RC Tanks Basics

While military aircraft are the glamour vehicles of the RC hobby, tanks, armored personnel carriers, and other tracked and wheeled ground vehicles used in the world's armed forces also provide hours of radio controlled entertainment. The majority of RC tanks are sold as toys but there is an active segment of RC enthusiasts who build their own RC tanks and engage in RC paintball combat.

RC Tank Toys

Toy tanks range from the simple electric RC vehicle that does little more than drive around to more elaborate models with moving turrets, working lights, realistic sound effects, and infrared laser or actual projectile shooting. Some models for simulated combat games are sold in pairs. Even the most basic RC tanks frequently feature authentic styling and paint jobs.

A futuristic-looking pair of RC Shocking Tanks (Buy Direct) bring the RC operator into the action by sending a shock through the controller each time your opponent scores a laser hit on your tank.

Providing a gentler -- and more typical -- RC tank experience, the Airsoft RC German Tiger Tank (Compare Prices) is a 1:16 scale model that shoots airsoft pellets and produces real smoke for added realism.

The Megatech Missle Launcher (Buy Direct) launches 10 foam missiles up to 15 feet. It also has sounds, does 360 degree spins, and can climb a 30 degree slope.

Large-Scale RC Combat Tanks

Usually built from scratch (and often years in the making), it may be possible to purchase ready-to-run models. Designed specifically for paintball combat, these large-scale RC tanks are usually modeled after actual tanks from armies around the world, and may travel 2-3 mph or faster.

First Steps in Constructing an RC Combat Vehicle describes how to get started building your own large-scale RC tank while these other How-To articles from R/C Tank Combat detail specific parts of the construction. Browse this selection of photos and specs for numerous large-scale paintball tanks built from 2001 to the present.

Build Your Own Tank

If you want to build your own tank but not necessarily for large scale combat, consider a kit for making RC tanks and other tracked vehicles. It's an educational toy on all fronts.

Elenco Battling Titan Tanks Kit (Compare Prices) is a solderless kit for ages 10 and up. This RC vehicles set comes with 2 Titan Tanks and two transmitters so that once built you and your child or a couple of siblings can have an infrared tank fight where the tank that takes too many hits dies and has to be restarted.

Discover what features to look for when purchasing ready-to-run RC tanks.