A LEAP OF FAITH

[HERMAN BIX]

I too am looking forward to seeing how you pull this off. Certainly opens up a whole new realm of possibilities.

It sure does.
I was kind of nagging my mate to let me try one of these, without use of the H/L or Taigen lower, just so I could learn.
He was pretty philosophical about it, reckons that if it goes to it will still be a great looking static, which is what the kit is anyway so nothing to lose & everything to gain for him being a proper hard-core PzIV mainliner.
In fact he did warn me that if/when I do pull this together that he has 7 more to do ...........................

[HERMAN BIX]

More progress.
The suspension arms are in line ( tick)
The idler mounts are on & in line (tick)
The spring retainer strips are on & seem to be ok (tick)

Mounting the idler brackets I used cap head stainless bolts which can be replaced with more aesthetic versions as the owner desires, but in this case robustness and maintenance-friendly hardware should prevail I feel.
I did a mock up of the upper & guards on the hull to see how it looks.............like a Pz IV should, which is good, considering it is one
Now I can loose fit the roadwheels & begin the gearbox mounting saga

I am hoping this mission sets me up for understanding of what I need to do for a similar build for myself.
Wont be a PzIV I can assssssssssuuuuuuuuure you of that !!

[Stormbringer]

Good progress mate

[HERMAN BIX]

Gearbox time.
Using styrene sheet to shim the gearbox output shafts to suit the correct final drive position in this is not straightforward.
The material on the gearbox frame has been removed as far as possible but the clearance to transmission plate & electric motor is to decimal-poofteenths & that’s small !!
Of course using genuine low profile gearbox’s would be much better but we ain’t got those !
Once I have the shimming right then it’s alignment & I can secure them on the floor .

[HERMAN BIX]

The boxes are in & dry-anchored.
Right side needs a bit more tweaking but its ok for a first go.
At least the drives are the right height not like the poor H/L or Taigen versions !!
Get a set of the low-profile gearboxes & its a fairly easy task to convert a static Trumpeter PzIV to Rc.

[Meter rat]

Mr Bix. That is a very neat install.

[Stormbringer]

Well done on getting the gearboxes in place

[Herr Dr. Professor]

I need to remember this one: "decimal-poofteenths." Now that's this professor's kind of English!

[ColemanCollector]

Not surprisingly, the detail is superb compared to the RC tank company offerings. This is interesting seeing the process to make the conversion with lots of reinforcing. Does the styrene show signs of fatigue over time and use, or once it's reinforced it's good to go?
If this Bixian conversion goes as expected, Trumpeter may see a surge in PZIV sales!

Mike.

[MrChef]

Now granted I know there's a lot of behind the scenes fitting and adjustment in between pics but You're making this look a bit too easy. Same question as Mike, with the reinforcements how robust does the chassis feel? Let's do a chart for comparison=

"Model" look only but don't touch?

"Hooben" indoor smooth surface shelf queen?

"Heng Long" we all know this...

Enquiring minds want to know