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Centurion update
Another brief update
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...b0b2daac08.jpg Side view with skirt fitted. https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...14c2861baa.jpg Front view with 20lbr barrel. https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...ff43c17d9d.jpg Side view with skirt removed. https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...d32af0010e.jpg Rear view. https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...6475829dcf.jpg Later MK of turret top and 105MM barrel with bore evacuator. please note barrel is a pre-production test unit and not bored out as will be the production uni. https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...8a1743c676.jpg later MK turret top, please note the opening storage box lids. on where Haya ltd is with there 1/16th scale RC Centurion. Andrew invited RC Tankregiment member’s down to get a first hand look at the 3d printed pre-production model of the Centurion. Subject to the restrictions imposed by the bat flu so therefore the review is not as in depth as either party was hoping for. This is where Haya and us get a chance to see how there model is for fit and function, and find possible snags before starting mould production. Andrews model has some of the features that the Chieftain enjoyed such as opening tool and storage boxes as well as a few upgrades customers and hobbyists have suggested to Haya ltd. There will be bearings fitted to all the roadwheels and idlers. The commanders cupola will be rotatable, the turret top is removable for maintenance or changing to a later MK of Centurion, as is the engine deck and main gun. The production model will be a MK3 Centurion with the 20lbr barrel supplied as standard. There will be an option to upgrade to a MK5 with after market parts from Haya ltd, in the form of a replacement turret top a metal, 105mm main gun with bore evacuator, and a later style of engine deck. All road wheels will have rubber tyres fitted ‘and metal tracks will be supplied as standard. At this point in time Andrew is still waiting for a bespoke electronics package for the Centurion, with the correct sound package. We have heard the recording of what Andrew is going to use but he asked us to wait until he gets the complete system installed in the model so it can be tested fully. Haya ltd is aiming for the system to battle against both HL and Tamiya protocol systems. More on this as soon as the system arrives and can be comprehensively tested against both types of system. The project has unfortunately been subject to delays due to the bat flu and also due to the rather suspect increases in the costs of raw material and shipping that suppliers and shippers are imposing on there customers. No doubt you are all well aware of the rather sharp increase in prices of RC tanks and parts and also the drop in availability of models and spare parts. Haya ltd is trying its best to keep the costs of the Centurion down as much as possible so asks you guys to hang on as the model is coming just not as quickly as hoped for. |
If it's not too late he really needs to change those side bins to the production variant. The ones he has used are for a Mk1 or Mk2. Some VERY early Mk3's had them (or more likely MK2's upgraded to Mk3 standard) but crews had difficulty opening them when Mk3 turret was fitted so they changed to the side opening variant. Same goes for the large round hatch on the back of the turret, this is a Mk2 feature to enable the 17 pounder to be removed but wasn't needed for the 20 pounder so was deleted on Mk3 production (or welded shut if a Mk2 turret was upgraded to Mk3 configuration). I think Andrew may have based his model on the Tamiya 1/25th scale kit, which was based on the Bovington "cut in half" Mk3, which was originally manufactured as a Mk2, upgraded to M5, then backdated to a Mk3 when it was turned into a display, which is why it has a mix of earlier features. That being said, many British Mk3's where upgraded all the way to Mk12 so you could see these early features (top opening bins, hatch in turret rear, angled loaders hatch) on a British later mark, but it would be very rare and very unlikely on a NATO tank.
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I'm sure if you contacted him, he would be open to suggestions at this point as they have said the final molds have not been made yet. Once those molds are complete then there won't be any changes as those molds are VERY expensive to produce.
