Would appreciate opinions of the HL StuG and Konigstiger:

[Jimster]

Disclaimer, this is only my personal opinion and I realize that our hobby appeals to many different levels of enjoyment and satisfaction.
I am surprised to see beautifully detailed, painted and realistically weathered tanks but still retain the toy level factory electronics along with the crummy non-programmable radio. A custom detailed and weathered realistic tank deserves to have the appropriate realistic sound effects that are unique to that tank. A good hobby grade radio and aftermarket control board is a game changer. Many people could care less about that aspect of our hobby and that’s absolutely fine. Just an old man’s opinion.

[Mithras]

This morning, Mithras, I look around the U.S., U.K. and DE for a Taigen StuG, the quality of which, and the sound of which, would be better. I had no luck. Taigen tanks are becoming harder to find. I keep hoping that this is so because Taigen is upgrading its electronics again to keep the good sound, but match HengLong's flexibility of control. I suspect the truth is "fat chance." You may have better luck trying to find a Taigen or Torro King Tiger (Königstiger, actually Bengal Tiger).

I appreciate your having a look, Doc!

[Mithras]

Disclaimer, this is only my personal opinion and I realize that our hobby appeals to many different levels of enjoyment and satisfaction.
I am surprised to see beautifully detailed, painted and realistically weathered tanks but still retain the toy level factory electronics along with the crummy non-programmable radio. A custom detailed and weathered realistic tank deserves to have the appropriate realistic sound effects that are unique to that tank. A good hobby grade radio and aftermarket control board is a game changer. Many people could care less about that aspect of our hobby and that’s absolutely fine. Just an old man’s opinion.

That’s fair, and I would like to up my game in the electronics department. But here’s my perspective, being new to the hobby:


I have asked for advice and tips regarding the necessary skills. In many cases, I’ve received excellent advice, made friends, been able to share my own knowledge of the history of these vehicles. That’s particularly true of this forum, which is why it’s one of the (if not the) only related forums wherein I am actually active (or at least semi-active.) However, and I say this with the deepest respect to everyone here, some attempts to learn have been met with “open it up and teach yourself.” Once, when very new, I asked for resources to learn, and someone (very politely) suggested that I was “over thinking it.”

We don’t all learn that way. And without any knowledge of such skills ( I’m fortunate that I at least understand how soldering is supposed to work: put it down to prop building), many of us have limited education in the area. I can weather, paint, build, but without very specific instructions regarding mechanical parts, what plugs into what, etc, I am simply not able to do those things. But I am willing to learn


That there is a willingness at all to do this is a strength this hobby has, and I think it’s a good thing. It certainly isn’t evidenced in the RC Warship community, at least in the US. It’s an ongoing struggle in my own hobbies, too.

If we could work to teach just a small bit more, my guess would be that we would grow a lot and see fewer folks only wanting out of the box tanks. I for example just dumped a lot of money on a custom built Churchill, only to find it to be fragile (though obviously built with love) and in need of an overhaul I’m not sure I have the skill to perform! I have faith someone here would help me if I asked persistently and politely enough. But to have a resource to learn those skills would be, as the kids say, Ace.


Just my tuppence of course!

[ColemanCollector]

Disclaimer, this is only my personal opinion and I realize that our hobby appeals to many different levels of enjoyment and satisfaction.
I am surprised to see beautifully detailed, painted and realistically weathered tanks but still retain the toy level factory electronics along with the crummy non-programmable radio. A custom detailed and weathered realistic tank deserves to have the appropriate realistic sound effects that are unique to that tank. A good hobby grade radio and aftermarket control board is a game changer. Many people could care less about that aspect of our hobby and that’s absolutely fine. Just an old man’s opinion.

Totally valid Jimster, and I often think it's time to stop doing things half-assed. But the sticker shock of doing up a tank full-assed with Beier board--easily over $400CAD--inevitably makes me take stock of my current fleet, and wander back to MY (definitely not everbody's) relatively inexpensive world of painting and weathering.

A tank you describe is remarkable to see and hear running and inspires me. But then the quantity not quality guy on my shoulder kicks in. Sigh...

Mike.

