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Hello from Wash, DC

Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2025 9:46 pm
by JoMac
Hey guys,

Use to be a WWII Miniature Gamer (15mm, micro-armor) back in the 80's early 90's when Dad had a business called 'Wargamers Hobby Shop' near Wash, DC.

Fast forward many years and thinking of getting into RC WW2 Armor, specifically an M4A3 75mm Sherman and PzIV G-H. I'm interested in these RC models to be very realistic in appearance (rustic w/add-on equipment) and performance (slow speed movement & turret, smoke & recoil, IR battle, etc). From what I can tell Mato (thou, they tend to be all metal), Torro & Taigen (probably a better choice with metal add on options).

Point me in the right direction my good lads 😉

Joe

Re: Hello from Wash, DC

Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2025 10:21 pm
by Herr Dr. Professor
Taigen makes both a 75mm Sherman and a Panzer IV. These are rather expensive, and not perfect, but good choices if you want to start out with a comparatively rugged basis with good sound. If you stick to the U.S., Taigen is about the only choice: https://www.taigentanks.com/collections ... -tanks-rtr. Given tariffs and shipping cost, choosing an overseas dealer nowadays is (sigh) stunningly expensive, but if you want, I have a list of Taigen (Torro is the same thing) dealers with whom I have dealt with not trouble at all.

HengLong tanks with 6.0, 7.0 or 7.1 electronics will give you better control (not that Taigen is all that bad) and a better smoke unit, but not as good sound. Unfortunately, HengLong doesn't offer a 75mm Sherman, only a 105.

For HengLong tanks available in the U.S., I have used Taigen (URL link above) Toucan Hobby (https://www.toucanhobby.com/collections/1-16-rc-tanks) and MotionRC (https://www.motionrc.com/collections/heng-long-rc-tanks), with no problems at all. I tend to go without necessities (clothing, underwear, haircuts...) so I can buy the upgraded HengLong versions.

Re: Hello from Wash, DC

Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2025 11:01 pm
by Stormbringer
Hi and welcome aboard :thumbup:

Re: Hello from Wash, DC

Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2025 11:16 pm
by tankme
Welcome from a former Balto/Wash resident. I graduated High School from Centennial in Ellicott City, but also lived on Fort Meade. I never got down to the hobby shops in the DC area, but I do remember the old Games Workshop in the Laurel Mall.

Re: Hello from Wash, DC

Posted: Wed Nov 19, 2025 1:05 pm
by JoMac
Thanks for the information, guys and will look further into the best tank option 👍

Re: Hello from Wash, DC

Posted: Wed Nov 19, 2025 1:13 pm
by JoMac
Hey tankme,

Cool, Mom was born in Baltimore...Back in the 80s Mom & Dad took us to 'Enchanted Forest' in Ellicott city, Maryland before it closed down...Those were the good old days👍

Re: Hello from Wash, DC

Posted: Wed Nov 19, 2025 2:11 pm
by jarndice
Hi Jo,Welcome to the Forum :thumbup: :wave: :clap:
2 good choices of WW2 adversaries and both medium Tanks that obviously met in the field many times, the outcome more often than not depending on how well trained the crews were and how experienced they were,
The Sherman as an RC build has passed me bye but I have had a go at a few PZ4s, ;)
The AusF G can be bought off the shelf and Taigens Turret is in my opinion the definative better even than Tamiyas and a world away better than Heng Longs PZ4, To date there is not as far as I know an AusF H in 1/16.
The most obvious external difference between the "G" and the "H" is the relocation of the aerial and the different Cupolas the "G" having a 2 part commanders hatch and the "H" a 1 part hatch that swings open rather than lifting open.
The Taigen Turret is metal with great detail but it would be a bugger of a job cutting the cupola off and replacing it with a Tamiya PZ4 AusF J plastic one (the "H" and the "J" Cupola being the same), :thumbdown:
In my humble opinion the AusF H was the best PZ4 that came out of the factories and why no one has got round to making one is a mystery to me :thumbup: .
Sorry for the rambling :haha: :haha:
Enjoy this place it can get off subject sometimes but the Moderators keep a watchful eye but are rarely heavy handed about It,
Ask questions and if you know stuff please tell us. :thumbup:

Re: Hello from Wash, DC

Posted: Wed Nov 19, 2025 5:02 pm
by Meter rat
Hello and welcome from Argyll and Bute. Used to regularly visit the Games Workshop factory in Nottingham. Possibly not related companies?

Re: Hello from Wash, DC

Posted: Wed Nov 19, 2025 5:26 pm
by MrChef
Welcome to the forum JoMac from New York. :thumbup: