Guys this thing looks great, its a shame the break almost instantly.
Has anyone come up with a way to to repair or strengthen the front idler?
I took a look at it, (plan to pull it appart today) and it looks like the front road wheels are in too tight, they even fail to spin, perhaps something could be dont to take the strain off of them. I bet when they dont spin the strain is immense.
If I cant get it, Ill just drive it till it breaks and then return it.
Untill it breaks, my only complaint is that they used the stuart sounds, which is a huge let down because M1 abrams have such a unique sound.
BTW the RC panzer 4 is Great!
-Gordak
1:9th Abrams... a hopeless cause?
Well that sucks! Thanks for the heads-up. I'm sure this information will be extremely helpful to future buyers of the tank. The M-1 should be sounding like a idling jet, not a radial engine..... sad.....
I was impressed by the sheer size of the thing when I saw it last week. It didn't stay on the shelf too long either!!
-Ski
I was impressed by the sheer size of the thing when I saw it last week. It didn't stay on the shelf too long either!!
-Ski
[url=http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2869983520050168193AYuxRR][img]http://inlinethumb18.webshots.com/8785/2869983520050168193S600x600Q85.jpg[/img][/url]
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Threetoughtrucks
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Our friends at 21C are taking a major hit with this vehicle. Another board mentions 11 bought and 11 returned just from one club. 
Is a recall soon to transpire? Or will Wally just refuse to carry 21C RC? or the worse of all, will 21C just stop the production of RC
Not good news, we went from dancing in the clover to being smothered in garbage.
TTT
Is a recall soon to transpire? Or will Wally just refuse to carry 21C RC? or the worse of all, will 21C just stop the production of RC
Not good news, we went from dancing in the clover to being smothered in garbage.
TTT
Last edited by Threetoughtrucks on Tue Nov 01, 2005 6:31 am, edited 1 time in total.
Sometimes I am the windshield, sometimes, I am the bug.
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Threetoughtrucks
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Seems a number of 1/6 guys bought the Abrams with the idea of removing the top and customizing the lower section and running gear into a 1/6 Panzer III which would have been correct (or close to) scale for one of the smaller German WW2 tanks. Even when problems became evident they thought they could fix the problem but turns out to be more serious than they thought.
Most broke first time out of the box. It's a shame.
I'd really like to hear from TKO about what's going on with this problem which is turning into a major problem.
As long as TKO remembers we are 21C fans (on this board) and we will spread the word if given good news about this.
TTT
Most broke first time out of the box. It's a shame.
I'd really like to hear from TKO about what's going on with this problem which is turning into a major problem.
As long as TKO remembers we are 21C fans (on this board) and we will spread the word if given good news about this.
TTT
Sometimes I am the windshield, sometimes, I am the bug.
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tmanthegreat
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Threetoughtrucks
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TKO:
These guys are reporting breakage first time out of the box. They say drive wheels are made so thin that they fail as soon as pressure is exerted by the turning treads.
I can't imagine Wally dealing with these returns and not saying anything to 21C. I really don't want to see 21C RC "big" stuff in trouble over this, especially as how many 1/6 guys have mentioned using the Abrams as the base for one of the smaller WW2 German tanks. that's what we wanted in the first place. We don't ever expect 21C to produce a 1/6 R/C King Tiger (be still my heart) but one of the smaller 1/6 tanks we would gobble up. Even the 1/9 Abrams would never see dust on Wally's shelves with good reviews, we already have bad reviews for the breakage and now we hear the sound effects is the same as the Stuart. That alone is troublesome as the Abrams whines, it doesn't growl like the Stuart. The sound is very distinctive.
It really doesn't take much to make me a happy 21C'er, but these problems bother me.
TTT
These guys are reporting breakage first time out of the box. They say drive wheels are made so thin that they fail as soon as pressure is exerted by the turning treads.
I can't imagine Wally dealing with these returns and not saying anything to 21C. I really don't want to see 21C RC "big" stuff in trouble over this, especially as how many 1/6 guys have mentioned using the Abrams as the base for one of the smaller WW2 German tanks. that's what we wanted in the first place. We don't ever expect 21C to produce a 1/6 R/C King Tiger (be still my heart) but one of the smaller 1/6 tanks we would gobble up. Even the 1/9 Abrams would never see dust on Wally's shelves with good reviews, we already have bad reviews for the breakage and now we hear the sound effects is the same as the Stuart. That alone is troublesome as the Abrams whines, it doesn't growl like the Stuart. The sound is very distinctive.
