snollan

Using the body clips and a lack of tools on it I would say it is a 56001 Version of the Sherman. In the model database section/manual scans... you can see that Tamiya changed the body mounting system after this model.

So it looks like a june release date then.. both the Hooben and the KV1. Time to hit the overtime.

Panther you are so right. I know people like tanks from other companies but nothing beats a good full option tamiya tank. I wonder if the motherland markings will be painted or decal... Strike that -I am excited to paint the figure using my new set of water colors.

I was looking at getting a panzer next but I might need to save up for this thing. My goal is to have my tamiya tank collection complete sometime late next year.

OMG -wow A russian 1:16 tank from tamiya. I am very very excited what is the release dates.

Congrats to the winners and everyone else- fantastic photos.

IMO bearings will help with general wear and tear over the life of the model. Plus going back and adding bearings later could be a really big task. Other than that your plan sounds great and should be a really fun build.

There is a link in the FAQ section from tamiya.com with that shows how to setup the sherman for 4ch use.

IT does not really matter if tamiya is tops or not. IMPACT and companies like IMPACT fill the gap for providing us ways to make our non-fulloption tanks and other tanks -battle ready with sound. Other than the Panther, Tamiya has come out with some great tanks -but- has refused to come out with some other ones (see T34). With IMPACTs products, I can take another companies tank and put it on par with my current ones for a decent price.

I like what I see so far -congrats! How does the new battle unit handle multiple hits? IE I shoot a sherman but the tiger behind it takes a hit too. Thank you, Sean

I think I am going to mist on a little bit of German Grey in that area. Wash the tank using the DAK watercolor method -the final bit will involved some Dullcoat. Fingers crossed.

Updated Photos. I am happy with the overall results of the weathering. However I am not happy with the back end of the turret.

Tamiya 1:14 Trucks and Tanks is to us what Lionel Trains were in the past. Some people may wonder why we drive a FROG, HORNET, or HOTSHOT but to us it is part of the hobby that is RC cars. The same holds true for 1:14 trucks. The joy is in making something to scale that sounds and runs like its 1:1 sibling.

Thank you. I feel like my post shading came out way too thick. -BUT- as I learned with my King Tiger the next two steps really go a long way to blend it in.

Just a quick update. My Tiger is built and the base coat is painted. Now it is time to do some post shading. Next I will dull out the thick post shading lines by using a light misting of paint as a filter. http://jackburton.smugmug.com/gallery/6723...429334291_8PWwY

A Bit of History, Some Other Info, and Random Bits -By Stefan(2) * In the manual for the Tiger 1, it is written you need 2x 7,2v battery pack. Now, when you use a high capacity pack 3800mha or more, you dont need that. The manual is from the 1200mha capacity era. One good pack will do just fine. * A lot of guys buy metal track for there tanks, do i have to do that? No.. it is more for show than anything else, fact is, the stock Tamiya ones give You better grip on a slippery surface, and dont overload your gearbox. Gearbox failures rarely happen with tanks with stock Tamiya tracks. Without the metal tracks, your battery pack will last longer to. But, keep in mind, the plastic tracks do wear down quick when driving on the street Or rough surface. * When fitting metal tracks, it is not uncommon that you need to fit new drive sprockets And front guide wheels that come with the metal tracks. Keep this in mind when you shop for parts. So, for the paint job, and, if you already planning to use metal tracks anyway, it is not Unwise to fit them at first build to prevent colour differences. * Is my Tamiya battle system compatible with a other brand battle system ( like, Heng Long ) No, it is not.. But, there are retro-fit kits for Heng Longs to make them compatible. * I like to have some other crew members on my tank or some static show bits. What can i use ? Verlinden 120mm ( aka superscale ) is a close match, 1:18 from 21th century is also a very Close to the Tamiya 1/16. * Can i use Spektrum 2.4ghz radio gear on the full option tanks, like the DX6 or DX7. Yes, you can, you do lose start-up sound, but all other functions work perfect. * Did you know, that Tamiyas first RC model was a Sherman tank, ( and, not that Porsche 58001 ) * Did you know, that there is also a vintage odd duck, the 1/25 panther in the Tamiya line. * Did you know, that there is also a 1/35 scale rc series, as small brothers of the 1/16 line. * Did you know, that there also where cable controlled versions of some tanks in the early years. ( and that they had plastic tracks , against the vintage rc metal tracked ones ) * Did you know, that the first re-released model was the Flakpanzer Gepard * Did you know, that all 1/16 have static brothers, that they are the same but only missing the full option gear. And, that is is very uneconomical to go from a static version to a full option version. * Did you know, that from the Sherman there was also a onboard computer controllable version. * Did you know, you can drive your neighbours fully insane with the sound of a Tiger at 08:00 on Sunday morning. * Did you know, that for the Sherman, Tamiya selling a aluminium 76mm firefly barrel conversion, but that they forgot that it is a entire different turret & undercarriage on the 1:1 tank. * Did you know, that the full option tanks are not designed to drive in the mud or wet. Stay away from branches or grass also, unless you enjoy rebuilding road wheels. ( really.. they dont like it )

