...are able to use the tank battle system without some kind of upgrades? I found out this evening that the used Tamiya Sherman #56001 that I am getting will require a lot of time and expense in order to get it ready to participate in battles. [&o] Now, I am going to have to get another model, but I really need to get one for the cheapest amount that I can find with Christmas coming.


I saw a 1/16 R/C Tamiya Sherman Tank #56005 re-release, but I don't know what all it will need in order to use the electronic battle gear.

I even saw a Tamiya M4 Sherman Tank 105mm Kit #56014.

Anyone have any ideas? [sm=confused.gif]

Thanks!
Jason

I thought any tank with the DMD system was jsut plug and play?

I must have heard wrong.

Apparently the #56001 is about 10 years old and is not nearly as advanced as the newer Tamiyas. You are probably right, hpiguy. The newer tank are most likely all plug and play.

I'm just confused by all of the different number models of the same tank.

I hear ya there.

I'm certainly hoping Tamiya releases a full function 1/16th Abrams. Seeing as aside from Japan, their largest market is the USA I was surprised they built the Leopard instead.

I think the cheapest you will find is the Sherman you listed. Tower Hobbies has them for relatively cheap when compared to the Ebay price plus shipping rates.

Use a Tower discount code and take another 30 bucks off the price.

OR, not sure if you HAVE to have a Tamiya tank, but the VS tanks for sale on Tower Hobbies all have the infrared battle system. Not sure if it is compatible with Tamiya's firing system though.

AND if that was not enough, many of the Hen Long tanks for sale on Ebay are available in 1/16th scale with infrared or airsoft. Just make sure to get the smoke and sound models. The non smoke models are pretty junky from what I've heard.

Make sure to get the most recent release of Tamiya kit for use with the Battle System:

Sherman 56014
Tiger I 56010
Tiger II 56018
Pershing 56016
Leopard 56020

Some of the earlier versions do have DMD units but the ealier units do not interface with the full function MF unit included in the recent release kits.

Cheers
Eric Scott

Thanks, heavyaslead! You saved me much searching and wondering.

There is an Austin, TX RC tank club if interested in talking to them:

http://texasarmor.com/

Ice:

The 56001 is more than 10... it was released in 1974, so its over 30 years old now. Its original # was RT 1601, the first 1/16 RC tank they made, and it was released as a 4501 'cyber-tank' programmable unit as well, though I suspect that was later.

Keep that baby in decent shape... they are hard to find in mint condition these days. They may never be worth as much as the more-rare Imai Elephant kit, but they have their place in RC history.

WhiteWolf

Thanks, Mr. McBride. I had no idea that it was that old, but I will do my best to take good care of it. That should be easy considering the fact that I will have to buy another tank with which to do battle.

The 56001 will probably only be used as a static model when my son and I play war in our own back yard. .......I mean, I might let my wife drive it.........if she behaves.

Dude...Come to the meeting I will set you up right...I told you already...You need to just come down to Austin to the BattleDay..and have Fun...We will make everything crystal clear...no worries....That is what our club is for...to set you up right the 1st time around.,.
Come down and bring your "collector Edition" M4 ..I know someone may want to buy it...You never know..

Icy:

I'm not old enough quite yet to be called Mr. by anyone...

If ya don't sell it, I can give you a tip or three on assembling the old-type tracks:

- Do it too roughly, and they fall apart because the cast end-pieces get opened too much and they won't stay on. Use a small vise to press 'em on.

- Watch carefully, all the O-marked links (on the inside face) go on one half of a track section, the blanks on the other side to make the facing chevrons look right.

- To hold the links side-by-side until ya get the pins pressed, use a strip of wide automotive or window masking tape.

- Put one end-piece together with one link-pin, and then match it catty-corner to another to the next link. Don't forget the guide-horn! Then press in the vise. I can take a few pics of my Hen-Long's showing the method)

- Assemble the links in this fashion in pairs, then mate the pairs into 4's, then 4's into 8's... but you have to watch how many. You only need 77 links per side: thats nine sets of 8's, one set of 4's and a single link per side... Total of 18x Eight's, 2x Four's & 2 singles. The rest are spares. Save 'em.

WhiteWolf- a veteran of the Tamiya tanks, restoring/renovating a Leo 1A4 with tracks of the same type.

Stop it WWM!!!...................you're scaring me. [] I don't know anything. Anything at all.

I'm sure that once I get a close up look at the tank, everything will be more clear, but right now, you've officially freaked me out. I'm freaked! All of a sudden tank building sounds tedious and complicated.......is the room getting smaller!?! I can't breathe!

J/K Your hints did sound Greek to me, though.

Icy:

Relax... the manuals are good. [sm=thumbup.gif] Plus there are all these guys that HAVE built these things before, and whom you can get an answer from, usually in less than 24 hours. Not to mention all of the neat tweaks you'll want to buy & add before you start assemble, plus opinions on radio control units. Me, I'm a Futaba man all the way, though I'm considering a few GWS Receivers, or even one of the Sombra Labs crystal-less ones. [sm=biggrin.gif]

And if I know Nemmy, he'll have you talked into a Multi-Function tank once he shows ya the TAA display... They have a meeting in Dec, and odds are one or more of the guys will let ya drive their tanks... [sm=wink.gif]

I just wish I could get to a group like them... no real wheels... but quite a few tanks. [sm=frown.gif]

WhiteWolf
- awaiting his Leopard parts.

PS: Hey Nem, can you get me scans of the 2A6 pages for the MG3 gun mount (assembly step & sprue image)

WW,
Hey man Nemesis4u here...
Nizee sold the Leo2A to a new member that lives approx 2+ hrs away...I will call him and see if he will bring the manual to the meeting...our next battleday is Dec 11th..OR BEtter yet PM me your COMPLETE mailing address and I will Mail you a copy?!
Hey ICY let me know when you get your Tank in the mail!.. LIKE WW said...I will hook you up right!! ...and help you assemble your tank.. Talk to you later....