Nor-Eastern update [TANKS]

["John Barager" <gogetta20-at-hotmail.com>]

I just wanted to inform you all of my slow progress now. I'm on winter break 
so I may get something actually done.

I've settled on a design. My girlfreind having threatened me if I change my 
mind again, so I guess I'm sticking with what I'm doing now.
This week I'm sourcing local parts, espically foam to use to mold my 
completely fiberglass hull from. But also some of the more important parts, 
like motors, markers, and a few goodies I'd like to put on.
I still need a strong enough material to build the track links too, as well 
as a strong enough way to join them to the chains, but I think that won't be 
as much of a problem.
I was looking at RC controller systems at the local hobbey shop the other 
day, and they're all really expensive. What should I expect to pay for a 
good controler for an RC Tank? And how many channels do I need?

I don't want to start laying down the fiberglass for the hull until it's 
warmer out, but even so I'm worried that a completely fiberglass hull will 
be too weak to withstand the punishment I'll put it through, so I may inlay 
some thin steel rod fo reenforcement.
And finally, a question for the more experianced battlers, is it important 
to be able to remove the upper portion of the hull to reach the stuff 
inside? Or would it be viable to build the hull more like a real tank, and 
have it a large solid piece with hatches and a removable turret to access 
what's inside?
I'm hoping to make my tank as waterproof as possible.

Oh, and a battle estmate, I'll have my tank ready by July or Augest 2006 if 
it kills me. I wanna spend my summer shooting at that Hetzer.

John "Soon, oh so soon 'til summer.." Barager