ED Hi, Welcome to the Forum
I bought an M16 from Forgebear it is in the process of having its armoured Windshield cut out and hinges being fitted to it then an "Elmod" control board plus some detailing,
There is a nice piece on "U-TUBE" on the WSN-TORRO M16,
I just ordered some "HEMP" coloured 1mm x 20 mtrs sailboat rigging twine for the Winch drum cable from ---
www.cornwallmodelboats.co.uk.
I don't know how up to date your Heng Long Tanks are but they are massively improved in everyway from just a few years back.
You ask about MATO, I can only reflect on my feelings about all metal Tanks,
I build and I tinker, so a Metal Hull for rigidity is a must, a metal turret is ok and a metal barrel is again a must but if you are going to drill or carry out any serious changes to the body you really don't want a metal one,
Make a mistake with a plastic body you can fill and re- spray and no one is the wiser not so with a metal body and my experience with Heng Long, Taigen and Torro Tanks is that you spend the first week sorting out faults in the Bodywork which is ok coz they are plastic BUT if you like an all metal Mato Tank then go for it,
Any more questions then please keep asking.
Shaun.