Questions. Lots of em.

[KV2_driver_13]

Hello all,

I have several questions regarding the HL tanks. First and foremost is when the next shipment will arrive, it's been a long time and the RC tank bug keeps on biting.

Second, track material. I'm still on the fence to get my Panther G with metal or plastic tracks. On the one hand, I'd love the metal ones as they seem to be worth the cost. On the other, plastic tracks seem to work well, at least in the Motion promo videos. I want to know what I should be aware of for both types of tracks, before I make my final decision. Then there's the realism aspect; the metal tracks will need painting to look nicer and since I do not want to airbrush, how would I brush-paint the wheels and tracks?

Third, the battery upgrades. I'm looking at getting an Admiral 3500-something battery to extend the operation time. What sort of improvement do I get with the upgrade battery, especially running with extra weight if I go the metal track route. I also want to know if the stock charger included with the HL tank will charge an upgrade battery.

And as well, any more tips on HL tanks would be appreciated. Is the metal premium edition worth a big investment, or should I go for plastic first and upgrade later (but a price difference of around $60 isn't too bad considering in the long run a metal track upgrade is almost $90 at MRC)

I wish the T-34-85 premium edition cost less though, the thing is around the same size as the Panther if not bigger and the premium version is around $50 more than the Panther ($209<$259).

I also still don't get why so many people love these vehicles and say they work excellent, and an equally large crowd think they are junk. I'd like some light on that situation.

[dai phan]

Hello all,

I have several questions regarding the HL tanks. First and foremost is when the next shipment will arrive, it's been a long time and the RC tank bug keeps on biting.

Second, track material. I'm still on the fence to get my Panther G with metal or plastic tracks. On the one hand, I'd love the metal ones as they seem to be worth the cost. On the other, plastic tracks seem to work well, at least in the Motion promo videos. I want to know what I should be aware of for both types of tracks, before I make my final decision. Then there's the realism aspect; the metal tracks will need painting to look nicer and since I do not want to airbrush, how would I brush-paint the wheels and tracks?

Third, the battery upgrades. I'm looking at getting an Admiral 3500-something battery to extend the operation time. What sort of improvement do I get with the upgrade battery, especially running with extra weight if I go the metal track route. I also want to know if the stock charger included with the HL tank will charge an upgrade battery.

And as well, any more tips on HL tanks would be appreciated. Is the metal premium edition worth a big investment, or should I go for plastic first and upgrade later (but a price difference of around $60 isn't too bad considering in the long run a metal track upgrade is almost $90 at MRC)

I wish the T-34-85 premium edition cost less though, the thing is around the same size as the Panther if not bigger and the premium version is around $50 more than the Panther ($209<$259).

I also still don't get why so many people love these vehicles and say they work excellent, and an equally large crowd think they are junk. I'd like some light on that situation.

I started to get into the R/C tank hobby a litlle more than a month. I have now 8 tanks. To answer your questions:

1. Go on Amazon or Ebay and look under Toucan Hobby. TH carries HL tanks at very reasonable prices. Even if there is no "make offer" option, you can send a message to the seller and ask for a lower price.

2. Go for metal tracks. I am sure you will want to run the tank out doors and metal tracks are much more durable and does not cost much more. Metal road wheels are not needed but you will see this option too.

3. Upgrade the battery. Check your battery size as there are regular and small. I bought all my abtteries from Motion RC (7000 mah) for long run time.

I am a huge fan of HL tanks. They are quality, scale and affordable. The tanks are not as scale as they could be and that is why some people think they are "toys". Really scale tanks are Tamiya but the the price tag of 1300 USD and up puts me and many others off. Start with HL and make sure it has steel gears (pretty much standard now), 6.0 version or higher, 2.4 system and metal tracks. Dai

[Rubicon99]

Hello all,

I have several questions regarding the HL tanks. First and foremost is when the next shipment will arrive, it's been a long time and the RC tank bug keeps on biting.

