Markocaster

The majority of our back yard is patio, due to the drought here in CA lawns are becoming a thing of the past in my area. Anyway one little area looks like this from the patio

But if you move in a little closer I have just started my own mini tank area. It's small certainly not good for battles, but will be a fun place to drive them and maybe take photos.

Looks a little flat but I have built it up
And I have piers in for a bridge , just have to decide on a design.

It's basically a loop , but should be fun! still a bit more clearing and maybe start on a bridge , and look for more rocks tomorrow.
Cheers Mark

Markocaster

Panther F

That looks great and gives me ideas! My wife was to section off a garden... but never did so. Now I need to take control and build a tank section and keep the four legged friends out of it too.

Do you plan to throw a sealant over it to keep rains from washing it away?




Jeff

sollie

Even small in size I dream of something like tihs . Looks great, add a few bumbs and a small top , and you have a great spot to drive.

This is maybe one of my fav. tank tracks( just found it on Youtube)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRSsYFvRNTo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRSsYFvRNTo Iike that they have raised it of the ground , just kinda like a model Railroad.

superrod

My Feedback: (16)

Looks good. Not much a chance for the rain to wash it away.
Jimmy

Silverexpress

My Feedback: (1)

I've started my tank path too. Search youtube for "garden pathways", "yard walkway" etc...for ideas on roadbeds.

Anyhow, looks great! Those little FPV all in one cameras have come down quite a bit. A little velcro here and there and you can get some awesome viewpoints from the tank. Skip the goggles and get yourself a tiny hyperion fpv monitor and a tripod.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5KR1_E0niE

Markocaster

WOW that is an awesome little track , thanks for posting I got some great ideas , I need lots more rocks to make it look more mountainous, and after watching the video , some cows

Markocaster

Thanks Jeff, my wife was awesome, she said hey have at it, and is making suggestions. she's a keeper. I don't think it will wash away after I get a load or two of big / small rocks, but I can seal it if need be, first we need some rain



mark

DougH

Looks great. I'm in Concord and have a Tiger due to arrive in a couple of days

Markocaster

Thanks Doug! I am in Pleasant Hill. Which Tiger are you getting?

DougH

Taigen Early Version Tiger 1 (Metal Edition) Airsoft 2.4GHz RTR RC Tank 1/16th Scale

I don't have enough room in the backyard for anything but am just steps away from one of the old horse trail walking paths behind my neighborhood. Very close to the Lime Ridge open space also.

Markocaster

Your gonna love it! That was my first tank. I am slowly converting it to a mid production model. I live Close to Dinosaur Hill Park, one of these days I am gonna take one up there for a run!

Cleanandserenesteve

Hey, I didn't know there were fellow tankers so close to me. I used to live in Lafayette in the highlands about 5 mins from Dinosaur hill.

Markocaster

Bridge built and works well, I have discovered something I was afraid would happen. My "road" crushed quartz sand is ok if you only go forward but the minute I turn it fouls the tracks so I need to rethink my surface. Maybe just sand ? And ideas appreciated

TheBennyB

Bridge looks great. Sand is going to have the same effect. It will gather in the sprocket/running gear and let the track "slide" off. Really the best bet is good old dirt and even wet it occasionally, or when you can during the drought. Yup they are tanks, but think to scale what your running in. That quartz is like running on rail road ballast to scale, looks pretty though.

Markocaster

Cheers Benny, I think I am going to get a load of plain old dirt like you said and work with that, I did see someone use roll roofing material as asphalt.

TheBennyB

I've never run on the roofing material, but never been a fan of pics I've seen. Always seem's to curl at the edges and will move when you maneuver on it unless its pegged down. Others may have better opinions on that. If you think this may be at the least a 1 year long running area think about pavers for hard surface area's. You could re-use them down the road if you change your mind around the backyard landscapes.

Markocaster

You know pavers are a great idea! Then I wouldn't have any problems and could build up the area around with them too, will look into that. For now I am going to get a truck load of dirt, and compress it with water over the gravel I think . Cheers
mark

sollie

After looking at this tread, and the video I posted earlier, I pitched the idea to a friend of mine.. and a few hours later he sent me this photo.

12x3 meters + to the side of photo another 4x4 meters..

Pah co chu puk

Nice bridge, well done. Yes, the small gravel is hard on tracks. Soil is best. The pavers are a good idea, you could use them to make a mix of paved and dirt roads for verity.

I made this movie of my Tankland, perhaps it can give you some ideas for yours. Its primitive, but has a lot of area. Keep us posted on your progress, and what you learn as you go.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xC1p202DEeM

sollie

great scenery pah. lot's of blown up debree ;-) . Looks massive in size to

Markocaster

Nice, I wish I had nice dirt like that my area is all rocks and roots.

Markocaster

Your your tankland is fantastic, what a nice large area you have.

sollie

And last night I went on the backside of the house and started on a little fig 8'ish . Nothing big , but just something other than drive back and forth on the front lawn.

DougH

Bridge looks awesome although personally I'd have gone with gray or black. I may have to see if I can spare some yard space