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

[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]

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

[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.

[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.

[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]

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.

[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.

[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]

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.

[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]

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?

[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.

[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]

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]

Please, this is not meant to offend. I think you have been “ripped off” as we would say in Britain, and a victim of “if it sounds to good to be true it usually is”. You asked for advice, and you were given plenty, including a list of reputable companies.
I hope this company honours its promise and refunds the money, and you are able to get the parts you require. At least this way you will get to install the parts yourself and learn more about your model.

I totally agree with what you are saying. I never heard that AliExpress issued refund. They will ask the seller to issue the refund, but there is nothing they can or will do if the seller just ignores AliExpress. @carvo may prove all of us wrong and get the refund.

When I purchased on AliExpress, I add another level of protection by using paypal. I get the refund from paypal if the seller sends me the wrong item on purpose. And yes, it happens on AliExpress all the time. Not all AliExpress seller accepts paypal because they do not see the money until after I officially accept the item. I hope that @carvo used a payment method that has similar protection.

[DANOEL]

I know but my case AliExpress steped in and I showed evidence from the start.
and like in 3 or 4 days they solved it for me usually by email is where you see the results ok the AliExpress site you only see refund proposal but not the total proposal that they only show you by email.
In my case they confirmed I was right after proofing 2ith pictures from the seller and specifications of the item comparing with pictures of what I received.
All went smooth, but still I am awaiting for the refund that it can take from 3 to 20 days .
I don't want to be smart than anyone but his was my first issue / dispute I had with AliExpress and never have received anything different from what I ordered.
I just what I normally do provide the info of 2hat I am searching and compare prices for the same product with exactly the same specifications. Who has the better price is were I make the order.
I think all of us do the same.
If then they don't provide what you order is another issue, and it's out of my control.
The box was open inside but I think it was due to customs, but other than that product was new it just Did not bring what it was advertised:(.
So I think two reasons:
One - the seller is trying to be smart and putting a box of the pro version and inside supply a non pro version.
Second - a mistake packing the product.
I always try to ask the seller to check if all is in order and working properly before posting to prevent any issues and returns it may arise.

Hopefully it all works out, just keep a eye out for your refund. Even Aliexpress plays games. I've found that if you received something broken, and have the pics, etc, they take care of it right away. I always seem to get a run-around on a "sent me something different" case. They keep sending some info to paypal, but i dont know what it is because I cant see it...but every time they do...paypal moves the date back further to resolve this. Im going to call them today and hoepfully get a human on the phone.

[cravo]

Good luck...still fighting with aliexpress a month later for a item I ordered and the seller sent me totally different item worth about $1, the run you around in circles, keep moving the wait / response time and then keep denying my claim. First claiming the package doesn't match my order...well no kidding. Now it's tied in with paypal because I got nowhere with aliexpress. This is a game some of the sellers play on there, Ive had false tracking numbers, wrong items sent, etc. It's frustrating....but were dealing with chinese drop shippers o nther for the most part.

I know but my case AliExpress steped in and I showed evidence from the start.
and like in 3 or 4 days they solved it for me usually by email is where you see the results ok the AliExpress site you only see refund proposal but not the total proposal that they only show you by email.
In my case they confirmed I was right after proofing 2ith pictures from the seller and specifications of the item comparing with pictures of what I received.
All went smooth, but still I am awaiting for the refund that it can take from 3 to 20 days .
I don't want to be smart than anyone but his was my first issue / dispute I had with AliExpress and never have received anything different from what I ordered.
I just what I normally do provide the info of 2hat I am searching and compare prices for the same product with exactly the same specifications. Who has the better price is were I make the order.
I think all of us do the same.
If then they don't provide what you order is another issue, and it's out of my control.
The box was open inside but I think it was due to customs, but other than that product was new it just Did not bring what it was advertised:(.
So I think two reasons:
One - the seller is trying to be smart and putting a box of the pro version and inside supply a non pro version.
Second - a mistake packing the product.
I always try to ask the seller to check if all is in order and working properly before posting to prevent any issues and returns it may arise.

[DANOEL]

what i did is just what I normal do
I check what I want with all the options or metal parts that I want and I search for the better price.
I think I did not do anything wrong.
If the seller offer is the same I get thr one that's is cheaper with same specifications, Wich I did.
If the seller does not comply with what it was advertised AliExpress steps in and decide and that was what happened.
It's not my fault the .Odel did not came as expected but seller fault in advertising wrongly or in the time of packing, packing the wrong .model.
The refund will be issued by AliExpress and not by the seller and I manage to proof by videos and photos that's I was right.
bellow some pictures of the box of the item.

Good luck...still fighting with aliexpress a month later for a item I ordered and the seller sent me totally different item worth about $1, the run you around in circles, keep moving the wait / response time and then keep denying my claim. First claiming the package doesn't match my order...well no kidding. Now it's tied in with paypal because I got nowhere with aliexpress. This is a game some of the sellers play on there, Ive had false tracking numbers, wrong items sent, etc. It's frustrating....but were dealing with chinese drop shippers o nther for the most part.

[cravo]

Please, this is not meant to offend. I think you have been “ripped off” as we would say in Britain, and a victim of “if it sounds to good to be true it usually is”. You asked for advice, and you were given plenty, including a list of reputable companies.
I hope this company honours its promise and refunds the money, and you are able to get the parts you require. At least this way you will get to install the parts yourself and learn more about your model.

what i did is just what I normal do
I check what I want with all the options or metal parts that I want and I search for the better price.
I think I did not do anything wrong.
If the seller offer is the same I get thr one that's is cheaper with same specifications, Wich I did.
If the seller does not comply with what it was advertised AliExpress steps in and decide and that was what happened.
It's not my fault the .Odel did not came as expected but seller fault in advertising wrongly or in the time of packing, packing the wrong .model.
The refund will be issued by AliExpress and not by the seller and I manage to proof by videos and photos that's I was right.
bellow some pictures of the box of the item.

[Meter Rat]

Please, this is not meant to offend. I think you have been “ripped off” as we would say in Britain, and a victim of “if it sounds to good to be true it usually is”. You asked for advice, and you were given plenty, including a list of reputable companies.
I hope this company honours its promise and refunds the money, and you are able to get the parts you require. At least this way you will get to install the parts yourself and learn more about your model.