hey yall, im new to rc tanks, i build tank models and im also a 19K in the US Army, and i'm looking for a good m1 abrams rc tank, in the biggest scale possible, as a full kit or a DIY kit. I've been looking around and havent found much except for custom built 1/4 scales. all help and input is appreciated.

Welcome to the club brother!
Well, 1/16 scale is the norm for most of us here. An Abrams is limited though. We have the Hobby Engine model which is more toy than hobby. However, with the right parts and electronics, it can be a really nice tank. Then there is the 1/16 scale Chunwai, which is all metal..however, some have said it is not really to scale and has had mixed reviews. I have never seen one in person to judge. If you are looking to go bigger than this, I would maybe contact Armortek. They may have a larger scal as in 1/6 abrams...but get that checkbook ready if they do LOL
Hope this helps.

Here's a link to chunwai. Seems they have a 1/8 scale Abrams now...
http://www.chunwai-model.com/Shop/Sh....asp?ClassID=8

Hi Rebelleader,

I will ask my number one question. What do you want to do with your tank? Do you like to build, model, paint, drive RCs, fiddle with motors or electronics, play with other RC tankers or get into IR tank battles? Most of us here are into 1/16 scale (which is a very good size) and many started with Heng Long "airsoft" tanks. The luckier and more wealthy started with Tamiya IR battletanks. There are many RC tankers in the Peach state. Will, Marty and Eric are in the greater Atlanta part of the state. There was a rc tank cub in GA but it has been dormant for a few years now. Cruise the various threads here and see what strikes you fancy. Large scale, 1/10 or bigger is big bucks so I hope you have deep pockets and long arms to match them. Here is a link ot my youtube channel showing my idea of RC tank fun..... YMMV Enjoy: http://www.youtube.com/user/thecommandernj

i was thinking about getting into the ir tanks and i want to get a large one thats rc, just to run. i found a model jet engine, but im looking at several different models to get a good idea of how i wanna go about it, wether to build it from scratch or find a kit and build upon that

Your planning to use the jet engine as a turbine engine? im guessing you would have to go for a larger scale for fit in all the controls systems needed for that, not to mention heatshielding and other specialties if you are.

yeah thats why i was gonna go with a larger scale. i was gonna use a tranny my buddy has for his drag car. its gonna be a while before i can get started on it, being as i want to start with the ir tanks first. i like the 1/16 scale,  i was thinking about the Heng Long, i heard they were one of the best to get

I didnt think heng long was making an abrams right now? either way, how big is that jet engine??? 1/16 is a good size, but its still cramped with motors.... I cant imagine a jet an tranny not to mention the electronics, cooling, and fuel systems..

A jet engine will not fit in any 1:16th scale tank. It is hard enough to fit what we have in them as is.<div> There are not many choices as far as an Abrams goes. There is the Hobby Engine but that is more along the Toy grade route. </div><div>HL's are better but still not hobby grade without a good deal of upgrades.</div><div> If you have to have an Abrams and can afford it you really only have the Chunwai like Yellowshaker has mentioned.</div><div>If you just want to get started in the RC Tank hobby you need to understand what you want out of the tank.</div><div>If you want a great deal of realism and build quality go with the Tamiya.</div><div>If you have to have the top of the line Abrams go with the Chunwai.</div><div>If you just want to get your feet wet go with the HL but they dont have an Abrams in 1:16th scale.</div><div>For the Jet set up you would most likely need to go with a 1:6th scale at the minimum</div><div>Even though the jet engines in hobby scales have enough thrust to fly a plane that does not mean they have enough motive power to drive a scaled ground vehicle like a tank that will weigh up to and may be more than 100 pounds in the 1:6th scale. They may just not have enough thrust, I dont know.</div><div>Just some things to consider. Neat idea though.</div>

Found a jet engine? Were I so lucky.

I approached Wren Turbines of the UK several years ago about this very subject. They were very supportive and said they'd give me
all the help I needed.

[link=http://www.wrenturbines.co.uk/]Wren Turbines[/link]

They make a series of small engines in particular their helicopter version [link=http://www.wrenturbines.co.uk/engines/helicopter/wren-44-helicopter]Wren 44 Helicopter[/link] That I felt might be the most suitable for use in a Abrams type tank. Since that model would be so large I felt 1/8 scale may be sufficient. At the time I really wanted to pursue this project and had set a rather lofty budget. Not being really much into current armor I soon cooled on that project. Later I thought how intriguing would the idea be to do what the Germans
only had on paper: a Tiger II powered by a turbine! Again it would have required a large scale, 1/8 may have worked, but outside of
my favored scales I am not too willing to venture so I let the idea go.

Wren is certainly not the only manufacturer and certainly not the least costly but they have a wealth of experience and produce a well
thought of quality product.

You will be in for a lot of precise machine work my friend. Rid yourself of any ideas that you could slap together any jet engine and a
'tranny from bubba's RC off-road truck'. There used to be a customer photo gallery section on Wren's site but I see they no longer have it
or it may be I just could not locate it. In that gallery they once had photos of owner's creations including turbine powered model trains
and the like. Extremely well engineered stuff.

The price for the Wren 44 Turbine? ~$ 5,000 , Suitable tank? probably another $3-4,000.

That will keep you in a lot of Heng Long, Tamiya and Hoobens ....

I don't know your particular situation financially and skill set but I'd suggest aiming a bit lower for your first RC tank. Even if you
have the finances and skill set.....

Jerry

When I got into the hobby I thought of trying to figure a way to fit a conley v-8 engine into an rc tank...then I started to add up cost of this project and realized that I could probably buy a rather nice car for that same money....I would love to see someone build a scale abrams with a turbine powerplant, but it won't be me. Whatever you decide to do, good luck and keep us posted. I agree with the others here. Try a Tamiya. you can do IR battles and many modifications and details can be added at your discretion. Main thing is it will work when it is completed and it will give you many hours of enjoyment.</p>

Here is one place that sales the Abrams in big scale .
Just click on the Custom R/C Tanks picture and it will take you to the site there is a Abrams there it comes from Russia 1/8 scale .

http://www.r-c-tanks.com/

Hey Rebell,

Retired 19K-20 here. Spent many many hours there at Ft. Stewart.


Don