Considering a Tamiya...maybe
 

Ok so even though I am in the middle of a project with my HL PanzerIII I just purchased I have been reading a lot about the tamiya and have decided that I want one....Atleast this a preliminary look into them. I have read many of the threads about them but I couldn't find the info I am looking for. Based on the tanks that I like I would probably go with the King Tiger which is my favorite tank, the Tiger I, or the sherman. The one thing I don't like about the sherman is the suspension I have heardfrom reading other posts thatit is a rare one and I would like to able to model it after a particularsherman in the war. My first choice would be the KT but since these kits are expensive I wouldprefer not putanymore money than the initial buy and I haveheard that the KT needs extra parts....I haven't heard anything specific about the Tiger I...what arepeople'stakes on this...Thanks for thehelp

RE: Considering a Tamiya...maybe
 

GET the KT, the only real problem with it is in gravel the track tension is critical and the plastic tracks are a little weak. You can throw a lot of money at these but learn which model needs what.


- Jeff

RE: Considering a Tamiya...maybe
 

I built my KT with the works every upgrade that Bob had at ETO for it after finding out that the Impact 18 tooth sprockets suck I tried Kenny Kongs 18 tooth sprocket for Bob and it fixed that problem and now it even runs well on gravel .
Its mean looking with no fenders on it and is heavy .
My tamiya Panther is a great runner also added the parts that needed upgraded for it also not as many as the KT .

Jimmy

RE: Considering a Tamiya...maybe
 

If you are lookig for a cheap and good runner in stock trim you cannot go wrong with the Sherman. Karen has good pricing on them at the tank museum
www.aaftankmuseum.com

RE: Considering a Tamiya...maybe
 

I remember that seeing a build thread with the KT was that yours?  Are all those upgrades neccessary for the KTs standard operation...I know most of those upgrades are for looks or for "perfect" operation?  Basicaly I want to be able to just buy the kit and have it run pretty well OTB

RE: Considering a Tamiya...maybe
 

Yea I like the sherman except for the suspension setup which I have read is rare during the war and I would like to model it after a specific sherman and with that suspension I am not sure how easy that will be able to do.

RE: Considering a Tamiya...maybe
 

I have still yet to build the KT...I'm honestly not that enthused to start building it, so that may be a rainy day build when ever I finish all my other tanks......or I just may sell it to get another Leopard or Panther. I do have the DT trans brace, bearings and idler adjusters I got from ETOarmour. The idler adjusters are probably the most important and seem to be at the top of the recommendations for the KT. <div></div><div>So far, I think the Pershing, Leopard, Sherman, Panzer IV, Tiger I, KV-1 &amp; 2, and Jagdpanther are the only ones that don't really need anything out of the box for performance improvement. The Panther supposedly needs a spacer to stop the wiggle in the barrel, the KT needs or it's recommended to have an improved idler adjuster and trans brace and even more so if you go metal tracks. Everything else can benefit from ball bearings but notmandatory. Some tanks will need areas improved if you take it a different direction such as adding metal tracks....but overall, I think most all can be just as well stock.</div><div></div><div>Gottarememberthere's a difference between recommendations and mandatory upgrades/improvements....not everyone's a stickler for historical precision.</div>

RE: Considering a Tamiya...maybe
 

Right thats why I am trying to seperate between parts for historical accuracy and neccessary for basic function...And thats why I made this thread so that I could try and figure out how much more than the initial buy I might need to spend on the KT or the Tiger I...and I am still considering the sherman.

RE: Considering a Tamiya...maybe
 

I will definitel say the KT will need track upgrades. They are not very strong and tend to break easily.

RE: Considering a Tamiya...maybe
 

If your open to a sherman, that I would suggest reserving a little thought for the Pershing. That tank is sick! Fun build and the only thing required is for mere aesthetic purposes such as the must have periscope guards and turret rain/dust canopy brackets. That is the one tank I know for certain needs nothing to improve performance......well, maybe the metal elevation arm, but you can get all that at Eto. If and when you do decide to get a tamiya, PM or email Bob at Eto and he'll send you on the right direction......and no, he won't try to sell you fleas off a dogs back, he's pretty honest and straight forward about mandatory and unnecessary stuff.

