On their site Tamiya has a listed a new version of their Sherman kit with a new ( to them) transmission: a braked differential ( Cletrac type)
using disk brakes. This is a transmission type I'm quite familiar with as I've been using a similar type in my 1/10 scale models for many years.
These work extremely well for a model.

Kudos to Tamiya.

Tamiya 1/16 RC Tank Series M4 Sherman (105mm Howitzer) Mechanical Steering System | Tamiya

jerry

That will be neat to see how it works mechanically. Might be underpowered with just one motor?
Bob

Seems to be s tripped down version without any other electronics and that new drive system allows it to operate with only a 2 channel radio. Still a very cool drive system which is closer to real life.

While it’s a new drive transmission m I fail to see any benefit for releasing this model. Who are they marketing to? No other operational options? Seriously I consider this a waste and it will probably flop like the Sheridan did.
I wonder who is doing the market research before they develop a new rc tank.
They could have brought back the super Sherman, but no they make a 2 channel braked no option tank model. What a waste of effort.
How about upgrading their legacy products to DMD11.
How about making an M48 or something new that the market wants.
At least they made the Leo2A7 and upgraded the basic shortcomings of the 2a6 kit.

overall I only see this cheaper variant as a bashes parts source not a viable rc tank model. Since the steering is mechanical, the braking parts are going to wear and also cause stress on the drive. And when it wears out I’m sure Tamiya won’t have any parts available.

I was thinking basically along the same lines. The Sheridan was supposed to be a limited production tank as far as I know. Just not sure why it was released over something else people actually wanted.

I can't argue with the concerns about it not being 'full function' but it could be that they realize not everyone battles their models and some simply like running them.

If running them isn't exciting enough, well I don't know what to say about that- it's what I did on my own for years before the advent of local clubs and 'battle days' and what I've
been doing since all the local clubs dried up and blew away. It's why I'm selling off all my 'full function' kits as I see no purpose to having them. The local squirrels simply refuse to wear IR vests
that I can score hits on...

I recall someone here saying that the RC tank 'community' should be grateful for any new(ish) release from Tamiya...

Jerry

But driving a tank that has a turret that is not operational gets kinda boring. I drive my tanks alot alone. I traverse rough terrain, move from firing position to firing position etc and traverse the turret and fire alot while driving. Having just a tracked vehicle to drive that is slow would get boring kinda quick IMHO

Wasn't the very very first version of the Tamiya Sherman equipped with something similar (single motor and servo clutches)?
I fail to see the reason to do this, except maybe spare some money in production?

That’d probably be me (saying that we should be glad Tamiya continues to have an occasional release in 1/16th scale).

In my opinion, Tamiya’s management probably does these passion projects without too much concern on volume or profit. If you look at the rest of their product line over the years you see they’ve done things as diverse as solar powered cars, radio controlled sailboats, tracked conversions for 4WD trucks - the list just goes on.

Its only more recently that the Chinese manufacturers started making their own unique tanks rather than just following(ahem) Tamiya’s lead most of the time, and the 1/16th scale genre is all the better for it

No, it wasn't even remotely like this one mechanically. My very first Sherman, purchased shortly after it was released here in the US has the first type of gearbox.
It has no differential and uses clutches to make turns.

Jerry