Review and Discuss: 1/16 scale M41 Walker Bulldog from Heng Long

[Rdex2]

Rdex2, thanks for the list of your mods, and great pictures.

I love to run on hi speed motors with modern tank plastic tracks and scale speed with metal tracks. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYT7...ature=youtu.be

[Prowler901]

Rdex2, thanks for the list of your mods, and great pictures.

[Rdex2]

I'm a fan of Bulldog and this is 1 of 2 I have,it 's a plastic version.This's some tricks I do. modified smoker with 3 exhaust pipe,weight front body,push bearing in the idler wheels,
reinforce gear base,adjust driver periscope,cut front hook for better climbing,fill a straw in drive shaft to prevent grass,full side body,and use brass arm for road wheels.

[randyqman]

I had to do it a few times but I got it to work . Thanks a bunch

[Prowler901]

I believe that if you press and hold the "G" button and pull back on the left stick, then it should switch back to all movement on the right stick. I don't have the instructions with me right now to verify that though. Also note that this is on the 6.0 control board.

[Elbee]

Im getting pretty feed up with my tank I don't know why my controller is programed wrong with the fwr and rev on one stick and the left right on the other. It makes it very hard to operate . Any ideas thanks

RM, Welcome to Hobby Squawk. I am not a 'tanker' but I believe that is the way those are set up. I recall in one of the other 'tank' threads here, some one was working on some way to change modes. I hope someone in this thread or in the Tanker Community can answer your question. Best, LB

[randyqman]

Im getting pretty feed up with my tank I don't know why my controller is programed wrong with the fwr and rev on one stick and the left right on the other. It makes it very hard to operate . Any ideas thanks

[Prowler901]

Those are some cool videos, Rubicon.

[Rubicon99]

My Bulldog arrived yesterday. I had ordered the "Pro" version. I'm a very happy newbie Tanker!

Unboxing found all parts/components in good shape. And, the two minute test found everything in working order. I'm very impressed with the quality of parts, paint and finish. Drove around my living room for an hour last night. I set up some books on the floor and tested its ability to handle and maneuver on them. It was quite a lot of fun and a good learning experience.
This morning I took it out for it's first drive in the dirt and brush. Very impressive handling. It tore right through most things my back yard could throw at it. The only problem I ran into was when it picked up a long twig from a weed which caused the right track to come off. Overall I'm very happy with the experience thus far.

Now, for a few issues/gotchas that I've come across:

• The battery charger apparently doesn't do a balance charge. My battery showed up with %83 and the two cells were very close in voltage. After charging it though, one cell gets to almost 4.2v while the other gets to 4.06v. The same has occurred each charging cycle. I need to get a Tamiya adapter so that I can charge these on my regular battery charger.
• My metal tracks were installed backward (or upside down?) by the factory. There is a distinctive chevron pattern to the Walkers tracks. That chevron should be pointing down when looking at the front of the tank. So, after the right track came off I took the opportunity to fix them both.
• The kit came with three extra track links. These are plastic, and not even the same design as the Bulldogs tracks. Do all the tanks come with the same wrong extra tracks?
• While correcting the track installation I discovered that a wire pair was pinched between the upper and lower hulls. This has also been fixed. Just something to keep a look out for, since the factory didn't seem to catch this one.
• The turret ring on the underside of the upper hull protrudes beyond the lower hull. This leaves a substantial gap for rocks, dirt, debris, and water to enter the tank hull. I only mention this as something to consider when driving your tank. If you drive in areas with lots of small debris or wet areas, then you'll want to seal that gap to prevent anything from fouling up the inner workings of the tank.

So far it has been great fun. I can't wait to get another tank and do some battles with friends.

I know the little things add up but they are little things easily correct.

Don’t put to much worry about dirt getting inside. Mine have proven this is not an issue. The M41 is kinda like the AK of the HL line up, it can run dirty take huge amounts of abuse and come back for more with little pause for maintenance or cleaning. Take a look at my Instagram @fsttanks and watch my M41s in SLOW MOTION action and the abuse I put them through.

[Prowler901]

My Bulldog arrived yesterday. I had ordered the "Pro" version. I'm a very happy newbie Tanker!

