Heng Long Stug III

[dai phan]

Hello all,

Thinking of getting this tank. Maybe I will have better luck without the turning turret. Please advise on pros and cons. Thanks Dai

[SoCalBobS]

Some info in this thread.

https://www.hobbysquawk.com/forum/rc-cars-tanks-trucks-and-more/rc-tanks/266458-sturmgeschutz-iii-don-t-do-this-at-home-kids

[Sureshot]

I don't think the Stug III is available in 6.0 yet, so would need to be converted like BobS did to have all the latest features.
I just ordered one of Toucan's static Stug III models to do just that.
I've already converted a Pershing and a King Tiger. It's really not hard to do. Looking forward to it
Steve

[SoCalBobS]

Here's mine, with LegoDEI in the commander's hatch and an FPV camera on deck. I removed the Airsoft mech and placed the LED in the barrel. The 5.3 version has no spot for the LED. I find the smaller HL tanks to be quick and responsive, since they're using the same mechanisms as the larger ones.

[Broffermoon]

Greetings Dai:
Read your post on the purchase of the Stug III. I wonder if you are discouraged? Your post sounded like the purchase was a resignation to something less than a quality RC experience with your other tanks. Just concerned. I too recognize that things happen to any moving part, but I enjoy the diagnosis and repair as a part of the experience. If you are having a difficult time, where can others help you succeed in this hobby? I would be one who would be willing to share my electronic as well as mechanical talents to help you get the enjoyment out of your investments in this hobby. Let me know how I can help.

[dai phan]

With 7.0 MFUs coming out, the Stug still uses 5.3? I will skip then. Dai

[SoCalBobS]

Someday HL may release 7.0 versions, but for now you would have to rely on your own skills. If you want a StuG III, you gotta modify. Those of who've done so because we like that tank. It's simple when you know what to do, and I got all the help I needed from my fellow tankers here! A while back I queried HL about them upgrading it, and they replied that it wasn't as popular as their other tanks so it was on the back burner. Not so for me, hence my upgrade!

[karltrek]

Henglong just upgraded the Panzer III to the 6.0 system. Maybe the StuG III is next?

[DavidN]

Does anyone plan to put side skirts on his Stug III? Or has anyone done it?

[Rob1970]

AFAIK the Stug III is out with the TK7.0(s) system. I bought mine and asked the seller to side-grade it to the TK6.0S. Not going to have a Stug running around with a Turbo-diesel or even worse a Turbine engine.

About the side skirts; I am planning to scratch-build a set of them. Probably brass sheet or ABS, not sure what material I will be going with. On that note; the Stug needs some other work too, like opening the top hatch, removing the MG from the driver's vision port (seriously, Heng Long?) and to "somewhere" else. Possibly try to get the MG32 on top to work?. And that's just the shortlist of some of the things that sorta annoyed me. Might look into getting the gun to traverse a tiny bit like the real one, and/or replacing the mantlet. But with my current load of projects the Stug is nowhere near the top.

TTFN,
Rob

[Marshalpadutch]

I just got my Stug III with the 7.0 and it is running very well. Mine is the upgraded version with metal wheels and tracks. It definitely needs a paint job!

[SoCalBobS]

MPD, great news! I do have a detail question for you. Where did they put the IR bulb? I looked at Toucan's pictures and I'm guessing they are old stick photos, with no visible bulb on the gun.

Toucan USA appears to have received a good shipment of 6.0 and 7.0 tanks that they have posted on eBay.

[DavidN]

From the picture, I think this is where IR bulb is. Hopefully MPD will confirm.

[Kurtz]

In this youtube https://youtu.be/asYj1WbtmVI vid it shows the IR bulb below/starboard of the main gun.. around the 6 minute 30 second mark...

[SoCalBobS]

Ah, that's a new hole. Thanks!

[DavidN]

I got a new HL Stug III this week. Everything looks the same as the previous model. I bought a customized version. The IR bulb was at the right of the main gun. The power switch is now at the rear so there is no need to turn the tank over and turn it on/off anymore. I bought a static version before and put in a 6.0S board, steel gearboxes, metal idlers, sprockets, and tracks. No work internal is needed on this one except deciding on which armor division to paint on it. So now I have 2 of them. I figure if the German made over 10k of them, I can at least have 2 :-) Oh! I did order the one from Takom. it won't be delivered until December.

[DavidN]

And as always, HL installed the tracks the wrong direction :-)

[SoCalBobS]

And as always, HL installed the tracks the wrong direction :-)

I've seen museums make the same mistake! Maybe HL used them as a resource. 🙄

Nice to see the Stug has functional track tensioners.

[DavidN]

Here's mine, with LegoDEI in the commander's hatch and an FPV camera on deck. I removed the Airsoft mech and placed the LED in the barrel. The 5.3 version has no spot for the LED. I find the smaller HL tanks to be quick and responsive, since they're using the same mechanisms as the larger ones.

After all these months, I am now able to have a Stug III to join your platoon :-) It comes with the HL IR though.

[DavidN]

In pair