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Armor/AFV: Modern - USA
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M911 C-HET comparison - HB vs Meng
HeavyArty
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Florida, United States
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Posted: Friday, June 15, 2018 - 03:39 AM UTC
It looks as though the Hobby Boss M911 C-HET is now available. The Meng version has been out for some time. Has anyone looked at both to see how they compare? I have seen build ups of the Meng version and it looks very nice. I haven't seen nor heard anything on the HB one. It looks as though the HB one is a little cheaper than Meng's. I wonder if the addaige "You get what you pay for," applies here as well?

HB M911 C-HET


Meng M911 C-HET
Darkin
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Wojewodztwo Malopolskie, Poland
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Posted: Thursday, June 21, 2018 - 02:15 AM UTC
Hi Gino, there is a view of the parts in the box and instruction M911 C-HET from HobbyBoss

http://www.moxing.net/2018/0620/9141.html
HeavyArty
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Posted: Thursday, June 21, 2018 - 10:06 AM UTC
Thanks. It looks pretty nice. I still haven't decided which one to get. Any other opinions between the two?
MAD_DUCK
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Alabama, United States
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Posted: Thursday, June 21, 2018 - 10:27 AM UTC
I never thought I'd say it but after building the Meng kit, the Hobby boss kit looks a whole lot better.
panamadan
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Minnesota, United States
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Posted: Friday, June 22, 2018 - 04:44 AM UTC
Vince,
You didn’t like the Meng kit?
Dan
MAD_DUCK
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Alabama, United States
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Posted: Friday, June 22, 2018 - 05:46 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Vince,
You didn’t like the Meng kit?
Dan


Not really. it felt like a chore to build and it was wayyyy over engineered. don't get my wrong ,I like a complicated kit but I felt like this once could have been done better.
Denimo
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British Columbia, Canada
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Posted: Wednesday, September 04, 2019 - 01:30 PM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text

Vince,
You didn’t like the Meng kit?
Dan


Not really. it felt like a chore to build and it was wayyyy over engineered. don't get my wrong ,I like a complicated kit but I felt like this once could have been done better.


Agreed 100%. It is over-engineered. I was beginning to think it was me at fault but reading the above, I feel a little better. To add to my problem I bought the Voyager upgrade kit and that is WAY beyond my skills. The p e and plastic rod radiator grille is just stupid.

I'll truck on and finish the Meng kit,but reading above, Ive just ordered the HB kit.

This wont be a back-to-back comparison build, but when I do get around to it I'll pass on any comments.

Denimo.

PS I found the HF HEMTT Wrecker on fleabay and thats' on order. As was stated by another modeller who "started in the 1960's" theres never been a better time to be in this hobby!
Kenaicop
#384
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Nevada, United States
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Posted: Wednesday, September 04, 2019 - 05:08 PM UTC
Just my two cents worth. I built the Hobby Boss M1070, great kit but lots of flash to clean up, especially on the wheels and there are what, 40 on the trailer alone, which is 80 wheel halves? That’s a lot of clean up. The kit lacked fine detail too. I recently built the Meng M911 and it was also a great kit, I would say a bit more detailed from the pics I’ve seen of the Hobby Boss kit. I didn’t mind the amount of parts at all and didn’t find it overly engineered at all, and had very little flash and clean up. I know we’re talking about two different vehicles, but if the Hobby Boss M911 is anything like their M1070, then you’ll have clean up and detail to add. Just my opinion.
Denimo
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British Columbia, Canada
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Posted: Friday, September 06, 2019 - 07:55 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Just my two cents worth. I built the Hobby Boss M1070, great kit but lots of flash to clean up, especially on the wheels and there are what, 40 on the trailer alone, which is 80 wheel halves? That’s a lot of clean up. The kit lacked fine detail too. I recently built the Meng M911 and it was also a great kit, I would say a bit more detailed from the pics I’ve seen of the Hobby Boss kit. I didn’t mind the amount of parts at all and didn’t find it overly engineered at all, and had very little flash and clean up. I know we’re talking about two different vehicles, but if the Hobby Boss M911 is anything like their M1070, then you’ll have clean up and detail to add. Just my opinion.


Thanks for the info. Ive got 2 HB M1070's as I want to build the guntruck version as well as the tank hauler. Glad you enjoyed building the Meng M911, it is a challenge to my basic skills but I'm plugging away. I've ordered the HB M911 as I was intrigued by the comments comparing it with the Meng kit.

I really wish theyd converted a few M911's into guntrucks. That would make a great model IMHO.
Kenaicop
#384
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Nevada, United States
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Posted: Friday, September 06, 2019 - 10:22 AM UTC
Don’t get me wrong, loved the kit, very impressive on the shelf! Have fun with it

panamadan
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Minnesota, United States
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Posted: Friday, September 06, 2019 - 11:29 AM UTC
Nice job!
It’s a beast
Dan
Denimo
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British Columbia, Canada
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Posted: Monday, October 07, 2019 - 07:10 AM UTC
Just a question James. What did you do about winch cable? Ive had the original (too thick) kit cable wrapped on the drums for about 10 days and it hasn't "developed a memory".

Is there a better cable that will wrap and stay on the drum? Mine just goes SPROING! every time I take the clamp off.

Thanks James.
Kenaicop
#384
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Posted: Monday, October 07, 2019 - 07:37 AM UTC
Wrap it, while holding it tight, drop some super glue on it and keep holding it for bit until the glue sets up. That’s what I do with pretty much all cable, metal or thread, when building these large tank transporters with the big winch drums
Denimo
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Posted: Tuesday, October 08, 2019 - 04:02 AM UTC
Thanks James. Appreciate the help.
Denimo
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British Columbia, Canada
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Posted: Tuesday, November 05, 2019 - 06:32 PM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text

Vince,
You didn’t like the Meng kit?
Dan


Not really. it felt like a chore to build and it was wayyyy over engineered. don't get my wrong ,I like a complicated kit but I felt like this once could have been done better.


