Advice to buy a new tank - good options, reliable and that dont break the bank

[cravo]

Guys it's the first issue I have since I do online shopping from anywhere. First time I have an issue like this.
And to the ones who don't believe here is a screenshot of my cell phone.
Also I deal with AliExpress not the seller.

[keilau]

Guys it's the first issue I have since I do online shopping from anywhere. First time I have an issue like this.
And to the ones who don't believe here is a screenshot of my cell phone.
Also I deal with AliExpress not the seller.

Very interesting. Let us know when you receive the refund.

Did they tell you what "relevant bank or financial institution" received your request? What makes you feel so confident that they will honor your refund? What did they say about "your bank or fanincial institution"? Does the refund amount exceed 200 Euro? You are the first case that I hear about this. It is a good development about AliExpress purchase. It may work well if AliExpress told your bank not to release the money until the bank hear from AliExpress that you have accepted the item and there is no complaint.

[cravo]

Very interesting. Let us know when you receive the refund.

Did they tell you what "relevant bank or financial institution" received your request? What makes you feel so confident that they will honor your refund? What did they say about "your bank or fanincial institution"? Does the refund amount exceed 200 Euro? You are the first case that I hear about this. It is a good development about AliExpress purchase. It may work well if AliExpress told your bank not to release the money until the bank hear from AliExpress that you have accepted the item and there is no complaint.

Let's hope everything work the right way.
and I am not the first one to receive a refund from AliExpress in fact I know a close person in the family who have received as well and more than once and keeps the items.
Another subject.
I want to add a bearing to the sprocket wheel mount on the back.
Anyone knows the bearing size?
A far as I checked it's 8x12x3.5mm but I would like to have sure.
Also I would like to see if a flanged bearing same size would fit by the inside in the hull to hold better the sprocket wheel without wobbling.
Anyone can provide the info so o buy the proper bearing size?
Thanks in advance.

[cravo]

Update info guys
I already received the refund from AliExpress on my account :).
Could anyone please reply to my question about the size of bearings we can put on the shaft of the sprocket wheel?

[keilau]

Let's hope everything work the right way.
and I am not the first one to receive a refund from AliExpress in fact I know a close person in the family who have received as well and more than once and keeps the items.
Another subject.
I want to add a bearing to the sprocket wheel mount on the back.
Anyone knows the bearing size?
A far as I checked it's 8x12x3.5mm but I would like to have sure.
Also I would like to see if a flanged bearing same size would fit by the inside in the hull to hold better the sprocket wheel without wobbling.
Anyone can provide the info so o buy the proper bearing size?
Thanks in advance.

The bearings help when they are precision aligned with the drive motor axles. You will need a strong bracket for that, not just stick the bearing to the plastic hole. Heng Long makes the drive axle mounting bracket for their bigger tanks, Abrams, Challenger, German Leopard 2A6 and Tiger 1. There is not enough space for the smaller RC tanks such as the Walker Bulldog. I have the drive axle bearing on my German Leopard and it is one of the best low cost inverstment a RC tanker can make.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/224860217656

I have been trying to find a way to fit the drive axle bearing to my Pershing, T-34/85, Sherman, but have not been able to figuring it out how. Please, post your approach if you figure it out. The drive motor and its axle has lots of vibration. The bearings need the strong bracket to stay in place.

[cravo]

The bearings help when they are precision aligned with the drive motor axles. You will need a strong bracket for that, not just stick the bearing to the plastic hole. Heng Long makes the drive axle mounting bracket for their bigger tanks, Abrams, Challenger, German Leopard 2A6 and Tiger 1. There is not enough space for the smaller RC tanks such as the Walker Bulldog. I have the drive axle bearing on my German Leopard and it is one of the best low cost inverstment a RC tanker can make.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/224860217656

I have been trying to find a way to fit the drive axle bearing to my Pershing, T-34/85, Sherman, but have not been able to figuring it out how. Please, post your approach if you figure it out. The drive motor and its axle has lots of vibration. The bearings need the strong bracket to stay in place.

