Discussion Thread: Heng Long 1/16 Scale "Jagdpanther" German WW2 Tank

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Heng Long 1/16 Scale "Jagdpanther" WW2 Tank Destroyer

Introduction:

The Jagdpanther was an imposing WW2-era Tank Destroyer, firing the same massive 8.8cm cannon as the King Tiger tank. Deployed in the latter stages of the war, this hunter killer was unable to turn the tide of battle despite its impressive weaponry.

My Personal Averaged Total Score for the Heng Long 1/16 Scale "Jagdpanther" Tank Destroyer: 88 out of 100

Heng Long's 1/16 scale Jagdpanther scored 88 out of a possible 100 based on my review criteria. Read below to see how I arrived at this rating, as I evaluate the "Upgrade" version of this tank destroyer. "Upgrade" means that its exterior is plastic but its interior gears are steel. Note, where shown, the metal tracks denote a "Professional" version which includes more external metal parts at higher cost.

As a visual companion to this written review, our Overview and Build Summary Video can be found here

Functions:

Featuring the latest TK6.0 MFCB (Multi-Function Control Board), this tank destroyer is full of features:

1) Proportional acceleration, steering, turret traverse, and gun elevation/depression
2) Programmable radio settings for the amount of recoil, the sensitivity in turns, the overall sensitivity in acceleration, etc
3) Smoke (On/Off)
4) Volume (five settings including Off)
5) Four different Sound Sets. Each Sound Set contains a unique engine start sound, idle sound, accelerating sound, traverse sound, elevate sound, machine gun, cannon, and shutdown sound.
6) Track Recoil (Three settings from low, medium, and high) -- Low or Medium are the most realistic.
7) Fires a 6mm plastic BB
8) Fires an invisible IR signal to be used as part of Heng Long's Infrared Battle System to disable other tanks during simulated combat between up to 20 tanks at the same time


Scale Fidelity:
The Jagdpanther is not a tank, but a tank destroyer, identified as such by its lack of a traversing turret. Rather, the entire gun could pivot side to side several degrees to provide a wider arc of fire at optimal standoff range. Heng Long's Jagdpanther arrives fully painted, and overall the model represents the real machine in acceptable accuracy considering its reasonable price point.



What's In the Box:

As an RTR or "Ready To Run" RC model, everything is included in the box except six AA batteries for the 2.4GHz radio transmitter. In areas where shipping liquids is restricted, the glycerin used for the "smoke effect" is absent, but can be found locally at hardware or convenience stores that sell glycerin oil.

The radio, tank, cosmetic accessory parts, tank battery, tank battery charger, and plastic BBs, don't require any "assembly", other than installing the aforementioned "cosmetic accessory parts".

Initial Two Minute Function Test:

Because the tank itself is functionally complete and it doesn't require the cosmetic accessory parts to run, I recommend testing your tank's basic functions immediately after unboxing the tank, before you install the cosmetic accessory parts. If there happens to be any problems, it is better to report them to Motion RC for warranty support before the tank has any cosmetic parts attached to it.

To conduct this initial two minute test, insert six AA batteries in the radio and turn it on. Plug in the tank's included 2s battery and slide the tank's switch to On. The radio and tank are already "bound" to each other via 2.4Ghz signal, so simply press the Key button on the radio and your tank will activate. Move all the tank's controls in every direction to evaluate their function. Refer to the Manual for all controls. Note that the turret and cannon barrel will produce a "clacking" sound when they reach their maximum travel points. This sound is normal and is a warning for you to stop moving it in that direction. Importantly, DO NOT run the tank more than two minutes for this initial test, since it arrives with only a storage charge.

Once satisfied that your tank is operating normally, plug the battery into the included wall charger. While it's charging, turn your attention to the installation of the "cosmetic accessory parts", covered in the Details section, below. Installing the cosmetic parts onto the exterior of the tank result in the finished result:

Exterior Quality:
The tank is primarily composed of ABS plastic, which is nicely molded. The engine deck features a good array of details, and the road wheels are also represented well with rivets and various elements. My review version was an "Upgraded" version which weighs ~5.5 pounds, while the "Professional" version which adds metal tracks and other metal parts weighs over 10 pounds.
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Details:
A small number of plastic "Cosmetic Accessory Parts" are provided for the modeler to install on the tank. These all plug into pre-drilled holes, and are nearly "snap fit". ABS glue can be used to weld any parts that are too loose, but otherwise I recommend never gluing on the wheel covers, just in case you need to remove them in the future to access the screw that secures each wheel to its suspension arm. The Jagdpanther's Cosmetic Accessory Parts includes tools, jack, flexible tow cables, shackles, an unpainted commander figure, a 7.92mm MG 34 machine gun, and other small parts.

