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

[keilau]

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

I am waiting for the resolution and experience of your Merkava problem before I decide whether I want to order the TD Centurion from MotionRC.com.

[keilau]

After some research and analysis, I decided that the factory configured Professional version Centurion Mk5 is NOT what I wanted. At 16 pounds total weight, it is way too heavy for the 1/16 scale RC tank's suspension. For reference purpose, my TD M60A1 ERA Patton with metal tracks and plastic road wheels is 11 pounds 4 oz. My HL Leopard 2A6 with metal upgrade and a Tamiya hybrid track is 8 pounds 11 oz. The HL Merkava with HL metal road wheels and Hooben nylon tracks is 9 pounds 11 oz. The WW2 era Sherman, T-34/85 and Pershing with metal tracks are all 7-8 pounds.

A finished Tamiya Abrams is almost exactly 10 pounds. My research led me to conclude a plastic chassis 1/16 RC tank with moderate suspension system should not weight more than about 12 pounds. All metal chassis tank with heavy duty suspension is in a different class.

[Rubicon99]

After some research and analysis, I decided that the factory configured Professional version Centurion Mk5 is NOT what I wanted. At 16 pounds total weight, it is way too heavy for the 1/16 scale RC tank's suspension. For reference purpose, my TD M60A1 ERA Patton with metal tracks and plastic road wheels is 11 pounds 4 oz. My HL Leopard 2A6 with metal upgrade and a Tamiya hybrid track is 8 pounds 11 oz. The HL Merkava with HL metal road wheels and Hooben nylon tracks is 9 pounds 11 oz. The WW2 era Sherman, T-34/85 and Pershing with metal tracks are all 7-8 pounds.

A finished Tamiya Abrams is almost exactly 10 pounds. My research led me to conclude a plastic chassis 1/16 RC tank with moderate suspension system should not weight more than about 12 pounds. All metal chassis tank with heavy duty suspension is in a different class.

16 lbs I'd not that bad and right in the ballpark of what the Pro edition "metal" upgraded M60s weight in at.

The plastic hull on the TD Centurion actually has less flex than the thin aluminum hull on the Tamiya Centurion which with metal tracks weights in also around 16lbs. It's a beast with metal tracks. It has no problems other then being a bit under powered.

If you are worried about hull flex you can always add internal bracing but I find this is only necessary if you plan to use a magnetic upper to lower hull closure method. Otherwise the unibody is quite ridged.

The other option which I know might not work for you given you drive in mostly grass is to swap out the metal tracks with plastic ones and save 3lbs of weight.

[tank_me]

I like my tanks heavy...I want them to crush little kids toes when they run them over... :) Seriously though, I like them heavy. Modern batteries don't have an issue with decent run time and the weight eliminates the bouncing over rough terrain. Sounds like a perfect tank for me.

[keilau]

My major concern is the tuning of the suspension spring or torsion bar to the total RC tank weight.

I have an early production M60A1. The torsion bar steel is relatively weak and not a good match for a 16 pounds tank. It works very well with an 11 pounds chassis. The Heng Long coil springs are flimsy too, but a good match to their tank weight over all versions, including the professional version. HL makes their metal tracks as light as possible to tailor to the suspension.

Most early Heng Long plastic chassis tank were only 3-5 pounds, way to light to run on rough terrain. For the HL T-34, I have to add 2.5 pounds dry weight after upgrading with the Heng Xin steel gearbox and Torro metal tracks. The T-34 runs much, much better at an 8 pounds total weight.

This is simple engineering with a few factors and can be easily adjusted in the field.

[keilau]

I like my tanks heavy...I want them to crush little kids toes when they run them over... :) Seriously though, I like them heavy. Modern batteries don't have an issue with decent run time and the weight eliminates the bouncing over rough terrain. Sounds like a perfect tank for me.

I use high capacity Lithium Ion battery packs. (DIY 2S26650 or 2S2P18650 with 5000mAh or 3500mAh cells.) I use a SkyRC iMAX B6 charger for capacity measurements. The battery easily supports a full day's run (6-8 hrs) without recharging.

Yes, a heavier tank with dual current gearbox and 500 series motors should drive much more realistically over rough terrain, grass or hard dirt. I have not yet, but may try that one of this days!! For now, I am very happy with the metal track TD M60A1 as my best all purpose runner.