reading that post just cost me a £50. ah well, my robot now has more powerful motors. and I have the last sensor needed for my new object detection algorithm.
if you want to go slightly bigger, and are willing to hack apart a rc tank,
http://www.surplusandoutdoors.com/shop/survival-accessories/true-survival-gadgets/remote-control-leopard-a5-battle-522697.htmlmost of the controlers would be scrap. Id strip the turret off, cut out the turret ring, and mount the camera on the turret ring. or you can modify the turret to use the existing mounts to move the camera up and down/left to right.
maybe a respray if camo isn't going to go down well.
motors might want replacing. but £30($50) for those. doesn't wiegh much so doesn't need much power. stick a microcontroler on it, and wireless. give it a lithium ion battery and let it lose. most of its plastic, so it wont corrode. the thing si cheep and flexable, so it can take been thrown around a bit. needs minimal care and can be fixed with plastic glue for minor stuff.