Code501

Hi guys,

I'm currently looking for some info on the Tamiya Tiger I Full Option and Tamiya King Tiger Full Option kits prior to purchasing them. I'm hoping you guys can answer my questions, as these will be my first Tamiya tanks. Both Tamiya Battle Units are already on their way!

For the Tamiya 56010 Tiger I Early kit; The upgrades I've seen already are:
-Idler Support Bearings Schumo TI0025 (https://www.axels-modellbau-shop.de/...nsionarms.html)
-3:1 Gear down Schumo ZUH19 (https://www.axels-modellbau-shop.de/...w-version.html)
-Metal Elevation Arm (https://www.dklmrc.com/[DK]_Metal_barrel_elevator_arm_for_116_Tamiya_Tanks/p2389473_11823219.aspx)
-Metal Gear Box Brace (https://www.dklmrc.com/product/tiger%20i%20brace)

Also, where can I get an aluminum gun barrel for the Tamiya Tiger I, which is compatible with the Aber Early muzzle break (16L-08)? Ebay?

For the Tamiya 56018 King Tiger kit; The upgrades I've seen already are:
-Idler Upgrade Schumo KT0014AL (https://www.axels-modellbau-shop.de/...aluminium.html)
-Modified Idler Axles Schumo KT0033 (https://www.axels-modellbau-shop.de/...ing-tiger.html)
-Bigger Turret Rollers Schumo ZUH30 (https://www.axels-modellbau-shop.de/...panther-g.html)
-Drive Shaft Support Schumo KT0027AL (https://www.axels-modellbau-shop.de/...l-bearing.html)
-3:1 Gear down Schumo ZUH19 (https://www.axels-modellbau-shop.de/...w-version.html)
-Metal Elevation Arm (https://www.dklmrc.com/[DK]_Metal_barrel_elevator_arm_for_116_Tamiya_Tanks/p2389473_11823219.aspx)
-Metal Gear Box Brace (https://www.dklmrc.com/[DK]_Metal_Gear_Box_Brace_for_116_Tamiya_King_Tiger_56 017/p2389473_11639987.aspx)

What further upgrades do you guys suggest to make them good all around IR battlers?

cleong

The King Tiger requires heaps more upgrades than the Tiger I as it is of an older design. Its plastic tracks are weaker and has to be replaced in pairs. Track tensioners are from the 70s and not really very good. Most people opt for the Henntec tensioner system.

You might want to pass on the aluminium barrel as it does nothing except stress your elevation gearbox racheting system, although in the Tamiya Tiger 131 variant it comes with an aluminium as well as kit plastic barrel. The metal elevation arm is a nice-to-have upgrade on both tanks.

Generally speaking for geardowns it depends on the play-style. Both tanks are unrealistically quick out of the box, but may prove useful during IR battles. The tradeoff is that you lose your mobility towards the end of your hit counts as the control unit chops torque to the motors. The geardowns help to bring some of that mobility back.

The Tiger I is a tank that is very easy to work on, big hull spaces and large access panels. I recommend it as a first tank over the King Tiger. Skip the King Tiger and go for the Panther if you desire something looking more sleek.

1qaz

Hi Cleong,
After reading your post above it sounds like there is a big difference between 1/16th Tamiya tank kits. I remember as a kid I built a bunch of the 1/35th scale Tamiya kits and was always impressed with the amount of detail and working parts. My wife & I wanted to try the the 1/16th IR tank thing so we put together the Tamiya Sherman for a first effort and I was kinda disappointed in the level of detail and lack of simple things like hatches that open.
I had an interest in building the King Tiger but after reading your post I am getting "cold feet" about that kit and the fact that you say it requires a bunch of upgrades. I would really like to hear what you your experiences are with the Tamiya Panther, is it a better more up to date model that some of the others? Our little Sherman seems to run really good in it's box stock condition, but we have only had it Danville once and then we only ran it a couple of short battles so time will tell I guess.
Larry

Jeff489

My Feedback: (12)

I've been battling my full option Tamiya King tiger since 2006. Probably has 1000 hours of battle run time on it, as it is one of my favorites. Here's my 2 cents.

The only upgrade I consider conditionally "necessary" is a fix for the stock tracks which are a bit temperamental and can break in soil that's got any rocks or pebbles in it. If you don't want problems with track breakage in those situations, upgrade to metal tracks. If you go metal tracks, it is necessary to upgrade your idler system, as the stock idler system can't keep the metal tracks properly tensioned due to their increased mass. Several systems out there, but I use ETO Armor's spring loaded idler system, and my KT can push marble sized rocks between the idlers and the tracks no problem.

The modified idler axle I've never used or needed.

Turret rollers are a nice upgrade...not really needed (turret traverses fine stock) but they do keep the turret up off the upper hull, and save the paint from getting scratched from traversing the turret.

Gear downs are more realistic at speed, but not good for battling. You'll be a sitting duck. You want your tank to operate at scale max road speed, so don't do anything to slow it down.

Gearbox brace is mutually exclusive of the drive shaft support bearings. They both do the same thing. One or the other.

Something you didn't mention but has always been the best money spent on tanks for me is a new gearbox. I really like the ones from ETO. Big, powerful, and smooth. A very good investment.

Recommend you stay away from metal muzzle brakes, as they increase the mass of the barrel, and the added inertia will eventually destroy your elevation unit.

Code501

Gentleman, thank you for your answers.

Cleong:
The aluminum barrel is a feature I like personally and I would hate it if I saw visible seams from joining the plastic halves (Which I'm totally inept at removing).

Looking at the manual of the King Tiger, it doesn't seem to be that difficult of a build. I have some experience from building my Hooben Elefant, Metal Origins Puma and SdKfz 251/22 from Ludwig. The Tiger I I want to build is my own take on Tiger 131 with the K parts etc.... The Tiger I is also the one that will receive Clark TK60 electronics and Tamiya Battle Unit with my own custom soundset. The King Tiger will be left with stock DMD T-03 and MF-01. I also plan on getting a Panther II and Panther D from Ludwig, so no worries there.

Jeff489:
Funny that you mention the track issue, I'm well aware of that fact as the stock track is open pin. I have an idea to try the Heng Long King Tiger tracks, as they seem to have more 'meat' around the pins (but still not completely closed pin). I'm later going to upgrade to the Late war metal tracks with the 18 tooth sprocket.

With the gear down I think I'll rather see for myself first. This option might perform adequate enough for my liking. Another TU can always be bought later if need be (And after I have recovered financially lol).

I'll think about the muzzle brake, as I haven't had any issue yet with the added mass in my other tanks. (which aren't Tamiyas)

cleong

Looks like you've already broken your first-tank duck. As you can see I have a number of tanks in my collection. The Tiger is my oldest tank, yet it is my go-to when nothing else is working or ready for use. This is despite that, IR-wise it is disadvantaged compared to later tanks using clip-on emitters; due to the mantlet IR mounting position, the gun barrel creates a rather large shadow. Also, its mounted quite far back compared to contemporary clip-on emitters, or muzzle-brake mounted emitters. You will lose IR spread and range. The upside is that it is simply fun to drive, it can run twin 7.2v packs which give better run time but more importantly higher ground pressure, which improves traction in certain situations (on turf for example), along with those big, broad tracks. It is unrealistically fast for a heavy tank, but means I can scoot around at a good clip, both motors and gearboxes are stock. As I mentioned earlier, its dead easy to fix the tank as everything is easily accessible.

Later models of the Tiger I (read: Tiger 131) will come with four opening hatches.The King Tiger and the Panther are similar in that they only have opening commander's and loader's hatches on the turret. The hull hatches do not open. The King Tiger comes with a cupola MG34; neither the Tiger nor the Panther has machine gun.

You can either buy the tank you like, or buy a good battler. The Panther has great gun depression that lets it exploit hull-down positions on the slopes and knolls of the Danville battlefield (yes, slope defense actually works!). I guess you're more mechanically-inclined and less wanting to deal with putty and sculpting the seams off a plastic barrel. I have rolled the Panther several times as it is narrower, though.