Hey guys,,

My time to check in with another conversion! This time I was given the M-48 Patton to turn into an RC Tank using Heng long electronics and gearbox! I am not quite done,, I will update after I am hoping to get this tank done by Monday! It drives very well for not having a real suspension, but the plastic on this Century 21 product is very robust, 3 hatches open.
Some features are of course the Heng long sounds, engine, machine gun, cannon, the turret will rotate, the gun will elevate, and cannon will flash. I added brake lights for power designation, and will add a charge port, the power switch will be under the front hatch in the hull.


The Blitz


RCTankWars.com

That's an interesting conversion. I'll watch this thread with interest. Hope you can show some video when it is done.

Great idea. I wonder what they look like next to a Pershing, for size comparison[:-]

Phil, how do the pershing tracks fit onto the 1/18 sprockets?

Those are not the 1/18th sprockets, they are the HL Pershings.

Wrong tracks. [] The M-26/45/46/47 used a 23 inch wide track. the M-48 series went to a wider 28 inch track (T-97) with the added width outside. (Sort of built in track extension as in Shermans.) This not only added a lot more strain on the engine (same engine with 4 tons extra) but cut down the maneuverability of the M-48. Turning the M-48 used a lot more gas, especially on paved roads. [&:]

That Century 21 has the wrong tracks...last M-48 to use steel combat track was the M-48A1...from then, the US used only rubber chevron track. The cal 50 barrel should also be removed from the cupola and the hole stopped up. The external pedestal was welded on for the external cradle mount because none of the cuploa mounts worked until the completely redesigned later M-60s. The problem with the M-1 series based cuploas was that the cal 50 laid on its side and always jammed after a few shots. Even if it did fire, the TC only had 4 trays of 50 rds each ready to load.[:'(]

It's a a good attempt to get RC tanks into the VN era....what is needed now is a PT-76 and early T-54s. Lots of modeling fun possible on this one. Nice idea and Phil can get it running.

Man I over slept this morning!

Calvino, I will get a video of it, this thing has power!

Oztruck,, I'll do a comparison as well

Borealis,, I used the Pershing Drive sprockets, just painted them of course! (Dang I can't get nothing over on Panther F or Pattoncommander) Really the moding was not too bad, I was pleasently surprised that after I hack sawed the drive sprokets off and drilled the hole straight trough it was very close to where it needed to be.

Pattoncomander thanks for the Historical imput, I just did what the customer wanted and keep it within a reasoniable budget! Actually though Pattoncommander is being kind I need to get some changes on his tank done! Bill I have all the parts now no excuses it will be a busy week preping for the tank battle but getting this tank done will free up more time!

Thanks for the comments and I will try to answer those request on a video tomorrow morning post it around lunch time PST

The Blitz


RCTAnkWars.com

I put one of these together a couple of years ago. I used the Matorro geat box from a King tiger and used the stock drive wheels and tracks. I put HL electronics in and even an airsoft unit. If I ever did it again I would put the HL gears and use the HL drive sprockets and tracks. The stock tracks had a tendency to get thrown when doing a sharp turn. Other than that is was a great tank.

LOL!! I have two of these and the thought had crossed my mind on R/Cing one. I just wished it had an active suspension.

Keep up the good work Phil! That's big enough to fit everything inside too.

If anyone can get it set up, Phil can do it. That searchlight would make a a great IR emitter hide-away.

Update,

No video yet guys,, I found out that I could not drill through the cannon barrel so no cannon flash! But I have been working on making his spot light work as a spot light! This customer does not want to make this an IR Battle tank,, or that would have been a neat Idea pattoncommander to put the IR shot LED in there! It was a lot of little detail work in making the light but it came out pretty good! Also before I mounted it on the tank I went into the bathroom and closed the door turned the spotlight on and it lit up the bathroom so this tank might come in handy for a camping trip for the middle of the night trail guide!



The Blitz

RCTankWars.com

More pics

Blitz,
Awesome tank. What scale is it, and is it close enough to be used with 1/16 tanks? Regardless, it is a fine looking tank.

Jim

Hello Jim,

The scale is 1/18th I will get some pics of it next to a Pershing, its about the size of the Bulldog.

The Blitz

Well finally this tank is finished,, Got some VIDEO plus a few more pics of some of the switch work I did in the front hatch,, the charge port and the brake away connector for the turret! I gave him a 360 degree turret,,, but if he forgets which way he has been turning at some point he is going to put stress on the wires as they bind up! This is designed to pull apart before he gets to that point and then he just opens up the tank and plugs it back in!



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MTm6926vd8





The Blitz

I know this is a necropost but this is an update on this particular tank. The barrel which was solid has been replacd with a brass barrel and it now has a flash uit in it. YHR put together a sound file of the M-48. That is now on the way so it will have the DBRC3 and Benedini sound card in it. I'm trying to decide where t mount the IRreceiver. I need to mount it so the Commanders cupola doesn't block it. I would still like to figure out how to install suspension in the tank since it is fixed. I'll keep you all posted. Any ideas would be helpful.

Richards,
I'm doing the same conversion. I plan on replacing the fixed suspension with shocks off of a HL Pershing. I know it won't be protypical as they are about twice the size but I think it will give it some nice working suspension. I also had planned on replacing the gun tibe with brass ( do you have any pics?) I plan on cutting the muzzle brake and recuperator off and drilling through them and using them on the brass barrle. Did you do the same ?

Jim

Mount it in the opening hatch. Build an extension plug that will raise the TBU to the height you require so it is free of obstructions. If you want, just PM me and I can make you one.

I hope you like the sound set.

Cheers.

Jim, thats exactly what I did with the barrel. I cut it off where the barrel met the recuperator. I carefully drilled through the recuperator, I then opened it up enough to insert the brass barrel. You will also need to drill out the mantle, it's solid also. I used plastic weld to hold it in place. I would like to see how your planning on doing the suspension. I'm definitely interested.

Dan,
I assume you mean the loaders hatch. That's where I was thinking. I'm toying with actually affixing it to the hatch itself so I can close it up when not in use. Pattoncommander, I've tried to find the accurate tracks. Chunwai has a set on their website only there is no price listed. I may be out of luck here unless someone has a better idea. Kenny Kong does not have these tracks listed.

Pattoncommander, I think I found the proper tracks: http://www.axels-modellbau-shop.de/k...ads::7518.html

They have mispriced them here. They are 163.00 shipped from Singapore

I've ordered Kenny Kong's M48 tracks and sprockets.    Can't wait to get them on.  

Kenny's tracks and sprockets showed up today.   William (Pattoncommander) you are correct, these tracks are wider so are the sprockets.   The standard length M2 screw is not long enough.   I have had to order longer screws.   They look great.    Photos and video will be coming.    The latest update:  YHRs DBRC3 with Benedini,    Phil's new speaker for sound,   custom made barrel, Kenny Kong tracks and weathering.   

like to see the pics when you are done plus video to hear YHR's DBRC3 and Benedini

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBG44UZyVPI&feature=channel&list=U L[/youtube]