Official Heng Long 1/16 Scale USA Pershing Battle Tank Discussion Thread

[MrChef]

Thanks guys. I thought that tank treads were black with steel bits that would be rusted.

I do not usually rust things much here's a pic of metal tracks on my Panther G.

But during my research for my Tiger I build I've seen several real Tigers with their tracks an orange tan color and I tried to emulate this with this run of Tiger tracks-



You can see the difference between the tracks in use and the spare tracks.

And here is a super close up for the ones I was trying to emulate-

[Scott Larkins]

Thanks for the help guys. I decided to go middle of the road with some dry brushed rust. I’ll wear some of it down once the weather cooperates.

[MrChef]

See that's a great thing about these RC tanks. You can leave em alone and enjoy them out of the box all the way up to modding them and painting and weathering them as if they were a scale model. It's yours, do with it what you like, enjoy it and of course Run it and have fun.

[cmdrcody]

Thanks for the help guys. I decided to go middle of the road with some dry brushed rust. I’ll wear some of it down once the weather cooperates.

One of your tracks is on backwards 🤔

[Scott Larkins]

Thanks. I'll take a look at that tonight.

[keilau]

One of your tracks is on backwards 🤔

Thanks. I'll take a look at that tonight.

On a full scale tank, the track is unidirectional to optimize traction and stability.

On the Heng Long 1:16 scale, I've repeatedly saw the tracks installed in opposite direction. It seems to be done intentionally by the toy manufacturer. Anybody knows how it happened?

[Scott Larkins]

I looked at a picture I took of my tank when I got it and yes, I put the right side track on backwards. Thanks guys.

[SoCalBobS]

Just curious, did Heng Long relocate the power switch to somewhere on top of the newer runs, like they did for the Sherman and Panther for instance?

[Rubicon99]

Just curious, did Heng Long relocate the power switch to somewhere on top of the newer runs, like they did for the Sherman and Panther for instance?

If it's not under the front hatches look at the rear like on the T72.

[DavidN]

Just curious, did Heng Long relocate the power switch to somewhere on top of the newer runs, like they did for the Sherman and Panther for instance?

On my two M26 tanks, they are under the left front hatches.

[Kernel_Clinq]

Hey folks, zombie thread revival. I'm new here and you can see my introductory post for context.

So, now in late 2025 USA, what's the general opinions and buying advice for the HL M26 Pershing and the various configuration options (Pro, Modified, Customized)?
Do these tanks have adjustable track tensioners? Is "steel vs zinc" gearbox still a concern? Are they shipping with TK-7.1 yet?

Here's a summary of what I've found:
MotionRC - Pro for $210 shipped: lacks 360 turret and metal shocks & road wheels.
"Delta-LT" on Amazon - $279 shipped: adds 360 Turret, all metal running gear, 5000mAh NiMH battery
Toucan - $210 plus $126 shipping from China ($336 total): 360 turret, metal running gear & tracks with "double rubber pads", and an extra 7000mAh LiPo batt.

Any cautions or concerns about any of these options/vendors?

Will this battery fit in the HL M26 Pershing?

And finally, if you had a choice between the M26 Pershing and the M41 Walker Bulldog, which would you choose, and why? Everything I've read seems to indicate the running gear is interchangeable (except one less road wheel on the bulldog), but the tracks look different between them on MotionRC's pictures (Pershing has "endlinks", if that's what you call them, and Bulldog has like chevrons on the outer edges).


Thanks!

[SoCalBobS]

Vendors: of course Motion RC is reliable, and has aftermarket support. Toucan Hobby is a safe source. Hint; look at their description details. Sometimes they sell "US Stock" which avoids the shipping and tariff costs. They have warehouses in New Jersey and California. You can find them on eBay or on their own website, which will be cheapest.
Haven't seen zinc gears lately. It's either steel or nylon. Motion only sells steel if it says metal.
I don't know if the hard case batteries fit. I believe they will, but can't be sure. Regarding batteries, you have no need for high (i.e. r/c plane) output batteries. Lipo carries no advantage for r/c tanks.
Regarding HL 7.1's, their primary advantage is a port for servo operated barrel recoil (not the spring operated recoil HL has). You won't see the 7.1's in stock products, they cost twice the 7.0's.

[Rubicon99]

Hey folks, zombie thread revival. I'm new here and you can see my introductory post for context.

So, now in late 2025 USA, what's the general opinions and buying advice for the HL M26 Pershing and the various configuration options (Pro, Modified, Customized)?
Do these tanks have adjustable track tensioners? Is "steel vs zinc" gearbox still a concern? Are they shipping with TK-7.1 yet?

Here's a summary of what I've found:
MotionRC - Pro for $210 shipped: lacks 360 turret and metal shocks & road wheels.
"Delta-LT" on Amazon - $279 shipped: adds 360 Turret, all metal running gear, 5000mAh NiMH battery
Toucan - $210 plus $126 shipping from China ($336 total): 360 turret, metal running gear & tracks with "double rubber pads", and an extra 7000mAh LiPo batt.

Any cautions or concerns about any of these options/vendors?

Will this battery fit in the HL M26 Pershing?

And finally, if you had a choice between the M26 Pershing and the M41 Walker Bulldog, which would you choose, and why? Everything I've read seems to indicate the running gear is interchangeable (except one less road wheel on the bulldog), but the tracks look different between them on MotionRC's pictures (Pershing has "endlinks", if that's what you call them, and Bulldog has like chevrons on the outer edges).


Thanks!

The Pershing has an active but non adjustable idler set up, the M41 has no idler movement. It is one of the few tanks that still does not have an adjustable idler.

[tank_me]

I didn't have any issues with my T49 (Bulldog lower and Sheridan turret) until recently. With more run time on the platform, it has recently started to shed it's tracks occasionally. I'm using the metal ones and I think they are starting to elongate a little with use. Some folks like the plastic tracks better for various reasons. I personally like the additional weight the metal tracks provide and since I run larger batteries than stock battery life isn't a concern. I'm gonna look into fitting it with an adjustable idler assembly. Henntec does make one for the M41, but they are expensive and somewhat controversial as to how well they work to hold the idler in the right position. Some Henntecs work better than others.

[keilau]

Here's a summary of what I've found:
MotionRC - Pro for $210 shipped: lacks 360 turret and metal shocks & road wheels.
"Delta-LT" on Amazon - $279 shipped: adds 360 Turret, all metal running gear, 5000mAh NiMH battery
Toucan - $210 plus $126 shipping from China ($336 total): 360 turret, metal running gear & tracks with "double rubber pads", and an extra 7000mAh LiPo batt.

Any cautions or concerns about any of these options/vendors?

When you order from Toucan Hobby, make sure to order from their US stock. The shipping from Toucan US warehouse to an US address is only $22 for the HL M26 Pershing.

https://www.toucanhobby.com/products/th17309-dzn1?_pos=9&_sid=d1728741d&_ss=r

I have a 2004 HL M26 Pershing (Post 28 for pictures of my upgrade). My Pershing drives very nice and looks sharp. However, it is no match to the newer offer from HengLong with torsion bar suspension. You should take a look at the German Leopard2A6 snow camo, Abrams M2A1 V2 torsion bar and the Merkava. These are bigger and heavier MBT that should drive better on your open terrain.

The Merkava is torsion bar suspension only. Older Leopard 2A6 and Abrams M2A1 have coil spring suspension, but the newer version are torsion bar.

