1/16 Tiger I by Heng Long please help to make right desision

[toshik]

BTW Ukraine was invaded, a good deal of fighting happened in Ukraine. See the battles of Kharkov, Kiev (all 3 of them), seige of Sebastopol etc. Manstein spent most of his fighting retreat in Ukraine. There was even a Soviet army named as a Ukrainian front. Kursk was just one battle among many. Ukraine saw more fighting and more dead than most other countries buy a proportion of its size and population.

There was no separate Ukraine back to that time - it was a part of Soviet Union called Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic (one of 16 Soviet republics at that time). Similar to 50 states in the US. Belorussia was occupied by the Nazis as well but it's also incorrect to refer it a separate country. And there was a Belorussian front as well.
1-st Ukrainian front was reformed from Voronezh front on October 16th 1943. It has nothing to do with either Ukraine or Voronezh (Russia) but just front physical location at the moment of naming
However it's way off topic about plastic models

Bottom line - I'm not buying all-metal Mato tiger

Sadly that UK ebay Tamiya seller does not ship to the US...

[billpe]

That's an interesting interpretation of history. Remind me to repeat that to my Ukrainian friends when I go back in September.

[toshik]

That's an interesting interpretation of history. Remind me to repeat that to my Ukrainian friends when I go back in September.

It's just plain facts sadly some people would like to rewrite history today let's please stop the off topic right here this is the second time I ask

[billpe]

Depends on your definition of Republic . Look on rcuniverse for sale section. You might find a Tiger on there.

[toshik]

Depends on your definition of Republic . Look on rcuniverse for sale section. You might find a Tiger on there.

Thank you! Nop nothing there. I guess at this point I'm ready for any good WW2 1/16 RC popular tank model suggestions

[ALPHA]

Yes my location is noted under the avatar. Taigen is not that cheap at all.

Taigen has four RTR models..actually five if you count the kit....that one is a little deceiving in it's description....Painless wolf has one...it says two in one....Leads you to believe that you can either build the late or the early....but the choice is between IR or BB
As far as the RTRs go....Taigen has a low end (Early or Late) ...which is primarily all plastic like the Heng Long..retail about 300.00 with shipping....and the High end model (Early or Late) which has the torsion suspension ...Metal bucket plastic upper hull..and metal turret...which now retails for about the same as the stripped bare Mato Tiger which is about 5 to 600 US with ship...The Taigen used to be little cheaper a year ago ...but their prices have gone up...Mato has pretty much stayed the same...except they offer their RTR more now....that model sells in the 700 range....the only thing about the Mato is...it has similar dimensions as the Heng Long...meaning the turret is in the wrong position ...There are a couple of builds with the Mato as a foundation...you might want to take a search and look for them....nice things have been done...but with more difficulty than working with Plastic...

But if you are not a rivet counter and don't care about the turret proximity ...follow your heart...your desire ...the tank is for you not for us...we might drool on it should you show it off...but it's you that must be happy with it

GOOD LUCK Toshik

ALPHA

PS. Heng Longs range from 50 dollars to 350 dollars US....on the low end no smoke all plastic...even the gearboxes...the mid range 120 - 150 will have metal gearboxes ..tracks and sprockets...and their new Pro model with metal gearboxes...road wheels ...sprockets and tracks a tad over 300 ship included

[toshik]

Now I'm totally puzzled IMHO some models like Tiger-1 are more popular and for example Soviet T-34 and KB-1 are not so hot...

I also see some early Tamiya 1/16 tank models surfacing here and there. By "early" I mean that they were originally purchased in early 80-s.
In most cases they were started and left aside.
Are they worth looking at or due to the vintage nature I won't be able to connect them to modern day electronics? Were they built better than today's Tamiya similar models? For example this Sherman looks rock-solid, however I have not idea how today's production looks like.

