Talex, The problem is that HENG LONG acknowledge they are TOY makers and with that in mind do not make a product that cannot safely be used by an 8 year old and of course are priced to fit into the price range of Children's toys whereas the others who came into this hobby hanging onto the coat tails of Heng Long, rather snootily in my opinion claim to produce something rather more superior and of course more expensive,
The exception to this is TAMIYA but their Tanks are in Kit form and are most certainly NOT toys and they do not come cheap.
Many of us combine let us say for example a TAIGEN Tiger 1 metal Hull (In reality plastic around metal) with a Plastic HENG LONG Tiger 1 body and whichever turret you prefer, HENG LONG Airsoft or TAIGEN I/R/Airsoft
The Taigen Turret is available in metal or plastic, this combination keeps the cost down and more closely meets the practical usefulness for us, Unfortunately we then fit after market control boards $100-300 and after market gearboxes $80-500 and after market Radio Transmitters and recievers $40-200, Metal tracks $80 - 300.
Any friendly relationship between you and your bank manager will by now be history.
shaun.