I notice some wobbling and they don't send any support from the factory Wich for me it's a poor design, not 3vwm plastic bushings ate least mine did not.
I was looking for the bearing size because as far as I understand it has space for a bearing in the outside of the plastic cap of the output of the sprocket wheel.
Without any support on that area of course it will wear out much faster the gearbox due to the wobbling and oblige sooner maintenance.
I would like to know if someone knows any bearing size or any option part to reinforce this of course with bearings.
Thanks in advance for your help but I don't know if the one you got it fits on the M41 walker buldog from Heng long.
Let's wait for someone who have already done it to try to help us out.

[Evan D]

I don't remember the bearing size my seven tanks used. It's easy enough to measure and has been posted on these threads before. I bought tubes of them, I think 10 per tube. I put them in the factory recesses in the plastic and they work perfectly for me. Most mine have metal treads, sprockets and wheels, some have red motors, none have ball bearing gear boxes. I am a casual tanker and maybe those jumping off ledges or always running full speed may feel differently but in the plastic works well for me.

[cravo]

I don't remember the bearing size my seven tanks used. It's easy enough to measure and has been posted on these threads before. I bought tubes of them, I think 10 per tube. I put them in the factory recesses in the plastic and they work perfectly for me. Most mine have metal treads, sprockets and wheels, some have red motors, none have ball bearing gear boxes. I am a casual tanker and maybe those jumping off ledges or always running full speed may feel differently but in the plastic works well for me.

I bought 2 of the measure of 8x12x3.5mm but I would like to be sure I'm ordering the right ones.
I also ordered flange bearings with same size that I would like to put them by ihe nside of the hull but I think the inner size is 11mm I did not measure because I still did not disassemble the gearbox, and I will wait untill I put the bearings to check if all fits and check optional ideas but the way it is it wobbles too much. Good for Heng long because it will cause unnecessary wear out of the gearboxes so they sell more and two bearings places from factory on the shafts it would not increase the price and will give better long run and less maintenance.

[keilau]

Its not my problem if you believe or not, i have ordered other rc cars more os less same value and all arrived in perfect state and working and when i have any issues usually they are solved promptly, i am sorry if you had a bad experience.
the place i buy was from aliexpress from the supplier "MODEL KING STORE", as per link bellow.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005101823904.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_l ist_main.4.21ef1802H0vGlu
and bellow is the picture that proofs that was with free shipping to poland bellow.
I looked for several suppliers and i got a nice price and free shipping, guess i was lucky lets see.
Choose the PROFESSIONAL version because they have 3 versions.
I searched several other suppliers and none could make this price.
zL is the polish coin.
And i dont have any reason to be lying, its not my way to do things.

The "MODEL KING STORE" falsely advertised the second level upgrade version of the Walker Bulldog as "Professional Version" and get caught by you. Now, AliExpress is paying you 100Euro (?) to buy the metal shock absorbers and metal road wheels yourself. Is that the whole story?

Actually, the "MODEL KING STORE" price for a second tier upgrade version is a decent price. Other stores honestly call it what it is. "MODEL KING STORE" did itself in by false advertising. You ended up saving a 100Euro by going with them. Good deal.

[MrChef]

The "MODEL KING STORE" falsely advertised the second level upgrade version of the Walker Bulldog as "Professional Version" and get caught by you. Now, AliExpress is paying you 100Euro (?) to buy the metal shock absorbers and metal road wheels yourself. Is that the whole story?

Actually, the "MODEL KING STORE" price for a second tier upgrade version is a decent price. Other stores honestly call it what it is. "MODEL KING STORE" did itself in by false advertising. You ended up saving a 100Euro by going with them. Good deal.

MotionRC lists this as the Professional Version too. You’re dealing with a technicality of their advertisement more than false advertisement. Hey if it works out for you then good luck-

[keilau]

Update info guys
I already received the refund from AliExpress on my account :).
Could anyone please reply to my question about the size of bearings we can put on the shaft of the sprocket wheel?

I just visited the "MODEL KING STORE" at AliExpress and purchased a plastic basic version Heng Long Merkava. At $184 shipped to US, it is the best price I can find anywhere. It is a 2 weeks shipment so I assume by air. I also hope to receive the tank package in good condition.

