Heng Long MERKAVA review, build out and field testing.

[dai phan]

Hi all,

I start assembling the tank tonight. The metal hub caps are bigger than the holes requiring me to use the hammer to hammer them in. I am sure that process has cracked something. Not good way to start. Dai

[Rubicon99]

Hi all,

My Merkava is here. What a big tank and I think HL really steps up with this release. Dai

The Merkava is by far the most detailed of all HLs stock tanks. It is the only stock tank to use a torsion bar suspension. Interesting the real Merkava does not have torsion bar suspension.

[Rubicon99]

The Heng Long Merkava is a very nice RC tank for metal upgrade. I am half way through it.

1. Heng Xin gearbox with 390 motor.
2. Drive motor shaft ball bearing
3. Metal suspension arms and road wheels.
4. Hooben nylon tracks (close pin design and no stretching)

Oh the Hooben track does stretch like all track does. RichJohnson who has been running them a few years now on his Hooben Merkava can attest to that. Still they are very good tracks and a lot quieter running then the HL metal tracks.

[keilau]

The Heng Long Merkava is a very nice RC tank for metal upgrade. I am half way through it.

1. Heng Xin gearbox with 390 motor.
2. Drive motor shaft ball bearing
3. Metal suspension arms and road wheels.
4. Hooben nylon tracks (close pin design and no stretching)

[dai phan]

Hi all,

My Merkava is here. What a big tank and I think HL really steps up with this release. Dai

[dai phan]

Hi all,

I just placed an order at MRC. I also ordered the machine gun with light. I have seen some really nice looking HL Merkava on YT. Looks so real ! I think HL really up their game with this one. Dai

[tank_me]

Yes this offer appears to be more refined than the previous ones. However large silver screws to hold down the smoke grill will have to go. Dai

I replaced all the screws with mini bolts.

[dai phan]

Its the most accurate HL tank made with a number of brass etched parts and the first new generation of major upgrades to bring the line closer to a Tamiya level of suspension performance. In short the first HL to have torsion bar suspension as a standard feature.

This one you will like. The paint color is wrong but that is an easy fix.

Yes this offer appears to be more refined than the previous ones. However large silver screws to hold down the smoke grill will have to go. Dai

[Rubicon99]

Hi all,

I am about to order this tank. How is the scale fidelity to the real thing? Dai

Its the most accurate HL tank made with a number of brass etched parts and the first new generation of major upgrades to bring the line closer to a Tamiya level of suspension performance. In short the first HL to have torsion bar suspension as a standard feature.

This one you will like. The paint color is wrong but that is an easy fix.

[dai phan]

Hi all,

I am about to order this tank. How is the scale fidelity to the real thing? Dai

[MGTbrOdiE]

Thanks for responding it’s helpful to know what others have had success with. It is a nice spot you choose to place it.

[Rubicon99]

Where the IR receiver is mounted on this merkava would that be allowed in tank club battles I ask cause I to have a merkava I would like to add the legodei receiver unit to but seems like the gunners sight which isn’t shown in the photos and the cctv scanner may be blocking the IR for sure would be blocked if commanders hatch was opened, how strict are the IR mounting rules? I know my son’s Abrams with the stock mushroom ir is super hard to hit because the loaders hatch has to be open to plug in IR receiver making frontal attacks a near impossible. Either way the member who posted this did an incredible job providing pictures and entertaining content.

The Lego IR receiver are actually very sensitive and can be mount rather low on the turret. Just make sure there is nothing obstructing it within 2-3 inches. Any closer and to obstruction will tend to block IR beams.

Here is mine installed just behind the commanders hatch on my Merk.

[MGTbrOdiE]

Where the IR receiver is mounted on this merkava would that be allowed in tank club battles I ask cause I to have a merkava I would like to add the legodei receiver unit to but seems like the gunners sight which isn’t shown in the photos and the cctv scanner may be blocking the IR for sure would be blocked if commanders hatch was opened, how strict are the IR mounting rules? I know my son’s Abrams with the stock mushroom ir is super hard to hit because the loaders hatch has to be open to plug in IR receiver making frontal attacks a near impossible. Either way the member who posted this did an incredible job providing pictures and entertaining content.

[RichJohnson]

You are lucky you got it by now because Chinese new year just started and all companies shut down for a month or two to celebrate

[keilau]

Solid meaning not hallow like the typical metal HL tracks.

Understand and agree.

[Rubicon99]

I found 2 metal tracks for Merkava at the Toucan website. The newer track sells for $12 more. The pictures show better details with sharper cast, but it still shows a lot of exposed connecting pins. I may have misunderstood you when you mentioned "solid link" and I was thinking closed pins.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/285657502583

A month after I ordered the part, Hooben just shipped the Hooben Merkava nylon sprocket set. I hope to see it before the end of February. It may be sooner if it comes by air.

Solid meaning not hallow like the typical metal HL tracks.

[keilau]

Toucan's home site. They are also on eBay under one of the Toucans other names but you have to dig. You have to use the corresponding brand of sprocket to run this track. The HL sprockets have different timing and are slight wider so they do not work.

I found 2 metal tracks for Merkava at the Toucan website. The newer track sells for $12 more. The pictures show better details with sharper cast, but it still shows a lot of exposed connecting pins. I may have misunderstood you when you mentioned "solid link" and I was thinking closed pins.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/285657502583

A month after I ordered the part, Hooben just shipped the Hooben Merkava nylon sprocket set. I hope to see it before the end of February. It may be sooner if it comes by air.

[Rubicon99]

Is it from Taigen/Torro or Mato? A link to your sales source is much appreciated.

Toucan's home site. They are also on eBay under one of the Toucans other names but you have to dig. You have to use the corresponding brand of sprocket to run this track. The HL sprockets have different timing and are slight wider so they do not work.

[keilau]

New more correct Merkava tracks have arrived. I will be installing them on the Merkava soon.

Initial impression are good. Detailing is sharp and they are solid links with no hallow segments. Which of course makes the rather heavy compared to the stock HL metal tracks.

Is it from Taigen/Torro or Mato? A link to your sales source is much appreciated.

[Rubicon99]

New more correct Merkava tracks have arrived. I will be installing them on the Merkava soon.

Initial impression are good. Detailing is sharp and they are solid links with no hallow segments. Which of course makes the rather heavy compared to the stock HL metal tracks.