PANZER IV BUILD no 012

[Nick Farrugia]

Hi John
I agree with you their on the cost of casting but i find it rewarding when it works out right .I have done a bit of aluminium casting with sand and have had great results the only problem is the time effort it takes to cast multiple items but i have had good results from using it.their is not mutch to see on my pz111 build its mostly lots of pictures of the finished tank,at the time i didnt know howe to post pics on the forum until phil phitzpatric posted a how to on the forum theirs a couple of videos of it running as well . The white metal casting rubbermoulding i can get its probably the same sort of price i think ,havent checked for a while . I like i said to steve if i can help out with any thing just ask.
all the best ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,nick

[phil fitzpatrick]

Hi Nick
Great bits of detail you are making
Like your castings and your rain guard earlier was great.
You mentioned earlier about splitting your 2 MG's to fir seperately.
You could use a 24 volt relay driven by your auxiliary module and a switch on your TX,which is
usualy used for lights etc.
But I know you dont like electrics much and soldering,so I have took a picture of a great little
relay I found,which I am using on my T34 Light.
It connects straight to the radio switch that you asign to it and you can connect the led's to the
terminals in such a way that one Mg will always be ready to fire and if the switch is put in the other
position your other MG will fire.
The Leds are split up to the terminals by using servo extension leads.
Just thought you would like to know now that it will be easy when the time comes.
Also in my Comet postings somewhere on Page 15 I have described how to use the VR knob on
the Futaba 7C to control a servo direct with the knob,which helps simplify the MG travers mechanism
if you are having a go at that.
Active Robots 1 amp servo relay £16.95,the one I have photographed is the 10 amp £19.95.
Keep up the great work you are doing
Cheers Phil

[Nick Farrugia]

Hi Phil
Im glad your looking in on me i had a feeling it was you that had done somthing like this ,i remember you saying you split them up to fire idependanly but was not sure i could do the same ,that looks like a neat bit of kit do you think a daft sod like me could make it work with maybe your help it sounds like it might be possible? .Thanks phil i will look into this in the future not ready yet .i think i will go back over your comet posts as well , me and gizmos especialy electric gizmos do not always mix you ought to ave seen the state i was in trying to sort the halftrack system out and that was only one stick steering thanks again all the best phil ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,nick

[phil fitzpatrick]

Hi Nick
Your Halftrack was great and if you can sort the electrics out on that,you will have
no problem.
When the time comes I can send you a simple drawing of the leads split up and
where to connect them.
Enjoy your build its looking real good.
Cheers
Phil

[John Fitzsimons]

Phil, I would be interested in setting up dual MGs on both panzer IV and Tiger. I am a total disaster with electrics though. Would also like to set up a servo to work the hull MG.

[Steve Lewington]

Hi Nick and all

This build is just getting better and better all the things I am interested in you guys are covering including Johns Tiger build.
Nick thank you for the offer of any help I may just take you up on that also you John with the metal casting there are so many products to chose from its hard to know what is the right one to chose so any advice would super.
I have one set of plans put aside for Robert Allsop If you lads would like another set please let me know I will be using a second set to cut up photocopy if need be to be used as templates/stick on the part to be made and cut-mill around nice and easy.
Thank you all for these fantastic posts and build photos.
Phil looking forward to your next post as I am studying electronics at Aberdeen college at the moment my god what a mine field to get ones head around as a novice.
If any of you require a second copy of the plans please let me know asap same price as before lol.

