Hi fellow tankers

I too am a HL owner (I have 3 tigers and a Pershing) and although I could afford a Tamiya I chose not to as I wanted to modify (butcher ) them to my taste. I would have been too terrified to do this with a Tamiya given the very high cost and fear of ruining it. I am happy that I have to do a few corrections to get the HL looking right (mantlet, gun length, stowage box shape etc) but I find this part of the fun along with the challenge of the electronics. Additionally, my kids play with a couple of them and I have no real fear of them being damaged as if they are they are easy to fix and do not cost an arm and a leg - I would a nervous wreck letting them near a Tamiya.

I can see the merits of the Tamiya and understand other folks reasons for wanting them but at present I am happy with my HL.

I will add another point that may cause some frowns from other members but this is not pointed at anybody in this forum so do not get on at me for picking at folks. I have seen some Tamiya tanks that are very poorly finished. They are badly built and painted and look awful. They are just as (un)reliable as a HL and in some cases a lot less so due to poor workmanship by the builder. I am regualry told my HLs look superb and a lot of folk who are not in the RC tank hobby cannot believe that my one cost an awful lot less than the Tam one. While I admit a well finished Tamiya Tiger looks awsome, a well sorted HL can also look very good, and in some ways is more of a challenge to get to that level - just like many of the very well presented HL ones in this site that never fail to impress. MY point here is that although some may say you cannot polish a turd, I believe you can still get a good shine on it with some effort .

Everybody is entitled to their view and should be able to express it without fear of an attack from other parties - after all that is what our real armies are fighting for every day. We all need to lighten up and enjoy this hobby as it really is a good bit of fun.

Less of the HL bashing and less of the Tam bashing. Each have their place in society albeit a different place.

I will now get off my soap box and get back to spraying my latest project.

Gorehound