Rumors of Future Releases

[SoCalBobS]

Ok, here's something new by Tongde, posted on FB today. It's a T-90. I originally thought it was just (!) a metal version of HL's existing model. Not so!

First, the wheels have rubber tires, something TD has done with all their releases so far.


Second, the rear deck opens to access the on/off switch.




Finally, their gearboxes, and torsion bar suspension!

Tongde Models are made by Shantou Tongde Craft Products Co. They also make the Mato line of metal tanks.

[Rubicon99]

Damn NDAs!!! Be assured GOOD stuff coming.....👍👍👍

[Tang - RC.Senshado]

I'd love to see some British tanks so we can have some variety for the battle side of things. Churchill, Matilda, a Cromwell from anybody but Hooben, Crusader I dunno.

[keilau]

I gotta say don’t buy the plastic tanks get the metal upgrade version because it is so much better in hardware.

Rich, I respectfully disagree.

3 years ago, I purchased a metal version German Leopard 2A6. I replaced the steel gearbox with a Heng Xin gearbox because the HL does not use their ball bearing gearbox in the RTR tank. I replaced the metal track with a pair of Tamiya tracks. The HL single pin track just looks terrible on the tank. I could have save over $100 if I started with the plastic version. I got the Mato idler wheel for their ball bearing design and the sprocket too.

My next three tanks are the T-34/85, Sherman and TD M60A1. I started with the plastic version and did the metal upgrade piece meal. It costed quite a bit more than getting the HL metal RTR version, but I got the high quality component that met my expectation. Most important, I enjoyed the DIY metal upgrade process. It gives me a sense of controlling the metal component quality and satisfaction of customized tank.

Do my customized tank run better than the HL RTR metal version? Probably not when they are new. The ball bearing gearbox will wear better than the HL sleeve bearing steel gearbox. The more important factor is that the Tamiya track and Torro track look so much better than the HL single pin track in running. I did not notice that at the beginning until @Rubinson99 alerted me of the difference.

[quitcherbitchen]

SD KFZ 250 Please!

[RichJohnson]

I gotta say don’t buy the plastic tanks get the metal upgrade version because it is so much better in hardware.

I don’t believe anything coolbank posts. He was ousted from Tongde and no longer works with them which I was told by Tongde factory rep in communication.
In discussion offering ideas of new tanks I was also told what the likely next tank will be from Tongde but I was asked not to reveal it. I will say it was WWII and has never been produced and it’s not coolbanks m5 Stewart.

your leads are great Bob, and hopefully will happen, both would be popular I think but I need neither unfortunately.

[keilau]

After my TongDe M60 experience, I am somewhat less emphusiastic about TongDe than new subject from Hong Long. Coolbank Wang picks good topics. But the execution of TongDe product makes it much more expensive to upgrade to the level I want.

The price of a plastic Merkava is less than $222 shipped now. It includes the metal torsion arms. It will be interesting to see how it compare to the M60, both of which have torsion bar suspension.

[SoCalBobS]

Second rumor. This is from the same source, but I haven't seen anything else to corroborate it. After the Churchill Tongde has plans to produce an M-109 SPG. (Picture is of a real one, just for reference.)

[SoCalBobS]

I'm starting this thread because I received some interesting info. Anyone and everyone is welcome to add info they may have heard, to either add new or corroborate existing info!

First, this is from a sole but reliable source. Tongde's next product will (probably) be a Churchill tank. No date and no official announcement. I give this rumor some credibility since Coolbank Wang had posted a 3DP hull mockup about a year ago, and he announced the M60 before we knew about Tongde.

Picture of a real one: