Taigen M26 Pershing IR conversion + pro's/con's

[bfrank1982]

Hi guys.

I am considering a Taigen M26 with metal tracks and idlers. It only comes in airsoft version.

So supposedly I Can fit the IR system afterwards? Has anyone done it? Is it easy? I guess the Apple goes into the Turret hatch, but Will it take a drilling to Make the hole?
Also the Apple should fit into something, a base plate? Does it come along with the Apple?

Regarding the M26 overall: is it a sturdy tank? Has anyone anything negative to say about it?
E.g. Does the tracks come off without a tensioner, is the too weak or flexes?

[tomhugill]

By the time you've bought it and paid for the conversion you could probably afford a second hand Tamiya m26 off eBay for the same or a little more. Just as another option.

[PainlessWolf]

Good evening,
Tom has the right of it in regards to cost and the Tamiya's are amazing models as a fact. If you like hybrid builds, a cracking M26 can be built using the Taigen as the base and Tamiya/ Torro turret parts and electronics. Have fun whichever route you pick!
regards
Painless

[wibblywobbly]

Yup, I have spent many hours researching tanks when thinking about what to buy, and when it comes to 'standard' tanks it is plain economic sense to pick up a bargain Tamiya off Ebay with the DMD/MFU and simply add the battle system apple (which you can make yourself for a couple of pounds if you want).

The only issue is that if you want a tank that Tamiya don't make, in which case get one that is sold new with all of the bits that you want on it, as upgrading an existing one will always work out more costly.

The Tamiya's come with the electrics.
Anything else is going to cost £100-200 for an aftermarket board to get the IR and sound, though you will get superior realism/functionality for your money.
The only other option is the Darkith board that will give you IR but no sound, but at a bargain price. $40 + $15 for an apple, easy to assemble kit.

[jtracks]

I have both the Taigen and Tamiya M-26. I bought the Tamiya because I was truly disappointed with the Taigen. Not that it is a bad tank or that I've had trouble with it because I haven't. If there was ever an RC tank that deserves a recoiling barrel and decent tank sounds, it is the Pershing in my opinion, my favorite US tank. So, my advice, save your money, save yourself some frustration, and buy the Tamiya.

To answer your question about the apple, yes, if you buy the Tamiya TBU, it does come with a base plate. I've mounted TBU's in my Taigen tanks without any problems. And of course, to make the TBU work, you will need to purchase after market electronics like an IBU2 and a hobby grade radio, Futaba for example.

[greengiant]

I converted one of my HL M26's to HL IR battle system with barrel recoil and muzzle flash. Much much cheaper then Tamiya and I think much sturdier then the styrene Tamiya still uses. The only non HL part I used was a metal main gun barrel that was made for use in the Tamiya version that I had to extend to fit into the HL recoil system.