This is the first time I purchased a whole tank package on AliExpress. In previous experience, AliExpress wanted buyer to pay the return postage making buying large items from them not practical. @carvo recent experience gives me hope to give AliExpress another chance.

[keilau]

MotionRC lists this as the Professional Version too. You’re dealing with a technicality of their advertisement more than false advertisement. Hey if it works out for you then good luck-

But MotionRC will not give you refund to buy the metal shock absorbers and metal road wheels. @carvo got a 100Euro freebee. Why do you think that AliExpress would do that if it is not false advertising?

I just visited the "MODEL KING STORE" at AliExpress and purchased a plastic basic version Heng Long Merkava. At $184 shipped to US, it is the best price I can find anywhere. It is a 2 week shipment so I assume by air.

[Meter Rat]

https://henglongtankparts.com/product-category/116-hl-tank-spare-usa/3839-u-s-m41a3-walker-bulldog/

I cannot help you with the size of the bearings, as I do not own a bulldog, or I would measure the openings for you. It appears that Heng Long do not deem it necessary for them as they are not advertised in the spares section. It may tell you at the back of the instructions if drive axel support bearings are available. It di in my Challenger, Abrams, and T72

[cravo]

https://henglongtankparts.com/produc...alker-bulldog/
I cannot help you with the size of the bearings, as I do not own a bulldog, or I would measure the openings for you. It appears that Heng Long do not deem it necessary for them as they are not advertised in the spares section. It may tell you at the back of the instructions if drive axel support bearings are available. It di in my Challenger, Abrams, and T72

Thanks for the help I already ordered the ones I informed but I would like to be sure.
if I will not use them in the tank I will use them in other RCS I have.
I think those are to be mounted on the hole of the outside plastic bracket between the hull and the sprocket wheel and will provide enough support to not wobble, then I will see the possibility to add the flange bearing by the inside. I am also in 5he process of chosing a 3d printer so if needed then probably will print a plastic part to be able to assemble by the inside also another bearing that will add up the ridgidity of the shiaft output from the gearbox.
At the moment I am very busy with other stuff.
Personal issues to deal but as soon the bearings arrive o will try and provide pictures and inform if they fit or not to help others as well.

[Meter Rat]

Glad it’s all worked out for you. Yes, life can sometimes get in the way of our hobbies..

[keilau]

Update info guys
I already received the refund from AliExpress on my account :).
Could anyone please reply to my question about the size of bearings we can put on the shaft of the sprocket wheel?

Metal Parts coming with the tank:
Metal tracks
Metal driving wheels
Metal idler wheels
Full metal road wheels
Metal return rollers£¨if the real tank has£©
Steel gears driving gearboxes

Which of these metal parts were missing from the original tank package you first received?

Among those, the full metal road wheels with metal shock absorbers are the most expensive. I will have to spend over US$100 to get it in the US. Very interested in knowing a little more details on how you proved the missing parts to AliExpress because Model King Store did not mention what metal parts were included in their Professional Version Walker Bulldog.

[cravo]

Which of these metal parts were missing from the original tank package you first received?

Among those, the full metal road wheels with metal shock absorbers are the most expensive. I will have to spend over US$100 to get it in the US. Very interested in knowing a little more details on how you proved the missing parts to AliExpress because Model King Store did not mention what metal parts were included in their Professional Version Walker Bulldog.

Please check the pictures posted on the thread and you will see the specs informed in the pictures posted and referenced in yellow.
all the info is readily available, just go back on the posting and read.
@Kellau I just sent you a private message.

[keilau]

MotionRC lists this as the Professional Version too. You’re dealing with a technicality of their advertisement more than false advertisement. Hey if it works out for you then good luck-

I finally had time to go to MotionRC and found out what was the Walker Bulldog they sold as "Professional Version". They provided no metal part count in their listing. I went through their customer feedback and found the Walker Bulldog did not have metal road wheels nor metal shock absorbers which clearly contradict the Prefessional Version description on the Heng Long box. I do not want to comment on whether it is intentional false advertising or staff incompetence. But it is the same thing that Model King Store did on AliExpress and refunded @carvo to buy the metal road wheels nor metal shock absorbers.

