I need a really good beginner site...I've already decided I'm getting the Tamiya Pershing...but I need more beginner's info on the whole armor scene. I've found a lot of pages but they seem to be more for intermediate tankers.

I've been flying RC planes for about 20 years....most electric lately. I saw some of the battles on line and now I'm hooked...this would be excellent for extending my RC all year long, outside battles in the good weather and indoors for the New York winters.

Also, anyone in the southern tier...hamburg, jamestown area?

Most of you are awesome modelers...works of art.

Thanks in advance

Dennis

Hello Dennis

May I suggest purusing the various RC tank club sites and the forums for RC tankers as this has a wide variety and modeler skill abroad.

There are so many, so I will give you the links page of my website such that you can puruse at your liesure:

http://www.sead.us/links.html

The armornuts forum and THQ forum are great resources for RC tank and the missing-lynx forum is great for modeling information. Both FRAG and MAAD club sites as well as SEAD have good technology sections for pointers on performance upgrades (and hints for building that Pershing)!

Howdy, Dennis:

I'm new to the RC armor scene too. I thought about getting into RC aricraft, but as Tom Z. explains, 'tanks don't crash... at least from several hundred feet...'.

Eric's given you a great starting site with links to links to links. So far, however, I've found no help in providing a simplified view of how to set up an RC tank. For example, a simple diagram showing how to wire motors to an electronic speed control (ESC); wiring the ESC to the power pack with the correct fuses, and to the radio receiver; how to determine the most appropriate radio gear; etc. I've had others point to suppliers, who will offer electronic schematics, but unless you know how to read and interpret electrical diagrams, these become somewhat confusing, so there is some learning involved (not so bad).

My own experience has shown that it's best to take your time, do some research, ask others their opinions about their experiences with various scales, makes, and models before deciding on which of those combinations best suites your interest. LEARN LEARN LEARN.

My advice is to heed the old adage "You get what you pay for". And so, if you want to go with 1/16 scale, the Tamiya may be your best buy considering quality; however, if your sole or top criterion is price, go with the HL because they have improved over the past several years in quality (I think), and still provide you with an enjoyable platform from which you can modify, etc.

Like other products on the market, I've found that RC tanks differ greatly in price, quality (including model realism and operational performance), and technical support.

If you decide on the larger scale, the price differential is substantial, usually on the order of 3-4 times the price you will pay for the 1/16, for example. I view it as an investment, and if I want or need to later, I'll be able to sell and upgrade without much or any monetary loss.

I began with the 1/24 M1A1 Abrams, then went to the 1/16 Heng Long (because of the price). But then I found that my real interest lies with the larger scale, the 1/8. I may go to 1/6 before it's all over (translation: Before my wife throws me and my new found hobby out of the house).

I can vouch for RC Armory's 1/8 scale King Tiger -- Mike Deiter did a fantastic job (and continues with other models). A true engineer, he's thought through the critical variables that contribute to a model tank's performance and has selected materials and components that make his product top-of-the-line. (http://www.rcarmory.com) His basic models start at around $,1650 and depending on the model, necessary add-ons will jack that to as much as $2,800.

As somewhat of a comparison, I also purchased what appears to be a very popular 1/6 scale tank, the M5 Stuart distributed by 12st Century Toys. Like Heng Long, it's made in China with mostly plastic materials, underpowered motors, cheap ESC, and so on. But, it's very affordable (around $120 plus shipping). It's fun to run on a clean, unobstructed surface like your driveway or living room rug, but it breaks easily on rough terrain, snow, and mud.

By comparison, there are other 1/6 scale manufacturers and probably the most reliable, but also the most expensive is Armortek's current run of the German Panther for over $6,000 shipped to the US. Modelworks also has what appears to be a fantastic 1/8 scale Tiger1, but also on par with Armortek's prices. But if you want to invest in very well engineered, manufactured, and supported products, these two companies would be worth considering. (RC Armory is moving toward a 1/6 Stug III, so I'd keep an eye on Mike's progress in making that a reality).

Again, it's best to get others' opinions before investing unless money is no object. And if that's the case, then just buy the real thing....

Cheers,

Tom

Tom,
really nice article. no wonder you are a consultant.

the best way to protect your investment is to paint it realistic. so pratice on something cheap then go on tamiya's or 1/8 scale.

my two cents.
tom

I take exception to the statement that the 21st Century M5A1 Stuart has underpowered motors. They certainly produce enough torque to pull two children in a little red wagon on pavement and in tall grass. Granted, the wagon's wheels may offer little in the way of rolling resistance and the children are pretty small but that video is impressive. I've also had no trouble whatsoever running the tank in rough terrain, snow, mud, shallow streams and over fallen branches, twigs and other forest floor detritus. The Stuart is pretty much a monster in my experience. Size does help...

http://www.foxflier.com/stuart.wmv

-Harq

Harq,
what a ride!!! do you sell ticket?

really nice video. I never thought stuart is this powerfull.

thanks for sharing.
tom

Harq:

I stand corrected -- hope I didn't mislead anyone on the m5 product. Its power plant seems to be adequate for most types of uses. I was quoting someone else who seemed to think it didn't have the power to run as fast as they wanted it to run.

However, I do think it's limited in its capabilities to handle rough terrain. I've had it throw tracks and break idler arms going through course sand (or fine stone, whichever), even with the correct track tension. But it may also be that I'm a bit too demanding of equipment that way, and I've simply exceed its ability to handle such situations. Every product has its design limits and I'm still learning.

Perhaps I failed to make my point -- that there are a number of manufactures who offer varying levels of quality in their product, with varyious levels of technical and operational capabilityies. It all depends on what you want and how much you're willing to invest.

For the most part I think the M5 is a very good product and has lots of potential as a basis for detailing and having fun. It's a good, cost effective platform, especially for a newbee like me who wants to ease into the hobby without losing my shirt. I might also add that if/when parts do break, they're downright inexpensive to replace.

I saw the video and you're absolutely right -- it's got enough power to handle itself... and a few others...

I cannot claim credit for the video. That's not my site nor my children but now that I've seen it I better try it on my own children before they get too big .

As for everything else, you're pretty much correct navspook. The 1/6 M5 Stuart is cheap. As-is, it's a toy and it has its limitations. But I wouldn't have it any other way since it lends itself to some really nice modifications. I've seen them with the following upgrades: paintball/airsoft main guns added, gun elevation, proportional speed, upgraded motors, smoke units, side skirts removed, corrected scale detail, metal tracks, ball bearings or bushings for the running gear... the list is endless. [sm=spinnyeyes.gif]

My interest is on making cheap or inferior things better so I'm always in defense of Heng Long and similar products (21st Century). I believe that is where the real fun is, and the talent.

-Harq

I appreciate all the replies!

Is $527 shipped for a Pershing a good price?

Thanks Again,

Dennis

hello dennis anwser to your question on pershing the price for your pershing is very goodi had to pay a little more for mine i live in the midwest so frieght was a little higher and also great choice for tamiya build i have just finished mine(pershing tank)and have started my upgrade on 21st cent. m1a1 abrams 1/9 scalesome advice for now do not wait to long frieght prices are going up up up up[:@]because of fuel prices[:@]good luck on your build keep us(fellow tankers)updated dan[8D]

Thanks for the advice...ordered mine yesterday.

Enid....is that Altus AFB still around...oklahoma? I went there once for a week...

thanks again,

Dennis