Couldn't wait for the 21st KT

Jesse James · Post by **Jesse James** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 1:20 pm

I have to agree with Googly...

21st's stuff is fun to buy if you can find it at a reasonable price, but for me the "fun" stopped when the prices went up, be they at online retailers with inflated prices, or Ebay which I simply won't do for 21st items. I've never seen a quad trailer in my neck of the woods, so I never got one, and to me that's fine I guess. I'd actually like the piece, but not at any inflated price.

And with tanks, I'm about ready to jump into Heng Long and other 1:16 scale stuff. There's more of it, it's a higher quality overall, it actually functions in ways 21st and other 1:18 items don't...

I love picking up a good toy at WM or Target for $20, $30, $40, $50, or $60... If I'm shelling out $80, $90, $100 or more though, that thing had better move and look a thousand times better than what I've been buying so far.

Not to say I don't love my 21st tanks... I have two Tigers, and I'm seriously considering selling mY Series 1 Tiger (plastic, original TRU one), as I really just don't need two. I love that stuff, but it's not near the level of quality that the 1:16 tanks are.

I just wish they lined up better with the jeeps, trucks, and other support items I have to go with them. Figures are fine, I just think the other items won't look right next to Heng Long tanks.

ARMY GROUP 1 · Post by **ARMY GROUP 1** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 3:44 pm

I have over 100 non tank vehicles in 1/18 and they look fine against the 1/16 tanks. I just do not mix the 1/18 corresponding tank to the 1/16 tank. My 700- 800 figures are fine with 1/16 also.

Post by **aferguson** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 4:44 pm

i agree.....jeeps and halftracks do look fine next to the 1/16 tanks. Unless you stare hard a pics of the real thing you'd be hard pressed to notice a difference. Plus, the larger scale makes the tanks look more imposing.

The problems begin when you mix 1/18 and 1/16 tanks, even of different types because you'll end up with a T-34 dwarfing a Tiger or a Panzer III much larger than a panzer iv etc. Using xd figs and non tanks with 1/16 tanks is really not that bad.

Btw, was that 1/16 scale british tank ever announced?

AMERICAN_GRENADIER · Post by **AMERICAN_GRENADIER** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 5:10 pm

there are still good deals out there on 21c xd. ebay or not you just need to watch and you will get a good deal

Jesse James · Post by **Jesse James** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 7:14 pm

Watching's not so much the problem, it's support from the manufacturers... Why wait for a T-34 when Hen Long's making one, ya know? I think if the toy manufacturers were more active, they'd be more of an option, but even I'm right now looking at cutting my 1:18 buys down to figures and support vehicles... I've cut planes out entirely for the most part as it is, and since there's no new tank on the horizon anyway, eh...

Love 1:18 and it's cheaper for sure if it's got retail support, but right now Hen Long and the like are looking really good to me.

pcsguy88 · Post by **pcsguy88** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 7:13 am

It just dawned on me that the increase in 1/16th rc popularity might be having a direct impact on the 1/18th armor market. Once people like me turn to the RC side, we realize having a tank that actually does something for the same price is a lot more fun. Especially when you rig up the IR battle systems to play lazertag with your family/friends. For anyone who is interested in the world of 1/16 armor, go here.

Members like PattonCommander devote their lives to making these models accurate and have done some amazing work. Look for their collections and you will see they are not any different than you guys here.

CENT-ONE · Post by **CENT-ONE** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 7:22 am

so who's gonna post some decent scale comparison pics of the 1/16 tanks with the 1/18 figures/jeeps/halftracks/etc so we can get a good idea of how these might be able to mix together? There's tons available in the 1/16 stuff but I've got thousands of dollars in 1/18 right now so I'm not too inclined to start another scale if it won't look right together....

anyone?

pcsguy88 · Post by **pcsguy88** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 8:52 am

This is the best I can do with 5min and a cellphone. the PIII and the Walker Bulldog are 1/16th. The Bulldog is an abomination of any scale because they just used the Patton chassis, but it makes for a terrific Joe MBT at it's current size. The PIII is the same size as the 21st Century Bradley, which is why it is missing a track right now. I'm using it to make my Bradley fully RC.

pcsguy88 · Post by **pcsguy88** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 10:17 am

The biggest issue with 1/16th HL tanks is the barrels since they all have 6mm ID to shoot the airsoft pellets. Everyone overlooks the Bulldog's monsterous size because it is the most modern tank and the best offroad performer. It's the tank that you don't feel bad running through the snow, mud, water because it is a mutant and can take it. A light tank the size of a Tiger!

