Heng Long Panzer III Conversion by Steve Patton:

Steve started with:

• Heng Long S&S Panzer III from Mato Toys

• The Tamiya Electronics from a Tiger I

• (2) Stock Tamiya tank motors

I gutted out the hull, removing the Battery Box, and added a thick plate of Plasti-Card to mount all the electronics too. The forward bulkhead was maintained to help keep the chassis ridged and separate the electronics from the gear box's.  (Photo 01)

I'm used the Hen Long Turret Rotation and Gun Elevation units. All of the mechanics of the Airsoft Firing System were removed, and the case was cut in half to maintain the stock Gun Elevation System. (Photos 02 & 03)

I replaced the stock Heng Long  Motors with stock Tamiya Motors. (Photo 04)

The stock Hen Long Speaker plugs nicely into the Tamiya MFU electronics. (Photo 04)

To hold the top on I using mini high power magnets.  They are inserted into the original screw towers.  If you look closely, you can see one in the Rear Left location. (Photo 04)

The TBU (Tamiya Battle System) has been installed with a little Dremal work and the IR Emitter will be installed in the Gun Barrel; all to Tamiya specifications.

As you can see, there is a lot of room and everything fits nicely. (Photo 04)

It has been a fun conversion. Detailing is next. Only time will tell how reliable the tank will be in combat. I have ordered the steel tracks and drive sprockets, but I plan to run the stock tracks for a while to see how they hold up.

UPDATE:

I would not run metal tracks.  I don’t believe the chassis can handle the stress.  I ran mine at the last S.C.A.T. and B.A.T. battledays with no problems.  You will need to CA the ends of all the track pins.

I plan on switching to metal drive sprockets and idler wheels.  I might also try out the metal suspension arms.

They also make heavy duty suspension springs, but I really like the way the stock springs have been working.  It squats a little in the front, but it even helps the tank turn easily without loading the tracks with dirt.  Even Jacques Littlefield made comment on how well the stock suspension worked on my Panzer III