electronize do some realy cool speed controllers
they have a special function to allow a bog standard electric motor to turn very very slowly , this means you can fit a big prop for speed but turn it
oh so slowly for maneuvering
you may want side thrusters to counteract wind shear, an issue on larger models
http://www.electronize.co.uk/I have a couple of them they are excellent, have a couple of pots on the top u can adjust speed and frequency , prop speeds can be as low as 10 rpm . FR30HX Controller
http://www.electronize.co.uk/model_electronics_frames.htmpaintball can be expensive, requires co2 cylinders and are gravity fed and u cant bend shots without risking breaking the paintballs
I would go for air soft instead, slight cheaper, very accurate up to 30 feet, range of 100+ feet if needed , lower the voltage for slow continual fire or fire single shot. Florescent pellets are an option. If you realy wanted you could sink an enemy ship or shoot a plane out of the sky on full auto lol
Airsoft fully electric 500 round magazines (some are larger) can be positioned easily and pellets can be fired down bent tubing should you require
chinese clones are good enough for what you want
http://www.crw-airsoft.com/mp5k-automatic-gbb-smg-g-55-by-well-1385-p.aspIDEA
buy an el cheapo netbook , stick it on the ship THEN using
remote desktop control everything from your shore based laptop
Your laptop on shore displays the screen of your netbook so you are basically operating your netbook as if it was in your hand
wireless dongle on netbook and laptop for radio link ....leave your radio control at home !
you could even mount a webcam on the control tower and watch it on your laptop
mount an 8 inch omni on your carrier and a mini dish (coke can size) on you laptop if you are worried about signal strength
and you have spent money on a netbook that can be used for other purposes (unlike dedicated robo/rc hware)
or treat yourself a new laptop and stick your old one in the ship , you gotta upgrade sooner or later anyway