It really doesn't take much to make me a happy 21C'er, but these problems bother me.
TTT
Sometimes I am the windshield, sometimes, I am the bug.
Looks pretty cool though...
Sounds like it's a dud. Stuff happens, I don't think this is the end of RC, 21st, WM or the world. It's just one flawed product, not a ominous sign - just like the M113. It was flawed, it didn't sell, (it hurt armor sales imo) but it did not end 1:18 as we know it. 
As for the guys in the tank club: fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice,.....
Maybe my lack of sympathy has to do with it not being my scale or my hobby so I don't care about RC, 1:6 or 1:9. I think the thing is best served as a pseudo 1:6 vehicle, like the M2. Just wait 2 months and grab them at $50.
As for the guys in the tank club: fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice,.....
Maybe my lack of sympathy has to do with it not being my scale or my hobby so I don't care about RC, 1:6 or 1:9. I think the thing is best served as a pseudo 1:6 vehicle, like the M2. Just wait 2 months and grab them at $50.
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Threetoughtrucks
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Digger:
There is no "tank club". I "mis-spoke", a club is not involved, just 11 guys in the 1/6 hobby who bought this tank. My apology if I mislead you. The population of 1/6 collectors is far larger than those collectors involved in 1/18. Everyone has their own sand box to play in, most of us have more than one sand box to play in. But most of us realize than one scale world of collecting can effect other scales.
I am not worried about the end of 21C, Wally or R/C, or the sky falling. I am concerned because the investment in this toy and the effect on 21C, my favorite toy company can be a problem for 21C and "our" hobby. Wally is not going to eat any returns, they will be dumped and 21C will eat the cost, as they should.
I hope the problem with this tank is rectified quicky and maybe 21C would release something in 1/18 or 1/6 to make us forget about this "dud", as it just leaves a bad taste in our mouths, whatever the scale.
TTT
There is no "tank club". I "mis-spoke", a club is not involved, just 11 guys in the 1/6 hobby who bought this tank. My apology if I mislead you. The population of 1/6 collectors is far larger than those collectors involved in 1/18. Everyone has their own sand box to play in, most of us have more than one sand box to play in.
But most of us realize than one scale world of collecting can effect other scales.I am not worried about the end of 21C, Wally or R/C, or the sky falling. I am concerned because the investment in this toy and the effect on 21C, my favorite toy company can be a problem for 21C and "our" hobby. Wally is not going to eat any returns, they will be dumped and 21C will eat the cost, as they should.
I hope the problem with this tank is rectified quicky and maybe 21C would release something in 1/18 or 1/6 to make us forget about this "dud", as it just leaves a bad taste in our mouths, whatever the scale.
TTT
Sometimes I am the windshield, sometimes, I am the bug.
I can't argue with that.Threetoughtrucks wrote:I hope the problem with this tank is rectified quicky and maybe 21C would release something in 1/18 or 1/6 to make us forget about this "dud", as it just leaves a bad taste in our mouths, whatever the scale.
TTT
I didn't mean to come across as harsh, I guess I was hoping it was a problem I could ignore and it would go away
- but I see your point about the ripple effect and the loss of goodwill.-
Big Duke 6
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Abrams
Too bad, I finally saw one today. It is awesome. Does the turret look to big for the chassis or is it me. I wonder if anyone has one that is good to go.
BD6
BD6
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Threetoughtrucks
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Nobody is posting any reviews, they can't seem to get past them breaking in the first few minutes of operation.
I do note, however that if the Abrams was pure 1/6 scale, it would be in the neighborhood of five foot long. That dwarfs my Stuart and Sherman in 1/6.
I can't get over that, a five foot long toy.....wow. Lucky it is 1/9 I guess.
TTT
I do note, however that if the Abrams was pure 1/6 scale, it would be in the neighborhood of five foot long. That dwarfs my Stuart and Sherman in 1/6.
I can't get over that, a five foot long toy.....wow. Lucky it is 1/9 I guess.
TTT
Sometimes I am the windshield, sometimes, I am the bug.
Here is what i found,
Looks awesome, HUGE, and Very realistic.
Something is out of whack with the main gun, but otherwise everything is in excellent proportion to a real M1.
paint and weathering looks awesome. Its got cool tinted glass for all the periscopes and thermal sights. very cool.
the Stuart sounds are ridiculous, you really what to hear the M1 turbine sound. I would want to tear it open and modify it if I could.
