Modern HL tanks?

[SoCalBobS]

Here's....the rest of the story!

[cmdrcody]

Looks like the US soldier with the black hat is reading the Challenger tank operation manual in his hands. HaHa!

[tank_me]

Must be a joint US/British exercise as those are US soldiers climbing all over that Challenger.

Derek

[cmdrcody]

I'm looking at some Challenger II online photos and found this. Do you think LegoDEI makes 1:1 scale versions of his IR receiver?

Looks like they're ready to play some serious full scale IR battlefield games. 👍

[SoCalBobS]

I'm looking at some Challenger II online photos and found this. Do you think LegoDEI makes 1:1 scale versions of his IR receiver?

[cmdrcody]

This is how my HL Leopard 2A6 Pro version (All metal tracks) Arrived.
And I installed 8 x 12 x 3.5 sealed flanged drive shaft bearings in the original plastic hubs. Two bearings in each plastic hub - one inside & one outside. Each held in place by a light layer of two-part epoxy.

[SoCalBobS]

I got the all metal tracked version, with the rubber feet in the track links. A positive for this version is the presence of ball bearings in all wheels.

My error, the drive axle support bearings I ordered from eBay, but still coming from China. The seller is "daclover".

[Rubicon99]

The upgrade version if you want to start there but it's not necessary. Bearings are available through Toucan as well but if you can't find them aliexpress is still a good choice.

Leopards use the larger turret ring. I am not a fan of the 360 "wiring collar". They cause more reliability issues then they worth. Better to just lengthen the wires and remember to rotate the turret back. From experience in battling tanks I don't see 360 being used as often as people think it will be.

[MrChef]

No driveshaft support bearings are its only real issue.

It could use better tracks the HL ones plastic or metal aren't very good. It runs best on Tamiya Leopard 2 tracks.

Well that sounds like a pretty good deal then.

So Driveshaft support bearings and Tamiya tracks. So start with a Upgrade tank then? and add the bearings and Tamiya Nylon tracks? Are the aliexpress bearings the only specific ones? Toucan or Forgebear doesn't have them?

Oh and is the Leopard turret ring small or large tor the 360 degree ring mod?

[MrChef]

Oh lastly it's a HUGE tank. The largest 1/16 HL makes.

M'mmm that sounds tasty! Do you accept the Challenge Bob?

[Rubicon99]

Ok, damit, since I posted the Leopard pics and clips, I keep getting "Challenges" to add one to the stable. So Rubicon, what's its main flaw? Now, if you still have one, here's something for JVMConcepts to work on for you.

Bob yes JVM3Dconcepts has all those a parts plus more designed just not printed. They are holding off until I acquire a new test bed one for finishing fitment checks. My current Challengers I don't want to change the looks of right now. They are more less shelf queens these days.

The Challenger 2 is overall a good tank and by far the best cross country tank of the modern designs. It has a few issues though.

The sprockets are to narrow for either Abrams or Leopard 2 aftermarket tracks and need spacers to run the track(currently there are no Challenger specific aftermarket tracks made they are either Abrams or Leopard with spacer mod needed). The simple more effective solution is to swap over to Abram sprockets. The best and most reliable tracks to run on the Challenger are the Tamiya Leopard 2 tracks.

Next it needs drive shaft support bearings badly. Without them it easily looses tracks off the sprockets even with the new adjustable idlers keeping the track tight.

Regardless with bearings, Abrams sprockets and Tamiya tracks the Challenger needs to be driven with thought and planning. When done so it is a excellent tank. It is not a tank that is good for a beginner which of course you are not.

Oh lastly it's a HUGE tank. The largest 1/16 HL makes.

[SoCalBobS]

Ok, damit, since I posted the Leopard pics and clips, I keep getting "Challenges" to add one to the stable. So Rubicon, what's its main flaw? Now, if you still have one, here's something for JVMConcepts to work on for you.

[SoCalBobS]

AliExpress sells specific drive shaft bearing supports with housings for the Leopard. A have some generic bearings there now, but the specific ones are enroute. I think there are different levels of tracks - plastic, all metal and metal with rubber pads. I got the last and they seem to be working ok. They don't have the best traction in dirt though. I'm also using some 'red' motors, to offset the increased weight.

I had a little trouble with the left side sprocket loosening. I'm using a longer bolt now, we'll see if that works. If not, I can use a little loc-tite, and the specific bearings will help. Is that an issue you were referring to, Rubicon?

[Rubicon99]

Hey guys SocalBob got me interested in the Leopard after posting up pics and video of it.

Since I didn't see it specifically addressed. What issues if any does the Leopard have out of the box?

Thanks,

Chef

No driveshaft support bearings are its only real issue.

It could use better tracks the HL ones plastic or metal aren't very good. It runs best on Tamiya Leopard 2 tracks.

[MrChef]

Hey guys SocalBob got me interested in the Leopard after posting up pics and video of it.

Since I didn't see it specifically addressed. What issues if any does the Leopard have out of the box?

Thanks,

Chef

[DavidN]

Got it! The Sherman and the KV-1 have short barrels. New players tend to collide them accidentally and we won't see much damages in those. Thank you all again for the advice. I will put the blue LegoDEI receivers on the Sherman's and the red LegoDEI receivers on the KVs. It will be a Red vs. Blue RC tank battle event.

[Rubicon99]

Thank you! Maybe I should drop the idea. For these new players, I should just get 10 Sherman tanks and 10 KV-1 tanks. Less work for me :-) Small, easy storage, and easy for players to pick up after playing.

Honestly IMO that is something to consider. Its already a lot of work for you. I know I have the been there T-Shirt.

The idea of modern tanks I applaud you for its very ambitious. But simple, proven reliable and rugged Sherman's, KVs and even T34s are less headaches for you. Less headaches means you can focus more on ensuring there is fun being had by all. More fun = more return players.

If people as you grow are interested in buying their own modern tanks and start bringing them to events, then revisit the idea.

[DavidN]

Thank you! Maybe I should drop the idea. For these new players, I should just get 10 Sherman tanks and 10 KV-1 tanks. Less work for me :-) Small, easy storage, and easy for players to pick up after playing.

[Rubicon99]

About the challenger, any issue with it?

Yes.

Challengers tend to loose tracks easily even with drive shaft bearings and the new adjustable idler. An expert driver would be able to drive them without losing the tracks often, but an inexperienced one and on the terrain you are using it will be a continuous problem.

Yes there is a solution but it gets expensive given the use intended for the tank.

Side note: When a Challenger is all dialed in and running well it is by far IMO the best of the modern tanks when driving over rough terrain at any speed. Super smooth suspension with a huge amount of flex equals a mechanical ballet.

[DavidN]

About the challenger, any issue with it?