I'm starting this thread for folks to share their experiences with shipping, availability and operation. Some lucky tankers got theirs before May 2, avoiding any tariffs. Please share what you've encountered.
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The more screws it takes to reassemble a tank, the more likely it is you left something out! -
Here's mine so far. I looked through AliExpress and found this ad. Other ads stated they couldn't/wouldn't ship to the US. This one did, and also stated import fees were included. I'm not holding my breath on this one, but I'm screen shotting each step in case I have to cancel through Paypal. It supposedly is being sent via YunExpress, which has worked for me before.
Yeah, who is "Kubrick"? Anyway, the product images includes a picture of the box, with Coolbank on it.
The more screws it takes to reassemble a tank, the more likely it is you left something out! -
A challenge for 3DP designers out there! Here are some interesting variants.
Attached FilesThe more screws it takes to reassemble a tank, the more likely it is you left something out!Comment
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I ordered mine from Coolbank's Ali page on April 17th. It says it shipped on the 26th with a FedEx tracking number. As of today, FedEx says they haven't even received the package from the shipper. It's either lost or still sitting on a container ship somewhere. They have said there is a bunch of ships in transit.Comment
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Today, I came home for lunch break and saw this. I will be busy for the next 2 days :-)
SoCal RC Tank Club Facebook Group
Largest active RC Tank club in Southern California
Gathering 1-2x monthly/All Ages & Experience levels welcomeComment
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None of the tracking from Aliexpress seems to be accurate anymore since the tariff malfunction.Don't just fly--WREAK HAVOC!!!Comment
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If you have a tracking number from the AliExpress seller, you can use "17Track", a universal tracker. It gives the most accurate readings.The more screws it takes to reassemble a tank, the more likely it is you left something out!Comment
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I received mine today - a day later than David N's, as it had to travel from LA to San Diego! Here's a summary of the travel saga.
5/14: Purchased through AliExpress as a "Kubrick Crusader III". All the photos were of the Coolbank Crusader, and that is what I finally received. I ordered from a seller that advertised that the price included all import duties and fees, and shipping.
5/23: A shipping label was created, from Humen China. It bounced arund China for a while.
6/8: Arrived at Hong Kong Customs, then HK Airport.
6/9: Departed HK Airport
6/10: Arrived at Los Angeles.
6/10: Released from US Customs.
6/12: Arrived and Departed LA Warehouse.
613: Delivered to me by an unmarked courier.
So all told, a 4 week process. No fees upon delivery. The seller's price was what I would expect with the included expenses of duties and shipping.
Yay!
The more screws it takes to reassemble a tank, the more likely it is you left something out!Comment
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How big is the Crusader, really?
Here it is next to a Mato Panzer III:
The more screws it takes to reassemble a tank, the more likely it is you left something out!Comment
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Here's mine next to its successors:
First impressions of it are good for the ~$130 or so I paid:
The good:
Mold quality is crisp and details are finer than Heng Long
It offers a slip ring as stock so has 360 turret rotation
The control are smooth and the tank is easy to control
Lots of opening hatches
Suspension works great and is prototypical, featuring metal swingarms
Two sets of independently working lights are always cool
Super easy track tension adjustment
There is no simulated hull recoil and the gun barrel servo recoil is nice
The gun barrel is likely to be metal
The not so good:
Turret rotation is way too quick when maxed out
Plastic drive sprockets have a slight wobble and don’t spin true. Doesn’t affect performance though.
Not IR battle capable
The transmission out drives are not sealed and may wear prematurely if used in gritty environments
The instructions don’t clearly tell you where all the small detail bits go onto; some are omitted
The provided decal sheet has markings for several tanks but there’s no marking guide
Additional smoke fluid isn’t provided
All in all, for the price I paid, it offers quite a lot, i got the basic version and am impressed. I hope there will be aftermarket parts to make it more durable eventually - it looks like a good little tank to tool around withComment
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Some assembled but unpainted photos. Taken before I disassemble it for a Caunter camouflage scheme.
