Porsche Tiger 1 VK4501 P...lovely example in 1/16

[43rdRecceReg]

Here's a really nice example of a Porsche Tiger 1 VK4501 P in 1/16 scale (as rare as rocking horse s**t ?).. It comes at the end of an impressive array of armour.

phpBB [video]

Worth a peek..

[jarndice]

If this is available as an R/C Kit then it would be perfect as the basis for an Elephant or a Ferdinand,
Shaun.

[43rdRecceReg]

If this is available as an R/C Kit then it would be perfect as the basis for an Elephant or a Ferdinand,
Shaun.

Indeed, Shaun! After a light bit of rummaging on the Net, I could only find references to Tamiya's 1/35 version, and ditto for the Elefant, although I did find this Hooben Elefant. Maybe this build was a hybrid effort. Whatever the 'means', the 'end'
is truly eye- catching

[sassgrunt]

I believe that Asiatam actually sold a metal one for awhile, soon after their metal Elefant came out. But, the price kept people away.

Yes, here's a link to it: http://www.hobbyhavoc.com/forum/index.php?topic=1269.0

[Ad Lav]

Tom has got one - she's a beauty!

[43rdRecceReg]

Tom has got one - she's a beauty!

I'm not at all surprised.. I seem to recall references to it in other threads. Of course, I imagine if a tank's a real rarity Tom would have to have it.. (Cromwell etc....)

[tomhugill]

It was built by panzer3. Sadly for me no one seems to want to buy it

[43rdRecceReg]

I believe that Asiatam actually sold a metal one for awhile, soon after their metal Elefant came out. But, the price kept people away.

Yes, here's a link to it: http://www.hobbyhavoc.com/forum/index.php?topic=1269.0

Thanks for the link. Yes, that looked pretty impressive. I wonder whether Havoc Hobby and connected with Hooben in some way, or am I being misled by the addition of 'Hobby' as a descriptive term rather a brand name.
Sometimes finding the history, links and development of RC tank manufacturers is harder than particle physics. Our Welshdragon, Steve, sold the basic Hooben Elefant:
http://www.welshdragonmodels.co.uk/hoob ... 1539-p.asp
but on the same page we see references to accessories for- Tamiya, Trumpeter, Hobby Boss, Hooben, Classy Hobby, and Panda Hobby. The waters grow muddier with 'Havoc Hobby' and 'Hooben Hobby'. This, in turn raises another issue: who are the mysterious model tank makers of the East really? One of these days, someone should produce a definitive list of Manufacturers/ Assemblers of 1/16 scale RC tanks and static models, with their current and back catalogues. That would be most enlightening, as would the real scuttlebutt on the connection (family or otherwise) between the bigger players: Mato, Matorro, Heng Long and Taigen. Tamiya's position is clear: it was the first in the field, and all others are competing for it's market. I did post some stuff on links and addresses I'd found; but finding substantive company histories for companies based in the East is surprisingly hard work. The 'inscrutable' characteristic (stereotype) comes to mind

[tomhugill]

Hobby havoc is a tank modelling forum, nothing to do with hooben. Hooben are a sub brand of ark model. On welshdragon, the brand's lumped together are the more hobby grade ones, no other relation.

Heng long, taigen and mato are separate entities. Taigen use some Heng long mouldings but seem done doing more original stuff. Torro are rebranded Heng long, taigen and wsn. Imex are similar in that they're distributors but don't rebranded the models like torro. Matorro and hengfeng seem to be the same but it produced the king tiger and jagdtiger which were original mouldings.

[43rdRecceReg]

Hobby havoc is a tank modelling forum, nothing to do with hooben. Hooben are a sub brand of ark model. On welshdragon, the brand's lumped together are the more hobby grade ones, no other relation.

Heng long, taigen and mato are separate entities. Taigen use some Heng long mouldings but seem done doing more original stuff. Torro are rebranded Heng long, taigen and wsn. Imex are similar in that they're distributors but don't rebranded the models like torro. Matorro and hengfeng seem to be the same but it produced the king tiger and jagdtiger which were original mouldings.

Thanks, Tom, for the lightning analysis and..well..congrats on having that Porsche Tiger 1. You Lucky man.
The main players seem to be based on the same industrial estate (same road even, perhaps) in Guangdong. I think they operate on an OEM/pattern parts business, not unlike the motor spares business, white goods, and TV, HiFi sets. One maker, and lots of re-brands with specific custom alterations.
I found a little detailed info in the past, and put it on this thread:
viewtopic.php?t=21484