Hello Alan and Welcome!<div></div><div>Heng Long tanks do have variable speeds, (10 speeds) but it must be smoke and sound edition. It doesn't matter whether it's the metal version or plastic tracks. As long as the tank isadvertisedto have at least sound, you'll have a board that's capable of variable speed.</div><div></div><div>The metal version (usually advertised as metal tracks) has metal gears to begin with, but often times...needs some work. Lapping sometimes helps...but last two I've tried, actually made things worse and made for one loud tank.</div><div></div><div>The Tiger I is a fixer upper right off the bat, (was my first too) so in my opinion....it's not the greatest start off tank for a stickler or one not willing to do some work to it. The hull is the early type with unacceptable wobble and support, which lends to constant track throwing and the strength of the plastic in thickness and tensile strength is not of the same compared to their newer tanks. This could have been improved with newer stock, but as of a year ago....mine is as brittle as fine China.</div><div></div><div>But, nevertheless it's a great tank to own.....eventually. But there's plenty of guys here who has modified the tank and shared their results, so lot's of info here.</div>