[Kernel_Clinq]

Thanks all for the feedback. Digging around deeper I see different add-on gearboxes and wonder if any of these fit the Pershing, and which if any provide added benefits:

https://www.toucanhobby.com/products/th16749-dzn1 (with red motors)
https://www.toucanhobby.com/products...44623837855994 (with blue motors)
https://www.toucanhobby.com/products...44624282255610 (machined in 1/56 gear ratio)

SoCalBobS , you mention "Lipo carries no advantage for r/c tanks.", and I understand the issue of formats (LiPo, NiMh, etc), but would not 7000mAh significantly increase run time over 1800mAh even if an rc tank doesnt need high discharge rates?
Rubicon99 , what is meant by "has an active but non adjustable idler"? Active meaning what (beside "inactive", whatever either of those mean)? Is tension a matter of adding/removing track links?

[keilau]

Thanks all for the feedback. Digging around deeper I see different add-on gearboxes and wonder if any of these fit the Pershing, and which if any provide added benefits:

https://www.toucanhobby.com/products/th16749-dzn1 (with red motors) No
https://www.toucanhobby.com/products...44623837855994 (with blue motors) Yes
https://www.toucanhobby.com/products...44624282255610 (machined in 1/56 gear ratio)

SoCalBobS , you mention "Lipo carries no advantage for r/c tanks.", and I understand the issue of formats (LiPo, NiMh, etc), but would not 7000mAh significantly increase run time over 1800mAh even if an rc tank doesnt need high discharge rates?
Rubicon99 , what is meant by "has an active but non adjustable idler"? Active meaning what (beside "inactive", whatever either of those mean)? Is tension a matter of adding/removing track links?

The Pershing is a medium tank. It has not enough room for the Heng Xin gearbox with Red390. I want the higher speed with 390 motor for the Pershing. I ended up using the Taigen/Torro Series 2 gearbox with 390 motors.


But the Taigen/Torro gearbox are getting super expensive and difficult to find. I found this cheaper alternative that looks very good on paper, but I have no first hand experience with this seller:
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256807350313682.html?src=google&pdp_npi=4%40dis%2 1USD%2156.67%2140.70%21%21%21%21%21%40%21120000411 98305743%21ppc%21%21%21&src=google&albch=shopping& acnt=708-803-3821&isdl=y&slnk=&plac=&mtctp=&albbt=Google_7_shop ping&aff_platform=google&aff_short_key=UneMJZVf&gc lsrc=aw.ds&albagn=888888&ds_e_adid=&ds_e_matchtype =&ds_e_device=c&ds_e_network=x&ds_e_product_grou p_ id=&ds_e_product_id=en3256807350313682&ds_e_produc t_merchant_id=585377049&ds_e_product_country=US&ds _e_product_language=en&ds_e_product_channel=online &ds_e_product_store_id=&ds_url_v=2&albcp=196995 433 85&albag=&isSmbAutoCall=false&needSmbHouyi=false& g ad_source=1&gad_campaignid=19691574624&gbraid=0AAA AAD6I-hHNt3rBJpJS23bLpRx-W8hNb&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIo63jpITykAMVpyrUAR1V_iFbEA QYBCABEgIuwfD_BwE&gatewayAdapt=glo2usa

[tank_me]

Thanks all for the feedback. Digging around deeper I see different add-on gearboxes and wonder if any of these fit the Pershing, and which if any provide added benefits:

https://www.toucanhobby.com/products/th16749-dzn1 (with red motors)
https://www.toucanhobby.com/products...44623837855994 (with blue motors)
https://www.toucanhobby.com/products...44624282255610 (machined in 1/56 gear ratio)

SoCalBobS , you mention "Lipo carries no advantage for r/c tanks.", and I understand the issue of formats (LiPo, NiMh, etc), but would not 7000mAh significantly increase run time over 1800mAh even if an rc tank doesnt need high discharge rates?
Rubicon99 , what is meant by "has an active but non adjustable idler"? Active meaning what (beside "inactive", whatever either of those mean)? Is tension a matter of adding/removing track links?

Just an FYI:

Red motors are 390 series (longer and more powerful than a 380)

Blue motors are 380 series

Most silver motors are 380 series.

