Review and Discuss: Heng Long 1/16 King Tiger "The Brute"

[Goose246]

Interesting info from Tucan hobbies. I have been going back-and-forth with them for several weeks now about getting the metal wheel cap replacements. The person I was talking to finally got a hold of somebody at Heng long and he was told they are no longer producing the tank. I asked him if that was correct because it seems like it’s relatively new as far as the one that just came out with the 7.0 electronics . He responded… They told him they are not able to source the materials to produce. Interesting.

[Goose246]

Yeah, I think I segued there without making it clear. Initially, I was talking about the plastic tread quality like on the S 33 since it appears they do not have a professional version, but then after reading the good reviews on the plastic treads, I thought about getting some for my king tiger as well.

[MrChef]

Very good to know. Thank you! I would imagine the plastic treads fit on the professional edition metal wheels that come stock on professional edition ?

Since you were asking about the HL Tiger I S33 with the plastic tracks that's what I'll assume you mean? In this case I can answer Yes. I have cross fitted, mixed and matched HL Tiger I Plastic and Metal tracks, road wheels, Idler wheels and Sprockets.

That being said I prefer and suggest all metal running gear with the Tiger I.

[Goose246]

Thank you appreciate it !

[tank_me]

Very good to know. Thank you! I would imagine the plastic treads fit on the professional edition metal wheels that come stock on professional edition ?

They should. I say that just because most of the time the tracks are compatible across different brands and types of sprocket, but sometimes they aren't depending on the model of tank and brand. Some brands' parts don't fit the same model in another brand. I haven't heard of any compatibility issues with the King Tiger tracks, but I also don't own a one. I have tons of tanks, but very few of them are German. HL is very good about making sure their plastic tracks/sprocket/wheels are upgradable to the metal versions in multiple combinations.

Most of the cross brand parts compatibility issues I have run into are on the Russian based tanks. Tamiya stuff is also not usually compatible with other brands except for their plastic Abrams tracks which seem to fit a wide variety of tanks.

[Goose246]

Very good to know. Thank you! I would imagine the plastic treads fit on the professional edition metal wheels that come stock on professional edition ?

[tank_me]

The metal tracks also open up over time and the pins get loose, so it's not just a plastic track issue. A little CA glue and they stay put.

[Goose246]

Thank you

[MrChef]

I’ll post this here since there is so much activity on this thread. It looks like Motion has the hang long tiger S3 three in the upgrade version only. Looks like steel gearbox but plastic tracks. Anybody have any idea on the durability of the plastic tracks? The metal ones had no problem on sharp rocks, wondering if the plastic tracks are fairly durable?

The plastic tracks are fine.I have several tanks on plastic tracks. They do wear and stretch over time and the HL open pin design isn't the best for longevity but replacing them with plastic is cheap and upgrading with metal is an option up to you. I had picked up 3 sets of plastic tracks for the Tiger I from Toucan on sale last fall. $3.99 per set.

I do understand you adding your question here but it is better for the forum and the "Search" function if you start a new thread next time.

[Goose246]

I’ll post this here since there is so much activity on this thread. It looks like Motion has the hang long tiger S3 three in the upgrade version only. Looks like steel gearbox but plastic tracks. Anybody have any idea on the durability of the plastic tracks? The metal ones had no problem on sharp rocks, wondering if the plastic tracks are fairly durable?

[Goose246]

Thanks everyone! This forum is always full of people offering good advice and it is appreciated. I do not have an airbrush set, but that is on my list of things to get proficient with.

[Max-U52]

Have you thought about stencils? If you have a decent airbrush they can give excellent results. I have a King Tiger in the wings myself, (Torro metal lower with a preproduction upper hull/turret) and I picked up a set of stencils for the 312 KT (with the famous mounted knight) so those are set aside for when I finally get to that project. There's also a Taigen IR JS-2 to go with it, a pair of battle tanks running on IBUs when they're done. If I live that long, knock on wood.

[Max-U52]

I use the same method I've used for way too long on model aircraft (don't want to date myself), a gloss clear coat (I like future for that), the decals, then a flat coat, and for that I like testors dullcote (flat lacquer). If it's a complete re-paint, I like to gloss clear coat everything and do the washes and what not at the same time as the decals, before a final over all flat coat.

Peddinghaus decals tend to be rather thick, so a good decal setting solution (I like micro soft and micro sol) can be very helpful.

[Goose246]

Prep with rubbing alcohol?

[MrChef]

Well, the factory decals have peeled off on their own… peddinghouse decals Inbound

Not surprising. Just be sure to clean/prep the surface. Waterslide decals like a smooth surface. Might even gloss coat before applying them and matte coat after to be safe.

[Goose246]

Well, the factory decals have peeled off on their own… peddinghouse decals Inbound

[Goose246]

No problem! I do appreciate the help !

[Max-U52]

I didn't know you were looking for caps for the road wheels, I thought you were looking for the little plug-in jobs that go in the sprocket. Sorry 'bout dat.

[Goose246]

If by sprockets, you mean the wheels on the four corners, luckily the plastic ones do fit perfectly on the metal sprockets. I’m having trouble finding the metal cap for the actual road wheels. That being said it can’t hurt to have extras , so if anyone can confirm that the taigen ones would fit I’d be happy to buy them from you. Thank you regardless though

[Max-U52]

Will the hubs for Taigen sprockets work? I might have some of those around here somewhere, left over from a KT I sold a few years ago.