Has anyone used a matt varnish on their finished models to protect the paintwork? I used UPOL 8 and 3 coats of cellulose paint 7015 Slate gray on my late tiger. It looks great with just the right amount of sheen but seems to be still easy to scratch and I'm wondering if a coat of matt polyurethane would help and if it will look too obvious. Any advice?
Second question: I have yet to fit the motion pack and have purchased a Futuba 6EX. In the blurb it says that reception is compromised if the receiver ariel is close to metal. Thats pretty difficult to avoid in an Armortek kit! Is there likely to be a problem? If so how have you guys overcome it?
Steve H
protecting the paintscheme and ariel question
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Hi Steve and Dale
I have not done an official "long-distance range test" but my Futaba 6EX receives just fine in the Panther even though, at the moment, the receiver is just sitting deep in the hull as I have yet to permanently arrange electronics. This is also without regard to antennae position.
I'm not sure what the acceptable operating range is for these models but I would guess the farthest I have been from the Panther while running is 25-30 yards. Once everything is positioned internally I was planning on doing a more controlled range test.
Kind regards
Tim
I have not done an official "long-distance range test" but my Futaba 6EX receives just fine in the Panther even though, at the moment, the receiver is just sitting deep in the hull as I have yet to permanently arrange electronics. This is also without regard to antennae position.

I'm not sure what the acceptable operating range is for these models but I would guess the farthest I have been from the Panther while running is 25-30 yards. Once everything is positioned internally I was planning on doing a more controlled range test.
Kind regards
Tim
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Steve,
I would recommend using the external aerial supplied by Armortek (well they supplied it with the early Tiger). Make sure you shorten the receiver aerial wire by the length of the Armortek aerial, as the receiver aerial is a tuned length.
As for varnish I used thinned down Ronseal Matt varnish. I did the basic colour in cellulose like you then added weathering and shading using oil based Humbrol paint, so I used oil based varnish to avoid any compatibility problems. As for chipping it is a problem, I used Upol Acid - 8 as a base primer and I roughed up the aluminium surface with emery cloth but it still chips easily. What I do is paint in the chips with rust colour to add to the weathering.
I would recommend using the external aerial supplied by Armortek (well they supplied it with the early Tiger). Make sure you shorten the receiver aerial wire by the length of the Armortek aerial, as the receiver aerial is a tuned length.
As for varnish I used thinned down Ronseal Matt varnish. I did the basic colour in cellulose like you then added weathering and shading using oil based Humbrol paint, so I used oil based varnish to avoid any compatibility problems. As for chipping it is a problem, I used Upol Acid - 8 as a base primer and I roughed up the aluminium surface with emery cloth but it still chips easily. What I do is paint in the chips with rust colour to add to the weathering.
Allan Richards
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Steve
The advice that Allan gives is absolutely correct for the 40mhz version of the Futaba 6EX radio. Where we have recommended this radio we have a supplied an aerial. (early, mid tiger, sherman and panther). The 2.4ghz version of the Futaba 6EX, which we now recommend (late tiger, jagdpanther) is the one where Futaba give the advise that you quote. We have tested this new radio extensively and have come the conclusion that it works great without any need for an external aerial and that you can put it just about anywhere you like in the tank. We also found that the range was much better than the old radio, in excess of 500m. We recommend using adhesive tape to hold the two short aerials at right angles to each other for best results.
Mark
The advice that Allan gives is absolutely correct for the 40mhz version of the Futaba 6EX radio. Where we have recommended this radio we have a supplied an aerial. (early, mid tiger, sherman and panther). The 2.4ghz version of the Futaba 6EX, which we now recommend (late tiger, jagdpanther) is the one where Futaba give the advise that you quote. We have tested this new radio extensively and have come the conclusion that it works great without any need for an external aerial and that you can put it just about anywhere you like in the tank. We also found that the range was much better than the old radio, in excess of 500m. We recommend using adhesive tape to hold the two short aerials at right angles to each other for best results.
Mark
Armortek
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I lked the look of Vince Abotts Tiger and felt inspired to copy him! I'll try and get a photo on the gallery once I've mastered the technology!!Dale jordan wrote:Hello Steve . It sounds like you have built your late tiger quickly well done !!!! .You make me look slow . I'm just wondering why you painted your late tiger gray . Can we have a photo. I too would like to know about the receiver ariel . Dale.