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This is looking and sounding fantastic! All my key issues with the Chieftain have been fixed (namely those that make it so I can't drive the darn thing as often, because I really do like it!). Bearings and rubber on the wheels is just so fantastic. Custom sound package will be icing on the cake, too. And a cosmetic upgrade package already? Guess I might need to order two, to celebrate both marks :P
(and to support Haya as best as I can) wishing Andrew the best as this project comes through to the finish line, and no matter the time delay I have more confidence in it coming to fruition as promised than some of the other projects we've seen teased lately. (grumble grumble waltersons t-72 up and disappearing) |
Hi king Tubby, spoke to Andrew and passed on your and other observations on the Centurion direct to him, good news is he’s already found 20+ corrections/improvements he wants his 3d team to incorporate into a second pre-production printed model. More on this as I get it from Haya ltd. Hopefully with lockdown starting to ease here in the U.K. RC Tankregiment can get down to see Andrew and do an in-depth review of the model and, with luck the bespoke electronics he is hoping to use in the Centurion. We will of course be keeping everyone updated as things progress.
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Following with interest. :cool:
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Very nice. I'd like to see the top of the Mk III turret? What solution was adopted for the track tensioners?
As a follow up to this, I'd suggest Abbott - gives you the hull & suspension for the FV432 family. Mal |
Originally Posted by tankman
(Post 12678061)
Hi king Tubby, spoke to Andrew and passed on your and other observations on the Centurion direct to him, good news is he’s already found 20+ corrections/improvements he wants his 3d team to incorporate into a second pre-production printed model. More on this as I get it from Haya ltd. Hopefully with lockdown starting to ease here in the U.K. RC Tankregiment can get down to see Andrew and do an in-depth review of the model and, with luck the bespoke electronics he is hoping to use in the Centurion. We will of course be keeping everyone updated as things progress.
Back in the 80's when the old 1/35th Tamiya Mk3 kit was the only game in town the were regular articles on the modeling mags showing how to convert if to different marks. From memory I have Australian Mk5/1, British Mk12 and Israeli Sho't (1973 config) articles in my stash. If I can find them I will scan and share them. |
Originally Posted by afv aficionado
(Post 12678081)
Very nice. I'd like to see the top of the Mk III turret? What solution was adopted for the track tensioners?
As a follow up to this, I'd suggest Abbott - gives you the hull & suspension for the FV432 family. Mal https://ecardmodels.com/product/1-16...en-paper-model |
Yep, that works too, families of vehicles being the thing - CVR(T), M113 being further examples.
Mal |
Here you go Mal, top of the MK3 turret.
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...5e1b9dcf12.jpg |
A
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...e125aaccfc.jpg https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...5a4cccd831.jpg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...bd764fc418.jpg nd a couple more Mal, nice big ones so there is plenty of detail. |
Few more to be going on with, just for reference.
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...657aa7d925.jpg Front idler. https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...2d6b38e74e.jpg General suspension, drive and idler arrangement. https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...fac69f2c88.jpg Removable engine grill. |
Man, what a difference between Haya & few other well-known / infamous brands we all know & put up with.
Thank you for this post. |
I absolutely love the transparency and insight into the development process: besides just making me like Haya all the more it's really cool to see behind the curtain in ways we don't usually get to.
The more you're able to share, the better imo - assuming Andrew is all comfy with it, of course. It's just super cool to see the development of a new RC tank |
Hello tankers,
It would be nice if the glasses of the periscopes and the optics were shown slightly framed and not as smooth as shown. Kind regards Guenther |
Wow, very nice. Think Andrew has gone above & beyond on the engine decks. Plenty of scope to super detail various parts too.
In case you missed it - I like it. Mal |
Hope he is going to do the different engine deck versions I want one of these .
Thanks Jimmy https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...d7519bcfd4.jpg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...f0301a70a5.jpg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...763eac94c4.jpg https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...53e9500e29.jpg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...79b9ca74d6.jpg |
I was wanting the earlier 20 pounder version, but now that I've seen that sexy Israeli beast I think I will change my mind... :)
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Supplying this engine deck configuration as an aftermarket option has been suggested to Andrew by members of RC Tankregiment, we are hoping he will take this on board.
