Panzer iV gearbox options... again..

[43rdRecceReg]

Having looked at a few threads that touch on Panzer 4, including the Waltersons brass box discussion and other knotty issues, I'm still unclear about the best drive options for iv models...and specifically for my Asiatam based Pz 1v project. I hope this will wake the Panzer luminaries up, and prompt an outpouring of collective wisdom..( a 'cascade' in the bu**sh*t business speak my former local government colleagues steeped themselves in..)
I got a cd (fairly useless) and a few duplicated parts (really useless) with my Asiatam package. Those intrepid Panzer Pioneers who have gone before and felt the pain have, in some instances it seems, received the metal chassis with gearboxes already fitted. Now Asiatam don't even offer drives that fit the metal chassis Andrew Haya offers a cheapo HL plastic job that may do the job; but that would be a bit like wearing patched jeans underneath a top hat and tails.... Before I take the plunge with Dave (Forgebear Dave) and his competitively priced 5:1 Taigen premium 111 low profile motors (the Asiatam will only accept low profile), has anyone here ever tried to lever these (Taigen) gears into a Panzer 4? They're meant for the Tiger 1 and the Panzer 111/Stug, but I note that Andrew's budget box is meant to fit the P3 and P4. This suggests
P3 and P4 transmissions are similar enough to be interchangeable ? ..I'm waiting to be contradicted here..
Also, does the Pz iV require long or short drive shafts? I have nae a clue....
Cheers, and ta for any help chaps

[43rdRecceReg]

Think I'll take the plunge anyway..
but here's a contented Pz 4 fan attacking a golf course with his his Taigen Pz4, shod with a satisfyingly clanky Waltersons 5:1 brass gearbox unit ! ...

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[jarndice]

If you decide to fit Driveshaft support bearings you will discover two things of interest,
First, The Asiatam Metal Hull is predrilled for the bearings and Conversely, Two, The Asiatam supplied Transmission covers are too cramped to go over the Bearings,!!!
You now have an interesting problem, Do you open out the transmission covers with your Dremel to take the Bearings?
Do you leave the Transmission covers off?
Or perhaps you would like to fit the Bearings on the inside of the Hull,? If you do you may find the Gearbox output shaft is now too short to allow the Sprocket to clear the Transmission cover.
So your original choice of Gearbox using short shafts might instead need to be long shafts,
With all this in mind a dry run using all parts concerned is ESSENTIAL.
I found that using a pin Vise and a "Rolson" Tap and die set the Gearbox plate is relatively easy to drill and put new mounting points in place for whatever gearbox you decide to fit.
Ain't it fun, Sorry about the smudges, Its the tears of frustration.
I am extraordinarily grateful to Asiatam,
They have finally driven me to drink
Shaun.

[43rdRecceReg]

If you decide to fit Driveshaft support bearings you will discover two things of interest,
First, The Asiatam Metal Hull is predrilled for the bearings and Conversely, Two, The Asiatam supplied Transmission covers are too cramped to go over the Bearings,!!!
You now have an interesting problem, Do you open out the transmission covers with your Dremel to take the Bearings?
Do you leave the Transmission covers off?
Or perhaps you would like to fit the Bearings on the inside of the Hull,? If you do you may find the Gearbox output shaft is now too short to allow the Sprocket to clear the Transmission cover.
So your original choice of Gearbox using short shafts might instead need to be long shafts,
With all this in mind a dry run using all parts concerned is ESSENTIAL.
I found that using a pin Vise and a "Rolson" Tap and die set the Gearbox plate is relatively easy to drill and put new mounting points in place for whatever gearbox you decide to fit.
Ain't it fun, Sorry about the smudges, Its the tears of frustration.
I am extraordinarily grateful to Asiatam,
They have finally driven me to drink
Shaun.

Panzer paradoxes eh?....only one solution ...Hic...Cheers

[Max-U52]

Greetings, Highlander. My Panzer IV is the Imex/Taigen model TAG12097 and I was told I had to have low profile gearboxes for that, too, but that turned out to be inaccurate. This tank has four shaft high/low steel/ball-bearing gearboxes (TAG14010S) and they dropped right in and she runs just great. It's still on stock electronics but it's a great runner and very easy to drive. It's a pretty good little tank right out of the box, but I plan to make it a great little tank. So far I've added metal sprockets/idlers and metal roadwheels w/rubber tires, but I've only just begun (it came with metal tracks). I have the hatch kit, better metal headlights and the metal tool set, but I doubt I'll do all the hatches. I mainly want one on the deck to access the smoker, as I don't plan to give this tank a lift-off top.