Second, track material. I'm still on the fence to get my Panther G with metal or plastic tracks. On the one hand, I'd love the metal ones as they seem to be worth the cost. On the other, plastic tracks seem to work well, at least in the Motion promo videos. I want to know what I should be aware of for both types of tracks, before I make my final decision. Then there's the realism aspect; the metal tracks will need painting to look nicer and since I do not want to airbrush, how would I brush-paint the wheels and tracks?

Third, the battery upgrades. I'm looking at getting an Admiral 3500-something battery to extend the operation time. What sort of improvement do I get with the upgrade battery, especially running with extra weight if I go the metal track route. I also want to know if the stock charger included with the HL tank will charge an upgrade battery.

And as well, any more tips on HL tanks would be appreciated. Is the metal premium edition worth a big investment, or should I go for plastic first and upgrade later (but a price difference of around $60 isn't too bad considering in the long run a metal track upgrade is almost $90 at MRC)

I wish the T-34-85 premium edition cost less though, the thing is around the same size as the Panther if not bigger and the premium version is around $50 more than the Panther ($209<$259).

I also still don't get why so many people love these vehicles and say they work excellent, and an equally large crowd think they are junk. I'd like some light on that situation.

I will answer just the last part about the love hate relationship folks have with HL tanks.

There are mainly two camps, those that are mostly modelers and those that are mostly into the RC aspect. The modelers tend to be the ones that hate HL tanks the RC folks tend to be the ones that love HL tanks.

There is also the aspect of the prior 5.2/5.3 and older HL tanks not being as good as the new tanks and those that remember them when they were nowhere as good as the 6.0/6.1 tanks are today.

[dai phan]

I will answer just the last part about the love hate relationship folks have with HL tanks.

There are mainly two camps, those that are mostly modelers and those that are mostly into the RC aspect. The modelers tend to be the ones that hate HL tanks the RC folks tend to be the ones that love HL tanks.

There is also the aspect of the prior 5.2/5.3 and older HL tanks not being as good as the new tanks and those that remember them when they were nowhere as good as the 6.0/6.1 tanks are today.

Heng Long has all the tools to make accurate scale tanks although it is damn tough to put "scale" and " RC" into the same sentence. A battery hatch would throw away the word "scale" into a pit of hell. If HL spends a little more on research and execution , they CAN produces very quality scale tanks that some hardcore static armor people will appreciate. The toolings are there. HL just need to put the antenna in the right place, the turret in more accurate position, the hatch on the correct side ... etc... Dai

[ArmorBolt]

Hi, I am new member and looking into get a Heng Long tank. Can you experience tankers give comments on whether to buy a HL tank with metal road wheels or not. Pro and Cons.. I am planning to get a HL tank with metal track, metal idler, metal sprockets, and steal gearbox, but just wondering if it is worth another > $80 to have metal road wheels. Thanks.

[Rubicon99]

Hi, I am new member and looking into get a Heng Long tank. Can you experience tankers give comments on whether to buy a HL tank with metal road wheels or not. Pro and Cons.. I am planning to get a HL tank with metal track, metal idler, metal sprockets, and steal gearbox, but just wondering if it is worth another > $80 to have metal road wheels. Thanks.

All depends on the tank and how you see yourself using it. If you plan to run it hard and getting it dirty then the short answer is YES.

There is no real con to having the metal wheels other then they do not come painted. Simple enough to paint them though .

[DevilDog77]

Looking for a good source for a 6.0s board, remote and wiring kit to upgrade on of my tanks. Anybody ever ordered from aliexpress? Prices seem decent and the items I need are in stock. If anybody knows a better good source that has parts in stock please post. Also looking for a good source for a Heng Long Panzer IV. Can’t seam to find anyone who has them.

[SoCalBobS]

Looking for a good source for a 6.0s board, remote and wiring kit to upgrade on of my tanks. Anybody ever ordered from aliexpress? Prices seem decent and the items I need are in stock. If anybody knows a better good source that has parts in stock please post. Also looking for a good source for a Heng Long Panzer IV. Can’t seam to find anyone who has them.

