1 16 MATO SHERMAN FIRST PICS

[YHR]

AS I understand it, the same factory produces both.  Mato is more of a marketing arm.  I think there is some inlaw connection between Mato and Shouto-Mato toy company.  It may be the brother in law is a tank nut and caters more to the tank world.  So he tends to offer the upgrades as well as repackage the Heng long brand with corrections.  I.e The Matorro tiger has a proper bbl length and the mantlet is flipped the correct way.  Different electronics, and gear towers though.  Not sure why as they aren't any better, perhaps even worse.

All of the above is speculatative, as I don't know them personally.  I have just asked around and this is the story I have been told.  Take it for what ever internet gossip is worth.  

[Ex_Pat_Tanker]

To add to that, having got examples of an early (ie pre metal re-enforced suspension mounting) HL Tiger, 2 later HL Tigers and a Matorro Tiger - I have noticed the following:

-The Matorro uses a modified version of the early HL lower Hull.
-The Matorro gearbox looks like the gearboxes for the 1/24 scale modern MBT's that HL used to produce, again I suspect HL moved on and the design and/or tooling ended up with Matorro brand.
I've never seen a 1/24 HL, so I can't comment on whether the electronics are similar or not.

I would conclude that HL may well manufacture both their own brand and Matorro, but the Matorro brand is seen as a limited "special customer request" market and hence receives cast-off designs, less product development/testing effort, and cheaper materials - and still costs more because of the smaller production volume.

[Gigantohawk]

Hi Gents,
Are these first pic's a prototype or a production model ?. I like the look of the VVSS and tracks. However i'm not sure about the front of the cast hull. Does this look scale to you ?.

[971wright]

Hi Nick These are photos of a prototype the production one is going to have a rough cast finish plus casting numbers .The front is out a bit this is probably down to using standard type gearboxes .A bit of a compromise but it would leave us nothing to do if it was bang on out of the box at least it will give us an excuse to rip it apart and play with it the turret has work to do on it as well .But I can live with the problems for the suspension,they are bringing out a kit to convert Tanmiya Shermans so all those pure Tamiya types will have to bite the bullet if they want vvss suspension.

    regards pete

[Matdragon]

to me the bottom from in between the tracks (dont know if thats the 'cast hull') looks a bit strange, dont know if thats what it was like on the VVSS, but compared to the tamiya and pictures of the real it looks like they have skipped the detail on it

however saying that the model is a stunner!

cant wait to get one!!

cheers,

Matt

[Gigantohawk]

Hi Pete. I've been out of the loop a bit lately. Probably because my house looks like the builders yard at B&Q. We're having a new kitchen and as per it's taking a lot longer than anticipated. I must admit we're gettimg a bit fed up with microwaving "Scout Camp" food in the living room. Never mind it'll be finished soon then I can get on with some builds.
I'm looking forward to this Sherman hitting the shelves and I'll be ordering a couple to be getting on with. I'm hoping that Tamiya mouldings will fit this sherman. i.e. top hull, turret etc.
Pete and Matt, Have you got any plans for this Sherman

[Matdragon]

Hey, if i get the money ill get 2, one to just paint up and add detail to to look good, and the other to convert to a firefly!

cheers,

Matt

p.s. good luck with the kitchen!

[971wright]

Hi Nick know what you mean with the builders had the bathroom done just before xmas they started 4 of Nov and said it would take a week 5 weeks later they were still finishing off leaks here and there plastering tiling ,finaly finished week before xmas the boss was in tears and chewing my butt because they hadnt finished .Yes wil be getting a couple of Shermans and a grant when it comes out .also if they do the suspension kit will convert my tamiya sherman to vvss .Wil have to buy these to even up the sides in a battle have no allied tanks running at the moment.





      regards pete

p.s are you going to the meeting in Nottingham 8 of feb

[Gigantohawk]

Pete mate, sadly I can't make it to Nottingham. I'll probably struggle to even get to Huddersfield in Feb. Got a lot of work on at the moment working 7 days a week. The old Credit Crunch is biting hard. Having said that it won't last for ever. I should get things straight by late spring. Then the sky's the limit.
I can see a glimpse of recovery in my business and hopefully if the Banks don't cock things up further. Then I should have quite a bit of time on my hands.

[BIGMIG]

heres the email i just received from janey at Mato in China.

Dear Andy,

Thanks for your e-mail. Yes, we have spoken to each other in the past. I am glad to get in touch with you again.

We are pleased to hear that you like Sherman. We have developed 16 versions of Sherman already and upgrade kits. We will release them each period of time.

We are also considering to develop other products like which you said. Thanks for the information for us.

I will contact with you again once the Sherman is ready.

Best regards,
Janey

Was wondering how many of you guy's would be planning on getting all sixteen version's of the same tank.??   That would be a collection in itself---The tanking hobby must be a lot bigger than I thought it was---     I'm rather skeptical about this,we will see.

                                                        Larry