Those totally enclosed metal gearboxes are quite nice (https://www.toucanhobby.com/products...44624282255610). They use a silver 380 motor. Of course you probably know, but the 1/56 is the slower gear ratio which would be better for the Pershing. I have those gearboxes in my Taigen KV-1 and SU-152. Usually the 1/39 ratio is for modern tanks. As a note on the sealed gearboxes, they require the mounting screws to come up from the bottom of the tank and not the top like the traditional Heng Long gearboxes. Therefore they require some drilling through the bottom of the tank to get them to fit. You also have to be careful not to use screws that protrude too far into the gearbox or the can interfere with the gears inside. The screws are metric M3 fine thread machine screws which are different than the coarse thread ones used for mounting the standard gearboxes.

The ML in the listing mean "mid-low" which is the height of the motors as mounted on the gearboxes. One is mounted in a low position and one is mounted in the middle position. Positioning is important as some configurations will not fit in certain tanks. There is also sets of gearboxes with a low-low configuration in some Mato gearboxes and other with HL(high-low) configurations. A lot of modern tanks use the HL style except the T72 witch uses a ML due to the low profile rear deck of the tank. The number after the ML which is usually 49 or 59 is the shaft length, but that number can also be 25 (Shermans only) or it can be 65 for some modern tanks when using the "dual current gearboxes". Dual current gearboxes are usually denoted by an H65, L65, L59, H59, etc. They have a large 550 motor that can be mounted in a high or low position hence the single letter designation.

The newer Heng Long tanks use a Li-Ion 18650 cell battery pack. The older tanks used Ni-CD or Ni-Mh batteries. Any of them will work to include LiPo. I use Li-Ion packs in all my tanks as I can charge them and they hold a charge sitting on a shelf way longer than Ni-Cd or Ni-Mh battery. Depending on the tank, there may be limited space in the battery compartment. But yes, a 7000mah battery will give you a lot more run time than the stock 1800mah that comes in the newer tanks. I typically run a 3500mah pack and it is more than enough for a battle day in each my tanks.

As far as the active tensioning goes, on the Pershing the very first road wheel is physically connected to the idler. When the road wheel moves upward, it pushes the idler out which helps keep tension on the track. You can remove track links to make the tracks tighter, but in some cases that makes the tracks too tight. Tracks that are too tight put undo stress on the motors/idlers and can cause the idler to bend or even break. In those situations you want an adjustable idler. Most of the tanks now have one, but the M41 is an old design from Heng Long that has never been updated with an adjustable idler. It's idler is fixed in place. Track tension is a bit of voodoo. Some tanks like their tracks on the loose side (like the T-34 and KV-1) and other tanks like them on the tighter side like the Abrams. It's a bit of guessing game.

[SoCalBobS]

Definitely 7000mah increases runtime over 1800mah. I use 7000mah li-ions in my tanks and will run it for hours of club battling. What you DON'T need is a high amp draw ("C rating"), whichever battery format you use. Batteries with a high "C" rating will cost more, so you're paying for something you won't use. If you've flown helis you'll see that they will exhaust a battery in a matter of minutes, because you are running high current constantly. A tank uses less, and of course you aren't running it at top speed for any extended periods.

Li-ions don't provide high peak amps compared to lipos, but that's not necessary in a tank. Coupled with their relative higher stability (fewer fires), they're a good choice for tanks.

[Too Many Hobbies]

I buy all my tanks from MotionRC. Some of the best prices, descriptions and super fast shipping.

Toucanhobby is a VERY GOOD site to order from. But like it is said, be sure you are ordering from the US warehouse, and also be careful of tank descriptions. Some tanks are modified in-house, so it can have steel tracks and still not be a Professional grade. Look carefully for barrel recoil in the description. Sometimes their tanks are cheaper on their ebay listings. Sometimes they also have eBay listings of tanks you can't find on their website too.

I once ordered a custom built Tamiya King Hauler from Toucanhobby, and it was made to order in the exact 30 days as promised. Their customer service is AAAA+++.

I hate the included Li-Ions that come with the tanks. I trash them and use my lipos.