tankman

Another brief update



Side view with skirt fitted.

Front view with 20lbr barrel.

Side view with skirt removed.

Rear view.

Later MK of turret top and 105MM barrel with bore evacuator. please note barrel is a pre-production test unit and not bored out as will be the production uni.

later MK turret top, please note the opening storage box lids.

on where Haya ltd is with there 1/16th scale RC Centurion. Andrew invited RC Tankregiment member’s down to get a first hand look at the 3d printed pre-production model of the Centurion. Subject to the restrictions imposed by the bat flu so therefore the review is not as in depth as either party was hoping for.
This is where Haya and us get a chance to see how there model is for fit and function, and find possible snags before starting mould production. Andrews model has some of the features that the Chieftain enjoyed such as opening tool and storage boxes as well as a few upgrades customers and hobbyists have suggested to Haya ltd. There will be bearings fitted to all the roadwheels and idlers. The commanders cupola will be rotatable, the turret top is removable for maintenance or changing to a later MK of Centurion, as is the engine deck and main gun. The production model will be a MK3 Centurion with the 20lbr barrel supplied as standard. There will be an option to upgrade to a MK5 with after market parts from Haya ltd, in the form of a replacement turret top a metal, 105mm main gun with bore evacuator, and a later style of engine deck. All road wheels will have rubber tyres fitted ‘and metal tracks will be supplied as standard. At this point in time Andrew is still waiting for a bespoke electronics package for the Centurion, with the correct sound package. We have heard the recording of what Andrew is going to use but he asked us to wait until he gets the complete system installed in the model so it can be tested fully. Haya ltd is aiming for the system to battle against both HL and Tamiya protocol systems. More on this as soon as the system arrives and can be comprehensively tested against both types of system.
The project has unfortunately been subject to delays due to the bat flu and also due to the rather suspect increases in the costs of raw material and shipping that suppliers and shippers are imposing on there customers. No doubt you are all well aware of the rather sharp increase in prices of RC tanks and parts and also the drop in availability of models and spare parts. Haya ltd is trying its best to keep the costs of the Centurion down as much as possible so asks you guys to hang on as the model is coming just not as quickly as hoped for.

king_tubby

If it's not too late he really needs to change those side bins to the production variant. The ones he has used are for a Mk1 or Mk2. Some VERY early Mk3's had them (or more likely MK2's upgraded to Mk3 standard) but crews had difficulty opening them when Mk3 turret was fitted so they changed to the side opening variant. Same goes for the large round hatch on the back of the turret, this is a Mk2 feature to enable the 17 pounder to be removed but wasn't needed for the 20 pounder so was deleted on Mk3 production (or welded shut if a Mk2 turret was upgraded to Mk3 configuration). I think Andrew may have based his model on the Tamiya 1/25th scale kit, which was based on the Bovington "cut in half" Mk3, which was originally manufactured as a Mk2, upgraded to M5, then backdated to a Mk3 when it was turned into a display, which is why it has a mix of earlier features. That being said, many British Mk3's where upgraded all the way to Mk12 so you could see these early features (top opening bins, hatch in turret rear, angled loaders hatch) on a British later mark, but it would be very rare and very unlikely on a NATO tank.

tankme

I'm sure if you contacted him, he would be open to suggestions at this point as they have said the final molds have not been made yet. Once those molds are complete then there won't be any changes as those molds are VERY expensive to produce.

fuchstraumer

This is looking and sounding fantastic! All my key issues with the Chieftain have been fixed (namely those that make it so I can't drive the darn thing as often, because I really do like it!). Bearings and rubber on the wheels is just so fantastic. Custom sound package will be icing on the cake, too. And a cosmetic upgrade package already? Guess I might need to order two, to celebrate both marks :P

(and to support Haya as best as I can)

wishing Andrew the best as this project comes through to the finish line, and no matter the time delay I have more confidence in it coming to fruition as promised than some of the other projects we've seen teased lately. (grumble grumble waltersons t-72 up and disappearing)

tankman

Hi king Tubby, spoke to Andrew and passed on your and other observations on the Centurion direct to him, good news is he’s already found 20+ corrections/improvements he wants his 3d team to incorporate into a second pre-production printed model. More on this as I get it from Haya ltd. Hopefully with lockdown starting to ease here in the U.K. RC Tankregiment can get down to see Andrew and do an in-depth review of the model and, with luck the bespoke electronics he is hoping to use in the Centurion. We will of course be keeping everyone updated as things progress.

herrmill

Following with interest.

afv aficionado

Very nice. I'd like to see the top of the Mk III turret? What solution was adopted for the track tensioners?

As a follow up to this, I'd suggest Abbott - gives you the hull & suspension for the FV432 family.

Mal

king_tubby

That's fantastic that he's taking all the feedback on board! Like you said now is the time to make any changes when it's still a prototype and before they start cutting the moulds.
Back in the 80's when the old 1/35th Tamiya Mk3 kit was the only game in town the were regular articles on the modeling mags showing how to convert if to different marks. From memory I have Australian Mk5/1, British Mk12 and Israeli Sho't (1973 config) articles in my stash. If I can find them I will scan and share them.

king_tubby

Or a Saladin, that would give us a Saracen APC or Stalwart load carrier as well.

https://ecardmodels.com/product/1-16...en-paper-model

afv aficionado

Yep, that works too, families of vehicles being the thing - CVR(T), M113 being further examples.

Mal

tankman

Here you go Mal, top of the MK3 turret.

tankman

A



nd a couple more Mal, nice big ones so there is plenty of detail.

tankman

Few more to be going on with, just for reference.

Front idler.

General suspension, drive and idler arrangement.

Removable engine grill.

herrmill

Man, what a difference between Haya & few other well-known / infamous brands we all know & put up with.

Thank you for this post.

fuchstraumer

I absolutely love the transparency and insight into the development process: besides just making me like Haya all the more it's really cool to see behind the curtain in ways we don't usually get to.

The more you're able to share, the better imo - assuming Andrew is all comfy with it, of course. It's just super cool to see the development of a new RC tank

Koenigstiger

Hello tankers,

It would be nice if the glasses of the periscopes and the optics were shown slightly framed and not as smooth as shown.

Kind regards

Guenther

afv aficionado

Wow, very nice. Think Andrew has gone above & beyond on the engine decks. Plenty of scope to super detail various parts too.
In case you missed it - I like it.

Mal

bowlman

Hope he is going to do the different engine deck versions I want one of these .
Thanks
Jimmy

tankme

I was wanting the earlier 20 pounder version, but now that I've seen that sexy Israeli beast I think I will change my mind...

tankman

Supplying this engine deck configuration as an aftermarket option has been suggested to Andrew by members of RC Tankregiment, we are hoping he will take this on board.

afv aficionado

It's not just the deck that would require changing -

Early wide deflector fitted here, the later one was narrower to allow easier access to towing eyes

Extended hull

Mal

RichJohnson

Realistically that modification kit is no sweat for somebody that design stuff and puts it on shapeways hint hint

afv aficionado

Very true Rich, but waiting can get you very old.
My comment was more about the modification being a bit more complex than just the deck.

Looking at the rear of the Mk III, makes me wonder how Andrew will do the twinned tow ropes - looks like a good start?

Mal

cleong

Better that someone brings to market a base tank that is 95% there and hobbyists customize for their desired variant than forever listen to hobbyists, keep tweaking and it never sees production. Sure beats scratchbuilding one, or spending months working with xacto blades, cement, and a styrene kit.

tankme

Agreed...