RC Tank Warfare community hobby forum

Also - there is a 1/8 inch hole ground into the barrel about 3/4 inch from just out of where the barrel comes out of the airsoft unit. Is that supposed to be there? I will try to post some pics asap...

As you can see the ears coming off the mantlet are broken, some still remains on the airsoft unit...CRAP..Also, what about the hole in the barrel???? I can probably make some aluminum ears to fix the mantlet. Any suggestions?
Here's some arrows showing problem areas....

No idea about the hold in the metal tube. I noticed them in the tiger barrel as well but nothing screwed into it or anything so I just ignored it. Maybe aids manufacture or construction of the tank?

Yeah if you make some alu lugs that should be good. The plastic lugs always break think the screw is too big for the hole and splits the brittle plastic lug.

Ian.

The ears are there to hold the mantlet to the airsoft unit, so as long as they are fitting together okay when you put it back together you don't have to worry about fix it. The metal barrel should go all the way into the airsoft unit. The hole on the barrel is in all the airsoft barrels so that shouldn't be your problem. I think it might be that the metal barrel (not the plastic outside shell) has been detached from the airsoft unit inisde. Can you try sticking ti back in as far as it will go and try firing it while everything is open.

Bulldog01, now that you take the plunge don't think Matomart will take this back, which might be a good thing since you will have lots of fun fixing the sucker now ! You can always get a new airsoft unit and/or the mantlet (if the broken ear bugs you and it is not holding everything together) to fix this.

You can pull the mantlet barrel assembly completely off the tank when it is all together!! Not a good thing I will fix with some gussets. As far as the hole, should I turn it around so it is near the muzzle, or leave close to the airsoft unit were it's at?? If it is a pressure relief, I dont want that!! Need max power!

The hole end is supposed to be near the airsoft unit and is definitely not your problem so I would leave it. Also, if the switch for the smoker is not working (which is strange. Did you check it out ? Is it wiring ?) then maybe you airsoft switch is also not working so make sure you check that out too. The other option is to actually glue the mantlet to the airsoft unit to compensate for the broken ears, but I won't do that until you get the airsoft working. There really isn't a reason to have to take it apart again once you have the airsoft unit fix.

Smoker switch says A_B_C but only moves between A and B. Don't know witch one is off. Seems to smoke on both settings. All connections seem to be good but it looks like my 2 year old did all the soldering on this tank. I will fix as I do know how to solder very well. Just that the Chinese used crappy wire throughout this whole tank. Get it a touch to hot and the wire coating goes to hell also.....

Thanks MichaelC - Also, what is the easiest way to check the airsoft out of the tank?? With the barrel on/off?? And where should I hookup a battery and what type, 7.2v, 9v etc...? Thanks - Bulldog01 (Darren)

After the tank is together, what keeps the barrel from slidind forward out of the airsoft unit? (probably a dumb question on my part)

Sorry, I'm only a newbe to tanks. Been RC since 82. Cars, crawlers and Helis etc.....

Darren,

The smoker switch is only a single pole switch. The marking on the lower full was originally for switching between the 3 crystal frequencies, and not for the smoker switch that's why. The smoker switch should be fine (I have never heard of the switch not working). The only problem I see is that the flashing on the lower hull might have stop the switch from operating freely. If you take it off the lower hull it should work.

You need the barrel on to test the airsoft. Just keep all the connections to the battery and the RX-18/Board. The battery should be 7.2v but that should be what you have anyway. Sorry when I meant test it with it open I just meant testing the whole set-up while the tank is open, not disconnecting everything and hook them up separately.

I can't remember how the airsoft unit works (I only take them apart to retorofit IRs, never needed them to work) but it is kept in place between the plastic outer barrel and the airsoft unit itself. The fact that yours is sliding out might in fact be the problem with the gun. Mount with the ears that you broke kept the airsoft unit and the outer barrel together so that the metal barrel stays inside. I have lots of tanks but not the bulldog so I can't tell you how the mantlet itself works, but usually there is at least 2-3 pieces of frames to keep the mantlet itself attached to the turret (which I don't think is your questions but just in case).

Maybe I will open up one of my spare airsoft unit and take a look today and get back to you. Where about are you in the world ? If you bought it from Matomart you are probably US/Canada, right ? EST ?