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For hobbyists who want a 1/35 scale tank that looks, sounds and performs like the real thing, 35 RC Tank have the answer, with a range of RC conversion kits for 1/35 scale static models. In this review, we'll take a look at the products they have available for converting the Tamiya 1/35 Flakpanzer Gepard into a real RC showpiece.
 

I was quite impressed with the kit and it looks quite professional.

The parts are CNC cut steel, finely cut and professionally made. The electronics use miniature PCB mount technology and bubble IC construction for highly reliable and space and weight saving characteristics. The package comes with a parts list, conversion user manual and electronics manual.

All parts are neatly packed in bags. The parts list and parts bags are not cross labelled so identifying parts is difficult. The conversion user manual has parts identified with alpha-numeric notations. Hopefully the final production kits will have labels on the bags and a pictorial parts identification sheet. The conversion user manual is surprisingly detailed and comprehensive with clear descriptions and accurate pictures.

There is a considerable amount of model plastic cutting and drilling required by the modeller to accept the kit conversion parts. It is definitely for the advanced modeller or scratch builder. Instructions call for the surgical use of side cutters or modelling knife. A micro jeweller's saw may be easier to accomplish some of these tasks to assure clean cuts.

The electronics manual is quite detailed and explains every component and its function well. The power supply has a wide voltage range of 3.6-9V for flexibility in preferred battery pack you may wish to use. The ideal voltage is 7.2V which gives a wide variety of pack styles for your favourite rechargeable standard pack. Laid out on the table we have very small parts, metal pieces, Manuals and Parts list. Just like a miniature Tamiya kit!

Programming is simple as only the stick ranges need to be recorded where the order of sticks does not matter. That is to say, you can begin with the left or right stick in any order to set the program.

The heart of the system, and they are small, includes a main controller, (digital ESC's) and the Sound board. With parts this small, most any 35th model could be RC converted.

The operation is smooth and powerful, worked excellently. The tracking radar moves up and down in tandem with the left or right turret rotation. Very nice effect. Be aware the turret ring gear in the instructions is supposed to be represented with full inner teeth and not partial as shown.Not sure why, but this Ring Gear part impressed me, partly of the precision but probably more so the engineering mind that uses a right angle gear arrangement to engage the Ring Gear. Why did I not think of that? This creates a strong coupling that does not have the 'slippage' characteristics of linear gears. Anyone with fond memories of Tin metal toys and models from 50 years ago will have a very familiar and warm attachment to the mechanisms in the kit. The turret ring gear and rotation motor assembly is set up differently than most RC tank models in that the ring gear is attached to the upper hull and the rotation motor assembly attached to the turret. Pay special attention to alignment, as critical meshing of gears is necessary for proper turret rotation. The small size of the model leaves little room for error. Once the ring gear is CA glued in place that's it, no more adjustment is possible, so be sure it's right the first time!

Seems a very simple, yet smartly implemented modern method of basic mechanical toys was used here. The advent of modern technology in parts fabrication really makes this kit very nice and functional.

There are essentially two sounds - Machine gun fire in the quick stick down position and Main gun fire in the quick stick up position. All the sounds can be heard in the demo video. The sounds are selectable for 'off' condition. The four corners of the sound board attach to the underside of the upper hull.

Gun elevation was responsive and quick with a servo actuator. The servo seemed to operate in stepped fashion rather than linear which made for somewhat jerky gun positioning.

 

The servo mechanism has an ON/OFF switch attached to and served from the same mechanism as the elevation. Someone really understands mechanics well to combine functions in one device! The radar uses magnetic coupling to eliminate additional moving parts that could fail. Extra credit points awarded for ingenuity.

 

The gearbox uses a 90 degree step-down ratio gear. This design has power, torque and operates smoothly without binding.Drive: The drive has full forward, reverse, turn and neutral turn capability similar to the Tamiya RC tanks. The drive is proportional to stick position in all orientations. The drive was surprisingly strong as the rubber band tracks pulled the vehicle around the floor. provided significant resistance for the motors frequently stalling completely. The gearbox is 2-stage gear-down with plenty of power. Ideally the tracks should be single links for better articulation and less static frictional load on the motors. I opted to significantly modify the tracks, although not necessary for this conversion. The tracks were cut into individual links and temporarily attached to a thin flexible band (duct tape). The flexibility offered by this solution allowed for natural sag of the track and more of a 'hanging' load on the motors rather than a 'taught' rubber band load.
The batteries (6 'AAA') weight the tank just right but I would recommend a rechargeable pack for extended running.

 

Before using the Gepard Plastic model kit instructions, use the Conversion instructions first to modify the lower hull for the suspension arms and torsion bars.

Cut the lower hull at places shown in the instructions to prepare for RC parts. Not sure why the back plate had to be removed, but did it anyway to be consistent with instructions. An Xacto knife helps with many fine cuts and needle nose pliers to twist break the tabs at the bottom of the hull to allow room for the torsion bars.

I used a Dremel to smooth areas before sanding with a fine grit paper. Pilot holes were drilled for the torsion bar entry to assure proper alignment. The 3mm hole is approximately 1/8" SAE.

Axels clipped from the plastic model will be reused to form axels on the suspension arms so be careful cutting since these parts will be used again. A jig is supplied for aligning the static axel pieces into the articulating metal suspension arms. The axels are aligned in the jig and a hot knife or screwdriver is used to flatten a head on the axel shaft like a rivet. CA glue is added to hold permanently.

I found the suspension arms needed a bit of CA glue where the tabs attached the metal pieces together as there was too much play in the pieces.

The jig is equipped with a slight skew in the axle mounting to compensate for added weighting of the assembled vehicle. The first and last suspension arm are additionally positioned with a stronger spring by shifting the arm to have the same effect as the Leo or Pershing front and rear loading characteristics.

The main gearbox also serves as the tensioner with a screw mounting plate settable slide loosening or tightening the track.

After assembling I realized how every detail of operation had been thought of and how this is truely an engineered kit. The mounting of the axels is perhaps the most critical and difficult portion of this conversion mechanically. I had more than one wheel cock-eyed from hasty assembly!

In summary the electronics system worked well and had full range of proportional motion. Even with my years experience building model RC tanks this one was a challenge to tweak for optimum operation. A project definately for the advanced modeler.

I drove the vehicle around a few minutes and realized I was feeling like a kid with a new Christmas toy. The little guy responded to every command and faithfully executed the test course in carpet, hardwood floor and medium packed dirt.

All in all the conversion parts and performance of the RC system is very good and is quite capable of making any 35th model come to life. The conversion is a challenge, even for experienced modelers, but the end product is a truly unique and fun project. The service of the manufacturer is equally excellent, as they entertained or answered my every concern.
The service of the manufacturer is equally excellent, as they entertained or answered my every concern.