FAQ: Building 1/6 Scale Metal Tank Kits

Armortek kits include all the parts necessary to build the model as illustrated.

This includes:

• machined, cast, and sheet metal parts
• Bearings and all fasteners required
• Comprehensive instruction manual and assembly drawings.

An Armortek kit provides you with a complete static model.

Option Packs can be added to provide Motion, Sound, Gun Recoil and Smoke.

Not included are adhesives and paints and other consumables.

Parts are machined and vibratory-finished, so they may show light machining marks. This is normal and does not affect the finished model.

Armortek kits are designed in-house and manufactured at our site in Hampshire in the UK. We have state of the art CNC machines on which we machine the components in our kits.

Our kits are predominantly made out of metal - with the obvious exception of components like rubber tyres and canvas roofs.

We use mainly aluminium. In general, steel is used for some drive components and thin sheet metal, whilst brass is used for some bushes and decorative components.

Yes, our vehicle kits can be remote controlled through the addition of the Motion option pack.

We predominately sell kits for our customers to build themselves.

However, we do offer a service to build and paint the model. We have limited capacity to offer this service - if you are interested, please contact us at sales@armortek.co.uk. This service cannot be ordered through our website.

Our kits tend to be produced in batches of limited numbers – typically less than 100 kits – hence they are Limited Edition. Each kit* comes with a certificate to indicate its serial number and certify its authenticity.

Historically Limited Edition runs of the same model have been run between 3 to 8 years apart, with some models having had no re-run to date.

*The field guns, Bailey bridge and hedgehogs do not have a serial number and are not considered limited editions as they are generally maintained in stock.

The short answer is no.

At any one time we only have a small range of kits for sale. If a model is not listed on our site, the chances are it is not available for sale.

We do not manufacture "one-offs".

Unfortunately not.

Due to the economics of research, design and production, a one-off kit would cost many times the cost of a standard model.

We do have a small retail/ display area at our manufacturing facility in the UK where you can view our models and see them in action.

Visits need to be pre-arranged with us by contacting us by phone or at sales@armortek.co.uk

Armortek kits vary in weight and it is best to check the product pages to get an estimate of the weight.

However, a couple of examples:

• Elefant Tank (Basic kit with no options added) – approx 90kg
• Tiger 1 (All options and batteries included) – approx 110kg

No. We have specialised in 1/6th scale metal models and do not produce any other scales.

No they cannot.

We recommend that you have some experience of modelling or working with metal to build our kits. Although the parts are manufactured on state of the art CNC machines, the builder can expect to need to fettle some parts - for example, filing, clear holes, deburring, etc.

A comprehensive instruction booklet with drawings and part numbers breaks down the construction into simple stages. We also offer support via email and there is a very resourceful customers forum to provide guidance if you get stuck.

You will need a set of good hand tools. The following list should be regarded as the minimum:

• Spanners (wrenches) 5.5mm, 7mm, 8mm, 10mm and a mini adjustable.
• Allen (hex) keys 1.5mm-6mm.
• Screw drivers small flat blade 3mm and 4mm.
• Pliers 5” long nose, 5” combination.
• Small hammer
• Files selection of needle files and small hand files.

In addition to the above, a selection of larger files and a cordless drill with 3mm, 4mm and 5mm drill bits (for clearing through holes) can be useful to speed things up. You will also need a good sturdy work bench as these kits are heavy once fully assembled.

Yes they can. Some customers choose not to paint their kits.

However, some of the parts of the kit are mild steel and would need either an oil or lacquer coating to prevent them from rusting. All other parts can be left untreated as bare metal components.

The number of parts per kit will vary by model and it is best to check the product’s page for more details.

However, as an example, the Elefant tank kit contains:

• Almost 190 UNIQUE parts (excluding fasteners)
• Over 1,300 parts (excluding fasteners)
• Almost 1,500 fasteners

In general, one of our tanks takes anywhere between about 200 to 400 hours to build and paint. It is not an easy question to answer as it depends on your modelling experience as well as how much time is spent on painting and adding after market details or customising parts.

