Rescue's Build thread / HL Leo 2A6
 

HI all. I am new to tanks but not to r/c. I've been racing r/c for about 20 years. I strictly run indoor carpet 1/10 touring cars now. I've know about the tamiya tanks for a long time but a little outside of my budget since I dump a lot already into touring cars.

Little about myself. I am an air traffic controller for the RCAF and currently live in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada. 40 years old. Originally from NS and also lived in Ontario for 15 years.

So I discovered the HL 2 weeks ago and after secretly trolling these forums for the past 2 weeks I ordered the Leo (mato mart had free shipping for Xmas sale)

I got just the basic one. No upgraded anything. Want to start from the ground up. Long term side enjoyment. I will use this thread to show the slow build progress.

Some of my goals for this build are

Replicate a Canadian Leo as best I can.
Use lipo batteries (I have lots already)
Upgrade all the internal electronics (tk boards?)
I want lots of torque. I debating putting a functioning blade on the front and plowing snow with it lol
Waterproof it as best I can to the lower hull.
Not to keen on the bb shooting so will upgrade to be able to IR if I ever run into anyone else.

My questions will be more like best upgrade parts and making them all work together.
Also detailing stuff like building details and painting techniques. Also where to buy them from. I have to worry about exchange rates and shipping. Stupid CDN dollar lol.

That's all just off the top of my head. I'm sure more will come over time. When I get it I'm on a enjoy it stock for a little bit.

Anyways I look forward to chatting with you all and everyone have a safe new years.

Cheers

Cory

RE: Tank nobbie / Build thread / HL Leo 2A6M CAN
 

Welcome aboard Cory! Looking forward to your build.

It was 11 years ago tonight I joined here at RCU! Time flies when you're having fun with other tankers and so will you. :cool:




Jeff

I have some resin castings of the antenna and top side ECMs if you are interested

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=2195048 http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=2195049

Best of luck on your build Corey Im sure it'll turn out fantastic. I bought a HL leopard last year but kept it stock and it was great!

I would be interested in your antenna castings for my Leopard, I can't find them anywhere. please let me know if I can buy a set thanks

Thanks guys. Im looking forward to building this. So many options I don't know where to start ��.

I've been trying to see if there is a model I could buy and steal parts from but I can't find any 1/16 scale.

Many 1/16 scale parts can be found at afv-model*, rctank.de, tank zone.co.uk, eto armor, dklmrc and others. apparently afv model makes the best but those prices are also more. Some make parts for HL or Tam and you can adapt pieces if needed. Personally I would mod the HL turret ring to rotated 360 as well.

cheers

Thanks fizzy!

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=2195397
I might go this route. I can paint squares lol

Been researching electronics. I think I'm gonna go with the 590 red motors. Seem good and cheap. Where to buy?

Also with the stock board run lipo? I have some 5000mah just collecting dust.

Speaking of boards... should I upgrade to the tk24? Board or is there another board at better value out there?

For transmiter I'm looking at either a cheap spektrum DXE or the 10 channel fly sky radio. Any recommendations?

Hey! I'm new to the hobby as well (probably remember me from the "waterproofing HL Tank thread) looking forward to your build, also we are both Canadian! Sorry just wanted to share that, anyway have a great day!

With motors you just have to be sure they'll fit (lots of room in a LEO) and have the right shaft diameter, which for us is 2.3mm. If you're buying gearboxes from HobbyRaw, TankArmy, Mato, Taigen, you'll be fine.

Tankers don't see the benefits that LiPo was designed for. They're lightweight and have amp boost which is great for Helos and aircraft, not so much a big heavy slow tank :P I really like NiMH, reliable, safer, and easier to charge. Clark's WILL run a 2S LiPo but you should keep an eye on the voltage with an alarm at least. Nominally they're designed for 7.2V.

Clark is a good bet, and fairly straight forward. You've RC'd before so they won't be hard at all to set up, but actually in default mode they're just fine. Lot's of threads here on Clark!

Remember... the main thing with tanks is once you start upgrading, weight becomes an issue and stresses the rest of the tank. Bigger motors risk shredding gears, breaking tracks, ripping idlers off.. heavier tracks make everything work harder. Over the years I've tended to either go big right away, or build light and stay light.

This is an awesome hobby :)

Thanks for the advice. I'm only going to run 2s. I have lots. I wouldn't go bigger.

So the Clark boards are basically an esc right? The don't have a voltage alarm like most regular esc?

I ordered from matomart and I think it comes with steel gears. I think the ratio is 3:1 and since I want more torque boTom end I would switch to 4:1 or even 5:1 gears?

Now I got to figure out how to build stuff for the hull mods if I want to match the PSO Leo. Oh well babu steps. It's one to be fun when I show up to the race track with a tank lol

lol I did something like that a RC TANK track. I brought one of my RC cars and I don't know if it was allowed (because it was for RC tanks) but I drove it at full speed on the track, it was my first time on a track to. I still laugh at the moment, RC tankers just stared at my RC car flinging dust and sand everywhere as it zoomed across the track.

Tank got posted today. Should arrive early next week. But I'm not home till the 13th so 8 more days of figuring this stuff out lol

New question. If I want to eventually add IR, do I need to buy one of those ibu2 units I have read about? I will be getting a Clark board.

whats the diff between the clak board and the IBU2 board. which is better?

Are you asking me? Because I don't know squat lol

Lol, guess were in the same boat, I watched a few videos on those boards, seems like the IBU2 is my best bet, Im just trying to find a place in the states to get it from.

Why did you pick that one?

https://www.rctankwarfare.co.uk/foru...520&hilit=ibu2

Good info

You can possibly grab one from a Jerry who is a forum member and located in CA, his handle is Tanque. Here's a link to his site

http://www.jcsastore.com/

Thanks Benny. After reading bout all the cards i might spend the extra and get the ibu3 down the road.

Are the turnigy 9X transmitters any good?. They are very budget minded. About have the price of flysky i10

Just after reading about the IBU2 board and watching some videos on it, just seems the best one for me, thanks benny for the link, after I receive my tank, that's the next item on my list. I bookmarked his website.sould get my tank by next Wednesday its coming from Florida.

http://www.panzer-modell.de/berichte..._vk/leo2a7.php

Ref for me