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I can't say if these gearboxes will fit the asiatam tank. Does that have a metal upper hull? I'm really looking forward to seeing photos of yours. Again, I can't say for sure for the asiatam, but the Imex/Taigen uses the short shaft (48mm) gearboxes.

[Max-U52]

And how's Midgie? Nancy had to have a rabies shot yesterday. He was not pleased at all, but on the whole he wasn't too bad about it. For a cat. He even let the vet look in the bad ear and we have to call the University of Michigan School of Veterinary Medicine to see if we can get this polyp removed. And since we had the proper paperwork we were able to get a three year rabies vaccine so that was cool. Way better than having to go through the pet carrier thing every year.

[43rdRecceReg]

Hi,Gary
Luckily- so far anyway-dogs and cats don't need anti-rabies jabs in the UK, as these islands are, unlike the rest of Europe,rabies-free. That said, someone died a few years ago of rabies after being bitten by a bat. At least, that was the cover story.. There had been rumours of a tall, aristocratic, aquiline- featured guy lurking in the area. He had a marked Transylvanian accent, and only appeared at night ..
Midgie has a slight limp lately, and I thought was was taking the p**s out of my persistent lameness!. Hope it's not the onset of canine arthritis (for her, not me..)
That Taigen tank is a real beaut. I've seen it listed on rctank.de's website, where it is painted to perfection in 'Winter Airbrush' garb, or a special three tone camo, there's also a dunkelgrau offering. But, having started with the Asiatam chassis, I shall just have to improvise- if need be, as Shaun and others have. Quite why, Asiatam state that the chassis must have low profile transmissions, I won't know, until the units I've ordered from Forgebear turn up.
Then I'll also get a clearer notion of where and how to fit shaft supports.. Necessity: the mother of invention, eh?
Hope all is well with you, and your remaining companions. The hollow left in your life when one passes, is the size of the universe: Infinite
If I had access to a lathe, I'd seriously consider milling some copper/brass bushes myself.But I haven't- not yet, anyway.

[43rdRecceReg]

Greetings, Highlander. My Panzer IV is the Imex/Taigen model TAG12097 and I was told I had to have low profile gearboxes for that, too, but that turned out to be inaccurate. This tank has four shaft high/low steel/ball-bearing gearboxes (TAG14010S) and they dropped right in and she runs just great. It's still on stock electronics but it's a great runner and very easy to drive. It's a pretty good little tank right out of the box, but I plan to make it a great little tank. So far I've added metal sprockets/idlers and metal roadwheels w/rubber tires, but I've only just begun (it came with metal tracks). I have the hatch kit, better metal headlights and the metal tool set, but I doubt I'll do all the hatches. I mainly want one on the deck to access the smoker, as I don't plan to give this tank a lift-off top.

phpBB [video]

I can't say if these gearboxes will fit the asiatam tank. Does that have a metal upper hull? I'm really looking forward to seeing photos of yours. Again, I can't say for sure for the asiatam, but the Imex/Taigen uses the short shaft (48mm) gearboxes.

Hey, Gary nice shots of a very desirable wee tankie thing. But (he says..rubbing his eyes in disbelief...) is that Bugs Bunny in the turret commanding it? Nah, having looked again, it looks a bit like a wee siamese cat..

[Max-U52]

Aye, that's a KC in the cupola (Kitty Commander) and he's close enough that if I ever get around to painting him I think I can make a reasonable facsimile of my beloved Nancy.

If I had a blueprint I could turn some bushings.

I hope you'll post lots of photos when you do the asiatam PzIV. I'm very interested in the metal lower, as I think Imex may be looking into a tank based on that. I'll have to ask Erik about that. But for now this Taigen PzIV is a really nice little tank. As long as you don't add a lift off top and ALWAYS put all eight screws back in the bottom it acts like a uni-body car and the box shape really adds strength. That's another reason I'll only install one hatch on the deck, so I don't lose that strength by chopping big holes in it.

I think I'd wait to see how it performs without axle supports before I do all that work. I really don't think my little taigen needs them.

Hope Midgie's limp clears up, and it really is great to know she's otherwise in good health and spirits.