RC Tank Warfare community hobby forum

Hello everyone, just signed up today!! I read through the forum and decided to register here, hoping to learn some important things about my new tanks.

What I have:

I bought a Heng Long Walker Bulldog a while ago with the metal gearbox and tracks V7.0, and just recently, I got a German Tiger I with the metal gearbox and nylon tracks 7.0. So far, I have just been trying them out to make sure everything works using the cheap batteries that came with the kits, still trying to figure everything out.

I'm going to start taking them outside after learn how best to take care of them, and I invested in a couple of Admiral 7.4v 3500mah battery packs and a SkyRC iMax B6ACv2.

They came pretty well finished, but I would really like to find some good videos or tips on how to weather them properly, I would like to paint the metal tracks as well, and also I messed up one of the decals putting it on the Tiger (it slightly crooked) and cant seem to get it off, so maybe some good tips on removing these types of decals. not a deal breaker but it bothers me... lol

Anyway, hope to be getting to know a few of ya, and thanks for having me,
Rob

PS, Also, one thing I'm not entirely sure of is refilling the smoke box, if there are any recommended videos on that, it would be most helpful.

Hello and welcome from NJ, USA.

There is a Painting and Weathering Forum you can check out.
Also there are YOUTUBE videos that with help.
I myself am a believer in P & W. I like my tanks hideous.

There is a liquid you can buy to help properly set decals. In my experience,
It gives you about 15 seconds to get it correct.

Filling the smoke box is different for every tank. Use 1 drop only.

Also we like pictures so learn to post attachments.

Welcome from Texas. Since I'm a Texas transplant, I don't say "Y'all"... The stock batteries are not great. I've relegated them to use in my smaller tanks or some of my radios can use them.

Rob Hi, Welcome to the Forum
First things first, I asssume the decals you are using are Heng Longs own, The best place to put them is in the bin, They are inaccurate, The numbers are the HL Tiger product numbers also they are too thick, Warm them up and they should peel off,
Stencils are the answer and we have our own wizard who makes them bespoke or off the shelf but RAD is presently recovering in Hospital so I would recommend Peddinghaus Decals, use Microscale liquid on the surface then apply the decal and allow to dry.
The best way to stain metal tracks is with Gun Blue, Do be careful it is not a liquid to play with. Immerse the tracks in the liquid then after just a few miutes you should see them darken, remove from the liquid and set aside to dry, If they are too light do it again until you are happy.
Removing a track if you do not know is to place a spare track pin against the head of a track pin in the track and lightly tap it, If it starts to come out grasp the end with pliars and pull, If nothing happens place the track pin on the head of the track pin on the opposite side of the track and tap it,
Track pins are broader at one end to the other.
I hope you enjoy this place and please ask questions although if you could keep them relevant to the hobby it would help although SOAG and Mr Chef are always on the look out for recipes
I shall move over to let the rest in.

Welcome to the forum Rob from New York. RC tanks are a blast and quite addictive. I don't have a Bulldog but I've heard plenty good about it. I'm fond of Tigers to say the least.

The best way I've found to learn painting, weathering and detailing is watching loads of good videos by armor modelers on YouTube. That's exactly how I started a couple of years ago.

Cool! Thanks for the nice welcome!

So one drop in the smoke box, got it!! I read online about a lot of people overfilling and not getting any smoke, but there never seems to be a consensus on a "best" amount. I'll try one drop and see how it goes!
And gun blue eh, sounds interesting. I think I can manage that, I am also an avid shooter. I've personally never blued/re-blued any of my guns, but I do have friends who have.

I'll try warming up the crooked decal first, see what happens there, and they are the Heng Long ones that came in the kit. I thought the numbers looked wrong, but the iron crosses are okay, though.

Got some good notes here, thanks everyone!!

thanks
RC