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It's not just the deck that would require changing -
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...4fa7e52cf3.jpg Early wide deflector fitted here, the later one was narrower to allow easier access to towing eyes https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...0de5d6bf9d.jpg Extended hull Mal |
Realistically that modification kit is no sweat for somebody that design stuff and puts it on shapeways hint hint
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Very true Rich, but waiting can get you very old.
My comment was more about the modification being a bit more complex than just the deck. Looking at the rear of the Mk III, makes me wonder how Andrew will do the twinned tow ropes - looks like a good start? Mal |
Better that someone brings to market a base tank that is 95% there and hobbyists customize for their desired variant than forever listen to hobbyists, keep tweaking and it never sees production. Sure beats scratchbuilding one, or spending months working with xacto blades, cement, and a styrene kit.
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Originally Posted by cleong
(Post 12678295)
Better that someone brings to market a base tank that is 95% there and hobbyists customize for their desired variant than forever listen to hobbyists, keep tweaking and it never sees production. Sure beats scratchbuilding one, or spending months working with xacto blades, cement, and a styrene kit.
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When I first started in this hobby it was with a Heng Long Tiger 1 early,
It shared the same outline as a Tamiya Tiger 1 but that was where any similarity ended, But what I did have for very little money was a template upon which I could build as accurate a Tiger 1 early as I my research and my pocketbook wanted, I confess the last thing I want to buy is a Tank that is perfect, Where is the fun or the challenge in that. That is the world of the glass case shelf queen and it holds no interest for me, Am I wrong if I assume most of us here build, tweak and engineer our Tanks and Trucks or are most of us opening RTR boxes and settling back satisfied at a job well done? Bring on the Centurion as it is and leave any modifications to me please.. |
Nicely put Jarndice, however even the best made production models can benefit from a few tweaks by an experienced modeller who knows there subject. I’ve no doubt that the Centurion will be the same, needing those small but essential tweaks on missing or overscale parts or even building one of the many different MK’s of Centurion that Haya ltd has not covered. But I suspect there are just as many who unlike you will be happy with there “shelf queen”as is out of the box. Each to there own I say, after all if we were all the same it would be a boring world to say the least.
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Guess that makes you both 'journeymen' - the journey being more important than the destination - like me?
The only problem being the destination doesn't seem to get any closer, as one finds more stuff to tweak/rebuild - I'm on my 5th iteration of the shutter arm on my Chieftain's gunner sight, and sorta bogged down on the cupola with the angled periscopes.... And realised that to have the MRS on the barrel of my Chieftain means that it's an L11A5, with the slim bore evacuator, not the L11A3 with the thicker BE that is standard on the HAYA model. Going to let that one lie, should have tackled it prior to adding the barrel straps etc. I'm assuming similar will happen with Centurion, the footman loops are already on the list.... Mal |
You have hit the nail on the head Mal. Those who want a “standard model” to run or just display are catered for, and those who go down the dark path of “tweaking” or indeed the even darker art of “modifying” there tanks will I think be well catered for with the Centurion. At the end of the day as long as your happy with your model that’s all that matters in this, or any other hobby as far as I’m concerned.
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Originally Posted by cleong
(Post 12678295)
Better that someone brings to market a base tank that is 95% there and hobbyists customize for their desired variant than forever listen to hobbyists, keep tweaking and it never sees production. Sure beats scratchbuilding one, or spending months working with xacto blades, cement, and a styrene kit.
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Haya posted a couple of pics on their FB site, along with this text
1. Haya 1/16 Centurion Chassis and Metal Road Wheels ( 2 versions for road wheels : Plastic , or the Metal road wheels for upgrade ). Road wheels and return roller wheels all with RUBBER TYRES ! and Road wheels with Bearings ! 2. Metal Tracks in black colour 3. Metal drive wheels & Metal Idler wheels Mal https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...b7d7300f9f.jpg https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...b7204ffac0.jpg |
Wow, now THAT's a professional running gear...
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A few more Haya posts on FB, and short vids of features - https://www.facebook.com/rchaya11/ -
Mal https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...2dbf57b11c.jpg Mk 5 & Mk III turret tops - swap-able https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...bf3593d5b8.jpg Mk III & Mk 5 turret tops https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...afa1e3079e.jpg Operating gun travel clamp |
Its nice that Haya's offering is made modular to represent different versions. That will be its main selling point.
Unfortunately, aside from that, it looks rather toy-like in its details. Maybe I am distracted by the rather 80s painting style of the tank crew. |
wow, thanks for posting these updates! that looks incredible! I don't have a facebook account anymore, so I don't have any way to really view updates otherwise.
I see some people upset about some of the details, but honestly, I was thinking about my Haya Chieftain earlier and it's just absolutely one of the best RTR options I've seen - even with it's flaws! There's lot of little subtle touches that make it an incredibly easy tank to own, and after I added a light wash and some light weathering it really visually brought it all together (and this is NOT the kind of thing I'd expect from the factory - I actually really appreciate that it ships unweathered in a brighter paint scheme, it pleases those that like that and gives us weathering nerds a clean slate!) This though, wow. I am so excited! That running gear looks incredible, truly redeeming my main issue with the Chieftian. I'm not a huge fan of the Centurion as a vehicle, personally, but as someone who has too many project tanks I've had to do extensive internal work to (like Heng Long tanks that I have to extensively modify and reinforce to make nearly as easy to service as my Haya Chieftain), getting another truly RTR tank with sturdy running gear and thoughtful access hatches/accomodation sounds great. I'm waiting with bated breath for this to hit the storefront, and know I'll be ordering one as soon as I can. Now I just gotta try to stay patient for what's next! |
Hi fuchstraumer
Me neither, but depending on the type of account, you can often look without an account. There are supposed to be pre-orders available on the Haya UK site, though I haven't seen those yet - may require sign up? I like the Chieftain too & have done a fair bit of work on mine, but not much of late. Still a way to go before painting. There are some aspects of the Cent I don't love - looks like the glacis mounted spare tracks are moulded on, but replacing some detail is par for the course. I think the Haya Cent tow ropes are miles better than the Tamiya string ones, likewise roadwheels. It will be interesting to see if the Haya tracks are compatible with the Tamiya suspension, reports say that area is below par on the Tamiya. Mal |
Anoher Haya post re the RC system -
we use hobby level Fly Sky (FS) 10 ch. transmitter and receiver for Haya 1/16 Centurion . systems has been customized by FS company by our requires, Ch3 and Ch 1 controls forward/backward, Ch 2 and Ch 4 controls turret and barrel. Or hobbyists can use their own system ( 8 ch. or plus ) . The main board is Clark TK5.0 with proper engine sounds ( Rolls Royce meteor ) and 2 machine gun sounds. - https://www.facebook.com/rchaya11/ - https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...56b8b30073.jpg Mal |
Great Clark….. I’ve seen so many Clark’s fail in the last two years it’s hurting my club because people can’t come out and tank because they are all broke and waiting for their boards to be repaired by Clark.
I’m sorry guys, I know there is a big Clark fan base, but I just can’t ignore what I have seen and I recommend people not use them. |
It looks to be coming along nicely with some great features. But that all comes with a higher price tag. As it is now the Haya Centurion will most likely start pushing prices close to the Tamiya Centurion for the top optioned version not to mention it will be much higher priced then the TD (rebranded HL) Centurion. I was hoping it wouldn’t because I want another decent Centurion. If it comes within a few hundred dollars as I suspect it will after needing to dump the Clark board and replace it with something more reliable, I think I would just buy another Tamiya which have come down in price substantially and are a proven commodity.
Lets hope for people like myself that want a reasonably nice Centurion that Haya offers an option for just the tank without the Clark at a reduced price. Kinda of like what they did with their Chieftain. If so I think they will have a winner both in tank options and market place price point. |
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