Rumors of Future Releases

[Rubicon99]

I have a HL Leo2. I took down its sprocket for the test fitting. I do not have an Abrams in 1/16 scale. When I figure out a way to use a HL sprocket on the TD M60, I will order the Abrams sprocket for sure.

Just keep in mine booth sprocket types have very different backspacing and will need different size shafts.

[keilau]

Why Leopard 2 sprockets? You know you can run the Leopard tracks on Abrams sprockets and the Abrams sprockets are more correct looking for the M60 then Leopard sprockets.

Abrams tracks and Leopard 2 tracks are interchangeable between the both types of sprockets.

I have a HL Leo2. I took down its sprocket for the test fitting. I do not have an Abrams in 1/16 scale. When I figure out a way to use a HL sprocket on the TD M60, I will order the Abrams sprocket for sure.

[DavidN]

Face to a name...

Carson of DKLM RC has been an invaluable resource to our hobby. He's produced many 3DP products, and recently has supported Tongde's entry into RC tanks. Here he is on the right with the boss of Tongde:


(Picture taken from his FB page with his permission.)

I really love that Nashorn on the shelves at our right. However, its price is beyond my reach :*(

[Rubicon99]

Can you ask Carson of DKLM whether it is possible for him to market a sprocket for the TD M60 tank to allow use of Heng Long compatible aftermarket tracks on the TD tank?

Most of us are familiar with the stretching problem of Heng Long plastic track over time. The simple solution is to upgrade to aftermarket metal track. @Rubicon99 had say that the Tongde plastic track is more durable than HL plastic track and runs better than TD metal track. When I weight the TD plastic track vs. the Tamiya nylon track, the difference is obvious to Tamiya's favor.

My wish is a 3D printed sprocket with HL Leo2 width and diameter, and TD motor shaft socket. It will allow a drop in upgrade using the TD metal gearbox. Alternative, a replacement motor drive axle fot the TD metal gearbox that extends 22mm longer will allow use of the HL Leo2 sprocket directly. I believe such options will greatly enhance the appeal of the TD product to increase sales.

Why Leopard 2 sprockets? You know you can run the Leopard tracks on Abrams sprockets and the Abrams sprockets are more correct looking for the M60 then Leopard sprockets.

Abrams tracks and Leopard 2 tracks are interchangeable between the both types of sprockets.

[keilau]

Face to a name...

Carson of DKLM RC has been an invaluable resource to our hobby. He's produced many 3DP products, and recently has supported Tongde's entry into RC tanks. Here he is on the right with the boss of Tongde:


(Picture taken from his FB page with his permission.)

Can you ask Carson of DKLM whether it is possible for him to market a sprocket for the TD M60 tank to allow use of Heng Long compatible aftermarket tracks on the TD tank?

Most of us are familiar with the stretching problem of Heng Long plastic track over time. The simple solution is to upgrade to aftermarket metal track. @Rubicon99 had say that the Tongde plastic track is more durable than HL plastic track and runs better than TD metal track. When I weight the TD plastic track vs. the Tamiya nylon track, the difference is obvious to Tamiya's favor.

My wish is a 3D printed sprocket with HL Leo2 width and diameter, and TD motor shaft socket. It will allow a drop in upgrade using the TD metal gearbox. Alternative, a replacement motor drive axle fot the TD metal gearbox that extends 22mm longer will allow use of the HL Leo2 sprocket directly. I believe such options will greatly enhance the appeal of the TD product to increase sales.

[SoCalBobS]

Face to a name...

Carson of DKLM RC has been an invaluable resource to our hobby. He's produced many 3DP products, and recently has supported Tongde's entry into RC tanks. Here he is on the right with the boss of Tongde:


(Picture taken from his FB page with his permission.)

[SoCalBobS]

DKLM has received and dispatched the first batch of Churchills. When mine arrives, I'll start a new thread for it.

[SoCalBobS]

Churchill’s production is progressing again, post CNY.

[SoCalBobS]

Looks like it’s time to refocus this thread, since arrival of Tongde tanks is no longer a rumor! There are existing threads for all of their tanks, M60’s, Centurion & M2 Bradley. Now we can drool over anticipated Churchill, M24 Chaffee & M109 Paladin AFV’s.

