Comparison Pilotage Tiger and T34/85 Inf 1:72 vs Huan Qi Battle tanks T34&Tiger 1:28

The scale reflects the ratio of the dimensions of the model to the dimensions of a real tank — either a specific prototype (see "Copy of the original"), or some average vehicle. For example, if the width of a real tank is 3.5 m, then the width of its copy on a scale of 1:16 will be 350/16 = 21.8 cm. Of course, absolutely exact correspondence in dimensions is far from always found, and the proportions can be distorted; however, the scale makes it possible to estimate the dimensions of the model as a whole.

The smallest of modern radio-controlled tanks are made in 1:72 scale (for comparison, the same scale is the most popular among prefabricated plastic models). And the largest ones are in the 1:16 mentioned above.

The scale and dimensions of a tank are important not only in assessing the area needed for a model to drive normally: in tank battles, larger vehicles are in a less advantageous position than small ones. Therefore, if you are purchasing several tanks with the intention of arranging battles between them (and we are not talking about the "tank battle" set — see "Type"), you should choose models of the same scale. Now the following scales of models are on the market: 1:72, 1:43, 1:30, 1:24, 1:20, 1:16.

The type of combat vehicle that the radio-controlled model simulates.

— Tank. A tank usually means a ground tracked vehicle with a cannon in a turret. However, in radio-controlled models, the ability to turn the turret is not always available — quite often it is a motionless dummy, only outwardly imitating the outlines of a tank. However, this is typical mainly for the most inexpensive models on a small scale.

— Amphibious tank. As the name implies, these machines are capable of moving both on land and on water. At the same time, it is worth noting that, unlike real amphibious tanks, toy amphibians are usually unable to cross water obstacles on the move — this requires additional actions of the "tanker" (for example, raising the wheels from the "land" position to the "water"). However, anyway, the ability to move on water provides additional features for the use of the tank.

— Tank spy. The original kind of radio-controlled cars on tracks. Armament (and even its imitation) in such tanks may be completely absent, but the built-in camera — usually with the function of broadcasting in real time — is an almost indispensable element of equipment. See below for more details on these features.

— Set "tank battle". A set of two (or even more) tanks specifically designed to fight each other. Such tanks are by definition of the same sc...ale (see above), but may differ in appearance, category and subclass (see below), and even in some characteristics, such as maximum speed or turret traverse. In addition, they often have additional features related to combat: hit counting (based on infrared sensors, see "Firing" and "Hit Sensors"), "life" indicators, damage simulation (explosion sound, smoke generator, shutdown when exhausted " life"), etc. Models included in the kit can be sold separately, but buying a set is often more convenient — especially considering that the cars in it are optimally compatible with each other by default.

— SAU. Self-propelled artillery mounts (ACS) differ from tanks in guns of greater length and caliber. Most often, such equipment copies samples of the Second World War (see "Category"): the guns are installed directly in the hull, without a turret, and can only move up and down. But copies of modern "self-propelled guns" can be equipped with turrets.

The minimum age for which this radio-controlled model is suitable. These recommendations are rather conditional, but it is still not recommended to deviate from them. "Adult" models 14+ with many adjustments, moving parts and power simply will not be able to master the baby. At the same time, models for the younger age category may not be interesting and boring for older children.

The longest range a tank cannon can effectively fire.

For air guns (see "Shooting") this parameter is usually indicated by the maximum range of the projectile. This allows you to evaluate not only the range as such, but also the power of the gun: the greater the range (and hence the power) — the more attentive you need to be to security measures.

For infrared (see ibid.), the firing range corresponds to the greatest distance from which a “shot” can be correctly recognized by an IR sensor of a similar model (or a second tank included in the “tank battle” kit, see “Type”). This information is useful when choosing tactics in a vast area, where the distances between opponents can be quite large.

The maximum speed at which a tank can move on level ground. Unlike real tanks, radio-controlled models are mostly designed for indoor use, where there is simply nowhere to accelerate strongly. Therefore, the maximum speed in most cases is small. This means that the main point that, when choosing according to this parameter, it makes sense to take into account is the age of the future owner: for young children, high speed (even by the standards of tanks) is all the more unnecessary, but for a grown-up “tanker” you can already choose a model faster .

The ability to rotate the tank turret in different directions.

Real tanks, by definition, are equipped with rotating turrets, but this feature is not required for radio-controlled models. Therefore, if you want to get a rotary tower, you should make sure that this function is directly claimed in the selected model. Also note that, unlike real ones, "toy" towers can have a limited rotation angle — for example, 320 ° instead of full 360 °. However, in most cases this does not create any particular inconvenience.

The ability to move the tank gun vertically (changing the elevation angle). This function enhances the similarity with the real machine; and for models with a shooting function (see the relevant paragraph), it is generally almost mandatory. At the same time, for infrared guns, raising and lowering affects only the aiming, but in pneumatic and water guns, the angle of elevation also affects the range of the charge.

The tank has an imitation of the recoil of a gun when fired.

This feature enhances the model's resemblance to a real combat vehicle. The simplest way to simulate recoil is a short engine jerk that moves the tank a few millimetres back and simulates a characteristic push. Theoretically, this method is not very reliable, because. when the tower is turned to the side or back, the return is uncharacteristic, but in most cases it is simply imperceptible, and radio-controlled models do not need absolute realism. But in advanced machines, a mechanism for simulating recoil can be provided in the very attachment of the gun to the turret.

The presence of sound effects in the design of the model. These effects are usually related to shooting — most often they imitate a shot from a cannon, sometimes an additional sound of a machine gun is provided. However, the matter is not limited to this: some models can make the sound of a running engine, signal a hit (see “Hit sensors”), etc.