Rumors of Future Releases

[RichJohnson]

Based on my experience with 3 hooben tanks, not likely

[quitcherbitchen]

Looks very similar to my Hooben, but the battery compartment looks interesting. Obviously completely new tooling on the mold. Wonder if some of the parts are interchangeable?.

[Rubicon99]

Do you have a link to the manufacturer or any of their distributor? Is the YT guy selling this tank?

The manufacturer is not selling at this time outside of China. I had my "middle man" do the inquiry for me and where my numbers came from.

There is no all plastic versions at this time.

[keilau]

Well if you were a fan of one of the world's most-produced tanks but have a pathological aversion to Hooben, here's an alternative on the horizon:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7R8xzTUhp8

Do you have a link to the manufacturer or any of their distributor? Is the YT guy selling this tank?

[Rubicon99]

Well if you were a fan of one of the world's most-produced tanks but have a pathological aversion to Hooben, here's an alternative on the horizon:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7R8xzTUhp8

It cost $375 for the all green version and $475 for the camo version plus another $180 shipping from China. Overall build quality is similar to the latest HL Merkava.

Its control system is not HL or TD and based on information seen appears to be a TK 16 copy. Gearbox are HL steal version types with red motors, suspension is torsion bar with metal arms and road wheels. It has an active idler system and all the wheels use brass bushing. (Those will need to be replaced with bearings).

It's not easy to find at this time. You will need a third party that has connections to buy it and then ship it to you. Hopefully Toucan picks it up soon or one of the reputable seller on Aliexpress.

The brand name its sold under is: Hu Bugui.

[cleong]

Well if you were a fan of one of the world's most-produced tanks but have a pathological aversion to Hooben, here's an alternative on the horizon:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7R8xzTUhp8

[keilau]

Extract from the manual guide from the upcoming TORRO Sd.Kfz.251.
Can someone could identify the type of the battery connector?
I was hoping a JST-2Pin connector ,..
Cheers PZLoco

I do not have the TORRO Sd.Kfz.251 nor plan to get one. Looking at your manual picture, it is very similar to that of my 1/16 scale JWT military truck. The black 2P connector is the power supply connection to the motherboard. The white JST is for the balance charge. When you receive your Torro truck, measure the battery capacity using your smart charger.

Military vehicles, tank or truck, runs relatively slow. Manufacturer use small motor and often supply low quality battery to save cost. They also use small battery pack because it is harder to find space in a half track (vs. a RC tank).

My JWT truck came with a 270 motor and a battery pack made of 2 14500 Li-Ion cells. I replace them with a Mubichi 360 and a DIY 2S18650 battery pack. It is worth doing it. I can run the truck for many hours without recharging.


Building battery pack is not difficult if you are handy with the soldering iron. I invested in a portable spot welder which makes the job even easier. (The spot welder cost is only a very small portion of your Torro truck.) I prefer Lithium-Ion battery much over Lithium Polymer for safety reason. If you shop carefully, you can find Lithium Ion battery with builtin protection circuit to prevent overheating. Lithium Polymer is much cheaper, lighter and smaller in physical size for the same charge capacity, but no protection circuit.

[tank_me]

The white connector is a JST 3-pin, but that is the balance plug used during charging. The black connector is too blurry for me to make out what it is. I would seriously doubt the black one is a JST though as you wouldn't put two of the same connector on the battery as it would cause confusion.

[PanzerLoco]

Extract from the manual guide from the upcoming TORRO Sd.Kfz.251.
Can someone could identify the type of the battery connector?
I was hoping a JST-2Pin connector ,..
Cheers PZLoco

[Delta_19]

[PanzerLoco]

ZANDATOYS based out from CA U.S.A will carry out the pre-order/sale of the upcoming TORRO Sd.kfz.251.
No info yet if MOTION RC will do the same right "off the bat" for the pre-order / released scheduled for February 2025.
Below is the 3 color option pictures from the ZANDATOYS website and the price tag.
Cheers! PZloco

[RichJohnson]

Here is something new I am very excited to present.
i have been buying scale Military tail lights for my m60s off shapeways but alas, Shapeways has gone the way of the Dodo.
But, I tracked down the designer and partnered with him for the 3d files and sent them to JVM3DConcepts to have them printed.
I notified Rubicon that my preproduction samples were there and ready and he rushed out in town to pick them up and install test them on his tank.
i will be including these in my detail parts sets for the m60s as well as offering them separately.
as you can see they really make the rear of the tank come to life and pop.

