Hi. Name is Jon and I live in Naugatuck, Connecticut.
A few weeks ago I was surfing the web and came upon the YouTube videos by your very own - Grompix (Chris). I was so amazed by his works and so I started to email him. This email exchanges led me to buy another Tamiya Tank - a Jagdpanther (due to arrive either this week or next week). Can't wait for it to arrive. It was Chris who led me to your forum.
I have been an avid scale modeler since at the age of 5 (Tamiya, Revell, Monogram, Aurora, Matchbox, you name it, I have done most of them). Grew out of it and went from one hobby to another (guitars, scuba diving - briefly, aquariums, airsoft, motor bikes, climbing, etc). I thank God that I never got the hobby of chasing women...that would have been really expensive
...lol.Anyways...I think it was in 1998 when I saw a Tamiya Sherman Tank and immediately got interested with it. As an alibi, I told my wife that I am going to get one as a birthday gift to my two year old son...yeah right! lol. However, it was just a one month love affair as another hobby got into my life - airsoft (been playing airsoft ever since). Hence my Sherman tank started to collect dust.
In 2006 I purchased a Heng Long Tiger I tank - this time as a Christmas present for my then 5 year old daughter (I am starting to run out of excuses...lol...and still a couple more HL tanks to collect...jeez!). However, after using the NiCad battery that came with the tank (which run just fine); I plugged in my 11.1 V 2000mah Lipoly battery that I use for my planes. The tank died. I took everything apart thinking I could fix it (it is still in pieces to this very day). It's funny; my HL Tiger has sounds but has no smoke generator. Bought it from eBay for 40 bucks shipped.
For weeks I could not decided whether to get an HL or a Tamiya version of the Jagdpanther. I thank two persons for helping me make a decision - Grompix and my airsoft buddy who also own a hobby shop here in the U.S. My friend was able to get me a brand new full option Jagdpanther from Tamiya USA since he has an account with them for $630.00 (which already includes the 6% tax). I think this is not bad as this is already shipped. I just have to pick it up at his store. eTamiya.Com sells it for $749 (shipping not included); so considering everything, I think I am off to a good start with money to spare on the upgrades like metal tracks as Chris suggested.
Sadly my friend is not into RC Tanks. Just RC cars and trucks and airsoft. Atleast I got three kids to battle the tanks with.
I'll post pictures of my Sherman tank and my tiger I (in pieces) later today. It’s about 3:43 am here as of this writing. Can't seem to sleep as I thumb through the internet making a decision whether to get an Impact Gearbox reduction upgrade OR the ones made by HL 3:1.
Lastly, I might need your expert advice later on on all my current tanks (including the one in pieces) so please bear with me guys as I seek your guidance.
To end I personally would like to thank Grompix for leading me back to this wonderful hobby. Thanks Chris.
Cheers! Looking forward to speaking to you all.
