would you believe I actually was planning on that? I found some ready sprayed barrel lengtheners on ebay in all the HL major colours. A grey one of them and I'm laughing. Where can you get upgrade parts for the airsoft?

I did indeed thrash the newly re-assembled tank today. Its a lot louder than it was with the plastic gears!

Its running very well indeed, as soon as I've got the barrel lengthener, and re-numbered it, I'll take some pics of it. No point now, it still looks like a plain HL at the moment

these tanks should carry a health warning. Fortunately I was able to see at the time that if you are going to upgrade it to metal bits, it really is a good idea to buy all the relevant bits (I'm thinking suspension strengthening frames) for each area. When I get the metal tracks, I'll get the wheels and sprockets at the same time.