Heng Long 1/16 Scale "Panzer IV F.2" WW2 Tank, Upgrade Edition
Introduction:
Representing the pinnacle of Panzer design in World War II, the Panzer IV series took the proven chassis of the Panzer III and upgunned it in response to the Soviet T-34 and American Sherman.
My Personal Averaged Total Score for the Heng Long 1/16 Scale "Panzer IV F.2" WW2 Light Tank: 81 out of 100
Read below to see how I arrived at this rating while evaluating the "Upgrade" version of this tank. "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 MFCB (Multi-Function Control Board), all of Heng Long's other TK6 series 1/16 scale tanks are 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, high speed and low speed modes, etc
3) Smoke effect (On/Off)
4) Headlights and Brake lights (On/Off)
5) Volume (five settings including Off)
6) Four different Sound Sets. Each Sound Set contains a unique engine start sound, idle sound, accelerating sound, traverse sound, elevate sound, machine gun, cannon firing, and shutdown sound.
7) Track Recoil (Three settings from low, medium, and high) --This shudders the tank briefly rearward to simulate recoil when firing the main cannon. The Low or Medium settings are more realistic.
8) Fires a 6mm plastic BB (~10 meters with minimal accuracy and limited velocity, but should still be treated with caution and with adequate eye protection)
9) Fires an invisible IR signal to be used as part of Heng Long's Infrared Battle System, which disables other tanks when hit five times during simulated combat. Up to 20 tanks at the same time can battle each other!
10) Independent suspension on all road wheels
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 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.
Details:
Several "Cosmetic Spare Parts" are provided on plastic sprues 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 adhere the parts permanently, but I prefer to keep them unglued. The Panzer IV F.2 has several tools that are installed on various flat surfaces around the tank. I recommend a sharp clipper designed for clipping out plastic parts, as it makes cleanup much easier. The accessory parts are pre-painted and really enhance the tank's overall surface detail. Modelers may touch up the paint to enhance the detail further. Note the open grates along the rear engine deck, which also serve as sound holes for the speaker inside. While the Panzer IV F.2 is small, it still sounds robust.
A glycerin based "smoke effect" is expelled through the rear exhaust pipe, in the same location as the real tank. Functional hatches are present on both sides of the turret, although they currently don't open to anything. Modeling tank crew members seat in this spot would be neat!
Several "Cosmetic Spare Parts" are provided on plastic sprues 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 adhere the parts permanently, but I prefer to keep them unglued. The Panzer IV F.2 has several tools that are installed on various flat surfaces around the tank. I recommend a sharp clipper designed for clipping out plastic parts, as it makes cleanup much easier. The accessory parts are pre-painted and really enhance the tank's overall surface detail. Modelers may touch up the paint to enhance the detail further. Note the open grates along the rear engine deck, which also serve as sound holes for the speaker inside. While the Panzer IV F.2 is small, it still sounds robust.
A glycerin based "smoke effect" is expelled through the rear exhaust pipe, in the same location as the real tank. Functional hatches are present on both sides of the turret, although they currently don't open to anything. Modeling tank crew members seat in this spot would be neat!
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