[ALPHA]

Tigers are probably the oldest model of tank made...every company since Tamiya had theirs has one
Used Tamiya's are good...yes they can be retrofitted with new running gear...but your final cost will be high
It's because even old used Tamiyas...especially the Tiger ..are still in demand...Unless you know someone who is getting rid of one...the Used price can start and end high on EBAY.....so there are times it's just better to go brand new than used ...mostly because everything will be there...used ones are used...so probably missing parts here and there

Ready to Run or RTRs...yes the choice can get complex...but you are going about it the right way...There is another member Mark780 who also came here and made inquiries like you are doing....everyone told him to go for the High version Heng Long...as his heart was set on getting a Heng Long at the time...but he found a retailer that sold the low end version for around 75 dollars brand new with ship...so he jumped on that one despite the advice everyone gave him....turns out he spent more upgrading it to the High version...than if he were to buy the High version brand new ...had problems installing parts as well...but he had a good mindset...and took it as a learning experience

For me...I set a budget per tank...per build ...it used to be 500...with Heng Longs it is easy to stay there...others here spend four times as much on some of their builds...so again it depends on you and your perspective on the Hobby
As your Budget will be determinant on the cost of your chosen Tank to use as a foundation

T34s are actually very popular...People used to buy the old torros even though they weren't that good KVs are as well....problem with the KV was there wasn't all that many manufacturers that made them..till Heng Long joined into the battle with their KV1....Taigen followed suit...and now has the KV1 and 2

With all that said...If you are looking for a TIGER...keep in mind it's probably the most poplar tank to buy....a Tamiya will always be expensive ...Taigens are the best alternative.....Heng Longs if you are into modifying
Tamiyas basically have only one model...it's usually a kit...like you say...that in many times end up never getting finished or finished but poorly done
The early releases having different internals ...mostly a clutch driven gearbox...compared to the new kits that have separate gearboxes like the other companies have

Taigens have Five....2 on the low end (PLASTIC)depending on the version you like ...the early Tiger or the Late...there are visual differences between the two....The 2 different versions are also done in their FULL METAL models..metal turret ...hull ...gearboxes ...road wheels ...sprockets and tracks....and last.. the Kit...which is the early model with choice of IR or BB firing

Heng Long 4" levels" of the early version Tiger.. the low end with no smoke and sound...all plastic...shooting bbs ...The Mid model...similar to the low end...but has smoke and sound....crystal TX and RX...all plastic like the previous ....The High end...Metal tracks and sprockets...Metal gearboxes..smoke and sound ..now released with the new 2.4 gig TX and RX ....the Newest level Premium or Pro version ...Has all metal road wheels...tracks and sprockets...gearboxes and smoke and sound...and the new 2.4 gig rig...on the last two...the feature I like best is the smoke and sound is controlled remotely

Mato.two choices..one Tiger Early....all metal...if equipped ...your choice of IR or BB...comes with brass gearboxes ...think the electrics are Heng Long...unequipped...no electrics ...the rest of the choices as well as the gearboxes are the same
Personally don't like this model...just because it is made of metal...metal is very hard to work with...especially when dealing with the electrical

Taigens are the most popular here...If I were to get another Tiger...I would give that one the nod...(even though I don't like their suspension systems much)
if you ask why...it's because it's probably the most complete package...has some details Tamiya and the rest don't have....and the best thing...it's Ready to go as soon as you charge the battery
They aren't cheap...for sure...but like I said...it's up to you...it's going to be your budget ...and in the end your tank...for all I know...you might be very satisfied with a Heng Long...I am...they are plenty good for me

Find what's good for you...Stick by your decision...Good Luck

ALPHA

[toshik]

Taigens have Five....2 on the low end (PLASTIC)depending on the version you like ...the early Tiger or the Late...there are visual differences between the two....The 2 different versions are also done in their FULL METAL models..metal turret ...hull ...gearboxes ...road wheels ...sprockets and tracks....and last.. the Kit...which is the early model with choice of IR or BB firing
ALPHA

Thanks! Another member also noted that

The Taigan system is a copy with inside a HL body.

Were endless incorrect details from HL corrected on Imex/Taigen? This one looks good to me however the description does not mention metal tracks and I'm not sure how it imitates the shot flash. Sadly I did not find one with my favorite green camo or smoke launchers not sure if it's appropriate for this early version.

[ALPHA]

Were endless incorrect details from HL corrected on Imex/Taigen? This one looks good to me however the description does not mention metal tracks and I'm not sure how it imitates the shot flash. Sadly I did not find one with my favorite green camo or smoke launchers not sure if it's appropriate for this early version.

The Plastic low end Taigen has the same lower as the HL...the upper hull is totally different ...it's my understanding that the turret base is larger on the Taigen...also aside from the tools...the Taigen also has the mine dispensers ...which is usually an add on for the other brands

I'm pretty sure it has metal gear boxes...but I'd ask the seller who you might deal with ..before purchasing it

ALPHA