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1/16 Scale of Model of the Heng Long M1 Abrams Tank

This page was updated on June 20, 2018 (work in progress)

About

This M1A2 Abrabms tank by Heng Long (HL) is a well detailed model with reasonably good RC controls.  This "almost ready to run" tank requires a mumber of parts (and decals) to be installed (press fit or cemented) in place. Several of the parts should be painted to look proper.  It leaves open plenty of areas that can be modified or added to for additional realism.  Major upgrades in process.

Modifications 

      The first modification was to the commander's 50 caliber machine gun.  It had no handles nor trigger mechanism, which required it to be hand made and painted.  Part of the HL gun support needed to be repainted desert tan for realism.

      The second modification was to replace the HL tank commander supplied with the tank. The commander was a half figure that should be used with WWII tanks as well as those well into the 1960's. This was replaced with the Verlinden no. 659 desert storm tank commander. It is a multiple piece kit which also needed to be painted.

The figure was left in two pieces (upper and lower body) with a magnet and two pins to mate the pieces so that it could be placed in the turret or together for a standing position. A 3/8-inch spacer was added to the commander's hatch opening to raise the figure to the right height.

      The current modification (still working on) is to replace the current gearboxes and motors in order to increase the speed of the tank and eliminate the possible trouble with the current plastic gears.

This is the Heng Long "Ultimate Edition II" drive gearbox and will probably work in other Heng Long tanks.  It features high speed carbon brushed motors, thick aluminum sheet frames, steel gears., and copper sleevedadapters for the flanged bearings.

A test run of the existing (as purchased tank) motors, gears, and using the existing 7.4 volt - 1800 ma batteries was as follows:

     Track: indoors, vinyl flooring
     Distance: 24 feet
     Time: 12 seconds
     Speed: 2 feet per second

A test run of the tank with the new gearboxes and motors (same battery) yielded the following results.:

Photo(s) to be added     The marking on the tank will be changed to be the same as a photo of a real tank ("Absolute Death") in the Middle East.  (pending)

Photo(s) to be added     The current turret does not rotate a full 360 degrees. A new turret gear ring and slip ring set was ordered and has been recieved. The will allow the turret to turn 360 degreees continouslly. Also, a new turret servo was ordered and recieved.  This servo should allow the turret to traverse twice as fast. (pending)

Photo(s) to be added     A new turret "bustle rack" has been created in 3D is is on order for manufacturing.  This new rack will be added to the rear of the existing rack.  Parts (spare road wheels,  track, Jerry cans, thermal chest, thermal jug, and ammo boxes) is also in the 3d process.  This will add a lot of detail to the tank. (pending)