Heng Long 1/16 Scale "T-90" Main Battle Tank
My Personal Averaged Total Score for the Heng Long 1/16 Scale "T-90" Tank: 88 out of 100
Read below to see how I obtained this average score when assessing Heng Long's most modern Russian tank in 1/16 Scale. This review is based upon the most recent production run of Heng Long's T-90 "Upgrade" version, as of October 2019.
As a visual companion to this written review, our Overview and Build Summary Video can be found below
Introduction:Entering service in 1993, the T-90 is an evolution of the Cold War-era Soviet T-72 tank. Further advanced since its introduction with updated armor configurations, countermeasures, and armament, the T-90 remains Russia's principal modern tank as the more common counterpart to the more expensive turbine-powered T-80. The T-90's cannon is capable of firing both conventional shells and ATGM (Anti-Tank Guided Missile) munitions. Like its T-72 predecessor, the T-90 is exported to several countries in modified variants, including to the current Iraqi Army operating alongside export versions of American-built M1 Abrams tanks.
Functions:
Featuring the latest TK6.0 MFCB (Multi-Function Control Board), this tank is full of features:
1) Proportional acceleration, steering, turret traverse, and gun elevation/depression
2) Programmable radio settings for the amount of recoil, the sensitivity in turns, the overall sensitivity in acceleration, etc
3) Smoke (On/Off)
4) Volume (five settings including Off)
5) Four different Sound Sets. Each Sound Set contains a unique engine start sound, idle sound, accelerating sound, traverse sound, elevate sound, machine gun, cannon, and shutdown sound.
6) Track Recoil (Three settings from low, medium, and high) -- Low or Medium are the most realistic.
7) Fires a 6mm plastic BB
8) Fires an invisible IR signal to be used as part of Heng Long's Infrared Battle System to disable other tanks during simulated combat between up to 20 tanks at the same time
Scale Fidelity:
The T-90 ranks higher in the scale fidelity category than some of the older Heng Long models. Super scale enthusiasts will recognize details such as the drive sprocket pattern, but for the majority of tankers, Heng Long's T-90 looks like a T-90.
What's In the Box:
As an RTR or "Ready To Run" RC model, everything is included in the box except six AA batteries for the radio transmitter. In areas where shipping liquids is restricted, the glycerin used for the "smoke effect" is absent, but can be found locally at hardware or convenience stores that sell glycerin oil.
The radio, tank, cosmetic accessory parts, 2s 7.4v 1800mAh tank battery, tank battery charger, and plastic BBs, don't require any "assembly", other than installing the aforementioned "cosmetic accessory parts".
Initial Two Minute Function Test:
Because the tank itself is functionally complete and it doesn't require the cosmetic accessory parts to run, I recommend testing your tank's basic functions immediately after unboxing the tank, before you install the cosmetic accessory parts. If there happens to be any problems, it is better to report them to Motion RC for warranty support before the tank has any cosmetic parts attached to it.
To conduct this initial two minute test, insert six AA batteries in the radio and turn it on. Plug in the tank's included 2s battery and slide the tank's switch to On. The radio and tank are already "bound" to each other via 2.4Ghz signal, so simply press the Key button on the radio and your tank will activate. Move all the tank's controls in every direction to evaluate their function. Refer to the Manual for all controls. Note that the turret and cannon barrel will produce a "clacking" sound when they reach their maximum travel points. This sound is normal and is a warning for you to stop moving it in that direction. Importantly, DO NOT run the tank more than two minutes for this initial test, since it arrives with only a storage charge.
Once satisfied that your tank is operating normally, plug the battery into the included wall charger. While it's charging, turn your attention to the installation of the "cosmetic accessory parts", covered in the Details section, below. Installing the cosmetic parts onto the exterior of the tank result in the finished result:
Exterior Quality:
Like all of Heng Long's 1/16 tanks, the T-90 is primarily composed of ABS plastic, which is nicely molded. Overall the parts are molded nicely, although there are noticeable sink marks on some of the ERA panels along the turret. The paintwork is excellent, and the various shades make an effective camo. The sheen of individual parts is uniform, and nothing stands out. I like the sharp contrast between the flowing camo paintjob and the blocky areas on the turret and along the glacis and forward lower hull, seen below.
.
Details:
The T-90 includes more than ten sprues of plastic "Cosmetic Accessory Parts" for the modeler to install on the tank. See the Video linked above for the large pile of plastic, which for a modeler like myself is always a welcome sight!
These "Cosmetic Accessory Parts" all plug into pre-drilled holes, and are nearly "snap fit". Be careful of the rear turret bustle bin, because its arms are somewhat fragile. The rest of the parts assemble easily. Following the Video linked above and the clear diagrams in the instruction manual, I imagine most RC modelers would have no problem installing these parts in 60-90 minutes.
I didn't glue on any of the parts, and don't expect to. I prefer being able to remove the turret mounted machine gun during transport.
Assembly:
The tank arrives RTR, with a radio, tank, accessories, tank battery, tank battery charger, and plastic BBs. The glycerin needed for the smoker may not be included depending on your area's local shipping restrictions, but it's cheap enough to source locally. The main thing you'll need to run the tank out of the box is six AA batteries for the tank's radio.
Assembly of the tank itself is complete, and the tank can be running literally within a couple minutes of opening the box and inserting the batteries.
Once you're done verifying everything works, plug the tank's battery into the charger, since it only arrives with a storage charge.
Apply the T-90's included decals, as desired, on a cleaned and dried surface, using the instruction manual's clear diagrams. These are simple adhesive vinyl decals. They are NOT water slide decals. After applying them, you may want to seal them in with a clear coat. I didn't, and the decals continue to hold well to the surface. Eventually I plan on modifying and repainting this tank, at which point I will seal everything in with a clear coat.
Comment