NF Model M4 Sherman, six variations

[SoCalBobS]

I just received mine today and wanted to share my first observations. Everyone is welcome to chime in with questions, opinions and experiences. There is an existing thread by DavidN here called "Large Hatch (Hercules) M4 Tanks". NF Model is the company and this is their tank. I won't repeat the posts there, but I will refer to it. There are already some good detail photos posted. NF makes 6 M4 versions; 3 with HVSS and 3 with VVSS suspension, different turrets and gun barrels.

I got the HVSS long barrel w/muzzle brake version. So, to what I've gathered in the first 20 minutes since I unpacked it.
Yes, the lower hull (tub) is metal, but not magnetic.
It interacts correctly with the Heng Long/Tamiya system. both taking and giving hits. Big Bonus! When hit, the shake is similar to HL's, not as extreme as TongDe's.
The road wheels have rubber tires.
The treads are metal.
Hallelujah, the steering control is as fine as HL's. Backing up is in control, smoother than Coolbank's, which seems to go to full throttle in reverse.
The on/off switch is under the left driver's hatch, like HL.
The top snaps onto the chassis, and the wiring is very well organized.
The battery is a full size 4000mah lipo. (Mine came discharged, because the switch was left on. rehabilitating right now.)
The 50cal and 30cal machine guns are metal.
Smoke works great.
There is comprehensive decal sheet, listed as covering the 3 HVSS versions, with what look like some other options too. It's the dry adhesive rub on type.
The MFU is 90% the same as HL & TD's. No CN6, but the "Precoil" and airsoft can be switched on & off at the controller.

I paid $422 including shipping for mine. I'm sure that price may come down in time, but this product is a step up in some details from HL & TD.

[SoCalBobS]

OK, 5 more things:

The road wheels appear to have bearings. At any rate, they spin forever.
The Commander's viewports are clear plastic.
The turret rotates 360 degrees.
The turret wiring goes through a slip ring.
The controller comes with a 1 cell 2000mah rechargeable battery.

[DavidN]

I bought the version 2. I took it to our battle event last week. It went over many obstacles at ease. 2 members in my club bought the version 1 and 5. I feel that NF Model learned the mistakes from TD and HL, then produced this nice tank.

[SoCalBobS]

Two more updates:

1: I tested the IR emitter range. It is equivalent to the HL and TD stock bulbs; reliable hits at about 40 feet, definitely less than the high power ones we replace with. Under normal circumstances, like in a front yard or even inside, this would be satisfactory.
2: In an accessory bag I found clear inserts for the crew periscopes, and a clear lens for the top spotlight. The light housing is slightly oversized, so it is suitable for the installation of an LED bulb. (DavidN already took advantage of this.)

Someone on FB replaced the turret rotation motor with HL's high speed version. This tells us that the ring gear has the same dimensions as HL's. (I wouldn't do this modification myself. I found it hard to aim precisely, needed for long range shooting.)

[Rubicon99]

Two more updates:

1: I tested the IR emitter range. It is equivalent to the HL and TD stock bulbs; reliable hits at about 40 feet, definitely less than the high power ones we replace with. Under normal circumstances, like in a front yard or even inside, this would be satisfactory.
2: In an accessory bag I found clear inserts for the crew periscopes, and a clear lens for the top spotlight. The light housing is slightly oversized, so it is suitable for the installation of an LED bulb. (DavidN already took advantage of this.)

Someone on FB replaced the turret rotation motor with HL's high speed version. This tells us that the ring gear has the same dimensions as HL's. (I wouldn't do this modification myself. I found it hard to aim precisely, needed for long range shooting.)

I took this from DavidN's thread. Hope he doesn't mind!

The big question is does the track end links spacing on your version and width of the track match that of the HL Pershing tracks. If so it would "open doors" so people could use higher quality dual pin after market tracks and Tamiya Sherman/Pershing tracks.