Thanks to Hobby Master, RC Tank
combat hobbyists who enjoy gaming with realistic
looking scale models now have another scale to
choose from. These new tanks are ideally suited
for indoor battling and the small 1/48 scale
means you don't need a large area to run them
in.
IRONCLAD DUEL SERIES
The first two tanks in this new series are the
King Tiger and the JS-2, sold separately, each
tank also comes with three 1/48 figures. The
plastic 'dome' used for the IR receiver when IR
battling, (as seen in the video), can be removed
and replaced with a realistic hatch while on
display, (as pictured).
RECHARGABLE BATTERY AND
CHARGER
Each tank is equipped with a rechargeable NiMh
battery and a charger that plugs into the
underside of the tank , in the photo you can
also see the on/off switch, channel selector,
and charge indicator light. You get about an
hour's running time after a 4 hour charge
INFRA-RED CONTROLLER
The controller, (requires 3 AAA batteries) is
ergonomically designed and is easy to hold and
use.
The
thing to remember with these tanks is they are
also IR controlled, so you have to keep the
emitter LED at the front of the transmitter
pointed in about 15 degrees either side of the
direction of the tank to keep in control of it,
if you lose contact, the tank simply stops and
idles. The controller is also equipped with a
power indicator LED, buttons for turning the
turret left and right, firing the machine gun
and main gun, a headlight on/off switch,
controller on/off switch and channel selector
switch. The tracks can be operated independently
by a separate forward or reverse button for each
track.
THE TANKS
The Hobby Master tanks are single speed. have
rubber tracks and fixed suspension which means
you can throw the odd track, but they're easy to
put back on, and careful driving can minimize
your chances of throwing a track and becoming a
'pillbox' during a war-game, it also depends how
resistant the surface you drive them on is, my
family and I game with them on our living room
carpet.
SOUND EFFECTS
When you turn the tank on, there is an engine
start up sound for 2.5 seconds followed by an
engine idling sound. While you run the tank, an
engine running sound is heard, which changes
back to idle when you stop. The tanks are also
equipped with sound effects for the main and
machine guns. There is also an 'incoming hit'
sound when a tank is hit by an opposing shot.
LIGHT EFFECTS
A red LED inside the barrel comes on when the
main gun is fired. There is also a red flashing
LED behind the King Tiger hull MG, but not
present on the JS-2. When a tank is 'hit' there
is also a 'damage' indicator light that flashes
under the rear deck. Both tanks have a working
headlight.
MECHANICAL EFFECTS
There is a simulated tank recoil action when the
main gun is fired, it looks more realistic,
obviously, when the gun is facing forward. As
you can see in the video, when a tank is hit,
it's reaction causes it to change position, so
tabletop battlers need to be careful about that!
IR CONTROL AND TANK VS
TANK IR COMBAT
The stated range for the rc controller is 3
metres, but up to 5 metres is not a problem. The
stated range of 1.2 metres firing range for the
IR combat system is also conservative, with hits
possible from a much longer distance, up to 5
metres, albeit much more difficult.
The IR combat LED emitter is positioned to the
left of the barrel, so you need to take that
into account when aiming... Good aim is very
important with these tanks as there is a tight
beam spread (8 degrees). The turret can rotate
about 70 degrees either side of forward .
Up to 4 tanks can play together, which each tank
and controller having 4 selectable channels. The
firing interval for the main gun is 2.5 seconds.
When hit, you get the light, sound and
mechanical reaction effects as already
described, along with an 'invincible' period of
5 seconds. After a tank has been hit 5 times,
the tank shuts down and a reset of the on/off
switch is required for a restart.
At a price point of around $70USD these tanks
are well worth the money and we look forward to
covering further RC Tank releases from Hobby
Master.
