Unofficial Tongde LeClerc 1/16 MBT discussion group

[SoCalBobS]

The Tongde Leclerc is reportedly going to be released anywhere from February through April (we'll see). The tank itself is not a rumor, as DKLM RC has posted a couple of videos of the tank already.



In anticipation and preparation for its release, I'm hunting for some details. The above photos show a green and a NATO camo scheme coloration. Online there is a more modern and interesting color, an unusual brownish tan, like a light earth. This is a screen capture useful to show its contrast with some olive green, tan and other colors. I wonder what you'd call it?



Lastly, some of you may have seen my tanks models with an amber rotating beacon on top and wondered why it's there. Here's another screen capture, of a Leclerc in a field exercise driving fast and shooting on the run. That bright spot is....a flashing amber beacon!



(Hopefully the 10% tariff on Chinese goods won't apply to our tanks.)

[Rubicon99]

The Tongde Leclerc is reportedly going to be released anywhere from February through April (we'll see). The tank itself is not a rumor, as DKLM RC has posted a couple of videos of the tank already.



In anticipation and preparation for its release, I'm hunting for some details. The above photos show a green and a NATO camo scheme coloration. Online there is a more modern and interesting color, an unusual brownish tan, like a light earth. This is a screen capture useful to show its contrast with some olive green, tan and other colors. I wonder what you'd call it?



Lastly, some of you may have seen my tanks models with an amber rotating beacon on top and wondered why it's there. Here's another screen capture, of a Leclerc in a field exercise driving fast and shooting on the run. That bright spot is....a flashing amber beacon!



(Hopefully the 10% tariff on Chinese goods won't apply to our tanks.)

The Leclerc is being delayed just a bit. Seems there are a few issues that were found in the preproduction tanks seen on DLKMs site.

TD has not said if the issues will be addressed as running fixes or if the tank will be completely delayed until the issues are fully resolved.

From what information I have the issue are minor and NOT related to the tanks mechanical running. They appear to be sound more on the cosmetic fit and finish side of products.

[Meter Rat]

The Tongde Leclerc is reportedly going to be released anywhere from February through April (we'll see). The tank itself is not a rumor, as DKLM RC has posted

Lastly, some of you may have seen my tanks models with an amber rotating beacon on top and wondered why it's there. Here's another screen capture, of a Leclerc in a field exercise driving fast and shooting on the run. That bright spot is....a flashing amber beacon!

The rotating/flashing amber beacon is compulsory in the Uk and Europe when tanks are on training exercises, or travelling on the road as a mandatory warning. British tanks also have to have orange, and red reflective warnings on the extremities, most of Europe use red and white. This is because the they are considered oversized loads, or cannot exceed 25mph. They are usually a simple plug in beacon, that can easily be removed, and stored on board. This is not a full or comprehensive guide.

[SoCalBobS]

Found the color! Or something close. The color is called "Brun Terre de France". Going through my paint pots, Tamiya's XF-52 Light Earth is a very close match. One has to make allowances for PC screen color variations as well as indoor/outdoor considerations. Other photos of vehicles, and paint chips on the attached link show it darker.


There is some very comprehensive info about all this here: https://www.milinfo.org/-486

[SoCalBobS]

DKLM RC has listed the Leclerc on his site as a pre-order, anticipating release in April.

Plastic Version, green: $155.
Metal Upgraded Version, green: $289.

Metal Upgraded Version, camo: $346.


Shipping is not included. Add $100 plus, I'm sure.

[Rubicon99]

DKLM RC has listed the Leclerc on his site as a pre-order, anticipating release in April.

Plastic Version, green: $155.
Metal Upgraded Version, green: $289.

Metal Upgraded Version, camo: $346.


Shipping is not included. Add $100 plus, I'm sure.

Keep in mind the camo version is a pre production custom painted sample. It will not come painted as nicely. Expect more like the camo seen on the M109 and M60 tanks.

The best best buy in miy opinion is the "Pro" metal all green version. Even at $289+$100 shipping =$389 it is still a very good price. TD loads their "Pro" versions up with lot of bearings, and rather high quality sealed metal gearboxes. Sure the TD 3.0 is a bit mediocre but it's very usable for those that just want a nice driving and sounding tank.

You can't get an "equally" equipped HengLong "modern" tank even from MotionRC for $389.

[keilau]

DKLMRC.com used to charge USD$120 for plastic version RC tank and USD$199 for metal version for shipping to US.

[Rubicon99]

DKLMRC.com used to charge USD$120 for plastic version RC tank and USD$199 for metal version for shipping to US.

He may this time too. But he had just recently been charging right around $100.

[keilau]

DKLMRC.com used to charge USD$120 for plastic version RC tank and USD$199 for metal version for shipping to US.

He may this time too. But he had just recently been charging right around $100.

They used to charge the metal version about twice that of the basic plastic version as based on weight.

[SoCalBobS]

I just ordered the plastic Leclerc from DKLM. Total with shipping is $267 (155+112). Since nobody here has experienced customs delays or fees yet, I figured sooner is better than later before prices increase. It's substantially cheaper than Toucan's on eBay. I have a spare set of Tongde M60A3 metal motor/gearboxes and I'm told that they are the same in the Leclerc. If I feel the need I may replace the wheel bushings with bearings. This way I'll get the plastic tracks, which we've been finding out run well without the extra weight. I've run five modern MBT's with plastic tracks at club battles and have been well satisfied with them.

I have a color palette in mind, as posted in #4 above. Although it's found on the XLR version, I have to think the French Army will repaint the earlier versions to modernize them. I feel it will be a great fit at our local Southern California battles. Although the French color information link in post #4 indicates the color is a base for different schemes depending on the theatre, I'll probably leave mine brown for now.

[RichJohnson]

I just made a substantial purchase from DKlM and it was quite a bit higher than what he quoted me. We reviewed his invoice live over messenger and determined PayPal was charging me a higher conversion rate than actual conversion rate.
so not only was Carson at DKLMrc paying PayPal his 4.6%, they are charging me a fee which equated to $30 more than his actual price on the invoice.

[SoCalBobS]

Interesting. For now, the quoted price is what PayPal is showing. I’ll keep an eye out for surprises.

[keilau]

I just made a substantial purchase from DKlM and it was quite a bit higher than what he quoted me. We reviewed his invoice live over messenger and determined PayPal was charging me a higher conversion rate than actual conversion rate.
so not only was Carson at DKLMrc paying PayPal his 4.6%, they are charging me a fee which equated to $30 more than his actual price on the invoice.

What does the Paypal statement said when they add $30 fee to your total. Did you challenge them about this $30 fee?

DKLMRC charged me $13 for shipping an empty speaker enclosure to me. I ordered it because they are the only game in town.

[RichJohnson]

It doesn’t show up as a fee. DKlM sent me an invoice in HK dollars.
the conversion rate PayPal uses for me to pay the invoice was a higher conversion rate than what DKlM told me the actual conversion rate is, hence they are making a profit from the conversion process.

[keilau]

It doesn’t show up as a fee. DKlM sent me an invoice in HK dollars.
the conversion rate PayPal uses for me to pay the invoice was a higher conversion rate than what DKlM told me the actual conversion rate is, hence they are making a profit from the conversion process.

When I visited DKLMRC.com or ordered from them, I specified USD as the currency and English as the language. They sent me the Paypal money request in US dollars so I did not have your problem.

[SoCalBobS]

Carson says it's still in production, expected to be available early April. He made some recommendations based on his pre-prod model. They're being implemented now.