This last photo shows the opening hatches. The on/off switch is under the center rear hatch. The battery is removable, accessed by removing the left front deck which is secured by magnets.
The more screws it takes to reassemble a tank, the more likely it is you left something out!Comment
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Can't wait to see it finished you always do such a great job painting and weathering.Some assembled but unpainted photos. Taken before I disassemble it for a Caunter camouflage scheme.
This last photo shows the opening hatches. The on/off switch is under the center rear hatch. The battery is removable, accessed by removing the left front deck which is secured by magnets.
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With Rich J's guidance, I successfully disassembled the Crusader turret, for inspection and painting.
For those curious, here's the insides. First detach the turret from the hull. Don't remove the red screws or you'll have ball bearings everywhere! Remove the green ones. You may have to remove the blue one to access the green one. You can see the turret rotation mechanism; its a servo with the electronics removed, leaving it just a geared DC motor. A rubber wheel rubs the turret ring for movement. It's actually a neat design, eliminating possible breakage if the turret is slammed around from impact.
The turret comes right off, leaving the well and the ball bearings intact. You will have to pop the elevation servo arm off the servo . It's not screwed in, probably for that purpose.
See the dangling servo arm. The brown pink and black cable is part of the slip ring.
Six more screws and the turret comes apart for full access. The two three-wire cables can also be unplugged if desired.
Instead of one do-all mother board, it seems that Coolbank has used some auxiliary, or daughter boards. For instance there is a small unused board in the hull that probably is activated by a switch on the transmitter labelled "winch", and a socket on the mother board labelled "front steering servo". Now what future vehicle could use front wheel steering as well as track steering, and use a winch in front, hmmm?The more screws it takes to reassemble a tank, the more likely it is you left something out!Comment
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Just a philosophical observation. There is only one way Coolbank, or any other manufacturer, can continue to produce toys for our mutual obsession, and that is for us to buy their current products. "Vote with your money." For instance, on FB Coolbank showed a CAD development stage of a Matilda II. We'll only see if if he stays in business.The more screws it takes to reassemble a tank, the more likely it is you left something out!Comment
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Hi Bob,With Rich J's guidance, I successfully disassembled the Crusader turret, for inspection and painting.
For those curious, here's the insides. First detach the turret from the hull. Don't remove the red screws or you'll have ball bearings everywhere! Remove the green ones. You may have to remove the blue one to access the green one. You can see the turret rotation mechanism; its a servo with the electronics removed, leaving it just a geared DC motor. A rubber wheel rubs the turret ring for movement. It's actually a neat design, eliminating possible breakage if the turret is slammed around from impact.
The turret comes right off, leaving the well and the ball bearings intact. You will have to pop the elevation servo arm off the servo . It's not screwed in, probably for that purpose.
See the dangling servo arm. The brown pink and black cable is part of the slip ring.
Six more screws and the turret comes apart for full access. The two three-wire cables can also be unplugged if desired.
Instead of one do-all mother board, it seems that Coolbank has used some auxiliary, or daughter boards. For instance there is a small unused board in the hull that probably is activated by a switch on the transmitter labelled "winch", and a socket on the mother board labelled "front steering servo". Now what future vehicle could use front wheel steering as well as track steering, and use a winch in front, hmmm?
How about including some photos with the descriptions I've quoted from you. No photos are showing up.Comment
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Nope, no pic. Well hopefully he does stay in business as he has already brought multiple tanks to market that we didn't have before. They aren't perfect, but none of them are from any manufacturer.Comment
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Bizarre. Ok, here are photos 2, 3 & 4 from my post, from a different upload spot. Let me know.
The more screws it takes to reassemble a tank, the more likely it is you left something out!Comment
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Yep, Can see your photos now. Very interesting on the turrent rotation method. I like it!Comment
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