Some building tips regarding the Leopard 2A6 -By Stefan(2) * The latest 7,2v battery packs are a little oversized for the battery holder, There are several ways to make it fit. First remove the end-caps from your racing pack. Good chance it still will not fit, now.. before you mount the battery holder in the tank Adjust (Dremel it to size) , when that base plate it mounted on the tank, it is a uneasy task To adjust the size later on. do it before you fit it into place? . * The track tension is one of those problem childs with Tamiya tanks, the 2A6 is not any different. Adjusting or remodelling it later on will result in a total teardown of the tank, so at first build, It is highly recommend that you use a aftermarket track tension kit. * Dont use plastic glue to fit the shock absorbers or guide wheels of the track, it wont hold. Use zap-e-dap-goo or fit them with screws, if you dont do that, big chance that your first Test drive will result in broken parts. The power of the twin 540 size motors is not kind on small plastic parts. * My optional GBU ( gun barrel stabiliser ) is to slow.. Truth is, it is just a modified helicopter gyro It is a nice little expensive option, but in stock form does not perform well. It is just to slow. Solution, replace the stock gun barrel servo with a high power servo. Depending on the servo used, you might need to make some modifications. For a proper fit. * Panic! I have just build my gearbox, and there is a gear/sprocket left in the box! Correct... they added a extra one, you did not make a building mistake. Relax.....

Which Tank is Best For You -Stefan(2) I want to buy and build my first Tamiya tank, what model should i pick? Of course , depending your personal taste, pick the one you like. But, regarding building not all of the Tanks are the same. A easy build is the Tiger 1, lots of space, not many details parts to mess up. Just pay attention with the road wheels. Jagdpanther, even more easy, as you dont have the turret rotation to worry about, Straight forward build, do some research what version you like to do, there are some Options to pick in the build. Pershing, solid piece of armour, one of the most heavy ones to in the series. But, you need some skills to get the turret rotation to work, there are many Pershing Tanks out the that have a non-rotating turret. By some kind of strange way, the engine sound is one of the best in the series. The drive train, especially the track tension system is not that reliable. Leopard 2A6, the ber budget unfriendly kit, a very complex tank to build. Dont expect to finish it in a couple of days. Not recommend to build as your first tank , but.. it can be done, not impossible at all. For example, you can easy spend a day on only the smoke pod system. But, a high tech model of Tamiya, and the sound... it is loud ! The entire new design has also a big benefit, it is a real to drive tank, full ball bearings, And a gearbox designed to last. If you want to build box art, prepare for a airbrush job or find somebody to do it for you. You have to pay close attention to the electrical wiring, or your top turret cover will Not fit proper. The Sherman, maybe next to the Tiger the most historical famous tank, the most budget friendly one to. Lots of space inside for the wires, and you can control it all with 3 channels. Fairly lightweight, good for a long runtime on a battery pack. Detail parts are straight forward. At this moment, there are some aftermarket modification sets for sale to make it a different type of Sherman. So in short: Easy build, big tank , nice to drive, pick the Jagdpanther You are on a budget, but really want to start tank driving, pick the Sherman You got cash to splash, like to tear down your backyard, weeks of building fun, Leopard 2A6 You need a building challenge, and like to hunt those Tiger tanks? The Pershing.

Is that 1:48 scale, tiger 731 - those early front skirts are nice.

Thanks - I am looking at Tiger 331 SpzAbt 503. Everyone goes with 332 off the Tamiya decals but I noticed in the photo 331 is almost identical except they have tracks next to the front machine gun.

This is a neat website where they help ID and place different German armor. Some of it is in German, some written in English. I find these guys detective skills to be amazing. http://www.tiif.de/index.php?sid=a5b7feef2...3e71c633bb78901

Thanks for the heads up - I did not know that.

Great write up thank you very much. Mind if I add this to the FAQ?

Retroman, what about going the 2.4GHZ route? You could look into the Spektrum DX6 -I got mine for $89USD off ebay. http://cgi.ebay.com/SPEKTRUM-SPM24601-DX6-...A1%7C240%3A1318 Some of the tank guys are using it It has 6Ch and 10 model memory. Just a thought.

Mind if I add that to the Tip section of the FAQ