Tamiya Panzerkampfwagen IV Ausf.J - RTR - # 23653
(Radio Controlled Model Review)

  Released by Tamiya on December 17, 2008, the German Panzerkampfwagen IV Ausf.J (# 23653) is the Factory Finished, Limited Edition, RTR version, with a battery, charger and 4-channel radio system included.

  A front-mounted double gearbox, with two electric motors, operate together or individually to produce forward/reverse running and pivot turning. Metal torsion bars and suspension arms combine with the wide tracks to smoothly absorb bumps and dips in the terrain and provide high manoeuvrability. In addition, realistic engine sounds accompany the tank as it starts up, drives and stops to idle. The main gun can be elevated, depressed and swung to the left and right.

  The German "War Horse" type IV tank was used for the whole period of World War II and gathered the confidence of German army troops. Its final production version type J, was mass produced in 1944 and was aimed at strengthening the character of its defensive warfare and simplifying its equipment. The main gun mounted a long barrel 48 gauge 7.5 cm cannon, was inherited from H type. A new grenade launcher was attached to the top of the turret in order to prevent enemy infantry approaching during battle. The auxiliary engine for turret swing was removed and was modified with 2-speed transmission and fuel tank, to increase the cruising distance. The increased armour board Schultzen, which had been introduced from the type G continued to be installed. The IV type J was a new type of tank, such as Panther and King Tiger and fought as a major part of the German tank core until the end of the war.

  This model comes with metal bushings, that after a short while, when dust and grit get into them, can actually wear into the metal drive shafts that spin in them - we recommend these should be replaced by a full set of steel shielded ball bearings ASAP.

Rating: 4 RCScrapyard

Servos for RC Models

   Servos are found on all kinds of Radio Controlled Models. RC Touring Cars, Buggys, Trucks, Truggys, Monster Trucks, Rock Crawlers, Airplanes, Helicopters, Boats and Ships for Steering, Throttle Control, Rudder Operation and Wing Flaps.

   For complete RC beginners, choosing the right servo can be confusing, so here are a few tips to point you in the right direction.

   The standard, plastic bushed (bearings) type servos are fine to start with but come with plastic/nylon gears that can break easily in collisions. So, to protect your servo gears to some degree, make sure you have a good "servo saver".

Bearing Seals

   If you were to ask anyone with a modicum of experience in RC, they will tell you that the best modification you can make to a basic RC model, is to add a set of ball bearings.

   Quite a few of the entrance level models at the time this article was written, come with plastic and sintered brass ring type bearings. If these bearings are installed in the model and coated with grease as advised in the car manual, dust and grit can be caught in that grease and be dragged into the bearing where it can abrade the shaft that spins in it and it won't be long before it becomes a very sloppy fit, causing all kinds of problems.

   But what should you look for when buying bearings? There are a number of types of seal used on ball bearings, and there is much debate concerning which is the best for RC.