RE: New to hobby.. need some advice on tanks
15x17 ' isn't much room when you consider 1;16 scale RCtanks. Outside in a back yard would be better. For a WWIIscenario, the HLPanzer III or IV and a Pershing or the forthcoming VVSSSherman would be good. The Pz IIIoffers many variations and conversions but the Tigers are popular and those can be converted to early-mid-late production with a bit of modeling. On the Russian side, the WSNT-34/85 is good, when re-worked with HLelectronics. For smaller scale, the 1;24 scale tanks are getting popular but not much variety. Scenery you will have to scratch build. Check some of the popular RCsites and look at the battle areas. Hope this helps.