M7 Priest scratchbuild

[ALPHA]

Hey there Alwyn ...Interesting to see you doing tanks...the last thing I saw you do was that transport ...anyway...your remote system.... digital or crystal?

ALPHA

[AlwynTurner]

Hi Alpha, the rx18 is crystal, and was working fine before I went away on hols. I've checked the tx batteries and they are showing 11.5v, the tank battery is just recharged so should be ok. The lights flash on the tank but no start up despite changing the transmitter and receiver, it's a mystery. Next is to change the RX18 board for one out of my tiger but that's such a pain to strip the tiger just to find out whether the rx18 is working... still that's all I'm left with. Alwyn

[jackalope]

Wow coming together very nice! Electrical problems always suck but I'm sure you'll figure it out. Good to know about the resisters that was a great idea! Do they heat up much?

[AlwynTurner]

Hi Jackalope, no they don't seem to but the gun elevate and slew don't get used a lot so they shouldn't get chance to. Alwyn

[ALPHA]

Hi Alpha, the rx18 is crystal, and was working fine before I went away on hols. I've checked the tx batteries and they are showing 11.5v, the tank battery is just recharged so should be ok. The lights flash on the tank but no start up despite changing the transmitter and receiver, it's a mystery. Next is to change the RX18 board for one out of my tiger but that's such a pain to strip the tiger just to find out whether the rx18 is working... still that's all I'm left with. Alwyn

Greets Alwyn...have you tried pulling out and replacing the crystals...sometimes those babies loose contact ....pulling them out and sticking them back will sometimes clear whatever corrosion or dirt may have built up on the leads

If that doesn't work..switching to a 2.4 rig would be a vast improvement...you will be surprised at how much space you gain


Take care Alwyn

ALPHA

[AlwynTurner]

Thanks Alpha, I've fiddling with the crystals to no effect. I've got a 2.4g HL tx and rx, I just need to get them to talk to each other and give them a try. The space would be a great plus as things are really tight in the back of that tank! Alwyn

[ALPHA]

Thanks Alpha, I've fiddling with the crystals to no effect. I've got a 2.4g HL tx and rx, I just need to get them to talk to each other and give them a try. The space would be a great plus as things are really tight in the back of that tank! Alwyn

Are the TX battery polarities in the right direction ....are they snug in the compartment....does the light on the TX come on? On the 2.4 ...do you have the binding button??

ALPHA

[AlwynTurner]

Progress report - I managed to get the electronics working and suspect a dodgy battery in the tank was responsible, as I charged up a new battery, connected everything, and it worked - much relief.
Finally finished and painted the gun. The gunsights and elevation mechanism were a lot of 'fun' but it helped having the 1/35 model to refer to.






Now to work on the mantlet and tank exterior before getting stuck into the cab area.

[AlwynTurner]

More progress on the exterior, just waiting for delivery of some hex section styrene rod for the bolt heads. I ordered it ten days ago but the dratted supplier sent it 2nd class and the post office have either lost it or gone into a coma! I'll just have to prime the completed bits and start on the cab while I wait.



Now for the primer paint.

[AlwynTurner]

Well nearly finished. Some minor things still to do, tools to mount on rear, ammo to load, crew to paint, sticking gun slew to fix, another coat of paint and lacquer, but otherwise looking like an M7. I used Woz's suggestion on the diamond checkerplate with milliput and diamond mesh and it worked great. It also had the advantage of being able to impress joints into the millput as well (and also cost nothing but the milliput).






Should be at the MAD meeting tomorrow to give it a run.