Important Do's and Don't's

[ALPHA]

Hi yer Alpha, not knowing to much cost you a great deal,I should have spent more time researching, but I will learn the hard way and the hard way is costly cheers Frank

Yes Francis ....Unfortunately it does....I was lucky in the beginning as most of my tanks then were Junked out broken tanks from a store that was closing... so I already knew though they were bargains... there was a lot of work to come.... turned out well as I was able to rejuvenate all but three which served well as parts tanks ...so my evolution began on a good note...once I found the forum... I found how much that evolution had to progress....I saw great things done.. very inspiring .... The one thing I've always kept is the knowledge of what is truly needed on one of these models

Some of the people have elaborate impressive electronics... some love the super detail....some have to have it as close as possible to the real thing ....it's sometimes overwhelming to a Newbie ...but the main thing that keeps me happy and steady with this hobby is...knowing the limits... of yourself ... and how far you might want to go with one of these models...presently I'm revisiting my days of scratch building and modification...as the genre I model (not historical) doesn't really require before mentioned attributes ... even if it could be said It makes it better

I find my Heng Longs more than satisfactory... as they give me the satisfaction and joy of the adventure...I don't need the fancy bobbles that can be seen close up... as I play with my tanks...and I can't see those trinkets from a distance...with that said...it does give others the same feeling I get to do such work pricey as it is

Bottom line... don't look back...if you do... do it only to see where yeu started from... remembering what you learned ...and what you have achieved..perhaps regret mistakes... but remember they were lessons that allowed you to progress

It is Truly an awesome Adventure Francis... I only hope you enjoy it as much as I do

HAPPY TANKING SIR

ALPHA

Well said sir

HAPPY TANKING MARK

ALPHA

[francisbertiedog]

hI ALPA you know already I am thinking the little things to do like why has the manufacturer put the on/off switch underneath the hull I might replace it on the rear out of site also why not try and modify the recharge to the battery so you don't need to keep turning the tank over to withdraw batteries to charge now I have two batteries one standard the other upgraded 3300 unit so for me I am thinking upgrades on RCTW there is a mine field ooops of things to learn and do I wished I had explored it before my purchase cheers mate

[ALPHA]

hI ALPA you know already I am thinking the little things to do like why has the manufacturer put the on/off switch underneath the hull I might replace it on the rear out of site also why not try and modify the recharge to the battery so you don't need to keep turning the tank over to withdraw batteries to charge now I have two batteries one standard the other upgraded 3300 unit so for me I am thinking upgrades on RCTW there is a mine field ooops of things to learn and do I wished I had explored it before my purchase cheers mate

Hello francis... you might also check out youtube.... I've seen some clever mods for switches and volume controls without butchering the shell .... I remember one where the guy attached a spare bogie to the top of his volume control...another where the guy put it under a vent....I've located some of my switches in the turret...instead of them laying flat... I mount them sideways that way if I want to put a figure in the hatch ...it makes life a little easier as I don't need to cut the figure till it fits properly

I've also seen guys hook up their batteries in the tank.... it's cool... but I'd stay away from it....mostly because when you charge the battery .. especially NICDs...or NIMH the process generates heat.... heat can cause warping of the plastic... in the extreme if you change over to LIPOs.... there is the chance of your tank igniting ...mostly because of the battery itself

Take your time.... it's a hobby not a race.... Rome wasn't built it a day lol...this is the kind of hobby that should make you feel relaxed

Good luck experiencing the Adventure

ALPHA

[francisbertiedog]

Hi ALPA, I have learnt some more tricks from you, may be I should sit back a bit and not to hurry, cheers mate Frank

[ttt]

After lots of forum reading, confusion and indecision, I'm now ready to place an order with one of the 'Recommended Vendors'

Before I start playing with it, I would like your views/experience plus do's and don'ts with regard to different surfaces. Over recent weeks I've seen warnings about running on almost everything except the surface of the moon.

I would particularly like your views on grass. Not pampas grass or anything longer than a few inches, just ordinary lawn grass. Is the problem to do with extra drag and power requirements or is it the risk of picking up grass and/or twigs etc. in the running gear.
Tim

[Lert]

Depends on the gearboxes and tracks.

- Stock plastic / nylon gearboxes, plastic tracks? Run it indoors, on pavement, or maybe dried hard mud.
- Steel gearboxes, standard tracks? Should be good for short mowed grass on a lawn without too many special surprises.
- Steel gearboxes, metal tracks, upgraded motors, cooled RX board? Go nuts, but be careful with water.
- Steel gearboxes, metal tracks, upgraded motors, cooled RX board, waterproofed hull / electronics? Enjoy mudding. Once. Because after that comes cleaning it.

One problem to watch out for with grass is that even if you have upgraded metal gearboxes, the grass can still get tangled around your axles which adds a lot of strain.

[jarndice]

Hallo Tim, If you envisage the tracks left behind by any earthmover crossing a field that should give you an idea as to what you will find after a "heavy" 1/16 Tiger 1/2 has passed by, when I say heavy I mean metal everything including metal hull and tracks and turret, whereas a Panzer 111/4 with original plastic Heng Long hull and upper body and turret with nylon gears and plastic tracks will leave hardly any sign and is unlikely to dig in or sink. So it really is a case of horses for courses. Of course a heavy will travel far better on some surfaces such as concrete where a light Tank will slide but it is just like the real thing, you have to adapt your driving to the conditions with the equipment you are using, I prefer the heavy because it looks right! A light Tank in long grass looks like a toy as it floats along flailing and thrashing and going nowhere, If you do drive outside I would suggest that heavy or light AVOID water, mud is good it is cheap weathering! shaun

[francisbertiedog]

Hi Tim as I am a novice I don't go near grass I find a couple of glasses of wine is just as good but seriously having put my tank on my lawn after mowing It seem to slow the whole thing down I believe grass at anytime is always moist so may be could lead to all sorts of problems I am still learning cheers Frank

[ALPHA]

Hi Tim as I am a novice I don't go near grass I find a couple of glasses of wine is just as good but seriously having put my tank on my lawn after mowing It seem to slow the whole thing down I believe grass at anytime is always moist so may be could lead to all sorts of problems I am still learning cheers Frank

Fresh mowed grass leaves a nice green hue on the surfaces that come in contact with the grass lol...it does add a little character ...I just call it Natural weathering

ALPHA

[scalawag]

The h/l instruction manual actually warns against using their tanks on grass or carpet as the extra resistance may damage it. It also warns against water, sand and excessive dust too... so where are we supposed to run them

Grass will slow your tank down especially in turns. it adds a lot of resistance.

I'm with Shaun in that heavy looks right, but thats just me.