Ready to run models

[tomhugill]

Double post

[Ad Lav]

That's cheap for a Panther with radio and battery.

[Jake79]

I'd choose the Tamiya allday long if I lived there or US...here delivery, export and exchange rate kills the deal slightly.

[Zapper]

I don't see why it would be a bad thing really, if manufacturers up their game then the 3rd party suppliers will follow suit and the expert modeller will have even more option to upgrade customize their tanks. I doubt any major manufacturer will be able to satisfy all the needs of the scratch builder or expert modeller so there will always be room for everyone. As a for me, I have limited skills so good RTRs are always a plus point, but by the same measure I also know I will never be able to compete with the experts.

[Max-U52]

That's a good price, Tom, but as you see, it's marked down from over $800 and I'd have to see shipping costs before I jumped. If it costs $150 to ship it to Detroit it's not such a great deal after all. My estimate of $800 entry level comes from the man at the AAF Tank Museum. I watched the recent episode of "Military Collectors" and that's what he said there - entry level is around $800. And he was driving a Tamiya Sherman at the time. For me that Sherman is about $550 plus radio. I know I could use a $25 hobby king radio, but I think most Tamiya owners go for the Futaba, which is quite a bit more.

[SteelBird]

Today, Mato is well-known in making all metal 1/16 scaled tanks. Its RTR price is somewhere around US$700. If Taigen or Torro makes an all metal ones, prices will not be cheaper than this.

I have to respectfully disagree with this estimate. Sure, some models will reach the $700 mark, but I think the new P4 will have an MSRP closer to $500. But we've all known all along that the entry level price for a full option tammy, once you add TX/RX is right around $800.

But it's definitely true that prices will only rise, and the days of $100 entry level tanks are limited for sure.

Well, what I said is an RTR version. If you check TaigenTank's website, you'll their metal edition tanks are around $400 ~ $500 RTR. So if they make an all metal, an additional $200 is reasonable.

[Max-U52]

The thing is, I don't think Taigen will ever make an "all metal" tank. I think they'll always use plastic upper hulls on all their tanks, just as they do now.

[tomhugill]

I think the mark down is just a marketing ploy, they've been on offer for the last two years at least!

[Tiggr]

The thing is, I don't think Taigen will ever make an "all metal" tank. I think they'll always use plastic upper hulls on all their tanks, just as they do now.

No complaints from me - all their models in my ownership are reliable performers and the accuracy is good enough for most tank folk.
Metal upper hulls are available for a few models in Germany by a niche manufacturer I think.

[tomhugill]

Having worked on the Mato metal chassis and m36 and Asiatam elefant I'm glad that full metal isn't more widespread! Think I got through 5 grinding drums removing the detail on read of my Sherman.