Trumpeter T-34
03-17-2007, 10:51 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Trumpeter T-34
I finally opened the T-34, initial inspection yielded some surprises. The plastic feels a little more impact resistant than the HL's, the road wheels have removeable rubber tires on them, it comes with a bunch of sprues from the Trumpeter 1/16 T-34 model for extra detail. It runs on 8 AA batteries in both the TX and the tank - making it a 12V system in the tank. Next I put batteries into it to see what it sounds/moves like. The TX has a single toggle button for the turret - press to rotate, release and press again to change direction. There is a Barrel button to elevate the gun, when it reaches full throw it reverses direction. The Fire button activates a red LED in the end of the barrel and recoils the gun. For movement the TX has two sticks, each controls a single track, so you have to move both for forward/reverse. It appears to be a single speed, the gear boxes seem to engage smoothly with abundant gear whine. I am wondering if the 7.2V system from a HL smoke tank would drive these motors/gearboxes adequately. The turret rotation and barrel elevation make horrible noises but appear to work smoothly - I will be pulling it apart to see what can be done here. Over all a great buy for $60 on Ebay from seller Modelocity, it arrived in perfect condition.
03-17-2007, 10:57 PM
#2
RE: Trumpeter T-34
I think you will get a lot of replies as this tank is starting to gain a following. Many, like myself, have thrown in the HL S&S upgrade which really awakens the little tank. The stock controls are almost unusable. Dropping the voltage down to 7.2 makes the tank travel at a more realistic speed.
I liked mine because it serves as a great mod base and the extra sprues give you lots of options and makes the build more fun.
THe drive train is OK and the gearbox holds up relatively well.
I liked mine because it serves as a great mod base and the extra sprues give you lots of options and makes the build more fun.
THe drive train is OK and the gearbox holds up relatively well.
03-17-2007, 11:03 PM
#3
Thread Starter
RE: Trumpeter T-34
Further observations:
The front driver hatch opens but you need to seperate the hull to unlock it, there are two moveable handles on the hatch that must be turned. Also, when you remove the T-34 from its box it will have 4 screws attaching it to the plastice strips holding it in place. Save these, they appear to be the same as those used on other parts of the tank.
Paul
The front driver hatch opens but you need to seperate the hull to unlock it, there are two moveable handles on the hatch that must be turned. Also, when you remove the T-34 from its box it will have 4 screws attaching it to the plastice strips holding it in place. Save these, they appear to be the same as those used on other parts of the tank.
Paul
03-17-2007, 11:07 PM
#4
Thread Starter
RE: Trumpeter T-34
Good to hear that Pscartozzi, I have a Pantiger I will be stripping and will probably put the electrics in the T-34. Has anyone used the Matotoys metal tracks on this? How does the plastic drive wheel hold up - to bad mato doesn't provide a metal one.
Paul
Paul
03-18-2007, 12:27 AM
#6
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RE: Trumpeter T-34
I have installed the Heng Long S&S electronics, 7.2 volt battery pack and Metal tracks from Mato. Turns this into an excellent running tank. The smaller motors seem perfectly matched to the Heng Long electronics. I have a second one waiting on parts from BYA to turn it into a SU100. It is a great tank.
03-18-2007, 01:41 AM
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RE: Trumpeter T-34
ORIGINAL: pscartozzi
Call me simple but my favorite feature is hooking up the smoke generator to exit out the T34 exhause pipes.
Call me simple but my favorite feature is hooking up the smoke generator to exit out the T34 exhause pipes.
Haven't done anything since the upgrade as the owner seems to have lost interest in the project.
So at present it's collecting dust.
bullyhys
03-18-2007, 01:47 AM
#10
RE: Trumpeter T-34
Lets be clear, nothing in this kit is from the Trumpeter model. The WSN offering is a totally different tooling. I chose to graft the Trumpeter and WSN together on my kits to add the better detail of the static model to the function of the R/C and not everything fits. The WSN kit is a fair representation of the 1945 T34/85 offering and is a hell of a deal for $60. I recommend removing the battery box and adding a 7.2 v battery immediately. I tried out the AA setup and it only ran for twenty minutes.
I will say this, my first gearboxes from the T34/76 project I did are still running. My only complaint is the Tamiya battle system renders this tank immobile after 4 hits on the medium setting. Not enoough torque or juice to move effectively. Oh well, the real tank didn't do much better.
I will say this, my first gearboxes from the T34/76 project I did are still running. My only complaint is the Tamiya battle system renders this tank immobile after 4 hits on the medium setting. Not enoough torque or juice to move effectively. Oh well, the real tank didn't do much better.
03-18-2007, 02:28 AM
#11
RE: Trumpeter T-34
ORIGINAL: ksoc
pscartozzi
Smoke out the exhaust and NOT out of the hatches is a GOOD THING
Kevin O
<S.C.A.T.>
pscartozzi
Smoke out the exhaust and NOT out of the hatches is a GOOD THING
Kevin O
<S.C.A.T.>
03-18-2007, 04:31 AM
#12
RE: Trumpeter T-34
Put some 280 motors in it like I did and the hits the Tamiya unit takes will not affect it like that plus, the tank is closer to scale speed with the 280's.
