My Radio Control Tank Collection

[Hiawatha Pete]

Last edited Tue Aug 22, 2023, 06:17 PM - Edit history (3)

Hi folks, thought I'd post a few pics of my radio control model tank collection.

These are fully functional RC models of WWII tanks, with sounds, and are set up for infrared battles where each tank can send & receive 'hits' through a system of IR transmitters & receivers mounted on the tanks. The in-laws love 'em and we usually have mock battles in the back yard when they come to visit

First off, my latest radio control tank build: "Death Takes A Holiday" - a Canadian Sherman Firefly of Fort Garry Horse (2nd Canadian Armored Brigade, 10th Armored Regiment) as it appeared during the June 6 1944 D-Day Landings (Operation Overlord) - the campaign to liberate France & western Europe from the Germans.
(During the Normandy Campaign many Allied tanks, including Canadian & British, had white stars painted on them as an aerial recognition aid):











And since I need some targets for my Allied AFV's - the bad guys: German Tiger I, Division Das Reich, spring 1943. This unit fought against American forces in the Normandy Campaign, France, summer 1944, and the Ardennes fighting, Belgium, winter 1944:











German King Tiger, Division LSSAH, Belgium, winter 1944. This unit fought against Canadian forces in the Normandy Campaign, France, summer 1944, and against the Americans in the Ardennes fighting, Belgium, winter 1944:











I'm including this here since these could be considered examples of close-up photography. If the group admins don't think it belongs, I can move it to the DU lounge which might be the next-closest fit...

[Old Crank]

1. Have you seen

David Levinthal's work with toys?

Here is an article.

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/what-david-levinthals-toy-centric-photographs-reveal-about-american-myth-and-memory-180972476/

[Hiawatha Pete]

2. Thanks for the link, the detailing on the figures looks really great...

I plan to continue reading the article tomorrow...I always get a kick out of seeing well-done miniatures!

Have a good evening.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

3. My dear Hiawatha Pete!

Thanks for sharing these photos. They certainly belong here, IMHO anyway.

They are great models. I'll bet you and your in-laws have a great time with your mock battles!

It's been too long since you posted here. I hope we'll see more of your work, whatever it entails, very soon.

[Hiawatha Pete]

6. Thanks, CaliforniaPeggy!

for the compliments & for checking out my post...

I was thinking of posting the full length version of my Trans-Canada train video here if that's ok. It may not be a still but it's photography all the same. It's filmed in HD & came out well enough (for the most part) IMO.

I posted it to the DU lounge & was planning on posting it here as well to keep the buzz going on my YT channel, if that's alright.

Thanks again!

[flying rabbit]

4. Very cool!

[Hiawatha Pete]

7. Thanks for the compliment, & for checking out my post!

[mitch96]

5. Neat shots. It's amazing how the camo on the german tanks blends in so well with the

back round especially the Tiger 1.
m

[Hiawatha Pete]

8. Thanks! The Sherman Firefly is my favorite by far, but one thing about Allied tanks is the lack...

...of variety when it comes to paint schemes. Other than some American Shermans having a two tone camo scheme, olive drab was pretty much it during the campaign in Northwest Europe. The names or slogans found on Allied tanks always cracks me up though...

[mitch96]

9. I like the scallops on the bbl of the FireFly. I read somewhere that the Fire fly had a bigger gun

than the standard M4. I'm guessing that this was to present to the enemy that this tank was just another M4 with the short bbl.. More eye tricks... Nature does that with birds that I have seen and tried to photograph...
m

[Hiawatha Pete]

10. That's exactly what is was - an attempt to disguise the barrel length

The Germans knew the 17 pounder gun on the Firefly could penetrate the armor of their Tiger & Panther tanks at longer ranges and so would prioritize targeting the Fireflys.