I have been an active participant on this forum since 2006, When I see all the products and tanks that are available today, I am thankful for what we all have been able to do for this hobby to get it where it is. It is a niche market, and I know every step out for the manufacturers is a real leap of faith, as I am sure their money invested in other areas would generate better returns. All of them have my utmost respect and heartfelt thanks for providing me with the options we have today.

This hobby has been made better by this forum and the other tank forums. People share their knowledge, and are so happy to step forward to help the new guys find their way. For me personally without this forum, this hobby would not be as enjoyable as it is. When I bought my first Heng Long, I remember that Walker Bulldog sitting on the dining room floor with the lights blinking and nothing else happening. Without this forum that would have been the end of this hobby for me. Instead I got some advice to try a few different things, and had the thing running with a big smile on my face.

I also think this group has been responsible for much development in the hobby. I remember when David was online and mentioned he thought he could build and interface that would help a Heng Long play with Tamiya. Some active dialogue on the forum and presto the DBC was born, When Clark first introduced the TK 20, it was this community that was vocal about having it behave well with Tamiya, I believe this wasn't his primary concern at the start, but with the feedback provided he understood what we were really looking for, and to his credit he went back an built exactly that.

Some of you have mixed feelings about Mato, but they have always been very good to me, and they have put themselves out there, first with metal parts, then actually building their own Sherman, and now moving into a Metal line of tanks.

Asiatam/Taigen, now being actively marketed by IMEX is doing a service, by getting our hobby out in front of people when they walk into a hobby store. When people get tired of running their buggies, maybe they will look over at that nicely painted tank, and start asking questions what that is all about.

I am appreciative of the active clubs who give some purpose to building an IR battle tank, and hold events that bring us together to enjoy this hobby. My hats off to their members who get on here and give us updates that keep the dream alive for those of us who are thousands of miles away.

Even the spirited debates we get into that challenge our ways of thinking, and looking at things from a different perspective. This all presents entertainment and enlightenment

Of course my hat is off to the folks who run this forum. They allow us free speech and the ability to self moderate, and behave like adults.

All in all it is a pretty special group, and I just wanted to say thanks to the old veterans, and let the newbies know that soon enough opportunities will present themselves to you, to help out and advise the next guy coming into this hobby. My challenge to you would be to step up as the opportunities present themselves, and be a vocal participant. For me participation in this forum is crucial to keeping the fires burning, and I probably am not the only one. I can honestly say that without this forum my interest in this hobby would fade.

The world could learn something from us. More so then any other forum I know we come from all over the world and bring a different perspective with us. Here though we focus on the things that makes us alike and tolerate the things that set us apart. Well done Gentleman.