Well you know I'd love to tell you there are dozens to choose from but rats I can't. There are a few, VERY few long time established sources and other hopefuls. I say hopeful because I've seen so many come and go you cannot believe such a relatively unknown hobby draws so many 'I'm gonna be THE model tank manufacturer' Almost without exception the Model Tank maker's Waterloo is the tracks. Just about any competent modeler can build the hull and turret but come to the tracks and.. Um what do I do now?

Producer of the ZugMaschine Kaeble Z6W2A seen elsewhere within these pages. Also can supply aluminum tracks, sprockets and wheels for the Panthers he made years ago or your new projects. I believe Jurgen Stehr is once again offering Panther A models and parts as well as possibly a JagdPanther and even a Tiger I all in 1:10. I have ordered and received many of his predecessor's products and I highly recommend them. He is not inexpensive. Example: a set or Panther tracks are about $500. The 10 speed gearbox for the Kaeble is about $1,000.

Thomas makes a series of Panthers, Tiger I, StuG/PzKw models and he will only sell arts at the moment. His work has evolved over the years and has steadily improved. He has a PzKw III and Tiger I track in Aluminum which are first rate. I have received parts from Thomas and can recommend him. All are for 1:10.

Agents for the Sankyo Series of tank models: the 1:10 Type 74 and the 1:8 scale Type 61 ( both seen elsewhere) , the 1:12 King Tiger(not recommended) There is also a 1:10 Type 90 but I've seen few photos of it.

Whooooa Nelly! One of the first American startups I've seen who has a good thing going! Mike Deiter's R/C Armory is offering a super 1:8 scale King Tiger kit using modern plastics technology and production techniques. It looks very good as I've seen both the kit and a completed built kit. Cost about $2100 for everything including all motors ( no R/C unit of course). Definitely call or drop 'em a line.

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At this time, Jan 2007, I have to lament the fading of traditional hobbies or rather the building of things as I've come to know it. Xbox 360, Wii, Playstation, Nintendo are the words most youth know. Ready to run, snap together, disposible are all hobby shops can offer. In our, the greater SF Bay area area we've seen one major hobby shop disappear in recent years as well as several small ones and I fear more are soon to follow. Materials and components become more and more difficult ( and expensive ) to find. There's an odd thing about all this; many see and readily acknowledge it, both from within the context of traditional hobbies and many from without but none of us can do anything about it or feel we can. What is sad to me is that while many young minds are exploring the worlds created by others in games they are losing the ability to create worlds of their own and yet they would vehemently denounce that observation. In my opinion such things are in small part why our societies are troubled; there is no real stake in society achieved by mastery of any game, even if there a paid tournement ( so I've heard). I see youth needing new games with ever increasing rapidity; they get one play it out and they need a new one. "I'm bored". I can understand. This has to leave a person flat, what sense of accomplishment can one have? It seems pointless to me. Anything would be better, draw a cat, read a book, write a poem, build a bird house or just daydream; have the world be a little tiny bit different for your having been there. Ah well I'm glad I've become an old fuddy duddy. Signing off....

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