A sneak peak at the new Taigen Leopard 2A6 lower hull :)
#1
Thread Starter
A sneak peak at the new Taigen Leopard 2A6 lower hull :)
Hey tankers!
So today we have a special surprise to show off... the lower hull from Taigen for the Heng Long Leo2 tank! This chassis will be taking some features from the Sherman chassis in the fact it will be a solid stamped hull and very durable. The rear plate will be removable and also now has the switches behind spring loaded hatches ON THE REAR OF THE TANK. It will also feature a new style torsion bar suspension system, have folding rear mud flaps with replaceable rubber fenders, easy open latch, gearbox axle support bearings, lots of details, and more! Below are a few pictures (not final!) to enjoy:
These are not the final pictures as this was a rough first sample. I will have production quality samples in the next 2-3 weeks or so and will install them and have a go with it. The Leo chassis has been a long time running but will be a very welcome addition to the Taigen family. The Abrams will be next and possibly the Challenger if the demand is there. We already have metal drive wheels, idlers, road wheels, suspension arms, and tracks for the Leo2, and with this you will be set! I'll have prices and more details soon, for now please enjoy and let me know if you have any questions!
So today we have a special surprise to show off... the lower hull from Taigen for the Heng Long Leo2 tank! This chassis will be taking some features from the Sherman chassis in the fact it will be a solid stamped hull and very durable. The rear plate will be removable and also now has the switches behind spring loaded hatches ON THE REAR OF THE TANK. It will also feature a new style torsion bar suspension system, have folding rear mud flaps with replaceable rubber fenders, easy open latch, gearbox axle support bearings, lots of details, and more! Below are a few pictures (not final!) to enjoy:
These are not the final pictures as this was a rough first sample. I will have production quality samples in the next 2-3 weeks or so and will install them and have a go with it. The Leo chassis has been a long time running but will be a very welcome addition to the Taigen family. The Abrams will be next and possibly the Challenger if the demand is there. We already have metal drive wheels, idlers, road wheels, suspension arms, and tracks for the Leo2, and with this you will be set! I'll have prices and more details soon, for now please enjoy and let me know if you have any questions!
#3
Thread Starter
Oh yea, this thing will be quite the tank if you know what I mean The new lower hull process is a much more durable design than our previous hulls and we are starting to put a lot more feedback into the design such as switches on the back, thicker hulls, and more durable suspension. The torsion bars are much thicker on this one than previous tanks and are bolted directly to the chassis with countersunk screws from the bottom with nyloc nuts. The mudflaps I like a lot too now as you can finally go over rough terrain without the fear of breaking your flaps. The Abrams will be next for sure after this one so get ready!
#6
Thread Starter
I'll get exact weights and dimensions for everyone in around 2-3 weeks when my sample arrives and I can install everything and play. I would guess around 8lbs by itself. The Sherman is around 3lbs with just the chassis and with the Leopard being both longer and wider I would think around 8lbs should be right. Of course exact weights I'll get later with and without items installed. Just make me a list
No gearbox surprises for this one yet, I've yet to really see the need to move to different motors. PLUS, Banebots is making motors again!
Yes the Abrams will be after we complete this one but so far it is a go. My neighbor is a retired Abrams driver so he is there if we have any questions (I've already had a few!) he will be helping. You guys wanted strength and durability.... well now you are getting it! Taigen will also be making Abrams metal parts too, so be aware of that one too. The Leopard parts are already here and out so if you need anything we have it. Our Leopard tracks are quite nice and smooth too.
No gearbox surprises for this one yet, I've yet to really see the need to move to different motors. PLUS, Banebots is making motors again!
Yes the Abrams will be after we complete this one but so far it is a go. My neighbor is a retired Abrams driver so he is there if we have any questions (I've already had a few!) he will be helping. You guys wanted strength and durability.... well now you are getting it! Taigen will also be making Abrams metal parts too, so be aware of that one too. The Leopard parts are already here and out so if you need anything we have it. Our Leopard tracks are quite nice and smooth too.
Last edited by Imex-Erik; 06-02-2016 at 12:21 PM.
#8
And now you tell me this after I spent so much time modding my Abrams hull... Guess I'll put that project on hold. I was about to buy an overly expensive hull until I saw this thread.
#9
Thread Starter
Right now the Leo2 is more popular than the Abrams, hence the priority to it. The Abrams however is more popular than the Challenger so it will be first out of those two. If the demand is there for Challenger parts then we will explore that option. I will say you can expect nothing but great quality stuff like this from us from now on. Future tanks will be beefy as this guy and our Sherman so be prepared Keep giving input and I'll keep using it guys!
#11
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#15
#17
Pershing? Please...correct the suspension, make an adjustable idler, correct the gun tube...even if it's just the lower hull that gets corrected, modelers can do the rest.
Bulldog could be updated, but would require a complete retool and redoing everything to get the dimensions and scale correct. So...go with the Pershing.
Bulldog could be updated, but would require a complete retool and redoing everything to get the dimensions and scale correct. So...go with the Pershing.
