Heng Long's Modern Tank Choice? (+ WW2)

[brucektrain]

Hi,

I'm currently thinking about getting 4th tank but it's going to be a modern tank regardless I've 2 of WWII tanks. (Tiger 1 and Panzer IV) and a Russian T-90.

So there's 3 modern tanks which I've found. But my mind is telling me to get the IDF Merkava but it's expensive than others.

So here's the Modern Tanks that I'll could get my hand and the Prices are set in AUD. (Yet, The Tanks don't comes with BB Pellets due to a Australian Laws.)

HL USA Abrams M1A2 -$299.99AUD (Discounted until out of stock) - Already With Steel gearbox upgrade.
HL German Leopard 2A6 - $289.99AUD (Discounted until out of stock) - Already With Steel gearbox upgrade.
HL UK FV4034 Challenger 2 - $259.99AUD (Discounted until out of stock) - Already With Steel gearbox upgrade.
HL IDF Merkava MK IV - $499AUD (Not Discounted, Basic Plastic version with steel gearbox upgrade,) & $449.95AUD from other hobby site.
Not sure about Russian T-72 when I've already got the Russian T-90. (The T-72 is priced at $289.99 and has steel gearbox upgrade)
But there's also China Type 99A. But it's Sold Out on most of Australian Hobby Site that sells R/C Tanks..

I'll be upgrading from basic version with Metal Tracks, Sprockets and Idler for my standard. Road wheels might be later. And Another Optional Extras that might be interesting to have them on.

Edit: Now As I think of reliability of these modern tank act differently for metal track upgrades which cause some damage or hull or something like that. Which will talk about WWII tanks.

[HERMAN BIX]

T72 will be the ERA version, if you get it and it’s not, I will gladly swap you !
The T72 has decades of combat provenance and is widely used globally.
An ERA version can be altered to an early one with a bit of effort.
That would be my choice

[brucektrain]

T72 will be the ERA version, if you get it and it’s not, I will gladly swap you !
The T72 has decades of combat provenance and is widely used globally.
An ERA version can be altered to an early one with a bit of effort.
That would be my choice

What's ERA version? I'm bit still new on tanks stuff. (Edit: Ah it's the reactive explosive armor padding.)

I'm Still haven't Finish my T-90 (Plastic Detail still not complete applied yet.) but still awaiting for upgrades stuff, (Metal Tracks + Sprockets + Idlers, 360 Degree Kit + Recoiling Canon.) and still haven't installed the Red Eyes yet.

Edit: the T-72 that is discounted is just basic without any ERA. But does have 2 Spotlights.
Edit 2: The T-72 product code is 3939-1U.

[RobW]

The T90 is a direct upgrade of the T72 so whilst it's a bit different you'll see a lot of similarities.

There's also the Tongde Leclerc but that's French... For a lot of options and detail to add Challenger 2 may be a good option?

[Meter rat]

Any of these are good tanks. What I would say, if you intend upgrading, to metal. Keep the tracks plastic. Or be prepared for a lot of problems with the tracks coming off, and lack of power. Upgrade the road wheels, idlers, and drive sprockets only, and make sure you have steel gear boxes. The Heng Long Hulls are just not ridged enough, and with metal tracks will flex the hull. Secondly with Heng Long metal tracks to keep the weight down, they make the back hollow, which fills with dirt which then gets in the wheels. Thirdly, unless you go down the route of tracks with plastic pads (which will eventually come off) the metal tracks will wear down the paint on the pads and show silver. The plastic tracks will show black. Mr Tank-a-Lot on this site does an excellent video tutorial on painting plastic tracks, in the Leopard 2 section. These issues are common to all the rear wheel drive modern tank. Can’t help with the Merkava.

Have a look at the Haya Centurion, and Gepard.

[brucektrain]

Any of these are good tanks. What I would say, if you intend upgrading, to metal. Keep the tracks plastic. Or be prepared for a lot of problems with the tracks coming off, and lack of power. Upgrade the road wheels, idlers, and drive sprockets only, and make sure you have steel gear boxes. The Heng Long Hulls are just not ridged enough, and with metal tracks will flex the hull. Secondly with Heng Long metal tracks to keep the weight down, they make the back hollow, which fills with dirt which then gets in the wheels. Thirdly, unless you go down the route of tracks with plastic pads (which will eventually come off) the metal tracks will wear down the paint on the pads and show silver. The plastic tracks will show black. Mr Tank-a-Lot on this site does an excellent video tutorial on painting plastic tracks, in the Leopard 2 section. These issues are common to all the rear wheel drive modern tank. Can’t help with the Merkava.

Have a look at the Haya Centurion, and Gepard.

I'm intending to upgrade basic tanks with metal tracks with sprockets and idlers only as of my standard for every tanks i've brought. (metal road wheels might be future/later thing.) and some of another upgrades if any of those modern tanks offers.

And I'm forgot to mention that I want to able to battle with other Heng long's tanks I've already acquired.

I've checked Haya tanks you requested for any availability or sold in australia but there's none, besides of aliexpress with ridiculous high shipping price. But there's Tamiya verison but which is about 1.4k AUD.

[brucektrain]

The T90 is a direct upgrade of the T72 so whilst it's a bit different you'll see a lot of similarities.

There's also the Tongde Leclerc but that's French... For a lot of options and detail to add Challenger 2 may be a good option?

Don't have Tongde Leclerc in any of aussie R/C Store.

Can you give an Example of Options and Details for the Challenger 2? (A List would be nice.)

[RobW]

As a starting point https://www.dklmrc.com/browse/cat2389474_3329688.aspx No lists, unless someone else has one?

[Meter rat]

Plenty of inspiration for Challengers, here.
viewforum.php?f=156

Haya’s website, here.
https://www.hayaltd.co.uk/

Also try Toucan Hobbies.
They have a US site, and ship from China. I do believe they can be negotiated with over shipping.
https://www.toucanhobby.eu/en-gb

[brucektrain]

They have a US site, and ship from China. I do believe they can be negotiated with over shipping.
https://www.toucanhobby.eu/en-gb

Problem is They'll ship with BB Pellets. by Australian law it's ilegal unless you have firearms license (which is pretty dumb law.)

But I prefer save money by not having a tank shipped oversea, which allows to save money for upgrade parts. (wanted to buy it from locally in the country. But exemption is the upgrade parts from aliexpress.)