Kindest Regards to all

Steve

[phil fitzpatrick]

Hi Nick,John and Steve.
I have just done a simple drawing for splitting the MG flash for 2 guns
on the Futaba 7C radio using the Active Robot Servorelay.
Need to take it to work tomorrow to scan it so I can post it on the forum for you.
Plus the web sites for Active Robots and a good component and lead supplier and I
will put some notes on for using the VR knob and Channel 6 for controling a servo for
MG Traverse.
Dont laugh at the drawing Steve,you wont see drawings like this at university
Cheers
Phil

[Nick Farrugia]

HI to steve and Phil
steve glad your enjoying the build you must let us know how yours is going sometime, i would like to see some pics if you can i would be interested . I have put all the plans up on the wall for easy referance in my daughters old room, misses not amused i dont understand what all the fuss is about .
Hi Phil
sounds great phil i hope i can do it when the time comes wouldnt want to let you down ,looking forward to seeing just what your gonna try and get me to do i just might be your first and worst ever apprentice ,when you think about it that is quite an achievement in its self .
regards to all ,,,,,,,,,,,,,nick

[phil fitzpatrick]

Hi Nick
Below is a little drawing showing splitting the 2 MG's to fire seperate,using the
Futaba 7C and the Active Robot relay.
The other bits you will need besides your 2 led's for the MG's are
2 "Y" Leads and 1 or more servo extension leads to suit.
http://www.active-robots.com search for servorelay(nospace)and you will find it.
A good place for leads made up and components
http://www.component-shop.co.uk

RE MG Travers controled with the 7C VR Knob.
Try a servo in channel 6 on your receiver if it moves both ways
you dont have to do any thing with the radio other than the channel end
limits when your chosen Travers mechanism is made up.
If the servo doesnt move the Flap Trim needs to be set to INH Page 43 in
Futaba Manual
Most Futaba 7C's come with the Flap Trim pre set to INH
Servo End Limits and asigning Pages 28 to 31 in manual.
The VR Knob is speed controlable both ways and stops where you leave it
so its much more realistic than just a frantic swipe each way
When the time comes I can help you out if you are confused,also
the above component site make up leads to order and they may also
supply the Leds pre soldered to some leads,and they supply the futaba
connectors for attatching after the wires are threaded through the MG.
Cheers------------Phil

[John Fitzsimons]

Great diagram. I will save that. Heading off sking next week so will have a break from tanks for almost a month. Plenty of tome to study the diagram. Thanks for the links to the parts also. I am very slow with electronics and servos.

[Nick Farrugia]

Hi Phil
thanks for the diagram and instructions, will be having a go as soon as a can looks prety straight forward carnt wait to have a go , when i get there i will let you know thanks again
I havent got much done as late i,ve been on the filler covering some bolts over and holes that are not needed ,i have been looking at the top deck as well for things i would like to add.One thing i noticed, their wasnt a small hatch on the back by the exhausts(it looks like a petrol cap dont know if this was its perpouse or not because their seems to be another two on the lower hull on the left hand side by the return rollers so having looked in books and pics that people have posted on the forum of pz4,s i have come up with this i found pics of two types a sort of tapered one and a flat one i have gone for the flat type for the moment, there was one other that was on the artist impresions (colour drawings) these mostly show a domed one i dont think this is right so will not be going down that road here,s a couple more pics of the one i made now the thing is i am going to try and cast this, because there are three to make and its taken me about four hours to do ,so if i used this as the pattern and was successful it would save a lot of time and they should look all the same .If i,m successful is any body else interested in a set of three, at the moment it would be out of the metal i spoke about before ,the hatch handles i made . I should know by the end of the week if it is possible to do this so if you want to wait to see what they come out like let me know if your interested .
best wishes to all ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,nick i,m sticking my neck out here so dont get your hopes up untill ive got something to show

[John Fitzsimons]

sometimes a mould can be the way to go.

[Steve Lewington]

Hi Nick & Guys

The mold sounds good.

Phil

Great diagram understand it no prob so much easier to read than some of the bords I have been making. I will save it like John for latter

Regards

Steve

[Robert Allsop]

Hi Nick,

The filler caps look great - I would be interested in a set if you make them.

Bob

[Nick Farrugia]

ok bob
i will let you know if im succesful
regards,,,,,,,,,,,, nick