (575.63 KiB) Viewed 391 times

There is a rather standard turret rotation motor, and wiring, neatly bundled, disappears into the turret.

Chaffee turret rotation $ smoker.jpg (426.96 KiB) Viewed 391 times

The recoil is by servo, which means the electronics can handle a servo or two or more. (The transmitter instructions, a bit confusing, nonetheless suggest that the electronics' potential for other application to future TongDe RTR AFVs.)

Servo Recoil.jpg (425.68 KiB) Viewed 391 times

[michaelwhittmann]

Probably not realistic but I moved the MG position on the turret in front of the commander.

The original MG position made me nauseous.

[Herr Dr. Professor]

You probably saw mine already: viewtopic.php?t=37737 It looks as if you have lowered the forward .50 cal. mount. Not a bad idea! I haven't had time to run mine much yet, but after all the paint and weathering, I cannot even see the flash of the turret-mounted .50 cal., and I can barely see the co-driver's .30 cal.