Tim's Panzer 111 project

[Tim Page]

Hi all, i have just today collected my new Panzer 111 project.
It was originally built by Lee at Newthorpe Models and is painted in a generic DAK colour scheme.
It is a bit of a strange hybrid as it has the twin Bosch headlights and rear tow hitch that were fitted to the ausf.M and ausf.N but still has the hull escape hatches and a host of other features from the ausf.J and ausf.L.

I am currently researching the various options but don't think i will do an M or N. In fact more likely to back date to an ausf.J or even a Pz.Bef.Wg.III Ausf J with turret Schurzen which would be unique but even more work.
I am wanting to do it as a mid 1943 11pz.div Eastern front tank.

One thing i do know is that i will need to contact Monique for a pair of new front sprockets as mine has the first release 5 hole wheels fitted.

More details to follow when i start to get things figured out.
Tim

[Tim Page]

I now have the correct 6 hole front sprockets on order from Monique, so will be able to make a start on the build.

The old Futaba set has been removed and a new Spektrum AR8000 RX been installed. The tank is up and running but i cannot get the TBS5 unit to work in the P3. I changed it to Encoder (Mode 1) and then tested it in my Panther and all sounds played. Just cannot get it to play in the P3. The sounds were working before i changed from mode 3 to mode 1.
Anyway, i will get to the bottom of it over the weekend.
I have ordered some parts from Steve Winstone including his last pair of P3 headlights so i can start to backdate this tank to the Ausf.J Command tank that i want to do.
I have decided to do a Pz.Bef.Wg-iii-Ausf-J command tank from mid 1943 Eastern front and will probably add 11th PZ markings and would like to add just the turret schurzen. I have not yet decided if i will use the 50mm L60 or go with the shorter L42 instead like on the example below.

This will require 3 antenna which will be an interesting challenge on the Panzer 111.
Still got to make a parts list, but i know right now that i have a problem in that Steve Winstone does not have any Cone bolts, and you need a lot on the P3.

Does anyone know where i can get some from - pref UK based.

Cheers
Tim

[Steve Norris]

Armortek do them for the Elefant but they may be to large for your needs, worth a try though.
Regards
Steve

[Tim Page]

Hi Steve, I did see them at the Open day, and quickly realised that they are way too big and the wrong shape for the P3.
Cheers
Tim

[Adrian Harris]

I could have a go on my CNC lathe if brass would be ok ?

Would you want bolts or nuts ?

Adrian

[Tim Page]

Hi Adrian, that is a very kind offer, but i am looking at a number of options right now and might be ok.
Cheers
Tim

[Tim Page]

Hi all, hoping that someone can help with the electrics in my Panzer 3.
It is a 2009 model and has all the original Armortek modules installed and was working with a Futaba T6EX (FASST).
The TBS5 was setup in Toggle mode (mode3) and was working when i moved the right stick to the right.

I have now installed a new Spektrum AR8000 DSMX RX which is bound to me Spektrum DX9 running at 11ms.
This setup works fine in my old Q4D Panther.
As both tanks are running the Q4D, I just copied my existing panther model and renamed the copy to Panzer 3.
In theory, there should be no differences apart from trims between the 2.

I changed the TBS5 to Encoder (mode1) as i have on the Panther, and now it wont make any sounds at all.
I do hear the amp pop when i turn it on and ive checked all the wiring countless times.
I think the P3 TBS5 config is fine because i installed it into the panther and it then played all it's sounds with the encoder.
Put it back into the P3 and silence.
I am also finding that the tank is twiching a little and i have to keep adjusting the trims.

I dont have any manuals for the panzer 3 modules, so cannot progress much further.

Is there a setting in the control box to swicth betweenthe old FASST and newere radios?
Could this be causing my problems?

Hoping that someone can help me out again with my Benedini setup.

Cheers
Tim

[Stephen White]

Tim,

I thought the older modules needed a slower frame rate. Try selecting 22ms on the Tx.

There’s an explanation of what does what here:

http://www.armortek.co.uk/Forum3b/viewt ... =34&t=6139

Stephen

[Tim Page]

Hi Stephen, Ive just checked and the DX9 was already set to 22ms.
Any other suggestions?
Tim

[Adrian Harris]

> P3 TBS5 config is fine because i installed it into the panther

Was that with the Panther receiver or the PZ III receiver ?

You need to teach the TBS5 the encoder settings whenever you change the receiver or transmitter.

Adrian.

[Tim Page]

yes Adrian, i did that and got the P3 card to work straight away when i plugged it into the Panther using the Panther RX.
I just unplugged the Panther TBS5 and plugged in the P3 in its place.
Did the setup and all sounds played.
Put the P3 card back into the P3, ran the setup and nothing happens.

The only thing ive noticed is that the P3 amp only uses the orange & brown wires as input from the TBS5.
The red signal wire is not used as there are only 2 pins on the amp.

Tim

[Adrian Harris]

> P3 amp only uses the orange & brown wires as input from the TBS5

Yes, the middle pin is for power, which isn't needed for an audio connection.

Is the amp pop you hear coming from the TBS or is it just the power on noise of the amp ?

Does the TBS LED light up for the duration when you try and play a sound ?

Adrian.

[Tim Page]

Hi Adrian, the pop is when the amp is powered on.
There is no other sound.
In Encoder mode, the light stays on when i try to play a sound, but then goes out..
Tim

[Adrian Harris]

Definitely sounds like an audio issue then.

Which amplifier are you using ?

Could you post pictures ?

Adrian.

[Tim Page]

I have become really bored with that sound unit, so decided to take the bull by the horns and started the Panzer 3 refurb.
A lot of the nuts and bolts were quite loose, so a rebuild was on the cards.
I have stripped down the tank so that i could work on the left side lower hull.
Motors & all electrics have been removed and put into storage.

I have decided to improve the overall look whilst remaining as many original parts as possible. This way i hope to keep time & money in check.
I am ordering a number of upgrade parts so that i can backdate the kit from an ausf.L to a mid production ausf.J.
To be properly specific, this tank will be a PanzerBefehlsWagen iii ausf.J or Pz.Bef.Wg.III Ausf.J which would have been used by the Battalion or Regimental HQ as a command tank with additional radios, 3 antenna, and a reduction of one or both mg.34 from the tank. The main gun in this version was a live gun.