Tank Newb from New Zealand

[berman]

Hey guys, long time lurker first time poster.

My name is Neil and figured it would be wise to join up with all the helpful information I have read
on this amazing site so far. I am by no means new to RC, and currently have over 30 vehicles, but this is my first venture into the world of tanks.

I have a couple of full option tractor trucks (and a 1/5 scale baja) and thoroughly enjoyed building them, and I have been told that the meca of kitset RC building is in the tanks, so I have a Tamiya Leopard 2a6
on its way. I have already ordered and received the remaining bearings, an Impact idle tensioner set, and a new Futaba 4ywd 2.4ghz radio. I would like to get the AFV MG3 also.

I've built a few static models in my time but my painting is limited to rattle cans and basic brushing etc.

I would welcome any advice with regards to the Leopard and also with painting and finishing, as I realise tanks are a far different kettle of fish to colouring and clear coating of a standard styrene plastic RC, and I would like to achieve a satisfactory result.

Thank you all in advance and looking forward to my stay here

Regards Neil

[PainlessWolf]

Good Morning,
Welcome to the Forum. The folks on here are the most knowledgeable around when it comes to Armor and the RC of it. Enjoy your stay!
regards,
Painless Wolf

[jarndice]

Hallo Neil, Welcome to the Forum, Question, just as summer is about to start in your country you have decided to spend it indoors building Tanks? This confirms what I always new about the people in our hobby, totally cracked! As to painting you will not go far wrong if you scroll down to TIPS & TRICKS and select PAINTING & WEATHERING, And do get yourself an airbrush and compressor they are quite cheap on E-BAY and it really does make all the difference, you will find decent tutorials on YOU-TUBE in spraying with an airbrush and we can look foreward to photographs of your Leo in the near? future. Continue enjoying the Forum and ASK all the questions you want. shaun

[Red Devils]

Welcome to the forum Neil, enjoy that new Leo 2A6, it's a great little runner.

Derek

[dgsselkirk]

Welcome Neil,

You have come to the right place for any advice you need... I am also eyeing the new Leo and if I go ahead obviously will be in CDN colours!

[berman]

Thank you guy's for the warm welcome I really appreciate it!

Eastern front and dgsselkirk, I look forward to seeing your Canadian Leopards!

Jarndice: I figure the best time to build my first tank is as soon as I can get my grubby little mitts on one No but you are right, we are in spring now and it is warming up, so hopefully nice weather once I decide to paint. But you are right, I am absolutely crackers!

I have already spent most of my time on here in the painting and weathering section, I would like to buy an airbrush and compressor but not sure what to go for, or whether I should get a decent one first off as I expect to do more RC airbrushing in the future...

I really like the Leopard, it is a beautiful MBT and supossedly the best to build, but to be honest my first choice was the tiger 1, because of its history and that gorgeous crank start up sound also it was quite a bit cheaper, but my LHS offered to import me the Leopard (as I first considered it too expensive) for a price that was cheaper than I could import a tiger 1 for! Talk about customer service! So I am very lucky!

Well at least you lot know what my next tank will be... and please dont tell me there wont be another, how many of you have ONE tank? haha


Thank you to everyone else who posted!

Regards
Neil

[Panther Ausf G]

Hi berman.
Welcome to the forum. Enjoy your build and playtime.

[berman]

Thank you Panther!

I now have in my hot little hands the huge box of the Leopard!

I have just read through all the booklets included with the tank. My goodness this is nothing like a tractor truck or any other RC etc!
It is like a giant static model with lots of glued parts etc! Speaking of glue, what is the best glue to use for the rubber cement?


I have spent some time looking through the Painting an Weathering forum, but am still at a loss...
Do I fork out $$$ on an airbrush setup? And which one? Airbrush with acrylic or rattle can with enamel?
I doubt one could get the Nato Brown and Black camo pattern's with cans of Tamiya TS paint.

It is a little daunting, I know I can build it, but I want to finish it to a high standard.

Also has anyone used a Futaba 4YWD 2.4ghz with a Tamiya tank? I know it wont work on my tractor trucks.


Any help or advice (or links if I haven't searched properly) appreciated

Cheers
Neil

[PainlessWolf]

Good Morning,
Ahhhh! I can almost smell the new plastic and metal from here. ;o) Enjoy your build, Neil and be sure to take lots of pictures and put them in a thread for us to ogle over.
regards,
Painless Wolf

[blimp]

Hiya Neil , Welcome ! - An airbrush setup can be had cheaply , have a look on Evilbay for beauty product's , compressor/airbrush's are cheap - O.K. made in China probably , but you can cut your teeth with 'em so to speak and get something better quality later if you want