Heng Long MERKAVA review, build out and field testing.

[RichJohnson]

For comparison here is the Hooben Merkava 4M next to a henglong Abrams and DKlM m60a3.

[Rubicon99]

PART 2: First modification

Before I dive into the cosmetics, I always make sure the mechanical aspect of a tank are operating to my standards. So in that I conducted the Merkava's first driving test. It did well, but nothing exciting. I could tell though given tougher terrain then the basics I was driving on it would quickly prove under powered.

So I replaced the stock 380 motors with Taigen black 390 motors. These have much higher torque and RPMs. The Merkava now has substantial better low speed turning performance and in "high power" mode is also substantially faster. It now should have plenty of extra power for all terrain types.

Taigen 390 motors. A note here about the installation. Unlike other HL gearboxes the Merkava's have two different length of screws holding them in. One short and two longer screws. Make sure to reinstall the short one in the front position (forward most mounting hole). This is because of the space in the forward hull that the front of gearboxes sit in is shallower then the rear.

Next up will be the turret modification that will be extensive. Basically everything except the elevation unit is being replaced.

[Rubicon99]

PART 1: Continued

Close ups of turret, tracks and internals of the Merkava.






New turret rotation gearbox. This unit is crazy fast and I will need to slow it down a bit.



Nylon axle supports bushings? Normally I would use bearings but I am going to leave these in for a while and see how they preform over time.

[Rubicon99]

PART 1: First impression.

Well my Heng Long Merkava finally arrived. First "unboxing" impressions are very good. HL has definitely stepped up the modeling and engineering of this tank compared to their prior releases. The version I purchased is the one with metal tracks, sprockets, idlers, road wheels and steel gearboxes aka the "PRO" (?).

The first thing you will notice is the Merkava is a big tank. How big, well below it is shown next to my Tamiya Abrams for comparison.

To be continued: