"I can't figure out how to get the machine gun or the main gun to fire and I have no idea how to hook up the IR stuff."
Larry,
The Tamiya Battle Unit (TBU) should have come with a small manual that shows how to hook up and test the IR emitter and receiver (what we call the apple). Below is a link to Tamiya's site w/ the manual.
Make sure you have a fully charged battery when you go through the set up.
If you still can't make it work, we'll help you out.
It should NOT take until Saturday to git er done, so hopefully you can get some time on the field.
Have you practiced driving?
If you haven't, I would.
Set up a small obstacle course or town using boxes, tool boxes, trash cans, cones or whatever.
Practice driving through, both forwards and backwards.
When you get used to it, try driving and moving the turret at the same time.
See if you can drive through the obstacles while keeping the cannon pointed at you.
When you get used to that, then try it in reverse!
Also, if you don't already know, you should park behind the museum.
As you pull in, drive to the left and through the chain link gates.
Once around back you will see an open garage door with a sliding gate.
Enter the museum through there.