Tanker1966

Is ETOARMOR out of business? His website doesn't show up anymore?

Pah co chu puk

He was located ln Sevastopol, Crimea, where bombs are falling these days, so I imagine he took his loved ones and moved to a safer place.

Tanker1966

Oh, that's not good! Hope they are OK.

HAL_HUSKER

You guys do not know, I think... My Friend, great fan of RC Tanks and Battles (one of the "great people" in between us) and the owner of ETOARMOR Robert Hern passed away in December 2022. I am so surprised to see here that nobody knows about that... He was a great man, we spent with him quite some time. And a lot of things that I know about RC Tanks that is because of him. He is in my heart and will be... RIP.

Tanker1966

Oh, wow! I did not know that he passed away. Sorry for the loss.

sturmgescheutz

Hello friends,

I had thought so, but I could not find any evidence, for almost two years, I did not receive a reply to my emails .
I have done business with Robert for many years.
He was a model builder from the beginning, like Phil Pflueger for example.
Back then we didn't need a 3d printer,we all made with our imagination and hands.

We have seen many pictures of him, his great wife and his dogs. I am proud that I was able to get to know a little of him.

I say goodbye ,Robert,my friend, hopefully in a better world

Shorty54

This is sad news. I have some great parts from him in my tanks.
I also shared several late night emails with him and pictures of his dogs.
He had even sent me a couple books he wrote for my daughter to read when she was learning to read.
He will be missed! RIP Robert

maillemaker

Sad news. This was the guy that made the orbital-drive gearboxes, right?

What did he die of? Covid?

He was last active in September 2022:
https://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/members/sevoblast.html

RichJohnson

Bob was a great guy. I corresponded with him often and got a great perspective of his life and times in Crimea as well as purchasing alot of things from him.
As soon as the war broke out I asked if he was safe and he had responded that they felt they were at the time but would migrate if necessary if things got hot there.
I tried following up many times over the last year and half and got no reply. I have noticed other people in our hobby behind the iron curtain have also gone dark so wondered if it was a loss of outside internet connection or if his cancer had got the best of him. I checked with fellow common friends and they had not heard anything as well and assumed the same as I.
I am saddened to hear of his passing, I truly thought of him as a friend.

tankme

Sad news. I always had good dealings with Bob and ETO.

Panzerpaul

This is sad to hear. Bob was one of the first club leaders back when it all started in 2000. Over the years he provided a lot of guidance and advice to many people. He will be missed. FRAG sends its best wishes and condolences to his widow. PP

jarndice

Bob was a great dealer but his Gearboxes were the true winner,
I did buy product from him but the postage costs madec sure my purchases were limited,
I will miss him as will the wider world.
Thank you sir,
RIP Shaun.

ksoc

Thank you for the information.

He was an enthusiast, a teacher, and a great guy to do business with. He will be missed.

Tanque

Robert Herne dead! That is sad news. we corresponded a fair number of times over the years. When Hooben came out with their Elefant I purchased them from Robert along with the barrel and bearing upgrades (at the time).

He was always fascinating with his insights and perspectives on things. A very nice fellow indeed.

I also wondered why some email I sent in the last few years had gone unanswered- I'd assumed it was due to the turmoil in the area.

He will be missed

Jerry

maillemaker

Since he is gone, can anyone provide information on the gearboxes and motors he used in his transmissions?

Steve

Shorty54

Daryl Turner might be the only one that I can think of.....if he is still around?

Shad

maillemaker

I figured there might be folks out there with ETO gearboxes who can look at the part numbers /stickers on the gearboxes and motors and let us know.

Max-U52

Very sad news, Bob will be seriously missed around here. As will the occasional photos of those absolutely gorgeous dogs of his. 😿

tankme

I have an ETO gearbox in my Tamiya Sherman, but I don't think there are any major marking on it, but I can look. I think back when ETO made these the smaller gearhead motors were less common, but now they are all over the marketplace. I'm waiting for a couple of geared 395 motors to use in my 3D printed Maus since the central hull is so narrow. A set of geared 550s are even too wide for it both lengthwise (mounting on the sponsons) and widthwise (mounted lengthwise in the hull).

maillemaker

Back in 2017 I started playing around with a 3D printed motor chassis:


more pictures here: https://imgur.com/a/UdA0EkK

I was having trouble finding the right motor/rpm.

I can't remember where I left off now. Got parts strung here and yon.

tankme

Starting a post about the gearbox topic since it's straying off the original post.

tankme

Dang it...can't start a new topic from work. It's blocked. It's so weird that I can do a quick reply just fine, but an advanced response post or post for a new thread is blocked by the firewall.

bowlman

Very said to hear that Bob passed .
Jimmy

dsbc

My condolences to Robert’s family and friends.

I recently was trying to locate his website, for some info about a gearbox I bought from him about four years ago.
He was nice and very helpful with a Tiger build, which I appreciated … since it was my first 1/16 RC.

A couple of weeks ago I restarted my Tiger project and several days ago installed the gearbox.

the only markings I noticed was 129.


photo attached

maillemaker

It's the motors and gearboxes that I would like to source.