Reshod Abrams M1A1

[PainlessWolf]

Good Evening,
Another Oldy-Goldy brought back to life today thank to the meritorious assistance of our very own TankBear. While waiting for parts to arrive to begin the Panther G , I was itching to do something tank related. After the successful rejuvenation of my vintage Pershing last month, I knew it needed to be something from the beginning of my large scale Tank hobby (fixation). I had already been searching for a while for replacement tracks for my Hobby Engine M1A1. This tank was the very first 1/16 RC Tank I ever purchased and provided many fun hours of rushing around at high speed over almost anything. I had purchased it gently used from a fellow in Arkansas for the then princely sum of 69.00 US back in 2003. I took it apart in 2004 and fixed the barrel recoil and lubed all of the gears and moving bits inside and out. That Christmas, the Devil that was Heng Long's first Tiger 1 showed up under the tree and bewitched me with it's near perfect self, pinned tracks, firing air soft cannon, etc. Since I had already been forced to hot glue the tracks on the Abrams together once, I cleaned it and sat it on the shelf and returned to my new Wunder-Tank. Well, ten years flew by with newer and better tanks being added to my collection and altho' the Abrams did get taken out and charged up and ran carefully ever once in a great while, those times were sporadic. Over the last five or six years, I would have to say, not at all. Feeling the need to fix up my tanks and not add so many new ones the last couple of years (HA!). I renewed my track search recently and enter The Bear of Tanks with his threads on rebuilding the newer Hobby Engine Abrams. He graciously hooked me up with new rubber and they arrived last Friday. There was a slight worry because the newer Abrams have active suspensions while mine are molded on but the tracks fit perfectly. I opened the Abrams up tonight while the original battery trickle charged and the insides were spotless still, everything ship shape and even the dreaded nylon gear boxes still in one piece with no splits. The Abrams is doing much better than my original Heng Longs so far in that department. Tracks installed, I took a couple of pictures to show the results and what had been on the tank originally. It's not a great and detailed build but it means something to me to be able to put my very first 1/16 RC tank back on the prowl. Thank you again, TankBear.
regards,
Painless Wolf

[Saxondog]

Well Done, Nice to see the old girl rolling.

[PainlessWolf]

Good Evening,
A short Run Report. All functions still working. The tank pulls to the left slightly so gears, motor or stiff controller arm will need looking after one day. Same with the turret rotation. Always noisy from day one, it still is with the added issue of not working past midpoint either left or right. Motor still sounds strong so it might be the plastic gear ring. All else is like new, lights, recoil, barrel elevation and machine gun and sounds. I am pleased overall. ;o)
regards,
Painless Wolf

[Red Devils]

Great looking Abrams Painless, it's to bad the aftermarket guys don't produce some accessories for these. Still great job...

Derek

[Tankbear]

Glad you got the old tank running again.

Ian.

[PainlessWolf]

Good Afternoon Tankbear,
I don't think I could have managed it without your timely threads on the new Hobby Engine Abrams. I see that Heng Long is bringing out a modern Leopard now. I wonder how this will affect Hobby Engine since their 1/16 Leopard was 'it' for a long time unless you paid out for a Tamiya. There is always the Challenger 1 and 2. That would be a great platform for those guys. Thank you again, sir.
regards,
Painless Wolf

[Tankbear]

Good Afternoon Tankbear,
I don't think I could have managed it without your timely threads on the new Hobby Engine Abrams. I see that Heng Long is bringing out a modern Leopard now. I wonder how this will affect Hobby Engine since their 1/16 Leopard was 'it' for a long time unless you paid out for a Tamiya. There is always the Challenger 1 and 2. That would be a great platform for those guys. Thank you again, sir.
regards,
Painless Wolf

Yeah the heng long leopard got one ordered hopefully have it end of the month. Also looking forward to challenger 2 when its released when ever that is.

Ian.

[teddyt]

good job painless, always a joy to get a old girl running again