RC Tank Warfare community hobby forum

Winter has just begun officially down here. Ist day..........
On the Gold Coast its almost warm enough to use our pool, my Mum in New Zealand is shivering !!....
Sure is a nice backdrop to a magnificent model Mr Cq11 and I'm sure you deserve a cold Corona and a dip once you get the paint on this

Hi,

Here is a quick status on the painting job.

It is Work In Progress but it provides a good preview of how it is going to look like.
Regards, Louis

Beautifully designed Louis I compliment your work

The amount of Detail you put into this is astonishing and it is still fully rc, crazy cool.

Thank you,

I am almost there, I can feel it.

Some more finishing work today. Side view. I was sure I had Bundeswehr markings in my inventory but sadly I do not. I had to order a set and it will take a week or two to get them.
The model is sporting its demonstration Diehl tracks, good for demo and some trial only, just too fragile. Just noticed my M26 running track set are too short and I will need to buy another set to extend them. The sprockets will also need work to adapt to the Leopard gearbox shaft.
Front view. Despite all my precautions, I lost the lens for the headlights during the building and will need to procure new ones.
Interior is complete. I am glad its over. It was quite a challenge.
Turret still has minor details to paint.
Next big step is to install and configure the TK-60, speaker and finalize all the wiring, lots of them, big job. Although everything was tested during construction, I really hope all components still works as planned.
Regards, Louis

Man Louis that rear hatch opened looks so damn realistic I'd swear it's full scale. You are one talented builder

Hi,

This is the installation of the electronics.

It took a couple of hours to sort out the wiring and test everything before soldering and final placement.
- Clark TK60 requiring 8 channels, I had to reconfigure the channels and switches
- Rear ramp opening
- Rear machine gun horizontal movement
- Headlights, tail lights and interior lights
- Main and auxiliary machine guns
- HL Engines
- HL speaker and Volume switch
- Battery and on/off switch
- Flysky 10 channel remote
I had to redo the flasher on the rear machine gun. The original 3mm LED was not enough powerful to my liking. I installed a 5mm LED with a bigger fiber.
Looks better now. All fit in perfectly. Notice there is no smoker, I never liked these.
System testing started
20mm cannon
Rear 7.62mm MG-3 machine gun
Ramp, rear lights, interior lights and turret rotation
Here is a YOUTUBE video of System integration testing.

https://youtu.be/l73snokWFDg

Next step is engine and running tests.

Regards, Louis

Hi,

Here is a YouTube video from the engine and running trial of the Marder. Everything is going well. I could improve a few things but the model is basically over, done, finito. I installed a few more items yesterday, such as the mirrors and some turret details. I was planning to put a figure in the turret but I realize the design and position of the hatch with the gun next to it does not allow for the regular upright standing Bundeswehr figure I had purchase. To be standing through the hatch, the commander needs to bend his torso to the right, so I closed the hatch.

I will wait for the decals to arrive and installed before I do a final photo shoot outside.

Running trials VIDEO

https://youtu.be/pMF31ei93Xs

Regards, Louis

If anyone was given the 'take the bar to the next level' crown...you have taken it. This is a masterpiece of modelling.

Hi everyone,

Thank you for watching this build and for all your encouragements. The model is finished.

I proudly present the final photo shoot of the build. This was a very challenging model and I am happy with the results.

25 pictures to follow on 3 posts.

Regards, Louis