Blank Firing Unit

[Bill Riedel]

I understand that the Ultimate Panther cannot be retro-fitted for the new recoil unit Gill is now providing. So, I have been thinking about the blank firing unit but before making any decisions I would welcome some input from those who already have the unit installed, both pro and con.

Thanks.

[John Clarke]

Hi Bill
As an owner of an Armortek blank firer thought I'd give you my view.
I'm totally FOR the blank firer. But there are +'s and -'s
On the + side
Unique piece of kit when used for outside display
Real Flash
Real bang
Crowd Pleaser
Warm feeling when triggering the firer and seeing people situp and take notice
Smoking gun

On the - side
Must be kept clean for safety reasons
No chance of recoil system (big unit)
Not a good idea to use inside
Must be kept clean for safety reasons
Should not be used too close to pets or people
Could cause damage to model if not cared for.
Must be kept clean for safety reasons


The first picture shows what happens when a blank shot gun round is used in a home made unit. Giving you an idea of the forces acting inside the blank firer. This is NOT an Armortek blank firer but it shows why the Armortek unit is so robustly made to prevent this happening inside your turret

Second, my KT installation setup for access.

Third, adaptor to use 9mm blanks in the armortek unit which give a reasonable clean burn giving a little smoke, unlikly to get a flash but giving a real bang. If you empty a Shotgun blank of its black powder it will give a clean burn simular to the 9mm blank.

Fourth, What happens if you do not look after the firer or model

Fifth, how I'd like to keep my model setup clean and debris free.

I love the blank firer, being the Icing on the cake when showing the model outside. Like I said "crowd pleaser".
For me, model is on another level compared to the Tamiya's of this world and this unit sets it a side from all the rest.
I can set the KT model up for an electronic flash and bang for indoors but the electronic flash and bang just does'nt cut it outside, anyway more than 20 feet away and you hardly hear it.
I do use Shot Gun blanks, but most of the time I use the 9mm adaptors, not as loud but still pleasing without the cleaning demands of the shotgun round.

[Stephen White]

Bill - for the sake of balance, can I be a bit controversial and offer a different view?

The blank firer is very effective and well made and does what it says on the tin. It does add a real sense of drama. But....

To anyone used to a real tank firing or indeed any familiarity with weapons of any type, it is what it is, a small calibre low velocity pop, nothing at all like a real tank gun.

If you want to get close to the sound of a real tank firing, the sound system and recoil to my mind get very much closer to simulating reality. Add muzzle flash and you've got a package which complements the excellence of the Armortek design. Snf you don't have to clean them.

There's no right or wrong in this of course and it's a question of what you want.

Now if you could combine the sound, flash and recoil with a smoke jet from a cartridge......... Adrian?

All the best whatever you decide.

Stephen

[Adrian Harris]

I haven't managed to get time to look at the Panther but I hope to pick up some parts from Gill to trial a retrofit system for the Panther. Denny has kindly agreed for me to use his original release Panther as a test bed.

With regards to the non-blank-firer route, we have the technology for the sound, recoil and flash but the smoke is a real teaser. To use a system like the engine smoke emulation, it would require a large resevoir to store the smoke, then some form of instantaneous release. Even modern fans don't spin up fast enough, so I have had to look at butterfly valves and rotating plates, but getting something which resembles a gun blast more than a trouser blast is likely to take more than a little tinkering.

I'm sure something is possible, it just takes time to develop.

Adrian.

[John Clarke]

Hi you guys
Well, got to comment on quote
"To anyone used to a real tank firing or indeed any familiarity with weapons of any type, it is what it is, a small calibre low velocity pop, nothing at all like a real tank gun."

Course the blank firer does'nt sound like a real tank gun, never said it did! Being familar with real gun fire it would a) impossible to replicate the action of cannon fire without a large charge b) expensive to replace all the windows blown out in area and without ear muffs a real risk of loss of hearing.
The electronic sound cannon is excellent indoors, but outside, twenty feet away might as well be an toy town module unless you have a trailer with boom box hitched to the back.

I grant you, you do get a low velocity "Mark 1 tank" pop from the 9mm blanks just as you would from a blank firing pistol, cheap, with little cleaning needed to the breach and barrel. But the shot gun blanks do give quite loud "shot gun" bang not a "pop," with a real flash and the elusive real burst of smoke. which can be heard and seen much further than it's electronic brother.

For indoor displays an electronic package can be fitted to my KT, no recoil but the Blank firer option outside, compensates.

I sure there will be arguments which is best, all depends what you want from your model. Those that have and those that have not.
argue on

[John Clarke]

Hi to Adrian and Stephen
I can tell you guys are willing to try anything to produce the elusive smoke blast but with electrical devices, but it occured to me have you tried syncing a blast of Co2 up the barrel, cleaner than smoke and controlable though valve gear. If robot warriors from robot wars can use it to fire the flipper why not a blast after your electronic flash. Soda bottle Co2 easy to come by too, Paint ball and BB guns etc. Me, I'll stick with flash bang pyros.
John