I've been talking with a close friend of mine and his son, 8 years old, has fallen in love with my tanks. They may even make it to the November Car Show/ Tank Battle in Danville. I know they would like to get out there and battle once they arrive.

That being said, I plan on taking them out to a ball field to get them use to running the tanks since they do not have any of their own, (yet). Ive thought of like a slalom course for them to drive through forwards and backwards and also to try and reach a finish line before being killed.

Does anyone have any suggestions about how to get them ready enough to enjoy a day of tanking?

Should make a distinction between hot rod or race cars and tanks. For tank operations, best would be to build an obstactle course through which to maneuver the tanks, ie; gullies, bridge, sharp turns as in city streets, built up objects to drive around and maybe some targets laced in to stop and engage. Tanks are not Mustangs or Maseratti's and should be run slow and deliberate, which should teach proper or realistic tank movements. If you want to run slalom or running to a finish line, get race cars.

With my 5 year old son I set up a trainning course for him to get through.

I usualy have something to shoot at for the "mission goal" and some stuff to drive around before he sets up his shots. So, for airsoft I set up a used, empty, camping propane tank as a target, for IR, a tank with battle system on,and then he must drive to a fireing position and set up the shot himself.We go around trees and bushes, rocks and gulleys on the way to the target. I coach him through it and we high five when he scores.

I also use "convoys" to train driving skills. I drive my tank and he follows with his Pershing. He has a Pershing, it seems to need the least tinkering to run. We have only had some limmited battles so far, but his skill level is improving with practice.

This is my son setting up his shot and hitting the target. In this case the mission was to destory thefuel tank.

My daughters (Krista and Kim) started at 6 and 10 with HL RC tanks. They are 11 and 15 now and should both be there in Danville for the November battleweekend. Speed is not of the essence in tank driving in Danville. The obstacle course is a good idea to train him. Set it up the same each time. It needs to include some narrow bridges for him to cross as we have four and one has no side rails. In the begininng have him practice near the tank and as he improves move him further back away from the course out to about 50 feet. When he has mastered this then have him drive the same exact course with the tank only in reverse working further away again. He must learn to drive in reverse here as he can never turn his back on the enemy. He must also learn to stay behind cover (hills, thick trees, rocks and buildings) to avoid being shot. Teach him to drive up onto some brick sized rocks and stop. Do it slow with control and w/o flipping the tank over. We take turns flipping over our tanks here. If you are using a Tamiya battle tank put enough IR hits on the tank to slow it down to a managable speed. If is is a HL tank try limiting the throw of the right joystick with some self-adhesive mounting tabs on the box near the stick. Whatever you do make it fun!!!

I'm sure he will have a great time. We will be running a tank and crushing a car there so it will be fun for him. We may even start the battles in stages with the rookies first and then let the veterns in later on. The guys there are great. We are very tollerant and kind to newbies. I look forward to seeing you guys there and please ask for me when you arrive. For RC tankers do not go thru the front doors but go to the far left of the building via the gate park your car outside. Then enter the garage door and ask for the RC tankers. The field will be infront of you and we will help you settle in and give you a workbench after sign-up. Please remember not to start any RC vehicle until after you have signed in and checked the radio frequency control board.

Send me a PM for more info on lodging and meals. This is a very inexpensive area and the November tank battles and Car show are one of the two best events that the Gasser Familly at the AAF Tank Museum put on each year. Here is alink to some of the action to get you going.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yACamQCeTno

Bob, NEAD CO

Low and slow. that is what you want to practice. Move slowly and deliberately and do not profile your self on a hill or ridge. Practice turning the turret while driving, again  Slow. The movies of tanks flying into battle where mostly staged. They usually moved very slow and cautiously.

The point of never turning your back to the enemy entails mainly keeping the main gun in the direction of your enemy. Sometimes you have to bug out in a hurry to get out of the area and running in reverse can't do it. (on a real tank) The most vital tank tactical skill is being able to keep your frontal (heavy armor) toward the enemy, but direction of travel and road layout prevent this. When you move, keep the turret traversed on where you last saw the enemy, to where you can stop and get off a shot with the least
turret movement. On a 1;1, the gunner will do this instinctively, but on a one person control box being the TC, gunner and driver, a bit more involved. Becomming familiar with the controls and given a bit of practice, this maneuver will be a big benfit.

Your son's target acquisition system is excellent! Who needs infrared when you can eyeball it all the way to the target! Good to see a kid building up motor skills in the fresh air and actually controlling a real object, not some computer image that'll respawn anytime things get tense.

He looks like he's having a ball. Good on ya,

Mike.

Thanks. I am happy he is not in front of a TV as much. He LOVES tanks so we have good father / son time with them. In fact it's part of the sales pitch to the wife that I am using tanks to teach my son life skills. Don't tell her it's about the fun.

Here he is making his first IR "kill".

Future leasons will include, driving, shooting, ambush, etc... as well as how to fix and maintain the tanks.

I can give him lots of life leasons with these things. One of the things I like about RC tank battles is that we NEVER shoot at people. Toy guns give the wrong message, that it's OK to shoot at people, and the RC tanks make it more third person. Not sure how to put it, but I think tanks can teach some combat skills, without my son pointing guns at people.

Looks like he is learning fast. As Bill mentioned real tanks go very slow in reverse. It is unrealistic, but our RC tanks go just as fast in reverse since we can change the direction of the motor is spinning in instateously. Real tank engines do not have that option. Planetary gears provide them with a slow speed but high torque reverse. So we are just as fast in reverse as forward. Oddball from "Kelly Heroes" would be proud. Woof Woof!!! ....LOL The reason I mention the reverse driving practice is just as Bill reiterated. Keep you gun pointed towards your enemy at all times. It will make him think twice about taking a shot at you if is staring down your barrel. As his driving improves move him further away from the tank. Don't let him follow it around but have him drive it from where he is standing.

Good luck, Bob