Unboxing found all parts/components in good shape. And, the two minute test found everything in working order. I'm very impressed with the quality of parts, paint and finish. Drove around my living room for an hour last night. I set up some books on the floor and tested its ability to handle and maneuver on them. It was quite a lot of fun and a good learning experience.
This morning I took it out for it's first drive in the dirt and brush. Very impressive handling. It tore right through most things my back yard could throw at it. The only problem I ran into was when it picked up a long twig from a weed which caused the right track to come off. Overall I'm very happy with the experience thus far.

Now, for a few issues/gotchas that I've come across:

• The battery charger apparently doesn't do a balance charge. My battery showed up with %83 and the two cells were very close in voltage. After charging it though, one cell gets to almost 4.2v while the other gets to 4.06v. The same has occurred each charging cycle. I need to get a Tamiya adapter so that I can charge these on my regular battery charger.
• My metal tracks were installed backward (or upside down?) by the factory. There is a distinctive chevron pattern to the Walkers tracks. That chevron should be pointing down when looking at the front of the tank. So, after the right track came off I took the opportunity to fix them both.
• The kit came with three extra track links. These are plastic, and not even the same design as the Bulldogs tracks. Do all the tanks come with the same wrong extra tracks?
• While correcting the track installation I discovered that a wire pair was pinched between the upper and lower hulls. This has also been fixed. Just something to keep a look out for, since the factory didn't seem to catch this one.
• The turret ring on the underside of the upper hull protrudes beyond the lower hull. This leaves a substantial gap for rocks, dirt, debris, and water to enter the tank hull. I only mention this as something to consider when driving your tank. If you drive in areas with lots of small debris or wet areas, then you'll want to seal that gap to prevent anything from fouling up the inner workings of the tank.

So far it has been great fun. I can't wait to get another tank and do some battles with friends.

[randyqman]

well I guess I drowned it with liquid how do I clean it out ,,,,,,don't tell me a match 💣💥

the gun dose make a gear grinding sound when it hits the limit

I have smoke took it apart and got out the over fill with paper towel.

So now the tank pulls to the right and I tried trimming it by the instructons with the g button and moving the the sticks found the center with the double beep and all but when I try to adjust it it seems to have no affect. Also my tank has the fwd backward on stick 1 and left right on stick 2 the instructons seem to show all the driving functions on stick 2 and the turret functions on 1. So im trying to find a mode switch for the controller and see if that's the reason my trim is not working.

[Joaquin]

After several minutes not even a puff.
The other thing is my gun does not depress very far and I get a gear grinding sound I think Im suppose to get 30 degs. up and down . I don't think its has much movement is this normal ?

I am also still trying to find the sweet spot for the smoke. I learned here that the most common mistake is too much liquid, and only 1 drop per tube is enough. Also, add the liquid with the tank vertical so it runs down.

My barrel up/down movement is also very limited, like 5/10 degrees or so. I was told by some friends that this is expected and according to scale...

[Prowler901]

HI I my M41 came yesterday and trying to get it going but my smoke going , I was hoping someone could give me a few pointers with out having to search all over the forum. I put the liquid in the tail pipes and after it starts I hit the smoke button and hear some kind of a pump noise or something but no smoke, it says it may take up to a minute . After several minutes not even a puff.

The other thing is my gun does not depress very far and I get a gear grinding sound I think Im suppose to get 30 degs. up and down . I don't think its has much movement is this normal ?

Thanks for the help

How much of the smoke liquid did you put in the tube? Only one or two drops in one exhaust pipe is needed.

Gun barrel elevation/depression travel is 30 degrees total I believe.

Todd

[Joaquin]

You wont see it with the naked eye.

Agree, that's why I use the camera viewfinder. Other IR sources are visible in the camera screen.

[Jdcrow]

Hi everyone! My first post here.[*]I don't see the IR LED working when firing. They are usually visible while using cameras, but I can't see anything with this guy. I will need to check with someone else the combat system.

You wont see it with the naked eye.

[randyqman]

HI I my M41 came yesterday and trying to get it going but my smoke going , I was hoping someone could give me a few pointers with out having to search all over the forum. I put the liquid in the tail pipes and after it starts I hit the smoke button and hear some kind of a pump noise or something but no smoke, it says it may take up to a minute . After several minutes not even a puff.

The other thing is my gun does not depress very far and I get a gear grinding sound I think Im suppose to get 30 degs. up and down . I don't think its has much movement is this normal ?

Thanks for the help

[Rubicon99]

Thanks Rubicon99! Lots of good info in your answer.

