My bad, I should've made mention of post-war tanks. The first priority for this survey is for WW II era tanks, but we can't waste the opportunity. I will collect responses for post-war AFVs separately but turn them in at the same time so just go ahead and make 3 choices for the WW II tanks and make choice #4 a post-war pick. I think to pick just one modern is enough it's all relative as I will break it down into percentages. More or less number of votes is irrelevant. Besides when I talked with Mr. Tamiya last time he asked me if "we" wanted the Abrams. I told him that all the clubs are about WWII combat and so wished to see more from that period, but were he to do a modern tank that, of course, the Abrams would be popular, esp. with younger guys due to the Gulf Wars. Frankly, I wouldn't be surprised if it was next since he has basically done all the tanks we've asked for except a different Sherman. I have to admit that the Pershing helped to ease the pain of not having an Easy-8 or VVSS version, but clearly one of my motives for this survey is to plant a bug in their ear again.

By satisfying our desires for a series of WW II tanks Tamiya Inc has created real momentum in the hobby. It's natural to go with historical opponents as subject matter and there is a clearly defined market that way. On the other hand the Leopard II as a model is such a great machine we have wished that such a smooth transmission/gearbox could've been made available for the Panther, etc. that followed, but it was the older technology that was employed. No doubt to keep the price on a parity with the Tigers, etc. The Germans (Krause - Maffei?) had a big part to play in seeing that their baby got produced and with an authentic drive train to boot. I would hope a Tamiya Abrams would use the same unit, but with the turbine sound. That would be a hot set-up.

I'm keeping track of the voting so anyone can make changes until such time as I think everyone has had said what they want. I have not set a dead lline at this point.

I have not visited this forum on a regular basis, concentrating on the Armornut Forum instead I know the guy who started it and it was the forum used to develop the RCACN starting back in 2002 about. Old habits for an old guy. If I'm not mistaken it was one of our members who wrote the first draft of the rules. RCU is a big deal and this and the other tank forums on it are excellent for sure, but there is only so much time in the day. I think I will spend more of my free time here as the Armornut forum is a bit quiet now. Rich