Panzer III

[quitcherbitchen]

I got my Horus 12s using Opentx radio hooked to my Clark TK 40s Board. I programmed it using some quick suggestions from the RCtankaus website. Very few people have actually made any videos. My knowledge of Opentx is average, but I got it working. I had trouble initially getting the motors to move until I read the directions more thoroughly and realized that my battery was too low voltage. Just got noise and no motors. I charged my battery, initially too hi rate. Lucky I was watching it. Max charge on these Li Io is 1.75 amp. I started at what I thought was 1 c 3.5amp. battery got hot but I was watching it and shut it off quickly. I don't think I hurt it. I then charged it up enough at 1.75 amp to get the tracks running and everything works except the airsoft. I don't know were to plug it in the clark board. It isn't clear. I'll figure it out. The Clark board is AWESOME. Huge upgrade in sound. Low speed is a crawl. I had an issue with the tracks slipping still. I tightened it one less link. I'll test it on dirt tomorrow. My Panzer being a 2015 model had the old 5.3 MFU which I can tell was just too toy like. These Clark boards are a work of genius. It will take a few evenings to get everything worked out. With Opentx I can tweak things even more.

[SoCalBobS]

Simple answer is, you really can’t. Unless you buy multiples of the same item. Then the shipping is not bad. I buy a lot of bulk spare parts but multiples of each which keeps the shipping cost down.

If you only buy singles of different items each has a shipping price based on that item. Buy two or three of the same item and shipping does not go up most of the time.

Its a Chinese run company and they have very different ideas on passing on shipping costs. It is what it is, they have the parts so you have to pay the price if you want them.

That said, I bought 3 of one item, and the resulting shipping cost per item was slightly less than what was listed for a single. I had no control over it, as Rubicon noted, I wanted them and was prepared to pay what they charged. Like a beer at a stadium game, yeah they cost a lot more but if it's what you want, fork over the cash or go dry!

[Rubicon99]

How do I get combined shipping? It seems each item has its own shipping charge. Dai

Simple answer is, you really can’t. Unless you buy multiples of the same item. Then the shipping is not bad. I buy a lot of bulk spare parts but multiples of each which keeps the shipping cost down.

If you only buy singles of different items each has a shipping price based on that item. Buy two or three of the same item and shipping does not go up most of the time.

Its a Chinese run company and they have very different ideas on passing on shipping costs. It is what it is, they have the parts so you have to pay the price if you want them.

[quitcherbitchen]

That is weird. I have bought multiple items from Aliepress, but that seller might be different. Contact them. I am still waiting for servos I bought before Nov 17th from one vender. It is stuck in a local post office as the post offices are backed up with priority mail.

[dai phan]

Tankzhang on Aliexpress IS Heng Long’s web store on that site. Been using them for years for small parts. Used to be cheap and fast but it has become more expensive in the last few years. Best to order A LOT of parts as it keeps the shipping cost down.

Delivery can take from two weeks to two months so best to never be in a hurry to receive parts from them.

How do I get combined shipping? It seems each item has its own shipping charge. Dai

[quitcherbitchen]

Any pointers on which side of the tracks face inward towards the Tank? The pin heads facing out makes more sense from a maintenance stand point, but the new metal tracks kinda rub very little the upper guide housings. The idle wheel is really the weak link in these Heng Long track suspensions. One side I have 91 links and no slippage and the other 92. The adjustable idle wheel tension upgrade seems a must, or just thru bolt the wheel straight thru the chassis.

[quitcherbitchen]

I used Birchwood Blue paste. I used a acid brush and gloves to paint the metal tracks with bluing. took a about an hour. I then rinsed under hot water and used a nail brush to take off the gel of the paste. The paste might not be as fast as liquid. It is supposed to be better then the liquid for depth of color, but honestly I don't know except it does darken it after one application. It might take second coat to make darker, but it shouldn't chip like paint. $6.95 cost for the paste and I probably have enough for 15 sets of tracks. Plus unlike AK industries Burnish fluid it isn't corroding the tracks. The sprockets probably won't take bluing as they are pot metal, but I painted them anyway.

