Rumors of Future Releases

[PanzerLoco]

A little more info on the Matilda. Look at the lower right of this photo. It's from this November's Hangzhou HEC trade fair in China. No details. If past actions are an indication, it's probably a 3D Printed prototype. Maybe Coolbank will post details after the show.

Beside this frenzy anticipation,..
at the opposite side of the Mathilda;
the iconic Opel Blitz truck
Can we '''carefully'' assume that it will be the next Coolbank release after the Mathilda?
a late 2026 or 1st half of 2027 maybe
Cheers PZ Loco

[RichJohnson]

I would buy the opal bliz too. Have wanted one.

[MrChef]

I would buy the opal bliz too. Have wanted one.

same here

[SoCalBobS]

Coolbank is stating that the Opel Blitz is in early development phase, anticipated for a 2026 release.

[SoCalBobS]

Something new and unexpected! Tongde has released info on a new tank. Recently, they have done this; kept it quiet until it was ready - M113, M109 Paladin, etc. Anyway, release photos of this are on Facebook, so, for you non-FB'ers:

It appears there will be four versions; tan/plastic gears, tan/metal gears, camo/plastic gears & camo/plastic gears. This is NOT the same as the Coolbank product in development. This one is advertised as having the TongDe IR capability. The camo scheme looks to be a compromise, the official British pattern, but airbrushed edges instead of hard ones. Having experienced how hard the latter is to do on Coolbank's Crusader, I'm inclined to get TD's. Also, given the small size of the road wheels and suspension, I'd highly recommend the metal version. I did that on TD's Churchill, and they've held up against to really hard use.

DKLM RC posts he'll be taking pre-orders starting in early December, no word yet on price or actual shipping dates.

[MrChef]

DKLM RC posts he'll be taking pre-orders starting in early December, no word yet on price or actual shipping dates.

His web site says he's not shipping to the states when I enter my address?

[keilau]

DKLM's web site says he's not shipping to the states when I enter my address?

DKLM's stoppage is due to Hong Kong Postal Service ban for shipment to the US during the trade war. I have several items that I would purchase once they resume shipping to the US. Unfortunately, it may be 3 more years.

[SoCalBobS]

His web site says he's not shipping to the states when I enter my address?

if you contact him directly, he’s said he might be able to work something out thru other carriers. But it wouldn’t be cheap.

[SoCalBobS]

Coolbank posted a short clip of their Matilda II on Instagram. Looks like we have a race, Coolbank and Tongde!

https://www.instagram.com/p/DSFENKogFaz/

I'm inclined to choose the Tongde product, simply because it's easier to convert to a Heng Long board for IR battling, which is my preference. Both TD and CB have a rougher steering algorithm, and automatically return the barrel to a set position when the stick is released, whereas HL has smoother turning and leaves the barrel in the last position set. I recently converted a Coolbank M8 Scott to a HL 7.1. It took a lot of gutting the internal wiring to accomplish. TD is basically a pull out the plugs and insert them into a HL board. The TD board steering is acceptable in larger tanks, like the LeClerc and M109 Paladin, but I'm invested in the HL system.

[Rubicon99]

Coolbank posted a short clip of their Matilda II on Instagram. Looks like we have a race, Coolbank and Tongde!

https://www.instagram.com/p/DSFENKogFaz/

I'm inclined to choose the Tongde product, simply because it's easier to convert to a Heng Long board for IR battling, which is my preference. Both TD and CB have a rougher steering algorithm, and automatically return the barrel to a set position when the stick is released, whereas HL has smoother turning and leaves the barrel in the last position set. I recently converted a Coolbank M8 Scott to a HL 7.1. It took a lot of gutting the internal wiring to accomplish. TD is basically a pull out the plugs and insert them into a HL board. The TD board steering is acceptable in larger tanks, like the LeClerc and M109 Paladin, but I'm invested in the HL system.

The Coolbanks version seen is still just a 3D printer prototype. TD is already in full retail production so the race goes to TD.

Cost wise the Coolbanks will be slightly cheaper given their history of only producing all plastic tanks and probably an over all better detailed version. TDs has the metal options and with its the long term durability for those that use their tanks outdoors.