We have customers who build the kits and keep them in their bare metal finish in a matter of weeks and we have customers who can spend years researching a certain tank and faithfully replicating all the details of that particular tank onto their model. We also have the full spectrum of customers in between.

Option packs are optional extras that can be bought and added to an Armortek kit to bring it "alive".

We currently sell the following option packs:

Motion Pack – enables motion and steering for the vehicle through radio control. In the case of tanks it also allows turret rotation and elevation/ slew of the main gun. The product pages for the relevant motion pack provides more details on what is included.

Sound Pack – enables sounds linked to the motion of the vehicle such as start up and running. Some sound cards also enable crew voices. Motion pack must be purchased in order to use the sound pack.

Recoil Pack – in the case of tanks, it allows for the recoil of the main gun via radio control. The sound of firing is also triggered. Sound pack must be purchased in order to use recoil.

Smoke Pack – allows for a smoke effect to be created on starting and driving the vehicle. The Motion and Sound packs must be purchased in order to use the Smoke Pack.

We currently do not supply an internal combustion engine.

During the early development of our models several internal combustion engine drive options were tried. However, it quickly became clear that this system was noisy, messy, mechanically complicated and difficult to control. As a result we do not offer this option.

The drive train to all our models is electric.

Yes.

The idea behind offering the basic kit and then the option packs is to allow individual builders to engineer their own alternatives.

However, we will not be able to offer support to builders who choose to install their own motors and electrical parts.

Yes you can.

We generally keep option packs in stock for several years so they can be purchased at a later date. With most of our kits, the option packs can be added once the kit has been built, however some disassembly may be required.

No you do not.

An Armortek kit will provide you with a fully built static model. Option packs are only required if you want to bring your model to life by adding remote control motion, sounds, smoke, etc.

Yes we do.

We carry spare parts of most models and currently have around 300,000 parts in stock.

Please contact us with details of the exact model that you have (type and year) and the part number(s) that you require.

To order, send us an email at sales@armortek.co.uk with details on what you are interested in and where you live. We will then be able to send you information on the price including shipping.

If you decide to proceed, we will send you an invoice to securely pay on-line, or you can pay by bank transfer.

We accept debit and credit cards, bank transfer and UK cheques. We will confirm how to pay when we confirm your order.

Bank transfers can be made in British Pounds to our UK account, or in Euros, US Dollars or Australian Dollars by prior arrangement – we will give you the exact amount to pay in that currency. All bank charges are paid by the customer.

Yes, you can make payments in instalments. Please contact us if this is of interest to you at sales@armortek.co.uk

The products will not be shipped until the full payment has been made and there is no additional charge for this service.

Our kits are produced in batches of limited quantity. When they are sold out, no more are available until the model is re-run. Historically a model has been re-run every 3 to 8 years, with some models having no re-run to date.

Therefore to reserve one of our kits, we ask for a deposit from our customers and operate on a first come first served basis.

In the event you need to cancel, please refer to our Terms of Sale.

Yes you can.

We accept USD and Euro payments by Bank Transfer (Wire Transfer). For more details, please contact us at sales@armortek.co.uk.

We ship our products worldwide and already have customers in over 45 countries.

Yes you can.

Please note that there is still a packaging and handling charge.

Our kits are made in the UK and declared as toys (commodity code 9503 00 30 00), so in general no import duty should be charged, only the import tax. Our invoices carry a statement of UK origin, so in the EU the kits qualify for zero duty under the UK–EU trade agreement.

Outside the UK, your own country charges import VAT when the kit arrives (called GST in Canada, Australia and New Zealand, and consumption tax in Japan). It is charged on the kit price plus the shipping cost, and you pay it to UPS, not to us, together with a small UPS handling fee. For the USA, US Customs may charge an import tariff; you can email us before you order.

Typical rates and a worked example are on our Shipping information page.