New guy, Bristol based

[andy999]

Hi
My name is Andy and live close to Bristol. As a youngster I did a fair bit of military modelling and as years went on I had to give my time to other pastimes, like work, raising a family etc etc.
My interests are military history, the Great War being my passion and over the last 15 years have acted as a battlefield guide to friends and work colleagues visiting the Ypres Salient and the Somme each year. Many friends are ex military and have been taken down to Lulworth Cove and Bovington by ex 3RTR boys. Over the years was fascinated by the Tiger rebuild and was present when the guys gave it its first run. Misfiring like hell!!! Hence my passion of anything of an armoured nature.
Retired some years ago and in the last few months have been enlightened by visiting various websites and getting drawn into RC 1/16th scale tanks. I know little of electronics or RC controlled vehicles but reading this website it has given me some confidence to go for my first tank and hopefully be guided by the considerable knowledge displayed by your members.
I am thinking of starting with a Taigen/Torro Panther G or Tiger IR Metal as my base model and then will try my hand at various upgrades. (Have a secret bank account set aside away from prying eyes of family.)
I am a bit concerned that the Panther model now has its on/off and volume switches on the underside of the tank making it vulnerable to moisture and dirt when driven outdoors, unlike the Tiger that has its switches concealed beneath hull hatches. Would I have to get a new roll of duct tape or are there alternatives???
Hope the members can advise me, as an absolute novice, regarding my initial choice of manufacturer and model of tank.
Thanks for your time.
Andy

[silversurfer1947]

Hi and welcome. I realise it's short notice, but if you are free this Sunday, the Bristol Armoured Division has its monthly meeting in Templecombe. Details here viewtopic.php?f=10&t=23804 You would be very welcome. It would give you the chance to see a range of tanks in action and chat to us about your aspirations. We are a very friendly small group.

[jarndice]

Andy Welcome to the Forum
You will find the answer to most R/C related questions here,
The relocation of Switches and battery's is something many of us do and it really is not difficult,
So when you are ready ask away and we will offer all the help you can handle,
I like the idea of a secret slush fund I wish I had thought of it.
You will be urged to proffer Photographs but not from me,
That is your choice
Shaun.

[43rdRecceReg]

Welcome, Andy
Like you, I have an abiding interest in WW1, and took my kids (now in their forties 'tempus' really does 'fugit') to Verdun, Ypres (Passchendaele), Arras, and the Somme (Beaumont Hamel area), long before these sobering battlefields became 'holiday' or 'outing' destinations. Without doubt, you'll find many people here who share your interests, and you'll also experience the growing comradeship that the Forum has created. Old soldiers never die...as the saying goes; but they certainly post on here
Feel free to post pics, and anecdotes. Advice you'll find aplenty
Roy.

[HERMAN BIX]

A very warm (31C in fact) welcome along from the Gold Coast, Australia mate.
I've got around most of the significant fields of the WW1 conflict, one that hit me the hardest was the memorial/mausoleum on the top of the hills around Verdun.
One can view remains of over 120,000 souls interred withing its foundations, a very profound experience of the reality of what we see only on the documentary footage.

Feel free to ask away, any help we can offer will be readily given, and pictures when you can

[forgebear]

a warm welcome Andy to the forum enjoy the stay and i am sure you will get a lot of help on here from the guys
Dave

[andy999]

Hi and welcome. I realise it's short notice, but if you are free this Sunday, the Bristol Armoured Division has its monthly meeting in Templecombe. Details here viewtopic.php?f=10&t=23804 You would be very welcome. It would give you the chance to see a range of tanks in action and chat to us about your aspirations. We are a very friendly small group.

Thanks for the welcome Richard, will try to get down for a for hours.
Thanks for the invite.
Andy

[andy999]

Andy Welcome to the Forum
You will find the answer to most R/C related questions here,
The relocation of Switches and battery's is something many of us do and it really is not difficult,
So when you are ready ask away and we will offer all the help you can handle,
I like the idea of a secret slush fund I wish I had thought of it.
You will be urged to proffer Photographs but not from me,
That is your choice
Shaun.

Thanks for your welcome and will be in touch.
Andy

[andy999]

Welcome, Andy
Like you, I have an abiding interest in WW1, and took my kids (now in their forties 'tempus' really does 'fugit') to Verdun, Ypres (Passchendaele), Arras, and the Somme (Beaumont Hamel area), long before these sobering battlefields became 'holiday' or 'outing' destinations. Without doubt, you'll find many people here who share your interests, and you'll also experience the growing comradeship that the Forum has created. Old soldiers never die...as the saying goes; but they certainly posy on here
Feel free to post pics, and anecdotes. Advice you'll find aplenty
Roy.

Hi Roy
Thanks for your welcome.
Like you I stay away from all the tourist hot spots on the Somme and up at Ypres. One of my favourite haunts is in Shrewbury Forest just off the Menin Road. Private wood but its the only place you can still see original duckboards, German pill boxes, untouched for many years. Got to watch out for the dud 18 pounder shells that protrude from the ground still at an angle of their trajectory!!!
Old Soldiers Never Die, Frank Richards, one of my favourite accounts of the war.
Keep in touch.
Andy

[andy999]

A very warm (31C in fact) welcome along from the Gold Coast, Australia mate.
I've got around most of the significant fields of the WW1 conflict, one that hit me the hardest was the memorial/mausoleum on the top of the hills around Verdun.
One can view remains of over 120,000 souls interred withing its foundations, a very profound experience of the reality of what we see only on the documentary footage.

Feel free to ask away, any help we can offer will be readily given, and pictures when you can

Hi Mr Bix,
Warmer than here at the moment. Have yet to do Verdun. Been going across the channel for about 15 years and haven't finished looking around Ypres and the Somme yet. Doing lots of family research. Verdun with all its forts etc are on my bucket list. Got to move south to French Flanders see the your countrymen at Fromelles next. The recently created cemetery. Last night I watched a documentary called the Great War Horses. All about the Australian horses (Walers) and the Australian Light Horse. Fascinating and sad at the same time.
Stay in touch, and 'Good on yer mate'!
Andy