Assembly:
The tank arrives RTR, with a radio, tank, accessories, tank battery, tank battery charger, and plastic BBs. The glycerin needed for the smoker may not be included depending on your area's local shipping restrictions, but it's cheap enough to source locally. The main thing you'll need to run the tank out of the box is six AA batteries for the tank's radio.

Assembly of the tank itself is complete, and the tank can be running literally within a couple minutes of opening the box and inserting the batteries.

Once you're done verifying everything works, plug the tank's battery into the charger, since it only arrives with a storage charge.

While the tank's battery is charging, attach the plastic cosmetic parts, or "accessory parts" as they're called on the website. This took me as mentioned about 45 minutes to complete.

Apply the decals, as desired, on a cleaned and dried surface, using the instruction manual's clear diagrams. These are simple adhesive vinyl decals. They are NOT water slide decals. I happen to think that a clear coat spray is not necessary to seal the decals in, but it wouldn't hurt, either. The Jagdpanther's decal sheet included a couple insignia and some numbers.

By the time you're done detailing your tank with the parts sprues and decals, your tank's battery should be fully charged and you're ready for your first full run.

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Pre-Drive Checklist

By the time you've finished detailing your tank with the parts sprues and decals, your tank's battery should be fully charged and you're now ready for your first full test run!

Plug the battery back into the battery bay under the tank. I like how Heng Long designed the screw to always stay connected to the battery bay door, so it's impossible to lose that little screw. The 2s 1800mAh battery uses a Tamiya-style connector for main power, and also has a conventional three wire balance plug. I've found this to be convenient for checking the battery voltage with my battery voltage checker, just as I do with my larger airplane batteries. Heng Long's system will automatically shut down when the battery is depleted, although I prefer to use a low voltage alarm to notify me before that happens. There is ample space inside the Jagdpanther's battery bay to fit a small low voltage alarm if you choose to do the same.

If you plan on battling your friends with the included IR (infrared) system, plug in the IR apple and locate its magnetic anchor spot in front of the hatch. Heng Long's magnets are concealed inside the turret and thus there isn't any unsightly mount visible from the outside of the turret. The IR apple is low profile, and reasonably sensitive in overcast conditions out to ~10-15 meters. The Jagdpanther's mostly flat upper casement is free of any tall obstructions.

The Jagdpanther's suspension arms are ABS plastic, but outdoors I haven't had any problems with them. I don't run this tank destroyer like a cross country tank, anyway --it's more of an ambush predator. If you plan on running on dry riverbeds with rocks you expect may gouge the underside, inspect the suspension arms from time to time for any damage. I find that manually moving them up and down briskly helps to clear any mud that may have accumulated in the sprung groove.

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Running the Jagdpanther tank destroyer:

Driving Heng Long tanks is easy to learn. The right stick controls forward and reverse, and left and right travel of the tank treads. The left stick normally controls a tank turret's traverse (side to side), but because the Jagdpanther doesn't have a turret, the left stick only controls the elevation/depression (up/down) of the main gun. Interestingly, the traverse sound still plays if you hold the left stick to either side. The barrel elevates and depresses through a range of 20-30 degrees or so. When you hear a "clacking" sound, the movement has reached its maximum limit and you must stop pushing the stick in that direction. Perhaps in the future Heng Long will be able to implement a limit cutoff switch.

Refer to the manual for how to fire the machine gun, the main gun sequence, load 6mm BBs, and conduct IR battles. The TK6 also allows the user to program a range of features by means of pressing down a combination of buttons and moving one or the two control sticks. The amount of recoil can be adjusted higher or lower, the top speed can be set to two limits, the sensitivity in forward turns and reverse turns, and other actions are programmable in mere seconds. The forward turning was too fast for my liking, more akin to an RC truck, so I reduced it down to turn more slowly and react to my inputs more sensitively like a real tank. RC Airplane pilots would recognize this feature as adding "Expo" or "Exponential". It's a neat feature that Heng Long has included in this latest generation of TK6 MFCB.

The Upgrade version available from Motion RC does not use Zinc Alloy gears like Upgrade versions of years past. Rather, as of 11/2019, all of Motion RC's Upgrade version tanks include Steel gears, which are superior to the old Zinc Alloy gears in every way. While the remainder of the tank's running gear is ABS plastic, I prefer this Upgrade version because the steel gears in the gearbox are very durable, yet the plastic tracks keep the tank light and maneuverable. The Jagdpanther is an imposing yet sleek tank destroyer, so it's up to you whether you want to keep it light with the Upgrade edition or move up to the Professional edition. The Professional edition replaces the plastic tracks, drive sprocket, and idler wheel with metal versions. This nearly doubles the weight of the tank, and increases the cost as well, so I recommend the Pro version for tankers who don't mind having a shorter drive time or having to buy a couple spare batteries. The durability and heft of the Pro version will appeal to those who want weight above all other considerations.

The Upgrade configuration of the Jagdpanther's plastic tracks can climb comfortably at 35 degrees with good traction, but begins to slip nearing 45 degrees. Like other tanks at the Upgrade level, the plastic tracks grip most firm surfaces well. Tile floors are the most potentially slippery, as one can imagine, but the tank destroyer still moves along capably.

Indoors, the sound is very loud, the LED headlight is bright, and the exhaust effect" is easily visible. Outdoors, the sound is still readily audible and the LED is also visible in daylight, but the exhaust effect becomes difficult to see. This is just as well, since the real tanks weren't constantly venting smoke as if they were on fire, so I don't mind the reduced visible volume in daylight.

"Send It!" Firing the cannon

Firing the machine gun by pressing the labeled button triggers a machine gun sound and a bright LED at the base of the coaxial mount located in the turret alongside the main cannon. Firing the main cannon is accomplished by holding down both the cannon button and the machine gun button, resulting in a cannon firing sound and a track recoil and a 6mm BB going flying 30 feet out of the tank. It's all synchronized very well, so that the overall effect is convincing. I prefer the lowest or the middle setting for track recoil, because the highest setting is too exaggerated and unrealistic in my opinion. I appreciate the need to push and hold two buttons to fire the main cannon, as this prevents accidental firing of the 6mm BB. The BBs don't hurt, but they are projectiles nonetheless, so all precaution should be taken for safety.

The most fun I've had with all these recent Heng Long tanks is engaging in IR Battles with other tanks equipped with the same TK6 MFCB. Whether a BB is loaded or not, firing the main cannon will always trigger the cannon sound and the track recoil, and will also always trigger the IR (infrared) emitter that's hidden in the mantlet, facing forward. This IR emitter sends an invisible beam that is detected by the IR mast that connects to any other TK6-equipped tank or Tamiya IR battle system equipped tank. The mast connects magnetically to the turret, and receives "hits" from other tanks. Registered hits result in the tank shuddering for a split second. After five hits, the tank plays back an "explosion and burning sound", then shuts down for five seconds, before powering back up automatically so you can resume battling your friends. A backyard brawl with four or five tanks is serious fun! Maneuvering and angling for a shot while driving for cover, all the while shouting taunts to your friends, becomes very competitive very quickly. Because this tank destroyer lacks a rotating turret, its role is better served as an ambush predator, lurking on station concealed in foilage until its prey comes within range.

As with all other Heng Long TK6 series tanks, I found the Jagdpanther's IR emitter's sensitivity to be acceptably consistent in overcast conditions out to ~10-15 meters. In optimum conditions, a hit can be registered out to 25 meters or more, but in my experience this was rare, and in local RC tank engagements, the range to target tends to be much shorter. It should also be noted that IR technology is susceptible to decreased performance in direct sunlight, which is why IR Tank Battlers often use sunshades on the IR receiver ("apple"). IR receivers can also be masked by obstacles, or other conditions that reduce the range at which the Jagdpanther can register being hit by an opponent. Additionally, it appears that turning the turret can create less than consistent results when registering hits, so it isn't a perfect science. Chalk it up to simulating real life misfires?

Power and Handling

The new generation TK6 MFCB makes all previous versions from Heng Long obsolete. The precision provided with its proportional steering controls is far beyond what older MFCBs could accomplish. Power is adequate, and its top speed is more than scale, although like all stock tanks I wouldn't call it "fast". Lower ground clearance between the underside hull and any taller grass may hinder movements, especially when turning in place. I recommend moving forward and turning gradually to execute a turn if driving on softer surfaces like grass or carpet.

