Model Forum / Radio Controlled / Land Models / July 2007

Hi.  I am not familiar with rc but I'm hoping I might find some guidance
here.

We're doing a stage play which requires a turtle or small tortoise to remain
onstage for long periods of time.  For a long list of reasons (which I won't
even bother to go into) we'd prefer not to use a live turtle.

However, there are distinct downsides to using a simple prop turtle made of
plastic or ceramic.  We an in-the-round stage and members of the audience
are going to be quite close to the turtle, and, as I said, it's on the set
for considerable lengths of time.  If we use a simple prop, it's going to be
evident to everyone in about 3 minutes that it's not real.

Our prop man thought he would be able to rig a prop turtle up with some rc
stuff so that we could make it's head move (either forward and back or side
to side) on command from the tech booth overlooking the stage.  But, with
just a few weeks before the show opens, he doesn't seem to be making any
headway.  He doesn't really have rc experience and, when a person starts
searching the internet, there is just so much information, it's hard to know
how/where to start.

We've been looking at various robotic toys, pets, etc., trying to find
something that would have parts small enough to put inside our prop turtle
and wouldn't have movement that was too quick for such an animal.  So far,
most of what we've found is too fast/powerful.

Would anyone here be able to give us some recommendations?  Any help at all
is greatly appreciated.  Thanks.

Jennifer