I took the tank out of the box this evening. Its actually pretty solid in construction and well detailed. Looking up pictures online, the TRU/True Heroes tank is just repaint or retooling of the Hobby Engine/Hobby Zone 1:16 scale RC M1A1 Abrams. The vehicle takes 6 AA batteries to power the tank and one 9V battery for the remote control.
Operating it works in the same fashion as the 21c 1:18 and 1:6 scale RC vehicles. The control has two levers - pushing them forward moves the tank forward; pushing backward moves the tank in reverse. Pushing them in opposite directions turns the tank. The tank is able to create the full range of realistic movement with the tracks working independently from each other. It has scale speed, meaning it doesn't run too fast for its size. When switched on, the tank makes an "engine idling" sound and has an "engine running" sound when in movement. Working headlights (which are actually pretty bright) shine when moving forward. Red tail lights shine when in reverse.
Two buttons on the top of the remote operate additional functions. The left top button rotates the turret left or right. Rotating the turret plays a whiny movement sound. There is no gun elevation feature and one has to push the gun into the desired position. The right top button on the remote creates a machine gun sound when pushed left and "fires" the cannon (making a cannon firing sound) when pushed to the right. The tank does not shoot BBs or other projectiles, but the does have a somewhat realistic "recoil" effect - basically the tank jerks backwards a little when "firing" the main gun. It doesn't roll backward several inches like the 21c tanks do. I thought the realistic recoil function was a nice touch
The commander's cupola and loader's MG rotate, but otherwise, there aren't any other moving features or opening hatches. The tow cables, guns, and some other parts are all separately attached pieces, which give some realistic detail.
Overall, I'm pretty happy with the tank. For $85, its a good deal. I'm now deciding on some way to repaint it or at least add some heavy weathering to make it look a little less like a toy
![Wink :wink:](./images/smilies/icon_wink.gif)