FINALLY!!!!

[tc1cat]

I have wanted one of these for many years. Tried making one but was never satisfied with it.
http://i371.photobucket.com/albums/oo156/tc1cat/DSC_0013_zpsblmypud1.jpg (http://s371.photobucket.com/user/tc1cat/media/DSC_0013_zpsblmypud1.jpg.html)
http://i371.photobucket.com/albums/oo156/tc1cat/DSC_0014_zpsfoitxb5m.jpg (http://s371.photobucket.com/user/tc1cat/media/DSC_0014_zpsfoitxb5m.jpg.html)
http://i371.photobucket.com/albums/oo156/tc1cat/DSC_0015_zps1q1wsh1w.jpg (http://s371.photobucket.com/user/tc1cat/media/DSC_0015_zps1q1wsh1w.jpg.html)
Just need to add electronics to it and should be good to go. Entire suspension and drive are metal with bearings.

Hope to have a good start on it by Lebanon.

[TRUCKMAKER]

This will be neat to see, congratulations Lynn!

[Mustang46555]

Good to see it finally made it! Am looking forward to seeing it.

[frizzen]

That should be really wicked when finished.

Build quick, i want to check it out at lebanon.

[TheBennyB]

The El mod board is pretty good, only thing I hate is there are no parameters to control the momentum. Sucker drifts an extra foot after letting off the throttle (though I put in a 27T motor to get to scale speed not the recommended 55T.) Needs a drag brake setting. Also bring the axle cups out another 1-2mm further than manual states so the dog bones don't fall out on you and you can get full movement for steering. If your interested here's my build thread with observations. Some have been addressed with new parts now shipped with the newer kits.
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/rc-tanks-369/11618529-puma-has-arrived-1st-unboxing-pics.html

[tc1cat]

Thanks Benny. My kit is one of the newer ones. I will let you know how it goes.

[FabOne]

That's really neat Lynn! Keep us posted on the build.

-Terry

[tc1cat]

Well, the build came to a grinding halt tonight. Got to the 4th step and found out that I am missing one of the drive gear. Sent an email to the manufacturer to try and get one of the gears. Will see how long it takes to get here!!

Everything was going great until this.

[TheBennyB]

If you have no luck try Carson at DKLM. I bought mine from him and he deals with MO directly and seems to kick them in the butt a bit to get things relatively quickly.

http://www.dklmrc.com/

[tc1cat]

Thanks Benny. Got a reply to my email saying that they could not have missed the gear as they weigh every bag before they seal it. Only problem with this idea is that there was a straight tooth gear in place of the bevel gear needed for the drive line. No answer yet from them on my reply. Wait one more day then going to try your shop for help. Any idea if your friend has the turret rotation unit and sound system for the Puma?

Thanks again for the info.

[TheBennyB]

Not sure if he has the elmod board or turret rotation in stock. Give him a try, can't hurt.
Got my elmod board from xion.de who also does have the rotation unit.

https://shop.xion.de/SDKFZ-234/1-4-and-Accesories/Fusion-PUMA-::128.html?XTCsid=gumupslcoqgcveaomgjpu207g1

[tc1cat]

Benny, THANK YOU!!!!!!!! Ordered spare gears, rotation unit and the elmod kits from xion.de today. I really can't thank you enough for the links you have provided for me. I can get one of my dream R/C vehicles running the way it should be.

Didn't feel like waiting for the manufacturer to make up their minds about sending me the missing gear. Can't complain about the prices at xion.de either. Next purchase might be the 234/3. Would look nice setting next to the 234/2. Do you know what the upgrade kit for the 234/3 improves or is it just a gun upgrade to a larger gun?

Again, THANK YOU.

[TheBennyB]

No sweat. Believe it's just the open turret and 75mm.

[TheBennyB]

Will like to hear your thoughts on the elmod board.