RE: Considering a Tamiya...maybe
 

This why I am considering the Tiger I and still maybe the sherman.  especially since it looks like HL will be ccoming out with a KT and I will eventually want a Tiger I but since the HL tiger takes so mucch to make it run right then I might as well get a tamiya one.  

RE: Considering a Tamiya...maybe
 

The pershing I have heard is a hard build and this will be my first tamiya...I know you have a pershing how difficult is the build?,,,and do you know what the estimated extra cost above and beyond the intial buy is for those extra parts is?

RE: Considering a Tamiya...maybe
 

The build isn't really that hard.....there's just lots of parts and the build is a little scattered when dealing with screws...so if time consuming is considered hard...then I guess it is. I've compared many of the available Tamiya manuals (found hereor here) and the Pershing is the second most detailed tank and the Leopard being at the top of the ranks. So far, I can say the Leopard was hard and testing but Tamiya well planned it. It has a gradual ease then peaks of crazy difficulty than drops back to ease, wash rinse repeat. Unlike the Pershing, the steps of the build called for many of the pieces from the same sprue or screw bag so you didn't have to fiddle around much finding the correct sprue or sorting through screws. The Pershing build has you kind of bouncing like a pogo stick. The Pershing was my first Tammy and I can tell you, it's not hard at all.


oh and as for the periscope guards and turret canopy brackets...it'll probably cost you an extra 65-80 bucks, can't remember...but, they're details for the stickler.<br type="_moz" />

RE: Considering a Tamiya...maybe
 

Thanks for the info.  No I don't consider time consuming hard...mabe I will consider the pershing but I don't know I still like the Tiger I and the Sherman and Still considering the KT...decisions decisions....thanks for the help guys.

RE: Considering a Tamiya...maybe
 

You can always do like BigTony and buy one of each LOL:D

RE: Considering a Tamiya...maybe
 

I'll eventually get the Tiger I...but to be honest and this is my own personal gripe. I temporarily moved away from HL for a change of pace....not just performance wise but audibly. The thought that the KT, Tiger I, Panther, and JagdPanther all sound the same brings this essence of HL back to mind where all my HL's sound the same. I know this is historically accurate in regards to the stated tanks sharing the same Maybach engine....but surely the range was different according the exhaust type and sheer size of the tank.......I think. Anyway, that's one of my reasons for the hesitation of those mentioned tanks.<div>
</div><div>The sound is a big majority of fun in these tanks, so to me it's important....lol. Turn off the sound and see just how long anyone drives their tanks!</div>

RE: Considering a Tamiya...maybe
 

Nothing wrong or rare about the suspension on the Tammy Sherman. The HVSS (Horizontal Volute Spring suspension) is a much better suspension which wasn't available until mid 1944. It greatly decreased ground pressure as well as providing as smoother ride over ground that would have stopped the earlier Shermans, but added more than a ton to the tank's weight. The problem with the Tamiya Sherman is that is was an infantry support tank, as opposed to the standard combat Shermans. It was issued much more sparsley to tank units, starting with one to a company. For that reason it is not that popular, so many have been converted to other Shermans. My only Tammy is a Sherman but I converted it to an Israeli M-51 and it runs great.

RE: Considering a Tamiya...maybe
 

I know what you mean about the sound...well atleast from my brief expierience...Couldn't imagine my Pz without sound cause all I would here is the high pitch whine of the electric motors and gear boxes.

RE: Considering a Tamiya...maybe
 

ThanksPatton commander for that info...Do you know of any web sites that have any good wartime photos of this sherman that was issued as a infantry support?

