Hi Rich,

Perhaps some background is in order: The TBU is what "makes" the Tamiya rc 1/16 tanks fun and completely unique. Without that feature rc tanks turn into shelf queens pretty fast, and that isn't that much fun when you've just built a model vehicle that is designed to "move".

Tamiya should not lose sight of that concept. Each new Tamiya rc tank release I believe should focus on alternating "friend and foe releases". Right now the US Pershing fills that part (but played an insignificant role in WWII), and I have read that the current Tamiya RC Sherman release is a tank most used in the Pacific Island Campaigns, so an appropriate "tank to tank" fighting ETO Sherman (or Sherman based TD) is absolutely required.

Releasing variants, such as the Panther G then a Jadgpanther kinda misses the "unique point" about Tamiya rc battle capability tanks and to run out of TBUs, while offering your first new releases in several years, seems, well...not a very good idea. Why not include the TBUs with the kit, going forward, and control the items price though increased volume.

I put my votes into 2 categories, WWII and Modern Era MBT. Tamiya should consider introducing a product line of modern 1/16 rc tanks, similar to their 1/35 fine scale static model lineup. I think there is demand, and it could be surprisingly high, maybe greater than WWII types.

WWII Tanks
1. Sherman VVSS any ETO tank fighter variant
2. Chaffee M24 Scout Tank
3. Mk VIII, Cromwell (A27M)

Modern Era MBT
1. Abrams
2. T-72
3. Merkava

And for the certain follow up to the new Tamiya Pz4, how about considering the tank destroyer: JAGDPANZER 1V L/70 LANG with a new tanker figure and TBU included.

John