Tamiya King Tiger full option advice

[billpe]

Hello,

I hope I put this in the right forum, looks like the right place anyway!

I'm going to buy a Tamiya King Tiger Full option kit but I'm a little unsure of a few things. I do have previous experience with modifying Heng Long tanks but this is the first time I've built and RC kit, rather than taken one apart and rebuilt:
Where is the best place in the UK/Europe to buy one? I've seen a few on sale but not sure of the best online store (I've checked your section on this but still unsure).
Which receiver should I go for?
What optional extras should I go for, to save on wear and tear? I was thinking of getting the drive shaft supports with bearings and some modified wheel bearings or brass wheel bushings (like the Shumo KT0028FO). Is there anything else that is essential?
Is there a smoke generator available for this tank? I've not found one on sale.
The only cosmetic changes I'll add are engine grill covers. It's more of a toy than something that will be set in a diarama so bits that are easily lost in the back garden aren't on the list.

[majordisastor]

Nice choice of model !!

Main thing is the standard Tamiya plastic tracks, very eay to snap them on a turn. far far weaker than the Tiger 1 design of tracks.

Plan to get some metal tracks as soon as you can.

Another weak spot for the King Tiger is the rear idler adjusters. Schumo make replcement parts for this model - but it is not a cheap upgrade if you go for the mounts and adjusters themselves!!

Welshdragon models amongst others have them in stock.

I tend to run an extra alloy sheet under the whole tank body to make the whole thing stiffer and less prone to flexing about.

Removes the need for a gearbox brace as well - My Tiger Ebbey build shows you what I did for my Tamiya Tiger 1, I have just installed one on my Tamiya Panther build as well- To be posted soon !

As for controller /reciever go for a Planet system 2.4 gig - I have a T5 which works very well and does not cost the earth.

When you do get your Tiger - give it a long hard lookover and then look at other people builds - it may make you decide on some more detailed additions to the basic kit depending on how you intend to use it.

Personaly I shy away from Aber folding brasswork as its expensive and designed more for static models, as you say searching a large are of grass for tiny bits of expensive detail is a treasure hunt I would rather avoid !!

Good luck with your intended purchase and keep us posted !!

Andy

[majordisastor]

Interesting tip that - and one that saves money as well !!

Also forgot to add - there is no smoker unit supplied in a Tamiya kit...

Andy

[billpe]

Thanks for the advice. I've looked at various build tutorials and videos but until I get the manual the idler set up isn't clear to me right now, so I'll look into that once I get the box (hurry up man from TNT!) and can read it then decide which route to take. I've not got the metal tracks yet, so I might go with the stock option then revise when I get the metal tracks next month. I'll take my time building it anyway.

I went for some shumo grills with the pre cut holes so no drilling required and just the drive shaft supports also by shumo. The tricky part is deciding which scheme to use! Took me longer to decide which paint job to put in my Tiger and Panther than it did to actually paint them!!

Regarding a smoker, is there one available as an aftermarket part? I've seen that some people have converted HL ones or made their own but the HL one is extremely noisy and doesn't look like it would fit inside the KT anyway.