Re: Re-inventing the PBM

[Frank Pittelli <frank-at-rctankcombat.com>]

Grauwolf wrote:
> How many of these folks do you think will be drawn into this
> sport if they find one of the basic requirements is having to own a
> machine-shop to be able to modify those Wally World PBMs that are
> designed to be large, bulky handguns just to play along?
> 

I seem to have missed something here.  Why do you assume that 
significant modifications are required to standard PBMs to use them in a 
tank?

To the best of my knowledge, the great majority of markers that have 
been used in combat so far had only minor modifications, usually simply 
the removal of the lower part of the handle, which can be done with a 
hacksaw blade.

Yes, Steve Tyng wrote a detailed article on his modifications of a GTVe 
marker, but that is the exception, not the norm at this point.  Anyone 
who wants to outfit a tank with a standard marker can do so with a 
couple hand tools and some patience.

I agree with you that standard markers *could* be significantly improved 
for our purposes, but I also think that they are generally *good enough* 
for my purposes.  Of course, if someone does develop a safe, affordable, 
reliable and easily-produced custom marker for our purposes, I can 
assure you that I'll be one of the first to give it a try.  (So far, the 
only system that has not been replaced on the Tiger-1 is the marker ... 
so it's probably time for a change.)

        Frank "Currently Renovating Tiger Turret - Again" Pittelli