[SoCalBobS]

I posted some outdoor photos in the gallery.

[quitcherbitchen]

Yes indeed the same. Well, after seeing a couple of Panzers online with the box cutout I went for broke and cut mine out. Plenty of room now in the chassis. I will see how big my barrel smoke unit is and if there is still room I can mount a bigger Tamiya speaker.

[SoCalBobS]

Nice DAK. I thought about the paint, but will try the Birchwood Blue. I think my Tank being a 2015 model had a really small battery box. What does the newer boxes look like?

Thanks. Box is the same. I found that instead of angling the battery, inserting it level, it would just fit pushed into that step in the front.

[quitcherbitchen]

Nice DAK. I thought about the paint, but will try the Birchwood Blue. I think my Tank being a 2015 model had a really small battery box. What does the newer boxes look like?

[SoCalBobS]

So my battery showed up and the 3500 will not fit my older chassis. So I did like I have seen others do on RCTANKWARFARE and dremmeled the battery compartment out. I will get around to cutting more out later once my new smoke system arrives. I drove the tank for the first time around in the house and the metal track side was getting no traction as expected on my smooth floors. I am going to gun blue the treads as soon as I can get some gun blue.

Interesting. Mine fit, just, with a little push. Regarding blueing the tracks, I've been just spray painting them with a brown (dirt, mud, rust?) paint then running it around on concrete to wear the paint off the high parts. I'm in the process of weathering my tank, but take a look at the treads.

[quitcherbitchen]

I saw this tip on RCTANKWARFARE. Magnet on the idle sprocket cover for quick access. I will abandon my screw on cover to try this first.

[quitcherbitchen]

So my battery showed up and the 3500 will not fit my older chassis. So I did like I have seen others do on RCTANKWARFARE and dremmeled the battery compartment out. I will get around to cutting more out later once my new smoke system arrives. I drove the tank for the first time around in the house and the metal track side was getting no traction as expected on my smooth floors. I am going to gun blue the treads as soon as I can get some gun blue.

[quitcherbitchen]

figured it out and then some.

[quitcherbitchen]

Need more help here. I am trying to put metal tracks on my Panzer III and am a little confused to how the sprockets and more importantly the Idler will stay together. Also, the metal track kit has no directions. There are bits in the kit that have me confused too. Tension has me confused too. Do you just run them and see if the tracks fall off? If you look and click the pictures I have my questions in the descriptions.

[Rubicon99]

Because I bought a used tank unseen, I foolishly will end up spending more then if I bought new as So Cal Bob pointed out. My tank is missing a couple of parts that though not needed to operate they are missing. I found this seller who has all the bits of kit on aliexpress. Mine is missing one side of a hatch and a road wheel. None were going to be a problem, but it is nice to see they have pretty much everything.

Tankzhang on Aliexpress IS Heng Long’s web store on that site. Been using them for years for small parts. Used to be cheap and fast but it has become more expensive in the last few years. Best to order A LOT of parts as it keeps the shipping cost down.

Delivery can take from two weeks to two months so best to never be in a hurry to receive parts from them.

[Rubicon99]

Great find, QB!

Tankzhang on Aliexpress is Heng Long’s store on that site. Been using them for years for spare plastic parts.

[SoCalBobS]

Because I bought a used tank unseen, I foolishly will end up spending more then if I bought new as So Cal Bob pointed out. My tank is missing a couple of parts that though not needed to operate they are missing. I found this seller who has all the bits of kit on aliexpress. Mine is missing one side of a hatch and a road wheel. None were going to be a problem, but it is nice to see they have pretty much everything.

Great find, QB!

[quitcherbitchen]

Because I bought a used tank unseen, I foolishly will end up spending more then if I bought new as So Cal Bob pointed out. My tank is missing a couple of parts that though not needed to operate they are missing. I found this seller who has all the bits of kit on aliexpress. Mine is missing one side of a hatch and a road wheel. None were going to be a problem, but it is nice to see they have pretty much everything.