Jeff
Jeff
03-18-2007, 07:34 AM
#13
Thread Starter
RE: Trumpeter T-34
Great ideas guys, with the 280's do they just screw right in there and accept the stock pinion on the shaft? Has anyone had success 'quieting' the turret rotation and gun recoil mechanism's, I will be looking at hose today and experimenting
03-18-2007, 08:47 AM
#14
RE: Trumpeter T-34
If I remember right, they're a 'drop fit' and depending on the brand/manufacturer, the shaft may have to be trimmed off. And yes, the pinion slides right on. Make sure you rough up the surface where the gear rests on and set it with a dab of epoxy/loctite so that it won't spin off.
I used the same capacitors off the stock motors for the replacement ones just because of the size. Once you remove the cover off the motors and look at the rear endbell you'll see what I mean.
To quiet the turret operation, you will have to 'clean' the flashing off the surface of the worm gear and do a little of the same to the ring gear. While your there, cut the gear limiter so that the turret can rotate 360 degrees un-restricted. Some of the turret motors 'vibrate' in the housing so a little tape can secure them in the housing.
Jeff
I used the same capacitors off the stock motors for the replacement ones just because of the size. Once you remove the cover off the motors and look at the rear endbell you'll see what I mean.
To quiet the turret operation, you will have to 'clean' the flashing off the surface of the worm gear and do a little of the same to the ring gear. While your there, cut the gear limiter so that the turret can rotate 360 degrees un-restricted. Some of the turret motors 'vibrate' in the housing so a little tape can secure them in the housing.
Jeff
03-18-2007, 09:42 AM
#16
RE: Trumpeter T-34
ORIGINAL: ArmChairGeneral
I have a Pantiger I will be stripping and will probably put the electrics in the T-34.
I have a Pantiger I will be stripping and will probably put the electrics in the T-34.
03-18-2007, 02:16 PM
#17
Thread Starter
RE: Trumpeter T-34
The Pantiger is a S&S, anyone try to run the HL electronics at 9.6V?
On a side note I picked up this book while at Barnes&Noble
http://www.amazon.com/Russian-Tanks-.../dp/0760313024
I was reading through it while having coffee there and the details were good enough to warrant buying it. Some interesting tanks I hadn't heard of before were the KV-85 and the T-44.
On a side note I picked up this book while at Barnes&Noble
http://www.amazon.com/Russian-Tanks-.../dp/0760313024
I was reading through it while having coffee there and the details were good enough to warrant buying it. Some interesting tanks I hadn't heard of before were the KV-85 and the T-44.
03-18-2007, 06:14 PM
#18
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RE: Trumpeter T-34
ORIGINAL: pscartozzi
I think you will get a lot of replies as this tank is starting to gain a following. Many, like myself, have thrown in the HL S&S upgrade which really awakens the little tank. The stock controls are almost unusable. Dropping the voltage down to 7.2 makes the tank travel at a more realistic speed.
I liked mine because it serves as a great mod base and the extra sprues give you lots of options and makes the build more fun.
THe drive train is OK and the gearbox holds up relatively well.
I think you will get a lot of replies as this tank is starting to gain a following. Many, like myself, have thrown in the HL S&S upgrade which really awakens the little tank. The stock controls are almost unusable. Dropping the voltage down to 7.2 makes the tank travel at a more realistic speed.
I liked mine because it serves as a great mod base and the extra sprues give you lots of options and makes the build more fun.
THe drive train is OK and the gearbox holds up relatively well.
03-19-2007, 10:36 PM
#22
RE: Trumpeter T-34
Here's some details on mine. I added a 3200 mAhr NiMH battery. Great addition, tank runs for about an hour. Added the HL S&S electronics from Mato, $40. Excellent addition, provides all functions as well as 10 step speed control. Here's the key to HL electronics. Flip the board over so the heat sink is facing up. I bolted a couple of radioshack heat sinks onto the stock one. Make sure to use thermal paste. Problem with HL elec's are thermal in nature (my opinion). I have never blown a HL board after doing this.
I opened up the gearbox and CA'd the clutches together cus they kept slipping. Opened up the hatch from insude and made a master switch mount right behind it.
I plumbed the HL smoke gen to the stock exhaust ports.
I use the WSN turret rotation motor and yes it is loud. Currently my turret is disassembled for a gun refit.
I also replaced the obnoxious LED with a high output white LED since I drive my tank outside at night a lot.
Perry
I opened up the gearbox and CA'd the clutches together cus they kept slipping. Opened up the hatch from insude and made a master switch mount right behind it.
I plumbed the HL smoke gen to the stock exhaust ports.
I use the WSN turret rotation motor and yes it is loud. Currently my turret is disassembled for a gun refit.
I also replaced the obnoxious LED with a high output white LED since I drive my tank outside at night a lot.
Perry
03-20-2007, 01:18 AM
#23
RE: Trumpeter T-34
oh yeah, you may think I'm wierd but my wheathering scheme consists of Tamita earth tone dry brushing and spraying with flat clear and running out in the dust and dirt with it still wet. I know, but it kinda makes sense in an out of the box way.
03-20-2007, 02:56 AM
#24
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RE: Trumpeter T-34
I am very interested in all the topics dealing the T-34 --> HL conversion, some day I will gain enough courage to buy everything needed to do it myself (but I must also include an airsoft upgrade at all costs).
