Important Announcement - Blank Firer

[Armortek]

As you may be aware, starting with the T34 all Armortek tanks will feature the new Recoil system, instead of the Blank Firer previously offered as an option.

The Panther plus production (Panther G and Jadgdpanther variant) will be the last kits produced to accommodate the blank firer.

Due to this change we will be making a final batch of blank firer units later this summer. We will be taking orders up until July 31st after which we will be unable to guarantee availability.

We will ask for a deposit payment of £100 to confirm your order, with the balance payable once the unit is ready to despatch.

Please either order on line through our shop or contact me directly by e-mail, sales@armortek.co.uk

Thank you

Gill Watkins

[John Fitzsimons]

Hi Gill,

Will it be possible to operate the blank firer in the new kits without recoil?

John

[Armortek]

Hello John,

No, I am sorry the new models will not be designed to accommodate the blank firer. We appreciate that this desision will not please everyone, however we had a lot of persistant requests for the recoil system. For this reason we decided to move forward along this route, which means we now have to phase out the blank firer.

Gill

[Ross Carlyon]

Hi Mark,

Can the recoil systems be fitted to the order models such as the ultimate Panthers etc?

Ross

[Adrian Harris]

The Armortek recoil system currently being developed is not compatible with any models prior to the T34.

I have been in discussion with Mark about the possibility of making a retro-fit recoil system for the models up to the T34. In some cases, such as the Panzer III, this would appear to be quite straightforward but for other models it is not so easy.

This is because the stresses introduced by use of the blank firer meant Mark had to implement barrel mounting systems which would remain safe. In most instances, the existing barrel attachment is incompatible with any kind of recoil. In most cases it would appear that the mantlet would need to be bored out to allow for the recoil stroke.

There are other considerations, such as the fact that the initial production run of the Panther model in 2006 used a steel barrel, which greatly increases the forces involved in providing a decent recoil action, as well as requiring a strong support system to prevent the dreaded barrel wobble .

Adrian.

[robert michael hilton]

Interesting thoughts on the recoil.. I hope to install a recoil system, in the Autumn for my Comet....if Mark at Armortek has any plans for producing these units, then I for one' have the 'readies' burning a hole in my pocket. If only because my attempt at addressing this addition and constructing my own 'recoil' may well be beyond my capabilities.....I live in hope. I had thought that a local model engineering club may well be able to help and produce a recoil. if I gave them a description and drawing. I would however rather it was made by Armortek...hint....hint......that was a bit tongue in cheek.
By the way....I still have my blank firer for sale. Mick

[Steven Day]

I'm a bit disappointed that the blank firer is being totally phased out, but if this is a commercial decision based on customer pressure for a recoil / sound affect / smoke generator / LED flash system, then I suppose Armotek has to bend to the customer’s demands.

I’ll be placing my order for the blank firer to fit into my Mid Tiger 1, but I wasn’t looking to purchase this yet due to finances, but I have to have one. So far I’ve not seen any recoil / sound affect / smoke generator / LED flash system that gets me excited.

Steve

[John Fitzsimons]

The blank firer was domthing special. I expect the flash recoil will not be as spectacular. I would have liked to keep all my models on the same system. On the plus side I will not have to worty about the blank firers residue messing up the interior. It would have been nice to have the option though in future models.