I agree. Same s**t in the states. I thought so about the Hen Long special ed. tanks. I rather spend a grand for a better hobby grade tank where I can learn as I go about its functions as I do the build!
Tamiya is the best . Maybe kyosho will develop some 1/16 WWII tanks since there is still a strong market in the r/c tank world.
Check out what this Russian guy has at www.interdacom.ru/~tanks BIG 1/6 tanks but made from fiberglass with 2X600 watt motors.

Woops! dont bother. I just checked this site and I guess he is also now out of business.! His name was Alex Shlakheter from Volgograd Russia. He made the 1/6 r/c tanks that looked real nice but this was four years ago the last time I visited his site. Sorry!

Drypipe.