[Ecam]

I'm in the same boat for the most part. I have just a couple high end (money wise) tanks. I don't battle, and frankly they rarely get run. I enjoy building off a base tank (plastic tracks, nylon gears) and spending the time modifying them to suit me. The M32 as an example, besides the base HL M4A3 (that I still need to purchase to replace the stolen one from my M4 Composite) I spent $30 bucks on brass and some more on adhesives and paints. So a total of around $200 for a working M32 (counting the yet to buy M4A3). The two DUKWs have a combined total of around $600 U.S. In fairness, I was gifted the big one's running gear. I think it would be tough to get a nice Tamiya or other premium tank for that money. Let alone loading up with aftermarket bling and boards.

[Mithras]

Yes, it seems to me, having begun as an outsider, that some of these issues could be resolved with reasonable pricing. I love the Tamiya kits I've built, but in all honesty I'm not sure I think the experience is worth paying thousands of dollars. If the price point were a little lower, sure. It'd be a good way to learn the basics, if nothing else.

[Mithras]

Doc:

Is this the StuG you were thinking of? It looks like it's entirely plastic, but perhaps you can tell more about it from shots.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/235351147413?h ... R87e-aWvYw

[MrChef]

Disclaimer, this is only my personal opinion and I realize that our hobby appeals to many different levels of enjoyment and satisfaction.
I am surprised to see beautifully detailed, painted and realistically weathered tanks but still retain the toy level factory electronics along with the crummy non-programmable radio. A custom detailed and weathered realistic tank deserves to have the appropriate realistic sound effects that are unique to that tank. A good hobby grade radio and aftermarket control board is a game changer. Many people could care less about that aspect of our hobby and that’s absolutely fine. Just an old man’s opinion.

Totally valid Jimster, and I often think it's time to stop doing things half-assed. But the sticker shock of doing up a tank full-assed with Beier board--easily over $400CAD--inevitably makes me take stock of my current fleet, and wander back to MY (definitely not everbody's) relatively inexpensive world of painting and weathering.

A tank you describe is remarkable to see and hear running and inspires me. But then the quantity not quality guy on my shoulder kicks in. Sigh...

Mike.

You're speaking my language verbatim Mike

I just looked at these different control systems the other day in another post and almost fell on the floor when I saw the price sans transmitter radio and donor tank. I have considered doing an upgrade to my already owned Taigen Tiger tank, saw the $$$numbers$$$ and said for that money I could get another Heng Long or even 2 if I found the right deal and resign to modding and painting and weathering to my hearts content.

Don't get me wrong Jimster I Do understand and am drawn to it especially to upgrade my Taigen but man thats alotta loot. AND I need to save some of that for an airbrush and compressor that I keep saying I want. Or the next time I say it after buying 3 more tanks Mr. Bix is going to reach through my tablet screen, clench his fist around my neck and shake me silly...

But I digress...

[MrChef]

Doc:

Is this the StuG you were thinking of? It looks like it's entirely plastic, but perhaps you can tell more about it from shots.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/235351147413?h ... R87e-aWvYw

AFAIK, the Taigen Stug if you can find it cuz they ain't sellin it on their home page is just like the Jagdpanther, plastic upper with metal cannon, metal and plastic lower with the torsion suspension and other goodies. Painlesswolf did a cool Jagdpanther build awhile back with a Taigen model, IIRC that's how they're built.

EDIT, your link doesn't look like the last Stug I saw them make. That looks all plastic like you are thinking especially with the switches on the bottom and the battery door. That also looks Old.

Maybe it's like that Torro WSN Tiger I was looking at the other day.

Regardless I wouldn't pay $399 for it.

[Mithras]

Doc:

Is this the StuG you were thinking of? It looks like it's entirely plastic, but perhaps you can tell more about it from shots.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/235351147413?h ... R87e-aWvYw

AFAIK, the Taigen Stug if you can find it cuz they ain't sellin it on their home page is just like the Jagdpanther, plastic upper with metal cannon, metal and plastic lower with the torsion suspension and other goodies. Painlesswolf did a cool Jagdpanther build awhile back with a Taigen model, IIRC that's how they're built.

EDIT, your link doesn't look like the last Stug I saw them make. That looks all plastic like you are thinking especially with the switches on the bottom and the battery door. That also looks Old.

Maybe it's like that Torro WSN Tiger I was looking at the other day.

Regardless I wouldn't pay $399 for it.

Glad to know my eyes are seeing it for what it is. No, I wouldn't pay $399 for it either, I think.