Yeah I'm not concerned about the weight & springs, I will add some at the front and replace the springs. But, well, it's a design fault.

I'm more concerned with the IR LED not working, let's see how easy I can access that spot to replace it if needed...

Just remove the turret from the upper hull, 5 screws, open the turret up by removing 6 screws, this will give you access to the IR bulb and turret internal workings. Replace bulb and screw it all back together. 30min job at best and you will see just how easy these thing are to work on.

[Joaquin]

Thanks Rubicon99! Lots of good info in your answer.

Yeah I'm not concerned about the weight & springs, I will add some at the front and replace the springs. But, well, it's a design fault.

I'm more concerned with the IR LED not working, let's see how easy I can access that spot to replace it if needed...

[Rubicon99]

Hi everyone! My first post here.

Got my bulldog from Motion RC a few days ago, and I wanted to leave here my impressions. I got the "professional" edition:

The good:

• Very nice quality in general. Good looking, pretty solid (and heavy) and lots of fun to drive!
• Impressed with the metal tracks and gears. I opened it to check the interior and everything is metal from motor shaft to tracks.
• The BB gun! Oh my this thing is powerful! It's hard to aim, but the range is much longer than expected.
• Power, speed and ground clearance.
• Possibility to change throttle to the left stick (as it should be!) and to trim the direction (I did not see this mentioned any other place here...)
• Sound system is awesome. Maybe a bit too loud in the lowest setting.

The bad:

• Weight distribution is WAY off balance. VERY "tail" heavy. This affect the ability to climb obstacles.
• Weight is also too much for the sock absorbers in the back. The springs in the back stay partially compressed, and tank is "tilted" when stationary.
• Extra track pieces are plastic, not metal! Come on...
• I don't see the IR LED working when firing. They are usually visible while using cameras, but I can't see anything with this guy. I will need to check with someone else the combat system.
• The tail and front LEDs are just soldered to the wires without any insulation... if a metal piece enter the interior can easily cause a short circuit in these guys.

Overall pretty happy with my purchase, but I think the "professional" upgrade to all metal is not well thought, causing the weight distribution and springs issues.

The M41 does have its flaws it’s one of HLs originals dating back more the a decade, but it is also one of the easiest tanks to modify and make into a true off road and IR battling monsters.

The weight balance is easy to adjust by adding metal weights inside the forward hull. There are upgrades to the shocks that have heavier springs and will level out the rear.

The M41 is able to utilize the M26 Pershing and Abrams sprockets. This opens the door for several track options that have much higher grip for use in rough terrain.

If you cannot see the IR bulb lighting up on your phone camera when you fire the cannon, it is probably bad and can be replaced with reasonable ease.

Don’t loose sleep over the internal wires they have never proven to be an issue with any of my four M41s and I run mine harder, faster and in more dirt then is sane.

I have videos of one of my favorite M41s with many of the mods above on Instagram @fsttanks . Take a look I think you will be impressed at just how tough and capable the M41 can be.

Below are two of my upgraded M41s. Both can outperform 99% of the tank that have ever run against them.

[Joaquin]

Hi everyone! My first post here.

Got my bulldog from Motion RC a few days ago, and I wanted to leave here my impressions. I got the "professional" edition:

The good:

• Very nice quality in general. Good looking, pretty solid (and heavy) and lots of fun to drive!
• Impressed with the metal tracks and gears. I opened it to check the interior and everything is metal from motor shaft to tracks.
• The BB gun! Oh my this thing is powerful! It's hard to aim, but the range is much longer than expected.
• Power, speed and ground clearance.
• Possibility to change throttle to the left stick (as it should be!) and to trim the direction (I did not see this mentioned any other place here...)
• Sound system is awesome. Maybe a bit too loud in the lowest setting.

The bad:

• Weight distribution is WAY off balance. VERY "tail" heavy. This affect the ability to climb obstacles.
• Weight is also too much for the sock absorbers in the back. The springs in the back stay partially compressed, and tank is "tilted" when stationary.
• Extra track pieces are plastic, not metal! Come on...
• I don't see the IR LED working when firing. They are usually visible while using cameras, but I can't see anything with this guy. I will need to check with someone else the combat system.
• The tail and front LEDs are just soldered to the wires without any insulation... if a metal piece enter the interior can easily cause a short circuit in these guys.

Overall pretty happy with my purchase, but I think the "professional" upgrade to all metal is not well thought, causing the weight distribution and springs issues.