wannabe 1:16 RC Tanker Choices (HL; post WWII)

[KernelClinq]

HI Folks,

I (think I) want to become an RC Tanker. I have a very short list of Heng Long tanks I think I want to get into, but seeking y'all's advice. I want to keep my first RC tank on the smaller side so that it does not fall into the "obnoxiously large" category as defined by the lady I live with for 35+ years (though an inch or two wouldn't make much difference to her {HELLO!}). Advice I've received so far is to go "Pro" for upgraded tracks, road wheels, etc. I don't give a darn about "smoke generators, and I'm uncertain whether "track recoil" or "barrel recoil" makes a difference (your input sought on that topic too). I love the looks of Leo2s and Challengers but they're quite large, and Soviet or Nasi gear is 100% out of the question on first pass (my FIL went ashore on Omaha beach). I'm a bit of a "rugged individualist"; going against the tide of the masses. That is to say: the weirder the better. But I have my pragmatic limits.

So, in terms of parts availability and upgrade options, product maturity (has proven track-record and low maintenance issues), as well as historical relevance (from the perspective of a late-boomer/earlyGenXer) which of the following would you suggest, and please validate the pros/cons I've listed:


* USA Pershing: at 20" (smallest of the bunch) has that Kubrik "Full Metal Jacket" and "M*A*S*H" vibe. Seems top of my list, but I worry that it is too "niche" and lacks accessory/parts availability. I can run a 1950s-1960s sound-track to get in the mood. But is has a Gasoline engine.
* IDF Merkava: at 22" - extremely relevant to modern conflicts. It literally has 'balls' and turbo-diesel engine (Nice!) But I worry it is even more niche than the Pershing in terms of parts and long-term serviceability.
* USA M1A2 Abrams: at 24" is bottom of my list (despite my American patriotism). Not only is it the largest of the bunch, but it is the most "obvious" in terms of serving from "Desert Storm" in 1990 to deployment in Ukraine just a couple years ago. Turbine power plants are cool and stuff, but lacks the nostalgia of a good ole diesel. On the other hand, it's ubiquity might mean a much larger pool of service parts and upgrades. I mean, could I NOT go wrong with our beloved Abrams, right? (maybe paint it up in EU forest camo to bring it into 2020's relevance?)

IRL engine differences aside (I know I could select different motor sounds for any of these models), What are your thoughts and recommendations about these different 3 for a would-be American RC Tanker looking for solid reliability, low operational headaches, and long term servicability?

Many t(h)anks,
Kernel_Clinq, deep in the piney woods of east Texas

[HERMAN BIX]

HI Folks,

looking for solid reliability, low operational headaches, and long term servicability?

[HERMAN BIX]

Well in that case, get a T-34!!
Even in the scale they are the best for reliability & all of the above.

[tankme]

Technically the Russians were our friends up until the end of WW2. The most reliable tanks in my fleet are the T34 series. Out of the three you have listed, the Merkava is probably the most reliable, but yeah there isn't really that much to do with it unless you want to go full ham on one like me by adding the sand anti-slip texture and replace the out of scale Heng Long ball/chains with brass balls and better chain. I also 3D printed some new lower side skirts out of a flexible material and replaced all the mud flaps with flexible pieces.

PXL_20240803_083238742.jpg (2 MiB) Viewed 139 times

Modern tanks have so much detailing that can be done to them. I've only been working on my M1A2 SEPv2 Abrams since oh...like 2014.

PXL_20250421_104422508.jpg (1.16 MiB) Viewed 139 times

[tomhugill]

Get the merkava! Brilliant tanks, very tough, running gears solid too. Plenty of spares on AliExpress. Also there are options to upgrade to 4M standard too.

[MrChef]

HI Folks,

I (think I) want to become an RC Tanker.

My short opinionated answer is, if you're really unsure then get a plastic version but at the very least get the "steel" gearbox. Not a "Metal" gearbox as those are made of Zamak (zinc blend) and just about as fragile as a plastic gearset if you were to go offroad or have some serious shag carpet left over in the den next to your beanbag chair and lava lamp.

IF "Unsure" is tongue in cheek then by all means shoot for the "Professional" version. Starts you off with all the metal goodies that before the Tariffs didn't use to be a hassle with pricing and shipping to modify and upgrade.

Also look for 360 degree turret rotation if that's something that interests you. It's not a make or break but you can buy it already done. Some people need it others couldn't care less.

Engine Smokers come standard on the HL and you have a button to use it or not. Or you could just remove it altogether, again that's personal preference.

Track recoil is a button setting that has 4 adjustment levels and shakes the tank absurdly when the cannon fires. I switch it off.

