Hi Alan and welcome aboard.

You are going to receiving a zillion responses. Everyone has their own criteria based on the intended use of the tank. My criteria is much like what you are after...realism and accuracy. I am not much into RC battles as I find that generally the tanks in RC battles are operated in a manner that was totally impossible for the particular tank to achieve and outside the realm of realism. Six of my tanks are set up with IR and BDU battle units which I use for combat demos and fun with freinds who are equally interested in realistic operation. I am busy with scale modeling and diorama work with my museum, so am very ciritcal of historic accuracy. At one time I had 36 tanks but sold off most and now have my Israeli and my own Korean War era armor.

Tamiya has the much better electronics but off set by the very high price and they still have their own problems in poorly designed parts like the main gun elevating system. Tamiya tanks you have to assemble 100% unless you find one assembled for sale. Individual parts for Tamiya is also an expensive proposition. Nearly all my tanks have been and are HL with a couple WSN T-34s with electronics converted to newer HL and all run great with a minimal amount of problems. I also have 6 Shermans converted to Israeli models, all using Tamiya, HL and Mato parts. My HL Korea fleet consists of an M-26A1 Pershing, an M-45 and M-46, the latter with expensive El mod. The Pershings are great to work with and do not need metal tracks. The stock tracks are very robust and dependable. All are with late model HL electronics and added sound cards. The Mato Sherman is a good base for modelling but needs better electonics and slower gears. The HL with RX-18 board works great. Like most, the HL and Mato tanks all need some modelling to make them fully accurate. Prices on both the HL and Mato are something one can live with when you procure more....you will NOT have just one .

With HL, the Pershing, Tiger I, Panzer III and M-41 Walker Bulldog are good runners, reliable and nice, especially if you are doing some modelling. I am not familiar with the new KV-1, but have read a lot of good posts. Many conversion kits are available for making other versions or variants, mostly German. 3;1 gears are always an option, but I find my hands can control the speed with no additional cost. Good luck.

Bill