Panzer in the Weeds* [TANKS]

[JOHN PITTELLI <jplily-at-yahoo.com>]

Walking the field prior to battle, I was wondering if
4
26ah batteries would be enough. Lots of thick grass
meant hard work for the Panzer IV. Even the clearings
would be treacherous because of the small hillocks of
grass left by the mower.The tall grass would be a
hindrance to long range gunnery,the grass deflects or
breaks up the shot. Actually the tall grass is a
hindrance to short range also. The Panzer would have
to go hunting.

Surprisingly enough, the Panzer was able to handle the
nasty turf,although it required what I would call
"mogul" techniques. For those who don't ski, you
always turn on the top of the mogul, in the grass, I
learned to put one track on top of the grass hillock
and then pivot.Worked very well, even the King of the
Bush, Frank, commented that the Panzer was doing well
in his land. And ,I only used 3 batteries, 40 minutes
on each and still had plenty of power. Hey , I guess
Frank was right about this properly charging your
battery thing.
 
The lone highlight for the Panzer IV, other than the
mercy kill on the Hetzer after it threw track while we
were battling, was the solo kill on the new and
improved KV1.  Yes, Paul had succeeded in sneaking up
on Joe and myself. But those scrub pine sapplings
prevented the shot from going through and hitting us.
My first attempt over the pines failed. I guess Paul
figured he was safe and turned to go aroung the trees.
But I had found a small section to squeeze through and
was presented with the broadside of the KV! In less
than 10 seconds the Panzer scored the required 4 hits.

Ah yes, life is good.

 Lessons learned. As Frank mentioned, test your
vehicle and components regularly. Tony had come over
for a trial run 2 weeks prior to battle. A firing
glich and a turret rotate glich both showed up. The
firing glich just required shortening the wire from
the trigger to the servo wheel. The rotate needed a
new screw and drilling a hole for a hitch pin to
secure the axle for the rotate wheel.
Also, bring extra parts for your gun,co2
lines,transmitter batteries, receiver batteries. Even
if you don't need it, someelse might.We all share to
keep everyone in the game if possible. 
I make a checklist the week before a battle of
everything that is necessary to operate and repair my
vehicle. It may seem silly, but it really helps.

Plastic track stretches. That seems to be the case as
late in battle 2 the track started jumping off the
sprockets on occasion. At the end of the day, both
track were much looser than at the beginning. I'll
keep you informed of what I find later this week when
I break everything down. Joe , did you ever have this
occur?

All in all an awesome day, and it looks as though
there might be at least 4 new tanks by the fall
battle.
Hoorah!

Oh yes,wear long loose pants. The pic shows one of two
leg shots,this one is located just above the left knee
on the inside portion. Oddly enough Joe's gutshot did
not leave a mark, go figure.

John P. 


                
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