[Max-U52]

Fedex says my M60 will be here today. That's pretty quick, so I'm happy. I just hope they didn't send it signature required. That's always a problem for me because I live alone, and they absolutely refuse to let my cat sign for the package.

[Rubicon99]

One of the best Rubicon99 suggestion for the TD M60 was to replace the nylon ring on the torsion arm with a ball bearing, 12 pieces in total. I wonder if Tongde do that on their professional version M60?

The 12 per side, two on each suspension arm for a total of 24 bearings are only including on the "metal" versions of the TD tanks. We could try and encourage Motion RC to order the all "plastic" tanks with bearings or even brass bushings. Would cause the price to go up a few dollars, but would also add a lot more to the overall quality.

More importantly IMO I would like to see Motion follow what they do with HL and only offer tanks with "steel" gearboxes. Plastic gearboxes in any tank are just one drive outdoors away from breaking. They just do not have the durability for outdoor use.

[keilau]

Just received a plastic version M60A3 today from DKLM. It arrived in one piece, nothing broken. It has the metal suspension arms, washer behind the return roller mounting screws, and the plastic tracks with the bigger track pads. Fit and finish is good no gaps along any seams. Very smooth runner and everything functions as it should.

One of the best Rubicon99 suggestion for the TD M60 was to replace the nylon ring on the torsion arm with a ball bearing, 12 pieces in total. I wonder if Tongde do that on their professional version M60?

[Rubicon99]

Just received a plastic version M60A3 today from DKLM. It arrived in one piece, nothing broken. It has the metal suspension arms, washer behind the return roller mounting screws, and the plastic tracks with the bigger track pads. Fit and finish is good no gaps along any seams. Very smooth runner and everything functions as it should.

The washers were something we asked DLKM to have TD install to increase the service life of the return rollers when it was noticed they were wearing fast when driven a lot in soft sand/soil. Good to hear that TD is listening and taking quick steps to mitigate the wear issues.

The metal suspension arms were another upgrade we asked for on the plastic M60s which they started including several months ago.

[tdriver113]

Just received a plastic version M60A3 today from DKLM. It arrived in one piece, nothing broken. It has the metal suspension arms, washer behind the return roller mounting screws, and the plastic tracks with the bigger track pads. Fit and finish is good no gaps along any seams. Very smooth runner and everything functions as it should.

[Rubicon99]

Thanks for the compliments guys.

As for what Keilau mentioned, yes between the several m60s that Rubicon and I have built up, we have seen enough changes that between us we called them version 1, 2 and 3 and I’m sure they will keep improving their design based in public feedback.

Out of all the RC tank manufacturers TD has been listing the most and making changes and bring out new tanks the fastest. Their quality is improving fast because they listen (although I still strongly only recommend the "metal upgraded" versions same as I do with HL). The Churchill is out and next we are supposed to see the M24 Chaffee. That will make something like 9 tanks released in 18 months.

[RichJohnson]

Thanks for the compliments guys.

As for what Keilau mentioned, yes between the several m60s that Rubicon and I have built up, we have seen enough changes that between us we called them version 1, 2 and 3 and I’m sure they will keep improving their design based in public feedback.

[Rubicon99]

Yes. Rich Johnson has been a friend for years and he already broke trail on this so I just followed his advice. That's always worked out well for me in the past and Rich has never steered me wrong.

Rich is a good guy he is a wealthy of knowledge.

[Max-U52]

Did you buy the metal edition?

Yes. Rich Johnson has been a friend for years and he already broke trail on this so I just followed his advice. That's always worked out well for me in the past and Rich has never steered me wrong.

[keilau]

For all of you who are waiting for delivery of your Tongde M60, you cannot afford to miss the excellent thread by Rubicon99 titled TD M60 A3 review

https://www.hobbysquawk.com/forum/rc...-m60-a3-review

Some of the early production defect he mentioned may have been corrected, it is stiil an excellent guide to improve your TD. Some interinor picture of the late production M60 will be much appreciated.

[Rubicon99]

Just ordered the M60, as well as a sabertooth 2x32 for my 1/6 scale Jagdpanther. Today was a good day. I've been waiting for an M60 since I bought my first tank back in 2012..

Did you buy the metal edition?