1.) Another vote for ZHobby! No problems on my end except a missing battery box cover which they sent out right away, no charge. They are very prompt with correspondence and they were cheaper than all the rest.

3.) Metal gears are overrated. I've heard of NO ONE breaking their plastic gears and even the exalted Tamiya tanks have plastic gears. Mato toys is the only vendor selling the S&S tanks with the metal gears and these are known as "Super Version". I'm not certain if these are a real version offered by the factory or Mato does the upgrade (adds the metal gears) themselves.

5.) What breaks first? Seems to depend on which tank you get. Right now I'm continuing to form the opinion that the Tiger is a real pain in the neck to own... []

I can echo zumzum5150's buddy's experience with his Pershing: I have one too (have had it longer) and have had no problems with my tank so far.

If you wait until Christmas, you can have another tank to think about: the German Panzerkampfwagen III.

-Harq