Upgrade path and "Wrenchability" --how easy is it to service, maintain, and upgrade this tank?:

Speaking of the TK6 MFCB, I was pleased to see that it has several unused ports. There is a brake light port, and also turn signal ports. There is even a "Main Cannon Barrel LED" port, that flashes in sync with the cannon sound. If you were okay with running an LED into the barrel and cancelling the airsoft BB firing function, you could within minutes have a neat simulated "flash" at the tip of the barrel every time you fired the main gun. Being that the Jagdpanther is more of a stationary vehicle, I can see the appeal of leaving it stock and using the airsoft function as a "plinker" for target practice outdoors, or of removing the airsoft function and replacing it with the barrel flash upgrade to make it more of a visual showpiece indoors.

This Jagdpanther I am reviewing is the "Upgrade" edition, meaning its exterior components are all plastic, while the gears in the gearbox are steel. I find this to be a great balance between cost, driveability, and weight. The more expensive "Professional" edition features metal tracks, idler wheel, and drive sprocket. The increased weight provides better durability in certain conditions, and of course it feels more tank-like (i.e. a brick), but the trade-off for this weight gain is lower drive time. The Jagdpanther isn't a "run and gun" type of vehicle, anyway, and stationary while in ambush mode, the stock battery can loiter for 45+ minutes without the smoke being used. For anyone operating the heavier Professional version and planning to do lots of driving, I recommend buying a spare battery if ~20 minutes of tanking isn't enough in one session for you.

Things to watch out for:

1) The plastic BBs included in all of Heng Long's tanks aren't the best. Their instruction manual recommends visually sorting the BBs and removing any BBs that are deformed, flat, broken, or oblong. 8%-10% of the BBs included with my Heng Long tanks are usually throwaways. More than 70 are perfectly fine, though. Avoid reusing BBs that have been fired!

2) Don't flood the smoker. There is one smoker in the tank, with two exhaust tubes. Those tubes in fact function as both the exhaust for the smoke and the intake for the smoke oil, so it's imperative that you only put one drop in each of the tubes every hour of smoking. Less is more! If you overflow the tubes, the smoke can't exit, causing the smoker unit to clog and die.

3) Read our "Do's And Don'ts of RC Tanking" article *here* and watch its accompanying video *here* for all relevant tips, tricks, and warnings that pertain to any RC tank. Most importantly, do not attempt to run the tank into obstacles larger, in 1/16 scale terms, than what the real tank was subjected to. These tanks are not scale crawler trucks, so don't expect them climb over rocks and boulders taller than the tank's ground clearance, which is typically around 1" from the underside of the hull. Also, do not attempt to drive in water or mud. In their stock form, RC tanks are not intended to be used in wet or muddy conditions. Extensive waterproofing and cleaning is just the start of upgrades required to make such operation repeatable without irreparable damage.

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CONCLUSION

As with all Heng Long 1/16 tanks, I assess a rating for each of seven key areas. To be fair, my ratings are given in the context of the Jagdpanther's own price point and intended audience, which is the entry level and mid-level RC tank enthusiast looking to get started in the $150-$250 RTR range. I also compare it to the other ~20+ Heng Long tanks I own. From that vantage point, here is how I rank the Heng Long 1/16 Scale "Jagdpanther" tank destroyer:


Initial Quality: 97/100
Initial quality on my Heng Long tanks tends to rank highly. Secure packaging, good paint application, no missing parts, etc. Heng Long has improved their QC over the past 8-10 years, most notably in the past 2 years. Everything was included, everything worked, everything looked flawless, and most importantly, the battery was at a fair 15% storage charge. Until HL improves their BBs, though, a perfect score cannot be assessed.

User-Friendliness and Transportability: 94/100
The convenience of Heng Long's RTR package really makes it easy to get started in the world of RC tanks. In that sense, all of Heng Long's tanks excel in lowering the cost of entry into this segment of the hobby, and I think many scale enthusiasts would appreciate a scale tank as much as they would a scale airplane, car, truck, or boat. Heng Long's included radio does the job, without being overly flashy. I tend to prefer a cheaper overall package with this basic radio than one with super low latency and 1km range and hall effect sensored bearing gimbals. This isn't a jet flying at 100mph away from me at a thousand feet. While other manufacturers dominate the higher scale and higher featured market, the price is often prohibitive for someone starting out with their first tank to see if it's even something they're interested in.