[Rubicon99]

Just received a preproduction sample of TongDe M60 sprocket "hub caps". These are made by RichJohnson Models N Stuff and will be available soon I am told. Yes I have permission to post about them.

The sprockets "hub caps" are held in place with rare earth magnets and as such are easy to install and remove as needed. The samples I received did not come with the magnets but I am told that the retail versions will have the magnets included.

Above shown installed and painted on one of my TongDe M60s. The sprocket "hub caps" really help add a more finished looked to the M60 by hiding the sprocket screws.

[Rubicon99]

DKLM is accepting pre-orders for the Chaffee, for release expected in November. He posted a second YT video of it running outside.

As shown, there are two different operational machine guns. Also, in the video it seems like the suspension is a little bouncy. It'll be fun to see if it really is or it's just a coincidence.

I'm sure others will criticize details of the model, but I'm inclined to accept what a manufacturer offers as long as it isn't a gross error (Pantiger anyone?). But I am puzzled, why the side skirts? Most modelers will probably cut them off immediately. Coulda made them separate, or left them off for 3D'ers to add later. A web search yielded one photo of a dressed Chaffee:

Looks like slightly over sprung torsion bars. Should be easy enough to tune for a smoother looking ride.

YES the side skirts absolutely must go!

[SoCalBobS]

DKLM is accepting pre-orders for the Chaffee, for release expected in November. He posted a second YT video of it running outside.

As shown, there are two different operational machine guns. Also, in the video it seems like the suspension is a little bouncy. It'll be fun to see if it really is or it's just a coincidence.

I'm sure others will criticize details of the model, but I'm inclined to accept what a manufacturer offers as long as it isn't a gross error (Pantiger anyone?). But I am puzzled, why the side skirts? Most modelers will probably cut them off immediately. Coulda made them separate, or left them off for 3D'ers to add later. A web search yielded one photo of a dressed Chaffee:

[SoCalBobS]

A while back, Coolbank showed off an M8 at a trade show. If he did well selling the M5, maybe he’ll put the M8 into production.

[tank_me]

I was hoping Classy would do an M5 variant so I could install it on my second Coolbank M5.

https://armorama.com/news/classy-hobby-m8-hmc

[SoCalBobS]

For the Youtube adverse...

DKLM RC posted a preview video of his sample shipment. It's in Chinese, but some interesting info can be gleaned from it just by looking. Compared to the M60 in the same frame, this guy is small!

Uses TD's standard size gears, visible through the front hatches.
No Airsoft pellets, barrel flash instead.
Barrel Recoil; snap back, recover forward.
Barrel elevation is servo operated.
TD standard charging port.
TD 3.0 radio.
Metal and plastic wheel and track options.

To be determined: rumors are that TD updated the IR system to make it compatible with HL type systems, with a stronger IR emitter, and a smaller hit twitching reaction. If this turns out to be the case, it would be tempting to leave the TD electronics intact instead of replacing it with HL's. I'd even consider placing a Motion RC 3500mah battery inside and routing a charge socket at the existing charge port on the rear deck. We'll see.....

[Rubicon99]

Sharing a post from DKLM RC of a sample shipment he just received from TD as of 10/7/24.

Yep it's definitely going to need a new scale barrel! Fortunately that will be quick in coming 😉

[SoCalBobS]

Sharing a post from DKLM RC of a sample shipment he just received from TD as of 10/7/24.