[SoCalBobS]

Although I collect both TD and CB products, in this case there is an overriding factor in favor of TD's. I learned this when choosing which TD Churchill tank to buy, the metal or plastic wheeled version. Both the Churchill and Matilda have multiple small road wheels with thin flanges. I believe plastic flanges would not withstand rough outdoors use. Metal it is!

[PanzerLoco]

Something new and unexpected! Tongde has released info on a new tank. Recently, they have done this; kept it quiet until it was ready - M113, M109 Paladin, etc. Anyway, release photos of this are on Facebook, so, for you non-FB'ers:

It appears there will be four versions; tan/plastic gears, tan/metal gears, camo/plastic gears & camo/plastic gears. This is NOT the same as the Coolbank product in development. This one is advertised as having the TongDe IR capability. The camo scheme looks to be a compromise, the official British pattern, but airbrushed edges instead of hard ones. Having experienced how hard the latter is to do on Coolbank's Crusader, I'm inclined to get TD's. Also, given the small size of the road wheels and suspension, I'd highly recommend the metal version. I did that on TD's Churchill, and they've held up against to really hard use.

DKLM RC posts he'll be taking pre-orders starting in early December, no word yet on price or actual shipping dates.

Business-Wise
I do not comprehend
why Tongde and Coolbank
Two companies with working agreement
Will release the same tank models within a short period.
Apart from the metal/plastic wheels option consideration
I will feed my ''obssesion'' (sickness) with the first tank available
so my dollars will go with Tongde.
too bad for coolbank

My point is variety
I was wishing for more diversity in the present scenario
Like a french char B1 BIS from Tongde
and a british Mathilda or french somua S35 from Coolbank
Any combination but the same tank from both company

cheers PZ Loco

[tank_me]

I'm not sure if that collaboration agreement is still in place.

[Rubicon99]

Business-Wise
I do not comprehend
why Tongde and Coolbank
Two companies with working agreement
Will release the same tank models within a short period.
Apart from the metal/plastic wheels option consideration
I will feed my ''obssesion'' (sickness) with the first tank available
so my dollars will go with Tongde.
too bad for coolbank

My point is variety
I was wishing for more diversity in the present scenario
Like a french char B1 BIS from Tongde
and a british Mathilda or french somua S35 from Coolbank
Any combination but the same tank from both company

cheers PZ Loco

The two are no longer working together and are now direct competitors. They have been so for almost two years now.

[SoCalBobS]

DKLM RC posted two videos, one a unboxing and one a function test. This is the latter:

He expects availability in mid-January. He says he'll be taking pre-orders soon. No price yet.

[keilau]

DKLM RC posted two videos, one a unboxing and one a function test. This is the latter:

He expects availability in mid-January. He says he'll be taking pre-orders soon. No price yet.

DKLMRC will not ship to the US until the tariff is over. It is due to the Hong Kong Postal Service ban to the US.

The tariff is a US tax to be paid by the receiver at the US end. If the US resident refuses the package, the Hong Kong Postal Service can loose money.

[SoCalBobS]

DKLM states on his site that if US customers wish to from him, to direct contact him for alternative carriers like Fedex and UPS.

[keilau]

DKLM states on his site that if US customers wish to from him, to direct contact him for alternative carriers like Fedex and UPS.

DKLM uses only DHL. Yes, DHL can ship from Hong Kong to US, but the fee is unpractically expensive. No FedEx or UPS shipping.

The Hong Kong Postal Parcel Service used to be fast and cheap. 2 years ago, I paid $12 shipping for the TongDe metal gearbox. The DHL shipping is 4 times of that.

[Rubicon99]

DKLM uses only DHL. Yes, DHL can ship from Hong Kong to US, but the fee is unpractically expensive. No FedEx or UPS shipping.

The Hong Kong Postal Parcel Service used to be fast and cheap. 2 years ago, I paid $12 shipping for the TongDe metal gearbox. The DHL shipping is 4 times of that.

DKLM does ship to US but you must request "door to door" service which is done via UPS, it includes the tariff as part of the shipping cost. It's a more expensive service sure but you are able to buy from DKLM.

I have used it twice now from DKLM for particular parts only he sells.

[SoCalBobS]

Toucan Hobby lists the Matilda on their website. I checked with them and they state it will be released in mid January. I reserved the metal version for $315 + $58 shipping. It’s a gamble, the price could go up or down by then. The plastic version was listed for $156.