A tank destroyer's lack of a turret greatly simplifies things and reduces parts count and complexity, which reduces the likelihood of something breaking. Servicing the Jagdpanther is easy with its amply sized internal cabin, and transporting it is easy because there aren't too many extra bits hanging off of the tank compared to, say, the turret on the T-99 or the hull of a Sherman.

Mobility and Drive Experience 78/100
The lightweight Upgrade edition of the Jagdpanther rumbles over most surfaces with ease. Like the Panther G tank, the Jagdpanther G does have a lower ground clearance than some other tanks, so obstacles gouge the underside of the hull over time. The lack of a traversing turret may reduce the overall "fun factor" for some tank enthusiasts, and that's a reasonable critique, hence the lower score in this category.

The aforementioned flex inherent in the Jagdpanther's wide plastic tracks found on the Original, Upgrade, and Upgrade-A versions, however, are prone to skipping a tooth if the user tries to do a fast "super spin" maneuver because the outer edge of the track cleat can dig into softer surfaces and gradually work its way out. In scale maneuvering speeds, however, the plastic tracks functioned flawlessly. It's a tank, not a drift car. As noted, I recommend turning the Jagdpanther gradually while moving forward when on carpet or short grass.

I preferred the third sound set for the Jagdpanther, even though the second sound set is probably more accurate for the Maybach engine of the time period. Out of the box, it was programmed to the second sound set. Tap the G and K buttons at the same time to switch between different sound sets.

Durability 86/100
Less complexity and less moving parts increases the Jagdpanther's prospective durability factor, although that is somewhat counteracted by the lack of metal suspension arms. In general use, however, I am far more confident that this Jagdpanther will survive transport and obstacles and dings longer than many conventional tanks from Heng Long. Losing a small grab handle off a Leopard 2A6, or breaking a rangefinder or periscope on a T-90 or Type 99, is more likely than the simplified Jagdpanther.

Customers wanting the added rigidity and durability of metal tracks, metal idler wheel, and metal drive sprocket should consider purchasing the more expensive "Professional" edition, pictured below to the left. Note the metal parts are easily identified by their lack of paint out of the box. They are delivered in bare metal, unpainted.



Scale Fidelity 88/100
Heng Long's Jagdpanther is a good representation of the real tank destroyer. It's difficult to fully convey the imposing beastliness of a 60 ton tank destroyer when it's sitting on your benchtop at less than two feet total length, but that's not the model's fault. The paint looks good, the markings are acceptably sparse, the overall proportions and cosmetic accessory parts are acceptable for this price point. The lack of metal PE intake screens is a small oversight, but not really expected since none of Heng Long's 1/16 tanks include metal PE parts. At least they can be purchased separately. Someday I would enjoy seeing PE included in the RTR, and also perhaps the mold changed to allow an uneven rolled steel surface pattern, using a similar technique to Heng Long's T-34 surface treatment.



Ease of Maintenance and Upgrade Potential 80/100

The lack of an adjustable idler and metal suspension arms identify this as one of Heng Long's earlier molds. It still stands up to the test of time in certain respects, but its interleaved road wheels will always be more prone to clogging, just like the real Jagdpanther. Maintaining it is easy because of its lack of a moving turret.

Aside from a few PE parts and upgrades, many of which are interchangeable between the Jagdpanther tank destroyer and the Panther G tank, there aren't many options for upgrades other than cosmetic ones, or the aforementioned barrel flash LED mod using the stock TK6 MFCB.


Overall Value (Cost, Size, Performance, Quality) 83/100

Between the Stug and Jagdpanther, I prefer the latter as the better of Heng Long's two tank destroyers. Better than good marks on all categories, but none exceptionally great.

My Personal Averaged Total Score for the Heng Long 1/16 Scale "Jagdpanther tank destroyer": 86/100

The Heng Long 1/16 scale Jagdpanther tank destroyer stands out among the crowd. Like the Stug, the Jagdpanther's tank destroyer configuration simplifies the overall design and parts count, while still delivering some special to bring to the IR Battlefield. I recommend this model to those attracted to the appeal of an ambush predator tank destroyer with wide tracks and the potential for additional scale detailing.