RC Tank Warfare community hobby forum

Hi Guys,
recently i purchased an old unmade Tamiya panther kit. No original box, but all the parts were there and most still sealed in their bags.
Well, I have just about finished the build but have struck a problem. The plastic track do not mesh nicely with the drive sprockets. Sometimes the drive sprocket teeth fit but then as it runs they seem too tight a fit for the holes in the track and so slip past them. I have done the correct track tensions but it still occurs with slack or tight tracks.
Now, I have searched the internet and found that some early Tamiya panthers had track issues. Tamiya said that it was the sprockets that did not match the correct design specs. At the time they offered a fix, shim washers. However, i have not been able to find out anything more.
Is it a thin washer between the two halves of the drive sprocket ? ( most likely ) or a washer between the drive shaft and the sprocket ? ( making the drive sprocket further out from the hull )
Secondly, how thick would these tamiya shim washers be.

Oh yes, and i do know that aftermarket metal tracks would solve this, BUT the cost of getting them in Australia is quite substantial so i would like to fix what i already have.

Any of your help would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers Steve

https://www.tamiyausa.com/articles/1-16 ... qxTVLacZR5
This is Tamiya's solution.
Here's a discussion on Richard's (Silver Surfer's) build thread describing the problem:
viewtopic.php?f=21&t=18887&hilit=Tamiya ... G&start=60

Failing memory being what it is; I may be remembering this incorrectly; but I thought the needed shim was the same one that Tamiya uses inside the differential of their 1/14 semi trucks. If that is the case, (let's investigate and try to find out if that's correct or not), I can send you a couple from my spare truck parts. -Mike

The answer is buy a new pair of sprockets from axels or buy some metal tracks.

Or even, buy a set of Impact sprockets from Mitosal - SOON - as they're getting out of the tank parts business.

Son of a gun-ner wrote:Going on what Dave Morris said in the build thread Mr 43rdRecceReg shared the link to, there is a possibility 0.5 washers/spacers may be too thick. Have you thought about trying these?
https://www.tbirdslotracing.com.au/nsr- ... s-x-0-25mm

How good would that be if they work? Alternatives are Armchairracer or Slotshop in Sydney or Melbourne Model Raceways.

Hi Guys,
Firstly I would like to thank everyone for their input and help. I know my reply is a bit late , but I decided to paint my panther while waiting for some shims to arrive. Now that its back together I have taken all the advice onboard and have started with 0.5mm x 12x5 shim washers. These are too thick , as was suggested, so I stepped down to 0.4 mm , and then 0.3mm. These , along with a drive sprocket manicure have helped but now I am going to try 0.2 and 0.15 to de if this is better.
Again, thanks for all your suggestions and I will let you know what works and post some pictures in due course.
Cheers Steve


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hi fella. i had the same problem on my first tamiya panther when i got metal tracks it was worse so i filed down the backs of the sprockets and works fine now.