Heng Long MERKAVA review, build out and field testing.

[DavidN]

Here is my Merkava straight out of the box. I only upgraded it to IR battle and switched the barrel recoil unit with the servo converter from Germany. I also did some weathering. I don't like those chains and balls so I did not install them.

[DavidN]

[sclui56]

David, did you upgrade to metal? Mine is sort of work in progress waiting for parts, thought I had everything... So far, switched out the plastic gearbox to Heng Xin (first time using these, saw Toucan was selling these on Amazon) since I didn't have any ML59 metal box, there was a minor problem as the mounting plate and the right gearbox did not lined up, someone at the factory drilled misaligned holes on the gearbox, ended up enlarging the holes on the gearbox side and got those sorted since the threads are on the plate. Then I got the metal tracks & wheels from Toucan, since it wasn't a package, they put things together and omitted the ball bearings for all the road wheels, so those are coming maybe in 10 days? BTW, the metal hub caps are undersized, so will be using the plastic ones instead.

Will most likely leave the ball & chain off as those will probably be lost one by one.

[Rubicon99]

The chain and balls are a huge part of what makes the Merkava a Merkava. Sure they are a PIA to install, but they really do add a lot to the tanks overall IDF feel and authenticity in the end.

Anyways its good to know I will not be alone 👏👏👏👏 in having a HL Merkava locally. Hope you bring it to the Sept 2023 LA tank battles I will have mine there.

A few of mine in testing and combat practice.

[DavidN]

David, did you upgrade to metal? Mine is sort of work in progress waiting for parts, thought I had everything... So far, switched out the plastic gearbox to Heng Xin (first time using these, saw Toucan was selling these on Amazon) since I didn't have any ML59 metal box, there was a minor problem as the mounting plate and the right gearbox did not lined up, someone at the factory drilled misaligned holes on the gearbox, ended up enlarging the holes on the gearbox side and got those sorted since the threads are on the plate. Then I got the metal tracks & wheels from Toucan, since it wasn't a package, they put things together and omitted the ball bearings for all the road wheels, so those are coming maybe in 10 days? BTW, the metal hub caps are undersized, so will be using the plastic ones instead.

Will most likely leave the ball & chain off as those will probably be lost one by one.

No, I did not. I plan to stay away from metal tracks for big tanks from now on. They are just too heavy. The plastic arms for the idlers and sprockets on these HL tanks are a bit weak. I had 5 tanks broken off at this part in the last 2 months.

[sclui56]

No, I did not. I plan to stay away from metal tracks for big tanks from now on. They are just too heavy. The plastic arms for the idlers and sprockets on these HL tanks are a bit weak. I had 5 tanks broken off at this part in the last 2 months.

Understood, but the Merkava has metal arms for the idler even on the plastic version, at least on mine.

[Rubicon99]

No, I did not. I plan to stay away from metal tracks for big tanks from now on. They are just too heavy. The plastic arms for the idlers and sprockets on these HL tanks are a bit weak. I had 5 tanks broken off at this part in the last 2 months.

To run metal tracks on big tanks you need to also upgrade the motors to 390s otherwise yes they become a bit heavy and sluggish to maneuver well. Adding 390s is simple but does require a little cost and time.

Plastic HL tracks on large tanks (King Tigers, KVs, Panthers, Abrams, Challengers, Leopards) work, but are also not strong enough for frequent use on rough train. Fortunately they are cheap and easy to come by to keep spares on hand.

The Merkava is an exception to the need for 390s with metal tracks. Its metal tracks are light and rather low grip and thus slide similar to that of a T34. The main reason I added 390s was for a more realistic scale top end road speed. The stock 380s provided for a horribly slow scale top end road speed.

Plastic sprockets and suspension components should alway be upgraded to metal and opting for the metal upgrades at time of purchase saves time and money in the long run especially if the tank will be run hard outdoors.

The best combination for those not wanting to upgrade motors on large tanks is to run metal sprockets, metal bearing road wheels and metal suspension components with plastic tracks. This leaves only the tracks as wear items as its very rare for any of the other items to fail.

[DavidN]

Thank you! Yes, my order for the metal sprockets is being shipped to me. The tank already came with the wheels' metal suspensions. I won't be able to attend the LA September event. My family is celebrating my mother's 88th birthday. Have fun battling.

[sclui56]

The chain and balls are a huge part of what makes the Merkava a Merkava. Sure they are a PIA to install, but they really do add a lot to the tanks overall IDF feel and authenticity in the end.

Rubicon99, I ended up putting the balls & chain together, just knowing I will be searching for missing pieces soon as I start running her, especially the balls are simply hooked on, just need to paint those later.

For those who value a smoking tank, this one would be a bit difficult to fill the fluid, it needs to be filled from the side exhaust screen, and there isn' any provision to get to the "tube" cause the metal mesh is in the way.

[Rubicon99]

Rubicon99, I ended up putting the balls & chain together, just knowing I will be searching for missing pieces soon as I start running her, especially the balls are simply hooked on, just need to paint those later.

For those who value a smoking tank, this one would be a bit difficult to fill the fluid, it needs to be filled from the side exhaust screen, and there isn' any provision to get to the "tube" cause the metal mesh is in the way.

The balls have actually not been much of an issue with mine during my outdoor drives. If you place a small drop of CA on the backside of the ball "hook" opening they will be even more securely attached. I did this to mostly the rear ones so far as these seem to be the most exposed when the turret is turned and I am driving through brush. The rest I will get to in time as I do maintenance on the tank. Like with all prior HL tanks at some point spares will be available. When they are I will buy some just have around should they be needed at some point.

[sclui56]

Rubicon99 Thanks for the tip on using CA at the hook, all done. Just waiting for the road wheel bearings.

[tanks for us]

Rubicon99 just curious. what is the purpose of the chain & balls hanging on the Merkava? thank you

[sclui56]

I believe the chain/balls are meant to detonate RPG's early enough to prevent the turret from getting jammed up.

[Rubicon99]

Rubicon99 just curious. what is the purpose of the chain & balls hanging on the Merkava? thank you

As sclui56 mentioned they are for disrupting RGPs and other man portable rocket, missiles and even HEAT rounds fired from other tanks. They are apparently highly effective so much so even the Russians are putting them on some of their newer tank.

[Rubicon99]

Took the Merkava to its first official club battle day. I suspected it would do well as all my prebattle testing had good results. But it actually exceeded my expectations for a large modern tank. Usually on the small LA Tank Clubs field big tanks are at a huge disadvantage. Not so with the Merkava. It's short barrel overhang, fast turret and front drive really made it perform more like a medium sized tank like a T72 or M26.

Here are a few photo of it during a "team up" with a Hooben Merkava.

[sclui56]

I mentioned the smoke oil input is limited to dropping through the right exhaust screen from the factory. One can also run a secondary tube to a "blocked" vent on top of the smoker heating unit (this one is blocked at the factory using hot glue). This added tube can be routed to either the ON/OFF
switch hatch or battery hatch with a plug to use as a filler tube. Just need to find an extra 90-degree elbow + a plug.

[sclui56]

Rubicon99 Finally got the missing bearings from Toucan so she is up and running. I did run into one minor defect on my sample with the left 2nd (from front) road wheel. I noticed it wasn't touching the ground by a hair - for some reason, the limiter (block on the inside of hull) was preventing the arm from traveling down/forward just a bit too soon, I ended up having to shave the block slightly to allow for additional forward movement. I even tried to swap around a couple of left arms just on the outside chance that one had a different set of holes drilled for the pin, but no dice.

I also cheated a bit by mounting the chain racks with the "hooks" facing inside, less chance for me to brush off the chains, but also making it harder to refit if they do.

You are correct about this being noisier than others!

[Rubicon99]

Rubicon99 Finally got the missing bearings from Toucan so she is up and running. I did run into one minor defect on my sample with the left 2nd (from front) road wheel. I noticed it wasn't touching the ground by a hair - for some reason, the limiter (block on the inside of hull) was preventing the arm from traveling down/forward just a bit too soon, I ended up having to shave the block slightly to allow for additional forward movement. I even tried to swap around a couple of left arms just on the outside chance that one had a different set of holes drilled for the pin, but no dice.

I also cheated a bit by mounting the chain racks with the "hooks" facing inside, less chance for me to brush off the chains, but also making it harder to refit if they do.

You are correct about this being noisier than others!

With the metal tracks, metal return rollers and huge empty hull it was just a recipe for being noisy. Mine with the added noise dampening I added is actually pretty quite now. So know that if the noise is to bothersome it can be tamed.

[sclui56]

Not really sure HL didn't fit a bulb in one of the 2 MG's, guess they want to sell you one. I got the ~$14 piece in and essentially they bored out the barrel and fitted a bulb. Had it mounted but since the bulb is somewhere inside the receiver, unless one is directly in front of the muzzle, it is tough to see the flash. Ended up cutting a piece of 1.6mm clear rod and sticking it out slightly past the muzzle brake, now I can see flash from most angles. Much like what they do with most built-in MG's.

[Rubicon99]

A little update on the Heng Long Merkava. Mechanically the tank has been running flawlessly. It has about 40 hrs of run time on it which includes three official RC tank club battle days.

The overall look of the tank is improving as natural weathering and heavy dust have started building up on the tank giving it a used field look.

Here are a few of the latest photos showing the current state of natural weathering.
Heng Long Merkava tank in fighting position.

^^^^^ Heavy dust build up. It really adds to the field used look. The textured turret and hull really like to hold onto the dust. vvvvv