RE: Considering a Tamiya...maybe
 

The 105 Sherman was used more by the Marines and often used alongside Pershings. Armor in Korea by Jim Mesko, Squadron Signal pub has some nice photos, Pg 23, 26, 29, 34, 36(dozer), 46, 59. A number of these were fitted with flame guns and designated POA-CWS-H5. (USMC) The flame gun tube was mounted in the gunner's telescope hole.

RE: Considering a Tamiya...maybe
 

Thanks for the info I will look into that.

RE: Considering a Tamiya...maybe
 

no not all updates are nesecary on the KT the only one i did is the <u>schumo Idler tensioner </u>installed, the plastic tracks are of good quality but just like the real one rocks (gravel) is a enemy, even on metal tracks you have to take care when turn in it. My four kt's were from 12 to 7 years old just fixed the idler tension, i ride everywere ... yard, woods and sand and gravel, concreet just everywere no big problems at all.
That tamiya stuff is realy very sturdy when use it for what its intended, No King Tiger model rides 30km/hour if even the big one drove at max 36km on good ways and in the field hardly 17km, thus our models has to be slower 6 &agrave; 7 km is a good speed this are not ferrari's you know

I would say , yes proper build and battledamaged <u>the King Tiger from tamiya is a realbrutal beast</u>almost unstopable frontal unpenetrateble that should be with the battle units also, it could shoot at 3km an allied tank.
Those battle units suck even a pzkfw III can knock out a beasty KT THATS not real, yes it has to be fun but not childsplay like now ... that's why we at smaz don't battle with IR, we are searching to use blind spots like KTand Jagdtiger at front not penetrateble and even at site the allies tanks has to come within 800m range to had a chance to shot them.
It has to be realer then its fun now its is just fooling around, that was not intended on a 600&euro; tamiya, we want real results ....

We did it at our jagdpanther from HL we mobbed the battle unit at front so it will be hard to knock him out with 75mm sherman even at 500m it was hard in real battles, in real they just bounced off rarely took hits at front, it more fun those ways, the others know the jagdpanther can't knocked out at front so they have to use tacktics to get him down , just as in real battles were doing

RE: Considering a Tamiya...maybe
 

This is just a tought from a few belgian tankers, whats the fun if a T34 can knock out a tiger I at 20m on battlefield, in real a tiger could hit him at 2000m and the T34 has to come on less than 1000m to get a chance.
If someone now knocks our jagdpanther out its fun, we had battled then use proper tacktics to trap the big brother

Even a sherman firefly can beat the biggest tank when used the proper tactical battlestrategy of panzers, that's what we all want, that's real attraction to battle tanks

RE: Considering a Tamiya...maybe
 

Ok so I was looking more into the tamiyas and I know that you need a radio and reciever which doesn't come with the kit is there anythng else that is needed?...I am not talking about upgrades but necessary parts.

RE: Considering a Tamiya...maybe
 

List of BASIC items needed to build the kit and run it.

Radio
Hobby Knife
Angled hobby shears (for snipping as close to the parts as possible...sometimescuticlecutters work, but not really)
Replacement Blades
Thread Lock (blue)
Phillips head screwdriver (small with semi-wide head)
Solvent Cement Glue (depending on kit, you may need super glue or for technical hobby terms, CA glue)
(optional) Muffin pan, tackle box, bead accessory box, etc....what ever you can use to sort through the hundreds of screws easily...look around the house, you may not have to purchase anything for that.

That's really it. You can modify what you need along the way like replacing the ceramic grease or axle grease for silicone grease.
Sand paper may come in handy foreliminatingsprue marks, but usually scraping with an X-acto blade takes care of that or solvent cement dissolves it away. I also like to use magnets andmagnetizedtools....this really helps a lot,especiallyfor the tiny screws smaller than eyeglass screws. Tamiya does supply you with a tinyPhillipsfor it, but it's notmagnetizedso adding a tiny magnet to the screw driver makes things easy. They also supply you with nut drivers and again, depending on the kit, hex key wrenches.

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