RC Tank Warfare community hobby forum

I am thinking of getting a new HL Jagpanther or Panther. I have a Tamiya Tiger 1 full-option at the moment which I built back in 2002.

Would it be better to buy a basic version and upgrade it with different radio, control board, metal gearbox and tracks or is it better to buy a Pro version in the first place. I quite like the idea of one of the Clarke control boards and a radio modified to enable some of the control to be tacken off the sticks as I have on my existing Tiger using a Futaba SkySport 4 channel with individual buttons for the main and machine guns. Thanks.

Is a modified HL going to be as good as a Tamiya?

Short answer is no, even with the metal chassis, metal wheels etc etc IMO it won't be as good and you'll spend a similar amount to get it there. I built a tamiya jagdpanther and modified a hl. Cost about the same and the tamiya is a much better tank!

Though I'm a Heng Long guy... I would agree to a certain degree with the two masters above... with that said... get the Taigen...It's half the cost of the Tamiya..worlds better than the Heng Long...and IMO more user friendly because of the parts available for it... everything Heng Long fits the Taigen and visa versa...where the Tamiya has limitations... and major conversion must be done if you want to make changes later on down the road

Good Luck

ALPHA

Just as an added note... I have the Heng Long Jagd... I like the tank... but I have to admit... straight out of he box it was problematic... for some reason...the mountings for the gearboxes were butted up too close to the forward bulkhead... I had to do a smidgin of an adjustment to get it to run smoothly.. the plastic gearboxes in it destroyed themselves ....one side heated up so much the bearing melted to the axle
I'm still not running metal tracks on mine.. because unless they are aftermarket... the Heng Long metal tracks run too tight on the axis tanks...the plastic or aftermarkets give you the ability for adjustments..so no need for a tensioner... the Taigen and Tamiya both have tensioners... but with the Tamiya..there is a chance of the hull bending so you have to reinforce it... the Taigen is a better designed model.. as it came after the Tamiya improving on their system

With the Heng Long... if you run the stock metal tracks provided ... the Hentec adjuster is needed ... the upside is...though people say Heng Longs chassis flex... it's more ridgid than the sheet aluminum that Tamiya uses ...as I can twist that with no problem in my hands... where you can't with a Heng Long ...just because of the general layout... with the battery box intact...it is like two "U" beams side to side..structurally more rigid than a hollow chassis like all the rest have

Pros and Cons either way...it really depends on how rough you are on your models...I had a Heng Longs fall from six feet with no structural damage.. just minor cosmetic stuff... that will never be the case with a metal hulled tank... six feet... no matter how straight you might think it is...it won't be and will never run the same afterwards

ALPHA

My Favorite h/l Tank so far, the Jagdpanther I have runs great with the following mods,tracks and tension adjusters, metal gearbox. Seems to do the trick as this one has been an excellent tank for driving.

Several excellent builds posted here,and the modification for the tension adjuster also,the parts can be purchased through Welshdragon and the modification is posted. Basically a shoulder bolt for the idler wheel axle and a bronze bushing added.

I agree Saxon... after I changed to black steel gearboxes and clearanced the front bulkhead the Jagd is perfectly fine...I will eventually change to metal tracks... maybe the tensioner... but all in all I'm happy with it now ...It's the first one I put the digital proportioned smoker in ... and I run a 7.4 lipo... the tank is awesome .. though I must admit ...it's not good in close quarters

ALPHA

Thanks very much for your replies. You have confirmed my thoughts. I love the way my Tamiya Tiger 1 behaves and I think I would be disappointed with a HL unless, as you say, I spend a lot of money on modifications. The Taigen's look interesting. Where is the best place to see exactly what is available and to purchase in the IK.

I got an H/L Jagd as a first build. Gearbox issues post completion as I did not run it up prior to getting on with its transformation.
Fitted steel tracks, idlers & drive sprockets .
Its in line for steel transmission hardware, the getting it is simple, the tearing it apart to fit it is not so joyous !
Great bit of replica passtime with loads of potential, unlimited aftermarket options and at a price you can afford to experiment with without begging the missus not to stick your credit card up ya jacksie !!

I agree Herman... I like the Heng Long... for the money ..you can't really beat it... especially since there is so many optional directions you can take it...not to say the others are bad... it's just that the initial cost provides a better foundation to build up ...yes.. without retributions ...The Taigen would be a close second in my book... even though they do have the newer 2.4s in them...Tamiya would be my last... just because of the cost.. and having to assemble it before playing

I'm not sure I'm spoiled... but the way I like to do these tanks is to make sure they run first ...then do whatever afterwards...

Tamiya is almost backwards... as you have to build it ... then test it... if it doesn't work... the only recourse is to fix it ...once it does work... then you can proceed spending more to detail it ...like I said ..it really depends on what you enjoy doing... as there are many who prefer this process over the latter

ALPHA

ALPHA wrote: Tamiya is almost backwards... as you have to build it ... then test it... if it doesn't work... the only recourse is to fix it ...once it does work... then you can proceed spending more to detail it ...like I said ..it really depends on what you enjoy doing... as there are many who prefer this process over the latter

ALPHA

That's something I like about the kit tanks, you can test as you go. So I'll build the chassis, run it and make sure all is well (which it usually is!). Then test the full option bits etc. Once it runs an operates properly then I'll paint and detail.

I've had instances with other tanks where I've finished it, then decided to upgrade and it's a lot of faff trying to not break the detailing, then trying to match the original scheme.

Saying that though it's not a problem if you do you upgrades at the start, but then you come back to it almost being tamiya cost!