Mine weighs 11lbs with metal tracks, steel gears and larger motors inside of it. Look on youtube to see what it can really do.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2GhNFw9Cng

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Jfiqjob1ks

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hV91tivcc2U

If this video doesn't sway you, nothing will:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GrOOpHWc0U0

Just make sure you pay the extra $10 to get the SMOKE & SOUND version. It has 10speeds instead of 2 and was working exhaust that will work exactly twice.

pcsguy88 · Post by **pcsguy88** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 11:15 am

One last thing and I'll be quiet. If you still have a problem with the scale difference, sell all of your 1/18th WWII tanks on Epay for $100 each, then replace them with the HL 1/16th version. Just don't buy the HL Panther because it uses the Tiger chassis. If in Canada, buy at Mato Toys. In the US, buy at RC Command. Like someone said earlier, these tanks go great with the 1/18th trucks and figures, they just look all the more imposing. No way I would go up againts one with a bazooka. If you supply the tanks, you will find that your friends will come over in the summer for cold beers, hot BBQ and some drunken tank action. Some will even buy one of their own. Much better than just looking at your dusty indoor display.

HL was even thoughtful enough to include brushing up on your tank mechanic skills. Talk about detail!

Make sure you have more than 1 so you have something to drive while the other is in the shop.

CENT-ONE · Post by **CENT-ONE** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 11:20 am

thanks for the pics and links (especially the forum link, lots of interesting stuff going on there). So maybe I need to reconsider my "no" vote on adding a 1/16th section, there's some pretty cool stuff out there that looks like it meshes with all but the tanks from 1/18th land.

What would you recommend as a try-out first purchase WWII tank that's cheap?

pcsguy88 · Post by **pcsguy88** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 11:26 am

All HL's cost the same. I would buy the grey PIII for your first. It is a real runner, has newer electronics and is just a blast to drive. Just get the SMOKE & SOUND version for all that you buy. The 2spd nylon gear versions suck and only save you $10. Do your homework on that other board so you know what to expect and how to fix anything that comes up. In reality, fixing the tank is half the fun for some bizzare reason.

Bill will take care of you.

http://www.rccommand.com/tanks.php

Jesse James · Post by **Jesse James** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 11:46 am

Man if I drop 1:18 I've got a lot of tanks to sell, haha... 3 or 4 Shermans, 2 or 3 Tiger I's, a S1 Panther...

If Halftracks, trucks, figures, and the like look good with 1:16 tanks though, why bother with 1:18? I'm pretty much gonna jump ship here I think on 1:18 tanks I think...

You guys suck.

pcsguy88 · Post by **pcsguy88** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 12:18 pm

Try having my problem. I love modern armour, tired of WWII, and I am now hooked on RC tanks. I have exactly 3 choices:

#1 - Buy a $1000 Tamiya Leopard II and drive it solo

#2 - Buy a $1400 handmade metal model from here. + several $100 in shipping.

#3 - Convert my 1/18th collection into RC vehicles like my current project.

pcsguy88 · Post by **pcsguy88** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 12:56 pm

Here are a few hi rez pics from last week:

GooglyDoogly · Post by **GooglyDoogly** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 1:49 pm

A little warning about HL/Matorro tanks.

Like most mass-produced RC stuff coming from China these days, there's a huge chance you might end up with a dud.

Never understood the "fun" of fixing toy tanks. I myself like a hassle-free hobby. I hardly have enough time to run my tanks. The last thing I wanna do is spend my precious few moments of freedom trying to figure out why my tank suddenly died, when I could have spent my time running around the backyard with it.

Upgrading a tank to make it run better is one thing. Trying to fix a tank because right after you take it out of a box, the sprockets falls off is NO fun.

ARMY GROUP 1 · Post by **ARMY GROUP 1** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 2:13 pm

I agree there is some chance of a fautly R/C tank. I am lucky because I am more than satisfied with the 12 well running tanks I can pick from, so when I purchased a Panzer 111 several months ago and it was dead as a door nail, 10 minutes later after removing 9 screws, removing the turret spocket and bending the spocket away from the driving wheel, I now I have a perfectly good model which if I wish I can push on free moving tracks and swivel the turret, just like I used to do with my 1/18 tanks.

pcsguy88 · Post by **pcsguy88** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 2:46 pm

GooglyDoogly wrote:A little warning about HL/Matorro tanks.

Like most mass-produced RC stuff coming from China these days, there's a huge chance you might end up with a dud.

Never understood the "fun" of fixing toy tanks. I myself like a hassle-free hobby. I hardly have enough time to run my tanks. The last thing I wanna do is spend my precious few moments of freedom trying to figure out why my tank suddenly died, when I could have spent my time running around the backyard with it.

Upgrading a tank to make it run better is one thing. Trying to fix a tank because right after you take it out of a box, the sprockets falls off is NO fun.

This is why you buy 2 and do your homework on the board I linked to. When you only have 1, it really pisses you off when you just want to run it for a quick patrol of your yard. As mentioned by AG1, a dead RC tank is as good as a perfect 1/18th static tank and spare parts are cheap. You trade working suspension for interior room, but your tank crew didn't need their legs anyways.

pcsguy88 · Post by **pcsguy88** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 4:08 pm

caesarbc wrote:
MG-42 wrote:* ... The last thing we'd want here , is to pi$$ off the chef ! *

Mitch v MG
Speaking of which, I went over to my inlaws the other day with the family for pizza. My mother in law (MIL) orders it and I offer to go pick-it up. When I'm aboout to leave to pick up the pizza, my MIL asks me to tell her if anyone who works there is rude to me. In ordering the pizza, she apparantely didn't like the service and had some words with one of the workers. Afterwards as I'm eating the pizza, I'm thinking to myself....." I can't even taste the lugies in this pizza".

Wherever they go and whenever they order out, there is always a problem with either the food or the service. They probably don't know what food tastes like without some human fluid on it.

We must have the same MIL. No order can be simple, must always make changes then complain when it arrives.

ostketten · Post by **ostketten** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 4:26 pm

Try having my problem. I love modern armour, tired of WWII, and I am now hooked on RC tanks. I have exactly 3 choices:

Actually there is an outfit called Hobby Engine that makes a both an RC Abrams and a Leo II in 1/16 scale. The Electronics and tracks/running gear are pretty cheezy compared to HL from what I've heard, but a few guys over at RCU have done (or are doing) upgrades to the Hobby Engine tanks, and aside from the flaws I mentioned I hear they are pretty accurate model wise.

pcsguy88 · Post by **pcsguy88** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 6:14 pm

I don't consider Hobby Engine because you can't find tracks that work well. I do watch the conversions with interest and will try it when I can find one for a reasonable price. I think the Hooben T-55 will be my next project.

GooglyDoogly · Post by **GooglyDoogly** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 7:04 pm

pcsguy88 wrote:
This is why you buy 2 and do your homework on the board I linked to. When you only have 1, it really pisses you off when you just want to run it for a quick patrol of your yard. As mentioned by AG1, a dead RC tank is as good as a perfect 1/18th static tank and spare parts are cheap. You trade working suspension for interior room, but your tank crew didn't need their legs anyways.

I have/had several 1/16th tanks, including HLs, Tamiyas, Matorro, HEs. Am currently working on the HL Stug III, and reconfiguring my Tamiya M4 HVSS Sherman 105mm to an up-armored, M4A3E8 76mm Sherman.

Just wanted to let the guys here know what's the "downside" of buying 1/16th. It's not all roses and bunnies. We moan about the quality control of 21st products, it's just prudent to also warn them about the possibility of getting junkers direct from the factory if you buy Heng Long/Matorro.

It's fine if all you want from them is a static model, because as noted, even if the RC components do not work, an HL or Matorro tank is a much better model than any 1/18th tank.

But we shouldn't try to hide the downside of RC 1/16th tank collecting. And yes, fixing major factory defects IS a downside.

pcsguy88 · Post by **pcsguy88** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 6:55 am

You are correct Googly, life with HL is far from rosey. The reason I keep directing everyone to RCU is so they know what to expect. I am only 6mo into the 1/16th scale and have 6 VsTanks prior to that. There is no comparison when it comes to quality. Anyways, with proper information and a good support group, there is nothing that can not be easily fixed on an HL. With RCCommand, we have a board member incharge who will replace any part you need. He also checks for DOAs before they ship out. I would not have bought an HL if it was not for his store in the US.

Small Scale Military Headquarters

Couldn't wait for the 21st KT

non tanks

duds