RE: Another T-55 build/review
Before showing all the build pics this is my analysis of some potential problems to watch for and some good points about the kit:
Potential problems and things to watch out for:
1. Sprockets need to have a one-way interlock guide as it is possible to misalign 90 degrees out of alignment.
2. Sprocket shaft: set screws for collar and shaft do not line up well.
3. All the roadwheels needed some work with the dremel to get the e-clip retainers to not bind when clipped on the axel.
4. The preassembled recoil gearbox had to be rebuilt and shaved in some places as gears meshed too tightly causing binding even with 7.2V applied. Some shim washers were needed for alignment. After rebuild it was driven with 1.5V.
5. The preassembled elevation gearbox had to be rebuilt and shaved in some places as gears meshed too tightly causing binding even with 7.2V. Some shim washers were needed for alignment. After rebuild it was driven with 1.5V.
6. The preassembled turret rotation gearbox had to be rebuilt and shaved in some places as gears meshed too tightly causing binding even with 7.2V. Some shim washers were needed for alignment. After rebuild it was driven with 1.5V.
7. Some parts sprues and hull had to be washed to remove residual oil.
8. The cast metal idler adjust had to be bored slightly to accept the idler wheel axel.
9. One of the articulating arms of the damper assembly had a tapped hole instead of bored hole.
10. Sprues A and C (about half the detail parts) were poorly molded having many misshapen parts, flash and voids in parts. Some parts had to be reconstructed from styrene. Many identifier numbers on these two sprues were missing or mismolded making parts identification difficult.
11. Most keyed parts do not fit well as the tabs were either too big or the keyed holes were flashed over or too small.
12. Hooben repeats Tamiya’s useless 3-bearing hull top turret race design and makes it more difficult to install.
13. The idler wheel axel required an extra washer to prevent too much play.
14. The elevation arm assembly to the recoil assembly needed spacers to properly space and clear obstructions, the Tamiya ball and joint would be a better design.
Enough with the bad now the good.
Good things:
1. The drive gearboxes are well made par with Tamiya and come greased. Operation is quiet and alignment is good; slop is minimal. Nice robust design that drives well at 1.5V.
2. A raced sleeve bearing is used for the outdrive shaft that adds a third extra axel support fixed to the hull side relieving stress to the gearbox.
3. Additional front and rear plates for the lower hull assembly add increased strength.
4. The tracks are well made and pin together easily with light pressure with pliers. A slightly smaller diameter hole in one tab of each track holds the pin firmly while the rest of the track rotates smoothly. The pin is rounded at each end for ease of insertion and there is no visible cap to distract the ends of the track.
5. The lower hull assembles well.
6. The elevation gearbox has electronic stops (rectifiers) at the high and low point eliminating the need for a clutch gear system. A nice improvement over the Tamiya elevation unit. No more jerky guns!
7. Plenty of detail, many parts options and represents the real vehicle quite well.
8. If you like lights, there are plenty of opportunities to add lamps (not included) to the prepared parts for the infrared and visual lights for a nice effect.
9. Provision for an IR battlesystem has been accounted for in the build parts and the exact system is open to what you wish to use.
In the next Pic installment I will discuss where corrections had to be made.