Half-Tracks.

[jackalope]

Good morning again,
What point is this exactly? If every time that I try to be helpful, I feel like I am being pointed out as a member of some kind of 'elitist' group because I think a 297.00 U.S.dollar RC Truck from Asiatam fits the OPs question as an answer, I'll stop trying to be helpful, period.
regards,
Painless

Painless, hang on my friend no one said or even implied that sir. Your help is ALWAYS wanted and most welcomed please never think it isn't. I kind of knew what Shaun was talking about cause I'm in the same boat, I'd LOVE to have ANY of the vehicles names above but I can't afford them. This is MY and Shauns problem certainly not yours my friend please never feel like you can't say anything especially to me, you should know better. We're friends, I'd NEVER accuse you of being elitist! Good grief man I thought you'd know this.

[PainlessWolf]

Gentlemen,
If anyone understands the cost of this Hobby and how difficult it can be at times to pursue it, it is me. I just spent over a week without hot water, scraping together enough dough to buy a new hot water heater and pay for the plumber to install it per modern specifications. I completely understand living from check to cheque. I don't know but lately I feel that a sort of low, behind the back, laughter ensues when I post about either a current build or try to be helpful. I'm pretty sure it goes back to the TOTM fiasco. I'm glad that it is sorted out but seriously am considering just going quiet in here so that I can continue to enjoy the Forum. Apologies to the OP, of course.
regards,
Painless

[jackalope]

I know how you feel Painless, I know how you feel.

[jarndice]

Painless WHOOA UP old friend,
When I wrote the original question I specifically referred to a Major company because of the less than satisfactory experience I had from "Asiatams" PZ4 metal Hull.
I will long continue buying their upgrades but complete builds by them or any of the German makers, Chris's etc are desirable but I cannot in all good will justify that kind of spend.
There is one reason you might think the rest of us believe you to be elitist it is because of your constant efforts to achieve perfection, and dammit usually succeeding,
As to TOTM my view is well known and I think it is a section of this Forum that no matter how much work and enthusiasm goes into it will die a not very slow death,
Unlike me you put your neck on the line whereas I took the easy way out, that says more about me than it does about you.
The problem with it is that this Forum is UKcentric and we have many national failings one of them being APATHY,
Look at the size of this Forums membership and as was noted before the amount of entries and votes is embarrassingly small.
There must be many hundreds of 1/16 r/c Tanks and other armour out in the RCTANKWARFARE World but how many have been shown on TOTM? a hundred? not even close,
Don't you dare go shuffling off into the night we need you,
If anything I wrote made you feel "negative vibes"then You have my promise it was not my intent, merely my wish for an out of the box German Half Track by a major maker.
Shaun.

[tomhugill]

Apologies in advance for going a little off topic here.

When we talk about main stream manufacturers who are you thinking of? Tamiya? Taigen (torro, imex, or any of their other faces)? Henglong?

Tamiya, I think can be written off straight away, they did the kuble, they don't any longer, a more niche soft skin isn't in their view, I think we can thank our lucky stars we get a new tank off them every 18-24 months!

Taigen, well Eric has hinted in that direction but look at their latest releases, the 76mm Sherman without electrics will be £400 ish in the U.K, the jagdtigers £450 (with zinc gears!). We're not talking pocket money any more.

Which brings me on to henglong, first off I doubt they're intrested in such a market but even if they were the t-90 is £200 now in plastic form. £200.... we've pushed for better quality and they're delivering but the price reflects this.

In this context your asiatam (especially) and your ludwigs aren't too bad.

The problem at least in the uk is we've had it very good for a long time. China exports tend to be in dollars and the pounds in the toilet compared to what is was. Sellers have seemingly eaten this for a while, I guess with large inventories purchased pre brexit. However now stocks are needing to be replenished prices are rising.

Sadly I think the days of the £40 henglong tiger are fading fast if not gone, IMO we need to recalibrate Our ideas of pricing and what's entry level. I just can't see there ever being a £200 German RC half track (as much as I would like to!). Sadly I think if we want niche products the best way is supporting niche suppliers like the ludwigs and mk modellbaus etc because i think if we want this kit we have to be prepared to pay for it or do it ourselves (scratch building or kit bashing).

Phew. Sorry for the wall of text.

[jarndice]

Not at all Tom, a very good expose of the post Brexit real world,
The thing about buying any product from the likes of "Ludwigs" is that it is expensive enough to discourage a bit of fettling which a £300 to £400 Heng Long Tank even at that price is still more acceptable,
Shaun.

[tomhugill]

It's a shame mk-modell (as opposed to mk-modellbau) don't exist any more, they used to do a 251 etc for about 250 euros.

[jackalope]

Tom, I agree it's starting to get more and more expensive to try to do this hobby which is another reason I'm considering giving it up.

I've no one to battle with, where it's fun to build them it gets boring just running them around my neighborhood or at the park.

Buy an expensive tank, buy new electronics and radio gear, make it bomb proof, detail it, paint it, weather it and just when you think it's done......you see someone else's build and realize that yours actually sucks.

Then you sit it on a shelf cause you don't want to keep being reminded of your failure and all that money you wasted on it.

This is the story of my 2 Tigers, my Jagdtiger, my 251 build and my sad little Firefly. My only tank I think is even remotely half way decent is my King Tiger and the more I see of the KT builds here I'm starting to see its no where near as nice as I thought. I'm depressed.

[PainlessWolf]

Apologies for the late reply, ( was outside finishing up the water heater cabinet and a glob of the expanding type spray insulation 'expanded' onto my hands. If anyone has seen the Trapster in Marvel comics, this stuff must be akin to what he uses. It will take days to get it all off ) Jarndice, my apologies again. TOTM?, it's in better hands now and good luck Tom! Back to your usual day, Gentlemen. Ignore the disgruntled Yank behind the curtain, I am back on an even keel.
regards,
Painless

[c.rainford73]

Tom, I agree it's starting to get more and more expensive to try to do this hobby which is another reason I'm considering giving it up.

I've no one to battle with, where it's fun to build them it gets boring just running them around my neighborhood or at the park.

Buy an expensive tank, buy new electronics and radio gear, make it bomb proof, detail it, paint it, weather it and just when you think it's done......you see someone else's build and realize that yours actually sucks.

Then you sit it on a shelf cause you don't want to keep being reminded of your failure and all that money you wasted on it.

This is the story of my 2 Tigers, my Jagdtiger, my 251 build and my sad little Firefly. My only tank I think is even remotely half way decent is my King Tiger and the more I see of the KT builds here I'm starting to see its no where near as nice as I thought. I'm depressed.

Mr Jackolope I agree this is a very expensive hobby (at times) and I'm blessed to have a patient wife ( I think ) and a good job. I wish I could buy so much more and more.( at times I do treat myself when a special deal pops up).

Don't be so hard on yourself about your builds I'm sure they are quite nicely done... Ive yet to see them from what I recall. So please post some up I'd like to see them

I often find myself buying broken down or incomplete builds from time to time since I'm a fan of the restoration side of the hobby. ( and it's much less expensive this way )

As far as the battling and the enjoyment side of the hobby I often find myself doing more and more builds ( and adding more parts by myself) since I've nobody nearby to battle or just run about with here in Connecticut.

I think the reason why I enjoy this forum so much and the contributions of people like yourself is that it allows me to share the hobby I enjoy with others who are far away but yet make this a place to share mine and enjoy others work as if everyone is not far away

Regards,

Carl