Chris's back lot: Rumbling revenge

Radio Control Car Action, Aug 2000 by Chianelli, Chris

How would you like to roll one of these heavy-metal monsters out onto your local off-road track after some wiseguy hammer has taken you out of a race early. "Go head, make my heat!"

The man behind these hand-crafted WWII RC panzer (tank) models is David Shultz. His motto: "I will make anything that somebody will pay for." Dave intends to offer these and other RC armored vehicles to the public on a limited-production basis. At the top is "Helmut," the 1/3-scale Jagdpanther-the tank that hunts other tanks. At bottom is "Heinrich," the 1/3-scale "D" Model Panther, and at the center of the page is the master craftsman himself with the 1/3-scale monsters and "Herman," the smaller 1/6-scale "E" Model Tiger tank. The 1/6-scale Tiger is powered by two 1/8hp, 12V DC gear motors, while the 1/3-scale giants are powered by, get this, an 11 1/2hp gasoline engine that drives a hydraulic double pump, which in turn powers two hydraulic motors via proportional hydraulic valves .... What do ya think of that? It's mechanized music to my ears.

The smaller Tier is armed with a 3mm water cannon powered by a 12V, 3A pump. One can only guess what the "big boy" might be armed with. The Tiger weighs in at 230 pounds, while its big brothers tip the scale at 1,400 pounds plus. Personally, I would ask Helmut to guard my Back Lot. Why? Because its got the biggest gun. If you'd like more information on these aggressive creations, or on some new stuff Dave is working on, contact him at Merton Models, 2277 Woodglen Dr., Indianapolis, IN 46260; (317) 876-0742.