[tc1cat]

Finally got a reply from Metal Origins about the gear. They want $12 for postage to send me a new gear! This is after they say that no one else has had a problem with a missing/incorrect gear in the bag. Mistakes do happen when people are involved. Since I have one coming from xion.de, I am not going to bother with Metal Origins any further about the gear.

[TheBennyB]

Yea, unfortunately it seems most of these kits are being built as static models or kitchen floor runners. Don't believe MO or Xion have really had any input from builders that are planning on running it as an actual r/c. I've tried conveying my thoughts on the fusion board to both Xion and Elmod and it fell on deaf ears. Both coming back to me with the same responses that no one else has complained of performance. For the most part you have to approach this offering as a motorized model and not a R/C.

[tc1cat]

Thanks for the added info. As I have not viewed your entire build of this model, did you make any kind of barrel elevation device in your model? Might seem like a small matter but to use this in a battle senario you need some elevation at times. Also any idea about infrared battle systems?

[TheBennyB]

The elmod fusion puma board supports IR battle, was going to use the elmod apple but don't like how it doesn't have the 45 defense like the tamiya apple. Especially on a "light" setting vehicle, need all the help I can take from getting hit. The kit is set up for elevation, just need to install a mini servo(all in the manual). Don't use a full size, not necessary and it's a tight fit.

[tc1cat]

Thanks, Next time I will read the entire instruction book :rolleyes::rolleyes:

[tc1cat]

Just got an email that the parts have been shipped!:bounce::bounce:

[xion]

Hello from Germany,

I´m Peter from XION and i will inform you about our Sd.Kfz. 234 project:

We will offer 3 Versions:
234/1 tba.
234/2 on Stock
234/3 on Stock

if you like to order an "234/2 PUMA" or "234/3 Stummel" or "234/3 Stummel" Upgrade, choose "selfpickup" (no shipping cost) :)
Put your forumsnick as comment before checkout!

some pictures from 234/3 Upgrade:
https://shop.xion.de/images/product_images/popup_images/135_1.jpg
https://shop.xion.de/images/product_images/popup_images/135_2.jpg

btw.
if you have any trouble with the kit, or defective parts.... feel free to contact me....

-Peter

[TheBennyB]

Thanks for checking on this Pete. Seriously, talk to El MOd about putting a drag brake setting parameter in.

[TheBennyB]

Any progess Lynn?

[tc1cat]

Lots of progress on chassis just forgot to take pics and post- my bad. It is a rolling chassis now. Steering linkages seem to be slightly out of wack and will need some tweaking to get the wheels in-line and freedom of movement. Will get some more pics today and post for all.

[tc1cat]

New pics!
http://i371.photobucket.com/albums/oo156/tc1cat/DSC_0018_zps1qrbjjr2.jpg (http://s371.photobucket.com/user/tc1cat/media/DSC_0018_zps1qrbjjr2.jpg.html)
http://i371.photobucket.com/albums/oo156/tc1cat/DSC_0019_zps6h48nd7t.jpg (http://s371.photobucket.com/user/tc1cat/media/DSC_0019_zps6h48nd7t.jpg.html)

Still need to tweek the steering linkages. Waiting on the parts from Germany to finish the drive line. I hope that the body goes together as easy as the chassis. Haven't decided upon a paint scheme yet. Would like 2 color camo but haven't found a pic yet.

[TheBennyB]

Upper is pretty straight forward. Only thing I found were the bosses used to mate the engine deck to the upper/forward needed to be removed to allow more room for elec/speakers. Just cut them down and used some flanged screws. Post #214 on my build thread.

[tc1cat]

Got the parts from Germany to fix the Puma. Lots of things to do before I start working on the body.

[TheBennyB]

Any progress Lynn? I'm living through your build to try and motivate myself to finish mine.