I shouldnt grumble on here, but the Meng M911 I bought on fleabay has gone badly! Stupidly, I put it on the shelf when it arrived in July and started the build in October- without opening the box.

Many parts were damaged, sprues out of the protective bags, sprues broken. The seller is not interested, even denying I bought it from him. Sent him a pic of the fleabay receipt, havent heard since then. Too late for fleabay to cover it and I didnt use paypal, so no coverage there either.

Ive contacted Meng about buying 4 sprues and a replacement for the (half used) decal sheet. I'll await developments.

The tractor is complete having heated and pressed inner and outer doors flat although its minus decals, but the trailer goose-neck was twisted out of alignment and is unusable, as are many trailer parts.

Caveat emptor and open on arrival!
HeavyArty
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Florida, United States
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Posted: Wednesday, November 06, 2019 - 01:32 AM UTC
Sound like an issue with the previous owner, shipping and/or storage, not with the kit itself.

Meng is very good about selling sprues. I recently bought the E sprue (axles and other parts) from this kit and it only cost $9 shipped from China. It took about 2 1/2 weeks to get here. I emailed their customer service email and had an answer the next day. Great service.

I have a question for you, or anyone else who built the Meng M911. Which way did you build the pusher axle (adjustable one) on the tractor, up or down? Either way, do you still have the air bags you didn't use on it? PM sent.
heliman
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New York, United States
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Posted: Wednesday, November 06, 2019 - 06:43 AM UTC
Hey Gino , I built mine pusher axle raised . Let me check see if the lowered air bags are still in spares bin.
HeavyArty
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Posted: Wednesday, November 06, 2019 - 06:53 AM UTC
Thanks Jeff. PM sent.
Denimo
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British Columbia, Canada
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Posted: Wednesday, November 13, 2019 - 03:42 PM UTC
I too am getting great after-sales service from Meng. I needed 5 sprues and a decal sheet. Their people responded quickly and Im paying a very reasonable US$19.00 including shipping.

Ive got into a Trumpie LAV-R while grieving over the crap service I got from the M911 seller (can I mention their co. name, I'm really pissed with their arrogance and "f *** you" attitude?)

Anyway, the sprues will be on their way soon and I can build the trailer and a load for it.

On a "related" note, can anyone confirm or deny that during ODS, USMC M60's were moved around on M911/M747 HETS? I have the Tamiya M60 and thought it would make a nice load.

Or did the Marines have their own transporters?
HeavyArty
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Posted: Thursday, November 14, 2019 - 02:10 AM UTC
They did carry M60A1s as a load. I am pretty sure the USMC did/does not have their own tank transporters. I think you would be safe to have it on an Army M911 C-HET.

Here is a C-HET with an Army M60A3 loaded.



Anyone who has built the Meng M911 C-HET, I am still looking for left-over air bags from the pusher axle. If you have any, let me know.
Denimo
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Posted: Thursday, November 14, 2019 - 04:32 AM UTC
Thanks for that Gino. I'll be looking in the M911 box this weekend and will let you know.
Denimo
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Posted: Sunday, November 17, 2019 - 07:54 AM UTC

Quoted Text

They did carry M60A1s as a load. I am pretty sure the USMC did/does not have their own tank transporters. I think you would be safe to have it on an Army M911 C-HET.

Here is a C-HET with an Army M60A3 loaded.



Anyone who has built the Meng M911 C-HET, I am still looking for left-over air bags from the pusher axle. If you have any, let me know.


Hi Gino, I have 4 airbags for the pusher in the raised position. PM your details OK?

HeavyArty
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Posted: Sunday, November 17, 2019 - 08:07 AM UTC
PM sent.
Denimo
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Posted: Friday, January 24, 2020 - 06:06 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Thanks. It looks pretty nice. I still haven't decided which one to get. Any other opinions between the two?


I finished the MENG kit once I got the replacement parts for the trailer. As stated earlier, the build wasnt fun.

The HB version is much better IMHO, although Ive only built the tractor frame and drivetrain and am working on the cab now.

Unlike the MENG kit, much of the build so far has been from only 2-3 sprues. The sprues are also designed so theres no protruding sections to complicate part removal.

I watched a Youtube vid recently where the presenter described the MENG build as "something not to be tried if youre low or depressed". I'd agree with him on that.

HB's plastic seems harder though and I had to tidy up my cutting technique for parts removal.

Pin marks etc are no worse than MENG's and overall im enjoying the build. The lift axle err...doesnt, but thats OK by me as both wagons will be loaded.

Fit is excellent and the wheels needed minimal cleanup. the PE sheets are thinner and clearly numbered which wasnt the case with the MENG build. Cant speak for tire fit yet, but I struggled with the first kit's and used superglue on some of them.

I'll use the Voyager figures for crew but at around $50 Canadian for 2, I wish I could find a cheaper option.

All in all I think this build will be much more enjoyable experience. Wish I could post a pic but Im a bit techno-challenged.


jfeenstra
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Alberta, Canada
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Posted: Saturday, January 25, 2020 - 04:00 AM UTC

Quoted Text



I'll use the Voyager figures for crew but at around $50 Canadian for 2, I wish I could find a cheaper option.



Voyager figures? Never heard of such a thing. I assume you mean Black Dog or Valkyrie?
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