Hello from Asia

[Spudwhip]

Hi everyone,

I am a "senior" gentleman from Asia (the Philippines) who is quite new to this addictive hobby.

I've just started my collection (Heng Long tanks) -- my first tank being the Tiger and my newest acquisition being the Abrams.

I was hoping to find some advise here. I need to open up my Abrams... Long story short: it arrived with the rear part and the main chassis "misaligned" and with the battery stored in the body itself -- NOT inside the battery compartment.

I've searched videos online which says there are 6 screws at the bottom. However, while my tank has the screw holes, it does NOT have screws (only round "bolts" -- not flat, hex nor cross screws)

My vendor is not much help (the tank was shipped from China)... not sure if it's just a communications gap.

Has anyone encountered this? I am desperate as I could not use my new Abrams at all.

Thank you in advance.

EDIT: Added a description of the bolts that currently fastens the top and bottom chassis together.

[Rob59]

Hello.
Is it a new tank, because the way you discribe your issues it looks like the tank has been owned or opened by someone before?
I only have German tanks so I cannot help you with the Abrahms
Is there no rule that you can send it back within a certain time after arrival?
Overhere we can send it back, let‘s say, within 14 days or so.
Isn‘t there something like buyers protection, or how do you call it?
The screws can be bought seperatly, so that is no main issue to solve.
Good luck anyway!
Rob.

[Spudwhip]

Hello.
Is it a new tank, because the way you discribe your issues it looks like the tank has been owned or opened by someone before?
I only have German tanks so I cannot help you with the Abrahms
Is there no rule that you can send it back within a certain time after arrival?
Overhere we can send it back, let‘s say, within 14 days or so.
Isn‘t there something like buyers protection, or how do you call it?
The screws can be bought seperatly, so that is no main issue to solve.
Good luck anyway!
Rob.

Hey! Thanks for the response, Rob!

Yes, it is a new tank. The seller/store apparently put the battery inside the chasis (seemingly, to hide it from customs inspectors *shrug*). About the screws, technically, there are, but they are not flat, cross nor hex screws. They are more like round bolts than screws. Really odd, it seems there's no way for me to "unscrew" them.

The deadline for returns/refunds is tomorrow, so yes, I guess I will have to return it if this is not resolved by tomorrow.

[Rob59]

That might be the best option!

[Rob59]

Maybe the screws are torx?
Check that out before you decide sending it back!
There‘s a very well documented thread about the Abrahms on here too, better look into that too.
Might be interesting to you too.
Rob.

[Rob59]

This is the topic you should read!

IMG_3723.jpeg (224.06 KiB) Viewed 1096 times

[ColemanCollector]

Welcome from Ontario, Canada!

I like your honesty--"Ive just started my collection..."
Most people say they'll just buy one or two. You know what's going to happen and have embraced the spectacular inevitable!

Yes, I would return your Abrams as a battery rattling around inside can do all kinds of damage. As for the oddball screws/bolts holding it together--that sounds like somebody has stripped the originals and pounded in some oversize fasteners to keep it in one piece.

Can't find the link to the the thread, but a member on here bought an "open box" Abrams via EBay from Toucan Hobby, and it arrived with grass and string wrapped around the running gear, and covered in dog drool--at least he hoped it was drool. He figured it had been used to drag a dog toy around the yard until they--and the dog--got bored with it. Toucan was good (honest mistake by them based on a bad report from Amazon) and sent him repair parts for anything that was broken or damaged.

Good luck with it,

Mike.

[Herr Dr. Professor]

Hi, Spudwhip! I enjoyed your description of yourself as "a "senior" gentleman from Asia (the Philippines) who is quite new to this addictive hobby." You sure are welcome here. I concur with the advice to send the Abrams back if that is possible. Please do keep us informed: we certainly want to encourage your addict...unh, encourage and help you to have fun.

[Spudwhip]

That might be the best option!

Very much leaning toward this now. Thank you!

[Spudwhip]

Maybe the screws are torx?
Check that out before you decide sending it back!
There‘s a very well documented thread about the Abrahms on here too, better look into that too.
Might be interesting to you too.
Rob.

I tried checking that thread. Very useful! However, I did not find anything there on how to open up the chassis. I think the poster assumes you already know how to do so.

I also posted this same question in that thread.