Getting my first UK MBT tank: Tongde UK Centurion Mk 5

[keilau]

I always want an UK RC tank to complement my small US, German fleet. After many months of back and forth consideration between the Centurion and the Challenger2, the successful upgrade of my TD M60A1 with 390 motors and metal tracks finally tilted me toward the TD Centurion 5. If I get the Professional version TD Centurion, I just need a pair of 390 motors and a HL TK-7.0 MFU to finish the job. Total cost will be about $430. I will like to ask for some firsthand opinion before I hit the "buy" button.

https://www.motionrc.com/products/tongde-uk-centurion-mk-5-professional-edition-1-16-scale-battle-tank-rtr-tde1003-002

[keilau]

https://www.hobbysquawk.com/forum/rc-cars-tanks-trucks-and-more/rc-tanks/398348-official-tongde-uk-centurion-mk-5-1-16-scale-battle-tank-discussion-thread#post400328

https://www.hobbysquawk.com/forum/rc...ge3#post388665

[Rubicon99]

I always want an UK RC tank to complement my small US, German fleet. After many months of back and forth consideration between the Centurion and the Challenger2, the successful upgrade of my TD M60A1 with 390 motors and metal tracks finally tilted me toward the TD Centurion 5. If I get the Professional version TD Centurion, I just need a pair of 390 motors and a HL TK-7.0 MFU to finish the job. Total cost will be about $430. I will like to ask for some firsthand opinion before I hit the "buy" button.

https://www.motionrc.com/products/tongde-uk-centurion-mk-5-professional-edition-1-16-scale-battle-tank-rtr-tde1003-002

Just a heads up. Some of the "metal" versions coming from Motion RC that are listed as having wheel bearing do not and instead have brass bushings. This has caused a few issues with wheels binding. If you buy the "metal" version be ready to add proper wheel bearing.

[keilau]

Just a heads up. Some of the "metal" versions coming from Motion RC that are listed as having wheel bearing do not and instead have brass bushings. This has caused a few issues with wheels binding. If you buy the "metal" version be ready to add proper wheel bearing.

I am familiar with the 2 earlier threads on Tongde UK Centurion Mk 5 which I linked in Post #2. First, I am interested in the TD Professional version which should have ball bearinged road wheels from TD source. Last year, MotionRC also sold a so call "upgraded" version that nobody else had. It is entirely possible that the MotionRC staff did some unauthorized mod (with very poor engineering practices) that caused binding road wheels. However, the whole story still does not add up. I don't expect some non-rotating road wheels can cause the TD MFU to burn up. Only a stalled drive motor will draw excessive current to damage the MFU. (I do have one dead TD MFU from my early production M60 which just died by itself.)

If MotionRC is selling unauthorized Professional Version Tongde UK Centurion Mk 5 again, they should stop immediately.

Rich's customer promised a follow-up on the binding road wheel story which never happened. I hope that MotionRC should see the posts then and now and come to clarify. I have written to MotionRC's service department asking for proof of the road wheel ball bearing with link to this thread.

[dai phan]

I really do not think MRC is doing any mods. Most likely these were done at HL/TD factory. On Toucan site, there are many versions that are not available at MRC. Dai

[keilau]

I really do not think MRC is doing any mods. Most likely these were done at HL/TD factory. On Toucan site, there are many versions that are not available at MRC. Dai

I have asked for clarification from MotionRC. Hope to see their reply soon.

I do not believe that MotionRC will advertise ball bearing road wheel for their RC tank and ship brass sleeve bearing tank.

[Rubicon99]

I have asked for clarification from MotionRC. Hope to see their reply soon.

I do not believe that MotionRC will advertise ball bearing road wheel for their RC tank and ship brass sleeve bearing tank.

Motions ordered bearing but TD used bushings. Most likely a mix up In production orders at the factory.

[keilau]

Motions ordered bearing but TD used bushings. Most likely a mix up In production orders at the factory.

Why MotionRC did not send back the incorrect order? Why does it continue to advertise the TD Centurion as ball bearing road wheel tank? It is 100% cheating in business.