Its slow! slower than the stuart! still fast enough to be fun though.
Just like the stuart it Shoots missles, and this time the elevation is adjuastable! but id like it if they didnt shoot the goofy looking missles, and that channel on the RC was used for something else. Bah
The radio comes with 4 different channels so you can play with other tanks! very coool!
the turret spins fast, like a real m1! very cool. it also jerks around as the tank goes over bumps, which kinda looks like the stabalization on a real m1 Very cool!
Like i said before, I felt it was worth saving and trying to fix the front Idler before it broke, But mine was cracked out of the box! so I took it for a spin before gong to return it. It took about 10 minutes to break.
Looks to me like all the road wheels are the same as the front idler, so they would all break eventually.
Hope this answered all questions!
-Gordak
Looks awesome, HUGE, and Very realistic.
Something is out of whack with the main gun, but otherwise everything is in excellent proportion to a real M1.
paint and weathering looks awesome. Its got cool tinted glass for all the periscopes and thermal sights. very cool.
the Stuart sounds are ridiculous, you really what to hear the M1 turbine sound. I would want to tear it open and modify it if I could.
Its slow! slower than the stuart! still fast enough to be fun though.
Just like the stuart it Shoots missles, and this time the elevation is adjuastable! but id like it if they didnt shoot the goofy looking missles, and that channel on the RC was used for something else. Bah
The radio comes with 4 different channels so you can play with other tanks! very coool!
the turret spins fast, like a real m1! very cool. it also jerks around as the tank goes over bumps, which kinda looks like the stabalization on a real m1 Very cool!
Like i said before, I felt it was worth saving and trying to fix the front Idler before it broke, But mine was cracked out of the box! so I took it for a spin before gong to return it. It took about 10 minutes to break.
Looks to me like all the road wheels are the same as the front idler, so they would all break eventually.
Hope this answered all questions!
-Gordak
-Gordak
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Threetoughtrucks
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Thanks for the review Gordak. I had heard about the main gun being "off" but the "bolt counters" in our hobby who spend their time looking for the "fly sh-t in the pepper" haven't gotten to the Abrams yet, and probably won't if things keep going the way they are.
Now, where were those plans for the 1/6 Panzer III? Just wait until they hit the clearance aisle for $40.
TTT
Now, where were those plans for the 1/6 Panzer III?
Just wait until they hit the clearance aisle for $40.TTT
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GooglyDoogly
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Nope. Sorry, but this is NOT a realistic, proportional representation of an M1A2 Abrams.
Gun is too short, wrong commander's cupola (it should have the ICWS), wrong .50 cal mount, the turret is squat, and shorter than the real thing, the APU is underscaled compared to the rear turret bustle, the rear turret bustle is only a skeleton frame...where's the rest of it?
The sprockets are wrong for any version of Abrams, plus weird spacing of the roadwheels.
Also, the smoke dischargers, and the box underneath for grenade storage are small, and the upright crosswind sensor is wrong for an M1A2, right for an early M1A1.
There's also a boatload of small fake details, and missing details all over the tank.
For $300, this is a really junky tank. Very toylike, very GI-Joe quality.
For three times less that price, get a 1/16 Hobbyzone Abrams. It's also an inaccurate representation of an Abrams, but it's a much better looking tank than this tragedy 21st calls an Abrams. Heck, the cheap $25 1/24 Hen Long Abrams looks better than this.
I don't fancy the thought of eating fly sh-t, so I like to check my pepper before I sprinkle it on my food.
Gun is too short, wrong commander's cupola (it should have the ICWS), wrong .50 cal mount, the turret is squat, and shorter than the real thing, the APU is underscaled compared to the rear turret bustle, the rear turret bustle is only a skeleton frame...where's the rest of it?
The sprockets are wrong for any version of Abrams, plus weird spacing of the roadwheels.
Also, the smoke dischargers, and the box underneath for grenade storage are small, and the upright crosswind sensor is wrong for an M1A2, right for an early M1A1.
There's also a boatload of small fake details, and missing details all over the tank.
For $300, this is a really junky tank. Very toylike, very GI-Joe quality.
For three times less that price, get a 1/16 Hobbyzone Abrams. It's also an inaccurate representation of an Abrams, but it's a much better looking tank than this tragedy 21st calls an Abrams. Heck, the cheap $25 1/24 Hen Long Abrams looks better than this.
I don't fancy the thought of eating fly sh-t, so I like to check my pepper before I sprinkle it on my food.
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Threetoughtrucks
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See, I knew you were somewhere around. I always like to have bolt counters going thru the pepper. I always learn something new from you guys.
I knew the gun was too short but didn't know about the rest.
All I can say is this tank (like all 21C toys) is marketed as a "toy", not an accurate model. I'd forgive 21C faults in accuracy, if the stinken thing actually worked.
TTT
I knew the gun was too short but didn't know about the rest.
All I can say is this tank (like all 21C toys) is marketed as a "toy", not an accurate model. I'd forgive 21C faults in accuracy, if the stinken thing actually worked.
TTT
Sometimes I am the windshield, sometimes, I am the bug.
?
what the hell do you expect, its a TOY from WALMART
and its 200, not 300.
You can Bash ALL of the 21st century 1/18th line in the same manner, but we don't because this IS a Fan page for the 21st century 1/18th line.
atleast thats what I thought when i posted my thougths on the tank.
Rather than get nasty, I think ill Just step away, and stop posting here.
Goodbye folks.
what the hell do you expect, its a TOY from WALMART
and its 200, not 300.
You can Bash ALL of the 21st century 1/18th line in the same manner, but we don't because this IS a Fan page for the 21st century 1/18th line.
atleast thats what I thought when i posted my thougths on the tank.
Rather than get nasty, I think ill Just step away, and stop posting here.
Goodbye folks.
-Gordak
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Threetoughtrucks
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Sorry to see you go Gor but this is NOT a "fan" club for 1/18 21C.
If you look you will see "Small Scale HQ" as the name. We may have started as a bunch of guys deep into 21C but you can see we have many threads on this forum on BBI, even 1/16 FOV. We still are deep into 21C, but we are not exclusively 1/18 21C.
Small Scale is Small Scale. I would understand if the threads on 1/9 and 1/6 would be considered "Off Topic", but we are still talking about 21C, which I feel is "On topic", but that's my opinion..
I didn't think we were getting "nasty" just because we had criticisms with one 21C product. I guess you weren't around when the plane guys here were going off the deep end on the 21C 1st Mustang. Nobody was shy about what they said. We are toy collectors, but we are never shy. We don't start "flame wars" and those that do quickly find a home on another board, where guys do like name calling and being "nasty".
TTT
If you look you will see "Small Scale HQ" as the name. We may have started as a bunch of guys deep into 21C but you can see we have many threads on this forum on BBI, even 1/16 FOV. We still are deep into 21C, but we are not exclusively 1/18 21C.
Small Scale is Small Scale. I would understand if the threads on 1/9 and 1/6 would be considered "Off Topic", but we are still talking about 21C, which I feel is "On topic", but that's my opinion..
I didn't think we were getting "nasty" just because we had criticisms with one 21C product. I guess you weren't around when the plane guys here were going off the deep end on the 21C 1st Mustang. Nobody was shy about what they said. We are toy collectors, but we are never shy. We don't start "flame wars" and those that do quickly find a home on another board, where guys do like name calling and being "nasty".
TTT
Sometimes I am the windshield, sometimes, I am the bug.
Gordak,
This forum is for fans of all types of 1:18ish scale military goods. It's a place to praise and critique products in an open, non-threatening atmosphere. We aren't here to sell products. I'm extremely happy that people have come out and identified critical faults with the 1:9 Abrams. It will save many people from severe disappointment. I personally would hate to have to haul such a big vehicle back to WM!
This sort of constructive criticism is important here. It saved people from breaking hinges on their Corsairs, snapping off nose landing gear struts on the P-38, pushed for better gear design resulting from the F-18, caused 21st to redesign the landing gear hinge pins on the FW-190 and the wing tie-ins on the 109G.
This forum is extremely important to fans and manufacturers alike. It gives everybody a decent picture of the products coming out. Of this, product reviews are one of the most important aspects. You are entitled to defend or critique products here without flamming. It's what makes this site so damn cool. So, please stick around and be informed........
-Ski
This forum is for fans of all types of 1:18ish scale military goods. It's a place to praise and critique products in an open, non-threatening atmosphere. We aren't here to sell products. I'm extremely happy that people have come out and identified critical faults with the 1:9 Abrams. It will save many people from severe disappointment. I personally would hate to have to haul such a big vehicle back to WM!
This sort of constructive criticism is important here. It saved people from breaking hinges on their Corsairs, snapping off nose landing gear struts on the P-38, pushed for better gear design resulting from the F-18, caused 21st to redesign the landing gear hinge pins on the FW-190 and the wing tie-ins on the 109G.
This forum is extremely important to fans and manufacturers alike. It gives everybody a decent picture of the products coming out. Of this, product reviews are one of the most important aspects. You are entitled to defend or critique products here without flamming. It's what makes this site so damn cool. So, please stick around and be informed........
-Ski
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Threetoughtrucks
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To be fair to our 21C friends, now we get a report of a guy hesitant about buyng an Abrams because of the "bad press" but he saw one in Wally and it looked so good he bought it.
He did a rough test drive, even abused the tank and it came through with flying colors
So what is going on? I would hope the early bad reports came from a batch of bad tanks........I hope, I hope, I hope
Now, if the problem is corrected, we have to push for one of the big Panzers or maybe a T-72 in this 1/9 class.
TTT
He did a rough test drive, even abused the tank and it came through with flying colors
So what is going on? I would hope the early bad reports came from a batch of bad tanks........I hope, I hope, I hope
Now, if the problem is corrected, we have to push for one of the big Panzers or maybe a T-72 in this 1/9 class.
TTT
Sometimes I am the windshield, sometimes, I am the bug.
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Big Duke 6
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75th Ranger
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Wow!
this sure got hot!!!
I have to be honest, i just saw the Abrams today and i thought it was great looking!
the price is not bad, comapre to the real 1/6 tanks out there that retail around $500 to $5000 dollars....
but the problems with the tank breaking down worries me!!!
I will like to buy one, since I already have a Stuart, a Hummer and the sahara jeep all in 1/6....but I'm concerned with it breaking down and also the sound effect is a most to be a Turbine...on the other hand....
for a diorama of 1/6 i still think that i would be a most since i think it maybe the biggest affordable tank produce in a close scale....
Usually i display and paly around with my figures but, i do NOT want to ride in a 1/9, 1/6, 1/16, 1/18 or 1/32 tank to war!!!!...therefore I suggest that we all get along here...
Some people feel like they need a perfect tank in 1/6, 1/9 or 1/18 to feel happy about it....
others like me are happy to have realistic looking toys that are much better that what we had when we were kids!
IF I WANTED 100% accuracy I would just have stayed in the military come on guys the bottom line is that they are toys and a few months back we were under a dry spell!!!!...remember?
So have fun and enjoy the hobby....
finally
TKO please post any new info on this topic since i wouldl ike to get the latetest news before I make my final decision to buy or not buy the tank...so please get with 21st and post a comment about what they think about this dilema since it can definetely hinder their sales BIG time!
keep me posted....
this sure got hot!!!
I have to be honest, i just saw the Abrams today and i thought it was great looking!
the price is not bad, comapre to the real 1/6 tanks out there that retail around $500 to $5000 dollars....
but the problems with the tank breaking down worries me!!!
I will like to buy one, since I already have a Stuart, a Hummer and the sahara jeep all in 1/6....but I'm concerned with it breaking down and also the sound effect is a most to be a Turbine...on the other hand....
for a diorama of 1/6 i still think that i would be a most since i think it maybe the biggest affordable tank produce in a close scale....
Usually i display and paly around with my figures but, i do NOT want to ride in a 1/9, 1/6, 1/16, 1/18 or 1/32 tank to war!!!!...therefore I suggest that we all get along here...
Some people feel like they need a perfect tank in 1/6, 1/9 or 1/18 to feel happy about it....
others like me are happy to have realistic looking toys that are much better that what we had when we were kids!
IF I WANTED 100% accuracy I would just have stayed in the military come on guys the bottom line is that they are toys and a few months back we were under a dry spell!!!!...remember?
So have fun and enjoy the hobby....
finally
TKO please post any new info on this topic since i wouldl ike to get the latetest news before I make my final decision to buy or not buy the tank...so please get with 21st and post a comment about what they think about this dilema since it can definetely hinder their sales BIG time!
keep me posted....
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ANY UPDATES???
I just saw on of the M1A2s at Walmart in Virginia beach and WOW! I am concerned about the mixed reports. I can live with the detail flaws ( I come to accept them as cost cutting), however I can't abide them breaking out of the box. Would loosening up the wheel prior to running it help? Please give me any updates. Thanks.