[MrChef]

I finally had time to go to MotionRC and found out what was the Walker Bulldog they sold as "Professional Version". They provided no metal part count in their listing. I went through their customer feedback and found the Walker Bulldog did not have metal road wheels nor metal shock absorbers which clearly contradict the Prefessional Version description on the Heng Long box. I do not want to comment on whether it is intentional false advertising or staff incompetence. But it is the same thing that Model King Store did on AliExpress and refunded @carvo to buy the metal road wheels nor metal shock absorbers.

Here's my take on this.

I had purchased a Panther G Professional Version from Motion RC last October during a sale. It did Not come with Metal Road wheels as I expected. It came with Metal Tracks, Sprockets, Idler wheels, Gearset, And Gun Recoil.

Back Then as a New RC tanker I thought that all Heng Long Professional Version tanks came with ALL metal running gear components. I had previously purchased a T34/85 Professional Version with all metal running gear from ToucanRC and thought this is how it was for ALL Professional Versions. This is not the case.

So based on what I see on Motion as to the different levels offered and from Model King on Aliexpress and this Walker Bulldog in question there seems to be a glitch with possible wrong information advertised, again I say Not intentional deceptive advertising just poor business, not knowing, bad translation?

Here is how the different levels of Heng Long Tanks are described from our own Alpha-

LEVEL/VERSIONS

Heng Long tanks are delivered in five levels or "Editions" of running gear. The "running gear" include five elements:

1) The gears in the gearbox
2) Drive sprocket
3) Idler wheel
4) Road wheels
5) Tracks

Essentially, the more of these elements that are metal, the higher the Edition, and thus the higher price. The five Editions of 1/16 Heng Long tanks are:

Original Edition: All five of the Running Gear elements are plastic
Upgrade Edition: Original, except the gears in the gearbox are upgraded to steel
Upgrade A Edition: Upgrade, except drive sprocket is upgraded to cast metal
Pro Edition: Upgrade, except the drive sprocket, idler wheel, and tracks are upgraded to cast metal. Note: Some tanks' Professional versions also include metal road wheels. See notes below.
Pro Plus: Pro, plus a metal lower hull, CNC machined gearbox housing, torsion bar suspension, smoke/LED/recoil barrel, 360 degree rotation, dual smoker, dual speaker, onboard charging (Note: As of 11/2019 this version is only available via special order for specific types) --The Pro Plus will be omitted from the remainder of this article, given its rarity [CENTER]

The four mass produced Editions have been further subdivided into two primary Editions - "Upgrade" Edition and "Professional" Edition. As of 1/2020, Motion RC will be stocking the Upgrade and Professional Editions only, the reasoning being that the Upgrade Edition now includes steel gears, so it is a worthy upgrade to the Original Edition's plastic gears. The Professional Editions, meanwhile, are suitable for the majority of drivers who prefer heavy weight and higher durability in exchange for higher cost and shorter run times on the stock battery. We believe that the Upgrade Edition and Professional Edition will likely satisfy the majority of most new RC tankers, so we're starting there. If you want to save a few bucks, let us know and we can stock the Original Edition.

https://www.hobbysquawk.com/forum/rc-cars-tanks-trucks-and-more/rc-tanks/219702-upgrade-paths-explained

As I said I hope it all works out for Cravo. I just think theres a bit of misunderstanding and disconnect.

Best luck to all

Chef

[keilau]

It does not matter what version the Heng Long retailer call the tank they sell. Heng Long actually mentions that on their package. I prefer to use the manufacturer's definition, not the retailer's.

Here is how Toucan Hobby Store advertises the Walker Bulldog tank that HL calls professional. The MSRP is $260 and Toucan priced it at $233. Toucan list the metal parts on their listing:

Metal Parts coming with the tank
Metal tracks
Metal driving wheels
Metal idler wheels
Full metal road wheels
Metal return roller(if the real tank has)
Steel gears driving gearboxes

Henglong 1/16 Scale 7.0 Customized Walker Bulldog RTR Remote Control T – TOUCAN RC HOBBY (toucanhobby.com)

BTW, it is very important to have metal idler wheel with ball bearing if the tank comes with metal track. Alpha original post on this subject is outdated a long time ago.