Rubicon99 You may be right about MotionRC. I went to the manufacturer's website (
Shantou Tongde Craft Products Co., Ltd.). They do not have a "Professional version" of the Centurion RC tank. The "metal upgrade version" page is completely empty.

https://www.stplane.com/page167?product_category=1071

[keilau]

I found another Tongde Centurion Mk5 at Toucan Hobby. It does not mention whether the metal road wheels have sleeve or ball bearings. But it comes with a plastic gearbox for "durability". What a mocking description.

https://www.toucanhobby.com/products/td-c2021-centurionmk5-320-po-agn-dzn1?variant=45382948651258

[Rubicon99]

Why MotionRC did not send back the incorrect order? Why does it continue to advertise the TD Centurion as ball bearing road wheel tank? It is 100% cheating in business.

Rubicon99 You may be right about MotionRC. I went to the manufacturer's website (
Shantou Tongde Craft Products Co., Ltd.). They do not have a "Professional version" of the Centurion RC tank. The "metal upgrade version" page is completely empty.
https://www.stplane.com/page167?product_category=1071

The cost of sending an order back to China is not worth it. Cost is not just a dollar figure when it come to dealing with Chinese companies. I am sure Motion did the math and made a long vision decision. Probably not the first one they had to, given their extensive dealings with Chinese manufacturers.

Still it would be nice if Motion adjusted the product description and price accordingly.

[keilau]

Still it would be nice if Motion adjusted the product description and price accordingly.

For sure that MotionRC should improve the accuracy of their offerings.

The worst part is that Tongde RC tank seems to have become a one tank company. Nothing seems to work for Shantou Tongde after the US M60 series. They seem to lose direction of the RTR tank feature, function and quality.

Coolbank Wang seemed to have done well with the Coolbank Stuart M5A1. The CB Stuart has 3 servos and drives very well indoor. It is too small and too light for rough terrain driving. I purchased one to test drive it. I sold it on e-bay at a small loss a few weeks later, The Stuart shows that there is a lot of room in the RC tank market between Heng Long and Mato/Torro/Tamiya,

[Rubicon99]

For sure that MotionRC should improve the accuracy of their offerings.

The worst part is that Tongde RC tank seems to have become a one tank company. Nothing seems to work for Shantou Tongde after the US M60 series. They seem to lose direction of the RTR tank feature, function and quality.

Coolbank Wang seemed to have done well with the Coolbank Stuart M5A1. The CB Stuart has 3 servos and drives very well indoor. It is too small and too light for rough terrain driving. I purchased one to test drive it. I sold it on e-bay at a small loss a few weeks later, The Stuart shows that there is a lot of room in the RC tank market between Heng Long and Mato/Torro/Tamiya,

Actually TDs Churchill and M105 are pretty good tanks and much closer to HL in overall quality. The Centurion is a legacy of Coolbank Wang and his time with TD. Since he has been gone TD has made substantial improvements. Most of which are to the M60 line which is their best selling tank. The soon to be released M24 Chaffee from what "behind the curtain" information I have seen should also be another step forward in improvements.

[keilau]

Actually TDs Churchill and M105 are pretty good tanks and much closer to HL in overall quality. The Centurion is a legacy of Coolbank Wang and his time with TD. Since he has been gone TD has made substantial improvements. Most of which are to the M60 line which is their best selling tank. The soon to be released M24 Chaffee from what "behind the curtain" information I have seen should also be another step forward in improvements.

The first choice of my next tank is a cold war era British MBT. The Centurion Mk5 has the right look and the historic legion. I will order the Tongde Professional Version Centurion from MotionRC.com if I can verify their production description. I can accept a compromise in road wheel bearings, but it must have the TD metal gearbox.

