Hello!

I am new to RCtanks - and land vehicles in general, and Iwould like some general information on the hobby.

First off:I have no interest in the IRtype battling tanks, unless the technology is really simple - what I am interested in are nice scale models, which brings me too:

WW1 tanks - I have found nothing on the subject anywhere, and it seems none are available, as kits, RTR's, etc. What does it take to build an RCWW1 tank, such
as my preferance, the Mark IV? (male or female)

How are they built, and run?As I said before, I have never done anything like this! I am an RCpilot, so I do have some modelling skills, but I doubt any can be passed
down...

If anyone has tips on building tanks, or a forum project I can follow, it would be of great help!

Thank you

Graeme

Ok first welcome to the group and we will have you running in no time.
If you are looking for quality and scale correction then Tamiya is the only way to go. They are sold as model kits and need to be assembled. You will need to seperately purchase a 4 channel radio of your choice also. Go on you tube and search for Tamiya 1/16 tanks. You will see that they sound amazing and run the same.
Now the other 1/16 tanks whhich are popular are the Henglongs. Ther eis nothing wrong with them, but you do get what you pay for. They run a bit over 100 bucks and are fully upgradeable. There are more aftermarket parts than you could count for them and in the end, you can spend at least as much on upgrades as a Tamiya kit ill cost. Or you can run it right out of the box.
In my opinion the HL's are more on the side of toy grade out the box. Tamiya's are hobby grade all the way and it shows.
As for WW1 tanks, there is nothing I have ever seen other than scratchbuilt. This is THE place for rc tanking and any help you need is here. Others will chime in...just ask away.
Here's a few links for buying these tanks.
Tamiya www.aaftankmuseum.com
HL www.rctankwars.com
www.rccommand.com

Thanks again Yellowshaker

I don't feel the urge to buy a kit tank, unless it is the only option - and scratch building is always an option!

So, what kind of techniques can be used to build a tank - what does an RC tank look like on the inside, and how do they work?
I assume I need to go out and buy a receiver, battery, and motors - what about treads and wheels?

Thank you

Graeme

Welcome to the collector's corner. I write that only as a fact that NO ONE has only one. From what you write, you are in my boat regarding IR combat vs scale models. I have reworked/converted over 30 and do modelling work for 2 museums, so know what you are after. My tanks are detailed models that just happen to run RC. You can spend a bunch and buy a Tamiya, which is very good in quality, however, it appears that you are interested in scale models that run, and for this reason, I would recommend Heng Long (or HL) tanks. There is more more variety, cost around $100 and plenty of conversions/upgrades available for many different versions of a particular tank. You can go El Mod electronics which is VERY expensive and go beyond Tamiya's high costs, but for modelling and considering your basic goals, it is not needed. Be sure to get S&S models, beware of HL tanks offered for $60 or less and not listed as S&S.

WW I tanks are not available....as yet. What you need is a chassis from a tank with suspension similar or close to the tank you are interested in. Other motors to gear it down to a realistic speed are available, which for a WW I tank, would be needed. OK, you can be sure the sides are low and hide the main suspension to get it running....but do you want authenticity or operational capability? WW I tanks are relatively easy to scratch build, particularly if you already have some modelling skills. All you need is sheet styrene, measuring gear, plenty of CA glue and detailed photos of the tank. Early British or one of the two big German "land cruisers" are basically flat sided boxes and lots of rivets, causing you to chop up a couple feet of styrene rod....and lots of time.

There are plenty of guys on the RCU with many good ideas and advice on building. Good luck and welcome aboard.

Thanks for the advice Pattoncommander!

I am primarily interested in scale models, but it would be much more interesting to me if it actually did something - but scale would be the primary focus. Remember, I have never done this sort of thing, so fully functioning suspension and all that is probably not happening - as for styrene sheet, I can and have worked with it, so that is a bit of a relief.
What scale would be good for a beginner, and electronics fit?

These tanks are 1;16 scale....a very nice scale which allows you to add a lot of detail. For crews etc, there are very good tank commanders etc in 1;18 scale that fit very well and some sites for 1;16 figures now available. For your WW I goals, suggest you select a tank about the size you want, (probably Pz III or KV-1) then check Tonka and Mattel for toy caterpillar and dozers for tracks & sprockets and match up which ever fits/looks best. . The early WW I track is not available on these tanks, but with a little modelling and slower speed motors, no reason why, with such a slow speed of these tanks, you couldn't make it work. HL tanks come with battery, charger and radio control box.

You nkow, there is actually a wide variety of scale static models in 1/35 scale, and they do offer WW1 armor. I was assuming you wanted rc.

Brother Gra,

Welcome,

If'in it were me, I would get myself a 1/35 scale model of the WWI tank that you like and scale it up. Take the parts and scale them up and build in your prefered medium. It hink what we need is a good working WWI tank to get interest in them going.

Good luck and do keep us posted as I am very interested.

Best

Don

Ah, sorry If I worded it funny - but it has to be RC!
How much is a good 1/35 scale British tank? I forgot to mention my budget is pretty low...

Do I need to purchase dedicated tank RC gear? I assume the TX would be "tank drive" style. What is available for the equipment?

Thank you for responding!

Graeme

What you do is use the parts from the small model and scale them from 1/76 to 1/16 or larger.

Here you go this will help take care of that task http://scale-models.nl/scalc.html

Now for some models http://www.activeboard.com/forum.spa...4081117&page=1

http://www.airfix.com/latest-news/ne...09-newsletter/

http://www.wonderlandmodels.com/prod...i-female-tank/

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Airfix-A0131.../dp/B0002HZVTG

http://www.wonderlandmodels.com/brands/emhar/ Lots on this one!!


Enjoy!!

Almost forgot about your radio.
What I think you are goig to have to do. You other guys chime in if I am wrong here. You are goingto have to have a small system. These tanks were lucky to get going 5MPH. I would take the gear out of a Heng Long 1/30 Sherman, and put that in.

As for the actual building material. I would go with a nice model aircraft plywood and styrene. You might want to add some LED's for your cannons and Mgs.

It will take you a while but heck that is why it is a hobby.

Don

Sounds good to me!
Any suggestions on how to hook tracks up to the wheels ?

Sure,

The HEng Long Sherman will come with wheels attached to the sprockets. Use those as the shaft and build the scale sprockets around them. The idler will have to be scratch built but that would be easy...sorta.

What ever material you are making them from you draw your circle, then find the center and mark and drill your mounting hole. Since this is a slow moving tank you might get away with a counter sunk machine screw, with a washer on the back as a bearing. Now cut it out close to the line. Then finish your wheel by making a shaft. Attach the wheel to the shaft and chuck it up in your drill. Putthe drill in a vice and use sandpaperto bring the wheel to final shape.

Don

Graem, Thats why suggested looking at Toy tractors etc for that particular style flat plate track blocks with no grouser. I believe, with the slow speed of those tanks, you could replace the suspension from a HL chassis with that off a Mattel or Tonka caterpillar. Since the WW I stuff had no suspension anyway, just glue or screw the wheel brackets in place and the only consideration would be placement of the sprockets-idlers and fitting the track for length and Don's suggestion about the slow speed motors.

Now you're getting us all interested in a WW I tin can

Sounds easy enough!
I am woking on the RC system right now - seems to work nicely! I can'twait to get this thing working - build some scale trenches to cross....
If I can get the MkIV woking, I think I'll do a WWI German tank.

Thanks!