So, last night I ordered a new Heng Long King Tiger. This is only my second tank and I would love to install a recoiling barrel on the turret. Can anyone offer any insight on what is involved with this particular modification in terms of parts, suppliers, probable issues, etc.? On a scale of 1-10, how difficult is this modification? I really want to get this tank right which is why I'm trying to pick the brains of those familiar with this mod. Crius, I hope you're reading this. Thanks in advance for any help you can offer.

I recommend Clark-Model:
http://www.clark-model.com/eng/kit_116_HL_universal_recoil/index.htm

Works with his electronics.

The IBU2 boards also allow the use of a servo for recoil. Using servos is a handy approach as there are many types to choose from
allowing a customized approach to a specific need.

Jerry

I assume you ordered an airsoft King Tiger? I think your best bet may be to study the recoil unit in the Imex Tiger one with airsoft barrel recoil. That will give you the basics of how everything has to work. The clark unit may be a good starting point, but I do believe it's made for IR tanks and the needs are completely different from airsoft. I've actually been working on a universal recoil set up for airsoft but it's still a long ways from finished.

You also need to decide what your final goals are. It sounds like you want an airsoft King Tiger with working barrel recoil, but I've found it's best to be sure so there's no confusion. Are you trying to incorporate any other features, or will you be happy if the barrel recoils and a BB comes out?

Yes, the tank I ordered is indeed an airsoft model. My goal is to keep the existing tank recoil and also add the barrel recoil while maintaining a functional airsoft BB shoot-ability. Since my first tank, I've been studying various paint techniques that i want to apply to this new tank. My goal is to achieve as much of a realistic look as I am capable of at this point. I really had my heart set on the Torro King Tiger that's 80% metal and comes unpainted but I'm on disability and although I've been saving, a number of financial setbacks have placed that beyond my means at this time. I just want to take my time and see how much I've really learned with this tank. You guys can't imagine how much I appreciate your help and advice on this site. Thank you so much to all of you!!!

You should watch the videos that Erik made about the airsoft recoil turret for the Tiger One (if you haven't already). They really give a good basic understanding of what you need to do to make a barrel recoil work for airsoft. I've been playing with them a bit and one thing I want to try is a full length inner sleeve for the barrel. The way the Tiger One barrel is set up there's a gap between the end of the barrel that fits the airsoft unit and the barrel that's attached to the muzzle brake. I'd rather have a one piece barrel.

Another thing you may want to think about is adapting the Imex servo board. You said you want to keep the track recoil (that's usually the first thing guys want to disable), so you may be OK with stock electronics. That may be a better fit for your budget, as well. Is the new King Tiger 2.4 GHz or the old style RX-18? That might not make sense to you if this is a first tank, but it helps identify when the tank was produced. Can you post a link to the tank you bought?

Do you need a link to Erik's youtube channel?

Guys, I have just built an airsoft barrel recoil into my HL M26 using a clark board and a servo with an attached pull rod to the outer barrel sleeve. It works great and I will post a video soon.

The problem with the King Tiger,panther,Pz3/4.challenger,leopard and others is the barrel is used as the main airsoft rifling with no outer sleeve to pull back. With the 6mm BB and at this scale, I dont think these models lend themselves well to having a recoiling barrel other wise you would see more on the market. You would need to recoil the whole airsoft installation in the turret which would be really problematic and space may prohibit this. I'm really keen to do as many models with a recoiling airsoft barrel as I can but I think this factor will limit the choice.

Good luck

Cheers

CaptB

The King Tiger tank that I purchased is indeed a 2.4Ghz tank. I can only assume that the reason people want to disable the track recoil is that it throws off the shot if the turret is not aiming straight ahead. I don't battle with the tank and in fact, I only run them for the benefit of my 7yr. old grand-daughter when she comes to visit. I purchase the tanks for the pleasure of painting them and hopefully being able to make modifications as I progress in the hobby. I want to keep both because together they add a true sense of realism in my opinion. Here is a link to the tank I purchased on EBay. Also, I would appreciate that link to Erik's youtube channel.

CaptainB is correct on the airsoft barrel recoil issues. Some tanks will make the possibility of the airsoft recoil very hard to manufacture or wouldnt work as well, hence the Tiger 1 being the starting point to work on and test. The Tiger 1 we actually separated the barrel so we could get the recoil effect we wanted, but we also had to change the mantlet a bit to match this as well. So far the airsoft barrel recoil system has been very popular but we are still unsure of the release schedule for other tanks as this time. I personally love it though and with some thought it is pretty easy to make this an IR tank as the same time
As for the video they are referring to, you can find it below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUslO6hEG5o I take apart and reassemble the airsoft recoil system in the video so you can see how it works. If the video doesnt do it for you then you can always buy the turret and break it down and study it, the plastic one is around $80ish atm on our site RTR but of course it is for the Tiger 1 so you would have to use it for study. Hopefully this helps!

Which tanks had recoiling barrels? Which did not?

Steve

So far the only airsoft barrel recoil is the Tiger 1 (any of the Tiger 1 tanks early or late, metal or plastic). As for infrared tanks all of them recoil except for the Sturmtiger.

No, I meant historically.

Steve

Hi Guys. Sorry I haven't posted sooner but I've had a really nasty stomach virus for the past 5 days. I'm pretty sure that the virus performed a reenactment of the Battle of the Bulge in my rectum using live ammo and believe me...war IS HELL!

Erik, thank you so much for the video of the Tiger 1 turret and barrel. It seems to me that at this point, modifying my new King Tiger barrel is not an option as the items are not available and since this is only my second tank, I'm convinced that my skill level cannot accomplish something that the proven builders haven't figured out yet. Crius, once again you've helped to guide this newbie to the information that I was looking for and again I thank you for your patience with me. Thanks again to everyone who weighed in on this topic to help me out.

By the way Erik, as I mentioned, the King Tiger will be my second tank. My first tank was indeed a Tiger 1. Really interested in your video. Are there any plans to sell the parts for the recoiling barrel separately? Perhaps in the future? God I love this website!

Hi buggman - I've just ordered a replacement KT gun barrel and mantlet from Mato to experiment on making a recoiling KT airsoft gun barrel. When I have figured it out, I'll post some details for you. I have successfully done a HL M26 recoiling barrel and am currently working on a Walker bulldog system. Unfortunately, Their is a lot of hand crafting in doing these mods so they are not easily describable.All use the Clark MFU. More news later.

Cheers

CaptB

Hey Captain B, thanks for the heads up. I would be greatly interested in your progress. I'm expecting the King Tiger to arrive this Wednesday. I was convinced that the recoiling barrel was off the table at this time for the Tiger II but I think I will just run it as is when it arrives so I can battle with my grand-daughter and hold off on any mods until I hear from you regarding your progress. Thanks again for the heads up.

Okay Buggman - As I said earlier, the choice is limited for barrel recoil and airsoft. But, with a few mods it is possible. I expect to have to machine the inner barrel down and maybe open up the outer barrel to achieve a sliding action that can be operated via a servo and pull rod. I would love to do the challenger but that has a really narrow gun barrel and looks a non-starter. Might have a look at the Leo and the Abrams though. I'll finish the M41 first and then look at the KT. Too many tanks - not enough time!!!! darn it.

cheers

CaptB

Too many tanks????? Dear Lord how I wish I had your problems!!!! Thanks for keeping me in the loop Capt.B