Check Toucan Hobbies for both. They're on eBay. I bought my 6.0 kit and my PzKfw IV from them. You can also reach them at toucanhobby@outlook.com

[DevilDog77]

Thanks. Last time I checked they were sold out. I’ll look again though.

[Rubicon99]

Looking for a good source for a 6.0s board, remote and wiring kit to upgrade on of my tanks. Anybody ever ordered from aliexpress? Prices seem decent and the items I need are in stock. If anybody knows a better good source that has parts in stock please post. Also looking for a good source for a Heng Long Panzer IV. Can’t seam to find anyone who has them.

If Toucan is out then Aliexpress is also good. I have used them A LOT over the years. Just be ready to wait and wait and wait. With COVID and the fast approaching Chinese New Year it could take anywhere from two weeks to two months to receive your order.

[DevilDog77]

Good to know. Appreciate the info

[karltrek]

I run my tanks very hard! The key to being happy with them is continued maintenance. Learn how to do it. It's easy. After a full day of tanking, when I get home I put each tank on my work table and after cleaning I go through it thoroughly. I check the tightness of every screw. Including ones holding wheels together. Some have two-piece Idlers. Then I open the tank and fill up the smoker and check that the gearbox screws are tight. Things do break so I will order spare parts from Toucan. They are very helpful. I know that my tank is ready for the next outing.

In regard to which is the better type of tracks. I find that the plastic tracks are very durable. But metal is going to hold up better in the long run. I prefer the plastic tracks on the larger modern tanks like the Abrams. The hulls flex too much and the metal track grip very well making the flexing hull a problem. So unless you want to invest in lots of hull upgrades stick with the plastic tracks. The metal tracks are great on the smaller WWII tanks.

And for a happy tanking day it is a good idea to have more than one tank on hand. If one breaks down you have another.

[DevilDog77]

Planning on painting a HL tiger 1 soon. Going to do it in in tan. Any idea how much paint I will need? My suggestions on which paint to use? Any recommendations on airbrushes? Haven’t done any modeling in 20+ years so I’m a bit rusty on things.

Also any suggestions on which gray paint will best match my Stug III? Need to paint road wheels, sprockets, etc...

[Vaseline]

I love my Iwata, I fought with a cheapy Badger 150 clone from harbor freight for 2 years and gave up, Iwata HP-CS is just a great brush, and very forgiving. Ive had really good luck with Vallejo and Mission Model acrylics.

[quitcherbitchen]

Also any suggestions on which gray paint will best match my Stug III? Need to paint road wheels, sprockets, etc...

I used RLM 66 model master grau on my Panzer. It is a shade darker then the plastic. For wheels it is presentable and not noticeable.

[DevilDog77]

Thanks for the feed back quitcherbitchen and Vaseline

[DevilDog77]

Anybody know what the engine sounds are supposed to be? I figured out the 4th one is a gas turbine. The default has a nice lumpy sound to it and I’ve been using it for my Tiger 1 and Panther G. Stug III has older 5.3 board and doesn’t have any options to change sound that I know of. Anyways I’m not sure the default sound is the most correct of the options.

[Rubicon99]

Anybody know what the engine sounds are supposed to be? I figured out the 4th one is a gas turbine. The default has a nice lumpy sound to it and I’ve been using it for my Tiger 1 and Panther G. Stug III has older 5.3 board and doesn’t have any options to change sound that I know of. Anyways I’m not sure the default sound is the most correct of the options.

The four sound options are Tiger, Leopard 2, T72/90 and Abrams.

Try the Tiger and Leopard 2 sounds. The T72/90 has too much “turbo whine” and the Abrams is well an Abrams.

[DevilDog77]

Thanks. Been using what I think is the Tiger. I like the way it sounds.

[Hellcat 7]

Is it necessary to change out HLs transmitter? What's the benefit if I decide to change it?