I did not get an email to my customer service inquiry after 2 working days. I went to the MotionRC CS website to check. I found out that my account was deleted and got an denial of access message. I also noticed that MotionRC outsourced the customer service to an Australia company with a completely different internet address. The original account at motionrc.com is intact. I can still login to see my order history and wishlist. I will continue to participate at Hobby Squawk forum as long as I have my account. If not, I will see you guys at RCU,

[keilau]

I found another Tongde Centurion Mk5 at Toucan Hobby. It does not mention whether the metal road wheels have sleeve or ball bearings. But it comes with a plastic gearbox for "durability". What a mocking description.
https://www.toucanhobby.com/products...45382948651258

The cost of sending an order back to China is not worth it. Cost is not just a dollar figure when it come to dealing with Chinese companies. I am sure Motion did the math and made a long vision decision. Probably not the first one they had to, given their extensive dealings with Chinese manufacturers.

I know that it could be confusing when ordering from Toucan Hobby. They do not seem to have a central inventory system. When you order the TD Centurion from the direct website, they send from china and charge $103 for shipping. If you you order from their e-bay Toucan store, they ship from NJ and shipping is free.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/266890727654

[Rubicon99]

I know that it could be confusing when ordering from Toucan Hobby. They do not seem to have a central inventory system. When you order the TD Centurion from the direct website, they send from china and charge $103 for shipping. If you you order from their e-bay Toucan store, they ship from NJ and shipping is free.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/266890727654

From China they often us DHL airfreight and from the US they tend to ship UPS/FedEx ground. Big difference in price when you use ground vs air.

[keilau]

I know that it could be confusing when ordering from Toucan Hobby. They do not seem to have a central inventory system. When you order the TD Centurion from the direct website, they send from china and charge $103 for shipping. If you you order from their e-bay Toucan store, they ship from NJ and shipping is free.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/266890727654

From China they often us DHL airfreight and from the US they tend to ship UPS/FedEx ground. Big difference in price when you use ground vs air.

They have US inventory of the Tongde Centurion MK5. The confusing part is why they do not ship to the US customer from NJ?

[keilau]

The first choice of my next tank is a cold war era British MBT. The Centurion Mk5 has the right look and the historic legion. I will order the Tongde Professional Version Centurion from MotionRC.com if I can verify their production description. I can accept a compromise in road wheel bearings, but it must have the TD metal gearbox.

I did not get an email to my customer service inquiry after 2 working days. I went to the MotionRC CS website to check. I found out that my account was deleted and got an denial of access message. I also noticed that MotionRC outsourced the customer service to an Australia company with a completely different internet address. The original account at motionrc.com is intact. I can still login to see my order history and wishlist. I will continue to participate at Hobby Squawk forum as long as I have my account. If not, I will see you guys at RCU,

I am still in the market for a Tongde Professional Version Centurion from MotionRC.com. For now, I am holding off until I can figure out why the customer service department at MotionRC denies me access. In that case, it will be impossible to get warranty service if I ever need it.

dai phan recent experience at MotionRC is not confidence inspiring. The business seems to be going through some kind of disorganization.

[keilau]

I have sent TH (Locas) at Toucan Hobby the following email. If you have a contact at Toucan Hobby, can you forward it to him/her.

Hi, Locas,

I am in the market for a metal version Tongde Centurion Mk5 tank. But the $103 shipping from China is making it not practical. I saw that your eBay store is shipping the plastic version from the NJ warehouse with free shipping. I assume that you get the Centurion in US stock. Do you have the metal version in US stock too?
Tongde 1/16 RC Infrared Battle Tank Remote Controlled Panzer Centurion – TOUCAN RC HOBBY (toucanhobby.com)

Also, can you tell me whether the metal version Tongde Centurion Mk5 tank has the metal or plastic gearbox?

[dai phan]

I am still in the market for a Tongde Professional Version Centurion from MotionRC.com. For now, I am holding off until I can figure out why the customer service department at MotionRC denies me access. In that case, it will be impossible to get warranty service if I ever need it.

dai phan recent experience at MotionRC is not confidence inspiring. The business seems to be going through some kind of disorganization.

MRC finally accepted the fact I ordered from them. I simply could not see why it is so hard for them to see what I ordered? They only can offer me store credit of 20 dollars as the parts are out of stock. I just file another claim at MRC for a missing part on my Merkava. I hope I will not go through the headache again. Dai

[dai phan]

They have US inventory of the Tongde Centurion MK5. The confusing part is why they do not ship to the US customer from NJ?

Quite odd !!!!! Dai