anyone else tried differential steering, or is it a norm
I have made a small 3d printed side wheel boat , and used a henglong rc tank controller to drive it

Nice model welcome to the forum.

I've got a Heng Long tank with a damaged hull the gearboxes are in good condition though, what's the noise level from these? they're not too noticeable in a tank i wonder how they sound in a boat.

'Smoke on the Water'!

Hello I a a near neighbour- I live in Stockton On Tees.  My knowledge of differential power/steering is limited and not very good. getting an exact power match on two motors is difficult and models tend to wander a bit trying to get a power balance. In the early days of paddle steamers two engines were used due to the poor output of early steam engines. Even then it was common practice to join both shafts to get a constant wheel speed. they could be disconnected for maneuvering. ln harbours. In the early victorian period a dreadful accident on the river Thames when an overloaded passenger paddler was cut in half by a steamship with a tremeandous loss of life (well over 800 dead as she was greatly overloaded) A law was then passed banning passenger paddlesteamers from being able to disconnect their wheels> Apparently the captain had disconnected his wheels to come alongside a pier when she was struck midships in the dark and London fog. It was common practice in paddle tugs right up to their end to have two separate engines so they could manuever in harbours and rivers. The ruling only apples to passenger ships. Any way, why not pop along to the Darlington and district model boat club at Middleton St George water park (Wednesday and Sunday) for a cup of tea and a chinwag. Just ask for Walter (A K A the commodore!!!). Regards, Walter.