#18
Thread Starter
Pershing? Please...correct the suspension, make an adjustable idler, correct the gun tube...even if it's just the lower hull that gets corrected, modelers can do the rest.
Bulldog could be updated, but would require a complete retool and redoing everything to get the dimensions and scale correct. So...go with the Pershing.
Bulldog could be updated, but would require a complete retool and redoing everything to get the dimensions and scale correct. So...go with the Pershing.
#19
#20
I know when I first got into the hobby I thought the HL Pershing looked a bit 'toy like', where as the Bulldog's detail looked far crisper and just seemed to have a better 'fit and finish'.
That said, even the Tamiya Pershing looks a little underwhelming to me somehow - must be something to do with the shape, I guess?
That said, even the Tamiya Pershing looks a little underwhelming to me somehow - must be something to do with the shape, I guess?
#22
Thread Starter
I know when I first got into the hobby I thought the HL Pershing looked a bit 'toy like', where as the Bulldog's detail looked far crisper and just seemed to have a better 'fit and finish'.
That said, even the Tamiya Pershing looks a little underwhelming to me somehow - must be something to do with the shape, I guess?
That said, even the Tamiya Pershing looks a little underwhelming to me somehow - must be something to do with the shape, I guess?
My sample is taking a bit longer to get here than planned, had a small hiccup before it shipped (they wanted to include something else for me to test!) but it is on the way. I should have it all fixed up by next week. I'll announce prices when it gets here when I make a video to go over it all. I'm interested to see how much weight this guy holds.... I found out I can stand on our Sherman lower chassis and I'm around 180lbs I'll keep everyone updated, I am ITCHING to get it in too.
#23
Thread Starter
Ok so the video now is uploading and should HOPEFULLY be live before I leave work. I broke down the tank and took off the suspension arms and torsion bars to show how it works as well as show off most of the components as well. I will give away a few things before it finishes though:
-High/Low motor gearboxes, 4:1 ratio, 390 motors, and custom shafts (I'll explain later, gearboxes will be available for these in the ball bearing type of course)
-Water Resistant lower chassis with O-Rings on the suspension arms to help with liquids
-Ball Bearing supports for output shaft from gearbox for extra smooth operation and less stress on gearbox shafts
-2.5mm minimum thickness, 3mm+ on front and bottom
-2 Piece design with removable back plate
-Super thick torsion bars (about 2x than previous)
-Dual ball bearings on each road wheel and idler wheel
-Adjustable tension arms (Same style as HL, but metal and bolted on)
-Switches on the rear of the tank
-Easy Open latch for upper hull
-Adapter to accommodate the HL upper hull
Prices:
$199.99 - chassis, rear plate, electronics plate, torsion bars, and metal suspension arms
$349.99 - chassis, rear plate, electronics plate, torsion bars, metal suspension arms, steel ball bearing gearboxes, metal drive wheels, metal idler wheels with bearings, metal road wheels with rubber tires and bearings, and metal closed pin tracks
Video:
https://youtu.be/cyREocW_PEU
-High/Low motor gearboxes, 4:1 ratio, 390 motors, and custom shafts (I'll explain later, gearboxes will be available for these in the ball bearing type of course)
-Water Resistant lower chassis with O-Rings on the suspension arms to help with liquids
-Ball Bearing supports for output shaft from gearbox for extra smooth operation and less stress on gearbox shafts
-2.5mm minimum thickness, 3mm+ on front and bottom
-2 Piece design with removable back plate
-Super thick torsion bars (about 2x than previous)
-Dual ball bearings on each road wheel and idler wheel
-Adjustable tension arms (Same style as HL, but metal and bolted on)
-Switches on the rear of the tank
-Easy Open latch for upper hull
-Adapter to accommodate the HL upper hull
Prices:
$199.99 - chassis, rear plate, electronics plate, torsion bars, and metal suspension arms
$349.99 - chassis, rear plate, electronics plate, torsion bars, metal suspension arms, steel ball bearing gearboxes, metal drive wheels, metal idler wheels with bearings, metal road wheels with rubber tires and bearings, and metal closed pin tracks
Video:
https://youtu.be/cyREocW_PEU
#24
Thread Starter
The video says it will be uploaded soon (less than 5m) but it will need a few min to process after that. The video should be in 1080p@60fps, so if it is lower quality give it a few more min before watching.
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Wow! Sign me up for the complete kit. Do I need to call now with a credit card number? Can we hope to have one of these before Christmas? I will also be in line for the M1A2 Abrams. Now if you could just come up with some trucks. There must be millions of Vets who drove 1 ton and 2 & 1/2 ton trucks in the service. Thousands of these trucks were converted to wild land fire trucks and also put to use with the Forest Service after the war. The Dodge line of trucks were used by every major army and yes the Germans loved their captured Dodges and jeeps. The kids in the group have only to look at the opening credits for "Mash" to see a Dodge truck in action. The basic frame and running gear used for a deuce & 1/2 and Dodge Power wagon style trucks could be used on lots of different trucks, but they do need to be 1/16 scale.
Last edited by Merganser; 06-22-2016 at 10:50 PM.