Barrel Recoil on a stock Heng Long is not realistic with how it is designed and attached to the airsoft cannon that all the HL tanks have. It's attached to like a plunger system so when the unit winds up it pulls the barrel back and springs the barrel forward as it springs the BB out of the barrel. There are more realistic barrel recoil setups but the stock HL needs to be modified to do it.

I don't have any operational experience with the tanks you've listed as I don't have any of them. I don't like the Abrams. I like the Merkava but not enough to to own one and I like the Pershing but I'd end up modding it so much if I got one that it's not even worth discussing. But what I can share about those tanks is pretty much All of the current modern Heng Long tanks with the TK7.0 have the same or similar guts (with the exception of maybe an odd cannon elevation unit) and are very easy to work on.

IRL engine differences aside (I know I could select different motor sounds for any of these models), What are your thoughts and recommendations about these different 3 for a would-be American RC Tanker looking for solid reliability, low operational headaches, and long term servicability?

Just so you know since we are talking about Heng Long tanks that they only offer 4 sounds. 2 sound sets on one RX board and 2 more sound sets on another RX board.

1 board=
Abrams
Leopard 2A6

2nd board=
T90
HL230 which was used in several forms in the Tiger I, King Tiger, Panther G, Jagdpanther and also the available Sturmtiger. IIRC it was also used on the Jagdtiger but my mind doesn't go that far right now.

What I can share that I've learned about the Abrams from others experiences is that there tends to be hull flex that can be an issue with track retention. To the point that they sell kits to reinforce your hull with precut aluminum or even those who DIY their own.

Many t(h)anks,
Kernel_Clinq, deep in the piney woods of east Texas

Many Welcomes It's nice when new people take the time to ask intelligent questions and want to learn. It's even nicer if they stick around and become part of the community.

HI Folks,

looking for solid reliability, low operational headaches, and long term servicability?

Well in that case, get a T-34!!
Even in the scale they are the best for reliability & all of the above.

Agreed but he said No Soviets.

[jarndice]

Not on your list but many upgrades are readily available is the "Haya Centurion",
If you havn't checked it out I suggest you do,
Certainly more satisfying than a Crusader.
www.hayaltd.co.uk

[KernelClinq]

Thank you all for your advice and encouragement. I've spent hours researching on henglongtanks.com, motionRC.com, Amazon, and other sites . I think I've narrowed down to the M41 Bulldog (not originally mentioned) and the M26 Pershing, and many parts of the suspension seem interchangeable (dedicated thread upcoming). I want to run it indoors, on the porch, on my hardpack/gravel driveway, and on my wooded trails. I'm very rural, and a lone-wolf, so little chance of doing IR battles with others (unless the 1% chance my wife will be interested in doing so). Here are my evolving thoughts as a would-be RC tanker:

• * Shooting BBs sounds like fun, but I might get bored with it. Maybe this first tank (or subsequent tanks) will evolve into an LED flash&smoke on firing the main gun.
  * I think "scale" motion is more important to me, so heavier tracks & wheels help with that, right?
  * 360 Turret seems important to me, but "barrel recoil" (as implemented) sounds a bit janky.
  * Track recoil seems not well liked, but tanks do rock IRL (at list a little bit) when firing (right?)

@MrChef - (or is it Master Chief? ): Great opinions and tips. Thank you!
@jarndice - The Haya Centurion seem interesting. Any chance it is actually the Tongde Centurion? It might be in the running! some Brit-kit!
@tankme - You have some really nice gear there! It's been 45+ years since I've touched any "model paints". Was super big into static airplane modelling in my teens.
@tomhugill - maybe one day the Merkava will be mine. I love it. It has extreme modern relevance, but looks a little more "star wars" than "a tank".
@HermanBix - Yeah, I hear T34 & KV1 models are really good, but I have a deep-seated "thing" against Soviets & commies: A Czech friend of my parents (my unofficial Uncle) was conscripted from dental school by bozos of the bent black cross back in the late 1930s to dig gold out of corpse's teeth. But when the Soviets came in the mid-40s, they were FAR more brutal to him and his family. So, yeah, no; my loss perhaps. If I get back into custom painting, and find a non-objectionable livery for a T-34, I'd love to own/operate one.

[jarndice]

I have both the Haya and the Tongde Centurions the Tongde is better value but the Haya has some very impressive upgrades,
If all I wanted was a reasonably accurate RC 1/16 facsimile of a Centurion I would buy the Tongde but for a Tank that has so much more going for it I would buy the Haya,
As Standard It comes with a working sleeved cupola (The outer is static while the inner rotates like the real thing) as well as steel tow ropes unlike Tongdes black cotton version,It is both BB and IR
The Haya decals are crap though so prepare yourself to buy your own set but you can end up with a cracking Tank that very few others have.

[HERMAN BIX]

The Finns ran a few captured ones in the day.
More recently Bosnians had a few covered in rubber !