Today, I thought about how I got into this hobby, just last July. A whole bunch of you here have been enablers to my rapid tank additicion

I was always interested in history, for as long as I remember.

I read a lot and built static models into my early teens, then quit.

In my late 30's, I started looking at the static models again. In my mid 40's, I built a few plastic aircraft modles but in both cases, I did not sustain the interest because "they didn't do anything"

Fast forward to May- June this year; some of the guys at work were buying (and writing off) ready to fly electric RC aircraft, I thought, "thats pretty neat" and decided to try it.

I prooved by simulator and craching beyond repair, an "easy to fly" trainer, I recognized my total ineptitude; plus, I found out that it is not uncommon for experienced guys to total a custom RC plane they have spent months on. I am too anal for that and it only introduced mre stress in my life.

Then I found RC tanks, models you can work on, actually operat and usually you get them back, intact..

I found this forum, TJM invited me over to see his collection and I was impressed, more forum contacgts followed.

I have put myself through an intense learning curve, still lots more to learn.

It is the right hobby for me at the right time in my life.

I can understand where you're coming from. My story is a bit different, but with the same outcome. I was almost killed when someone stole the keys to my car back in 2008. Long story short, i jumped into the car to stop him and he took off and then crashed at 100mph. In a matter of a few seconds, I lost a car that meant more than any words i can say here, I lost my job, and nearly my life. As I sat home recovering and unable to do very much, I began looking for a way to put my...well, anger to something positive. I checked out rc aircraft and nearly bought one. I decided against it when I saw some very beautifully build rc planes meet their doom on youtube. I realized that they could only be flown at designated places and they are not somethign to do year round anyway. I notcied on a website that there were rc tanks. Well, the rest is history. It may not be a 10-second street car, but they fill a void in my life for now. I met some of the best people I have ever known through this hobby, and for that reason alone, it is something I'll never regret getting involved with.

I was hooked on RC tanks after watching 1 Youtube video. Next 1 HL PanTiger then Tamiya Panther and then 12 tanks later.

Yeah, I forgot to mention the youtube videos, definitely part of the spark of interest for me.

Glen, you and I hit it about the same time I think. I used to build the Tamiya 1/35 scale kits and even built a 1/24 scale static Tiger I (may have been bigger actually but I digress). My boy and I had watched Kelly's Hereos and Private Ryan a couple of times and I thought "I'll bet you can buy a cheap Tiger Tank on line" and ten days later my 1st Tank arrives metal tracks and all. Soon I'll have a new Paache air brush and we'll see if any of the old skills come back or if it's start from scratch time. My only regret is not getting on this forum earlier, maybe then I'd have made a more informed decision about my first tank. Mind you, that Tiger is surprisingly robust these days. I beat the heck out of it in the snow and wet but it keeps on churning. I may put one of my DBU's into it and use it at the next CAN-AM IR Meet . We'll fight along side each other against Tim's Sherman and Dennis's Pershing!

Ahhh...

I built military models as a kid...

I found RC tanks on youtube  and bought two online as a dad...

Now I have several and want some more...

They give me a creative outlet I can share with my son.  I enjoy the painting as well as the mechical sides of tanks, though the electronics offer a chalenge I can overcome.  Driving a tank is great to let off stress from work.

LOL I bought an "Easy to assemble" kit...
after 4 hours and not being 10% through the cryptic instructions I said screw it. I've only touched it to cannibalize parts for other whacky projects(and boy do I got 2 strange ideas in my head )

Lets see what got me interested in RC tanks.
That would probably be in summer when I thought winters coming I need winter RC's...
Looked up a kyosho blizzard and threw up a little in my mouth.
Than was thinking wonder what other vehicles would work in the snow, and have tracks. While thinking turned on the history channel and a ww2 documentary was on (seems like they are on like 85% of the time) and a german tank drove by and a light bulb went off in my head. Looked on the forum list and saw a tank forum and asked what a good cheap tank was, and ended up with a tiger I

Not sure why but somehow I stumbled onto RC tanks through ebay. I got sidetracked from looking for Model railroad equipment, and saw these cheap RTR Heng Longs. Not sure how I stumbled into this forum, but boy am I glad I did. Many people helped me through the start up phase of RC tanking, as well as giving me history lessons on the prototypes. My defense of Heng Long comes from this simple introduction to the hobby. There is no way I would have spent $700 of my hobby railroad money to try a tank. But a $100 on a heng long was not much of a commitment. Well the poor railroad sits and does nothing now. At one time I though of building a perfect model railroad room. My next house was going to be built with transom windows to let light in but give me lots of wallspace for background scenery. Now I think about a 1/35 scale battle field for inside and a 1/16 garden battleground for outside.

Nice to hear the stories of what brought us here.

ive been in the rc tank hobby for, lets see, 2 weeks now. it started for me when i bought a ultimate soldier m5 stuart tank off of craigslist broken for 50 bucks. after fixing it with some jb quick set putty and driving it the first time i was instantly hooked. the following day after driving the m5 stuart i started looking online at some different rc tanks. fate has it that rc universe had the best forums to read on rc tanks, and you guys helped me to choose my second tank. not only did you help me pick a great tank to start out with, but you showed me that phil from rc tankwars.com was the right guy to go to. i havent gotten it from him yet but just from speaking with him i can already tell i made the right choice, thanks again fellas, i appreciate it