Tamiya 1/35 r/c tanks - any reviews/opinions?

[fittedkitchens]

Hi all,

(hopefully this is a correct subforum for such a question).

Has anyone had any experience with the Tamiya 1/35th range of r/c tanks? As mentioned in my 'introduction' post, I'm still figuring out the various scale/vendor options, but can find very little on the web regarding out-of-the-box Tamiya 1/35 r/c reviews, beyond a few youtube videos such as:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWOPO1wIiAs

If anyone has any pointers, they'd be much appreciated.

Thanks, fk

[Danf1275]

I've not got any direct experience of 1/35th tanks, but have tried both the 27mhz and 2.4ghz control systems in my 1/25th Cheiftain.

27mhz system is very simple and non-proportional. 2.4ghz system is better, with pretty good sounds, but oddly, does not offer the power of 27mhz system.

Lack of any kind of suspension was the only major downside I see.

[huntpe1]

I have a Panzer iv tamiya 1/35 rc and would not bother again over priced and only runs on in doors just save your money and go HL 1/16 and mod it or just get a 1/35 kit to sit on a shelf.

[PainlessWolf]

Good Morning.
I have one of the early Tamiya 1:35 RC Tiger 1's, before they added the barrel elevation bits. The detail is really good as expected from a Tamiya product, allowing you to build different versions of the tank. The gearing and mini dmd drop right in and run off of 4 AAA's. No sound, lights or working suspension but for a 1:35 RC version, it isn't bad. I've had this tank a long time and over the years have replaced the gun tube\flash suppressor with an excellent metal set and added metal tow shackles. (those tiny nuts and bolts have taught me a lesson about attempting things like that this far along) The only really bad thing I have noticed in all this time is that the 'flexible' vinyl tracks have stiffened up to the point where the tank isn't really mobile anymore. I've been looking for a replacement set but outside of buying an entire early Tiger 1 kit to get another set, I don't know. I'm looking at Fruil or Spade metal tracks sets that can be made RC usable with the right kind of pin connectors but am concerned that the weight might be too much for the plastic gears, sprockets, etc. All in all, an excellent kit that I have enjoyed owning and upgrading but as Huntpe1 said, for the money, you can have a HL S&S 1:16 tank that you can do a lot more with. Having said all that, the Sherman M4 in this Model Range would look great next to this old girl. *chuckles*
regards,
Painless

[Panzerman]

I have a Tamiya 1/35th and 1/25th Panther which I only run inside or on hard
surfaces. No comparison to their 1/16th cousins but still fun, had no troubles
with them but they are babied a bit. You can find them at quite good prices
if you search around typical Tamiya high quality, the little gearboxes are very
small and clever, in saying that don't think they would handle a flogging.

Here's a link to the the 1/35th and 1/25th builds.......
http://www.rctankwarfare.co.uk/forums/v ... =21&t=3803

Same tanks with some crew.......
http://www.rctankwarfare.co.uk/forums/v ... =33&t=4663

Panther/Bergepanther and Jagpanther builds.....
http://www.rctankwarfare.co.uk/forums/v ... =21&t=4716

Looked at the 1/35th ir Tamiya jobs look like fun but wow expensive
if you were going to go that many $ I'd go 1/16th for sure.

[fittedkitchens]

Many thanks for all the responses, folks. I'd be running the tank indoors I reckon, so the smaller Tamiya size is appealing... but the comment about the tracks stiffening with time seems a bit worrying! I'm not sure if Tamiya have a decent spares service in UK... something I must check out.

[PainlessWolf]

Good Morning.
Don't let my blather dissuade you from having and enjoying one of these 1:35 scale marvels. It took 9 years + for the tracks on my Tiger to stiffen up to where it's something I have to fix or replace. And thanks to the huge RC market, I have options. ) Besides, the newer tanks that Tamiya is building in this scale would surely have advanced compounds for their tracks by now. *chuckles* Tracks, 1:1 or 1:144, they are always the bane of Tankers
regards,
Painless