[tc1cat]

Long time between building!! Got the drive line finished and turns easily by hand. Questions for you, Benny. Is your steering really tight-hard to move by hand? I even put bearings in the steering arms. I have some very high torque servos but I am not sure they will even move the steering. Also any problems with the fit of the metal side panels? My side panels do not fit at all. Cutouts for the suspension arms are off by about .100" when trying to fit to chassis. 2 of the suspension arms will fit but the other 2 are way off. Either the front 2 fit with the back one off or the other way around. ??????

[tc1cat]

Update!! I have no idea what I did but the side plates went easily today with no problems.????? Steering is still tight due to very tight ball ends on the tie rods. May have to order different kind and replace the factory ones. Not what I really want to due but looks like the only solution for now.

[Panther F]

You guys are a couple of lucky stiffs with a BA Puma kit. ;) But if YOU two find it rough and face obstacles straight from the box I know my effort would be futile. That and the $$$.

Too bad they burned down photobucket... pics sure would be nice.

[Bo Wallen]

You guys are a couple of lucky stiffs with a BA Puma kit. ;) But if YOU two find it rough and face obstacles straight from the box I know my effort would be futile. That and the $$$.

Too bad they burned down photobucket... pics sure would be nice.

Panther Red the post on this forum how to see picture from PB....They ar back if you put in the fix. You must use Google Chrome for this fix to work. Go here: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/photobucket-hotlink-fix/kegnjbncdcliihbemealioapbifiaedg?hl=en

[frizzen]

Pry the ball links off and on a few times to loosen the fit a little?

[tc1cat]

First, I deleted my pics from Photobucket so can't see them with the google upgrade. Sorry!! The upgrade does work if the pics are still in photobucket and you are using google chrome. I tried it and it works!!

Second, Many thanks go out to Peter at Xion.de for his generous replacement of parts for a kit not purchased from him. I can't praise him enough for the help he is giving me on this kit. I highly recommend him on any of the Metal Origin kits and upgrades.

Third, PantherF- you could build this kit. With all of your knowledge of WWII armor and the Tamiya tank kits, you would have no problems. It just takes longer to build as there is more tweaking to be done on it. Cast parts versus molded parts just means more fitting.

[tc1cat]

Frissen,

Getting new ball heads from Xion.de. Hope they fit better than the original ones do. Might also try complete new ball ends if not satisfied with the ball heads. found some very inexpensive ones on ebay that are metal and not plastic. I am dreading taking the model apart to work on the ball ends.

[Panther F]

I was thinking I saw once some link ends that didn't bind that helped with deflection and increased the angle range, especially for those high lift front-ends. (if I'm making any sense here) :D

It kinda looked like a brass bearing inside the joint... like a REAL tie rod end on our older cars. :confused:

[Lil Giants]

Like this (http://store.rc4wd.com/search.asp?keyword=ball+end+links&www=)?

[tc1cat]

Close but much cheaper!! Not going for a heavily use vehicle or I would have found better ones.

[Panther F]

Like this (http://store.rc4wd.com/search.asp?keyword=ball+end+links&www=)?

Those are it, thanks! It's funny how much you learn from YouTube videos!

I do know that the geometry of the rod can affect the joint operating correctly just by making a slight bend or angle at the END, not in the middle.

[TheBennyB]

Lynn, glad you've got things moving. Depending on the preduction of your kit, MO released new ball screws that are smaller making the steering move much easier. You can check my build on post #36. Carson at DKLM puts them in every kit he sells, other vendors may not or MO may have forgotten to ship with the new ball screws.

[tc1cat]

Thanks for the info Benny. Waiting on parts from Germany now. Decided that this vehicle is going to be more static than mobile. Real pain to take apart to change battery. Hoping to have finished by Jan. meet in Lebanon, IN and on to another project that I started over 8 years ago.

[tc1cat]

Got the new ball-heads from Germany today. Thanks again, Peter. Going to try these before I try replacing all of the rod ends and possibly the rods to improve the steering. Need to get a motor and set up radio and the ElMod system before I get to detailing and painting. Lots of work to do :jaw::jaw: