I've been in this a bit over a year, and if I was an OOB guy I would've been out of the hobby for a little over 12 months. The first two tanks I bought had to go back (both HLs, M-41 & T1 w/metal tracks) so I learned immediately that this is a very hands-on hobby. That's one of the reasons I'm so infatuated with the Imex Model Company. They're really making an effort to change that, and make it as it should be, where if I want to work on them they have lots of cool parts, and if I don't they run good right out of the box.

Even though they can't compare to Imex, I did find a place that also has very good customer service, called xenonproject.com. They just import HLs and sell them online, but if something's wrong they'll take care of it fast, and they even sent UPS call tags when tanks had to go back (Erik does that too). Like I said, they can't compare to Imex, but if you just want to pick up cheap tanks they're a good place to look. The tanks I got from them are all still running, with a lot of help from the motorpool.

But you know, as I think about this I would say there's a difference between out of the box and ready to run. I know you said you want to hear from the new guys, but I think the hobby is a lot different now than when you got in, Ausf. Back then I don't think you could even get a ready to run tank, could you? When did Heng Long tanks arrive on the scene? What about Mato?