OK Chum
You asked for it!๐ First a few disclaimers. Any and all of the components and radios I use are because I have found them to fulfill my needs and that they are reliable. No endorsements here, just what I have found to work.And remember that I am an analog sort of individual. I'd still use two cans and a string for phone calls...
I use a FrSky radio, the TandemXE. It is a full computer radio, one of numerous quality computer radios on the market. Futaba, Spectrum, Jeti, there are plenty. The quality of the computing capability makes a difference. As does the number and types of controls available "on the Box" so to speak. One can easily operate scale boats with numerous animated functions WITHOUT spending $ on a computer radio, but you will have to buy the after market components to create the functions. Remember the Robbe F-14, 16, 18 series? The basic radio was great, but it needed additional modules to expaand it and give it the functionality. Each module was $$$$ I still have two of those radios).
My radio choice in this case gives me 12 proportional controls and twelve switches. The switches can be easily swapped for different versions, ie, 2 position, 3 position, momentary ect. Like most medium to high end radios, the Tandem allows the user to assign the inputs(control) to any channel or function. Likewise mixing of channels, functions and controls is unlimited as well. Lastly, the radio allows assigned outputs, ie, the rudder does not have to be CH on the receiver, it can be any output on the receiver. As well, the actions of the output signal can be modified here. Remember buying ServoSlows, to slow down the speed of the servo response? It is now done in the transmitter, as well as adding delays to the servo response and controlling the degrees of rotation of the servo, individually right and left. These computer radios also allow writing one's own mini programs to operate while your model is running, ie LUA scripts. There are also virtual switch capabilities incorporated.
I have just scratched the surface here. I expect to be able to use less than 10% of my radio's capabilities.
The picture shows the transmitter with the usually dual sticks. There are two center sliders, two side case sliders, four rotary knobs and two self centering trim controls that are assignable as channel controls. Plus the switches.
There are some really amazing models, especially across the Pond from here, use Arduino/like processors to control animation. I am too old a dog for that. I us a servo system made by GoBilda, a USA company that makes various servos and components. What I like about their servo range, three speeds, Torque, Normal, and Speed, is that they give 180 rotation, out of the box with any radio system. By putting their Servo Travel Tuner in series between the receiver and servo, the rotation increases to 300 degrees, +_ 150 degrees. Most center-line gun turrets rotate +_ 120 degrees so this works great. An added benefit it that the servos convert to 360 degree rotation with built in directional and speed control. The converter is a $15 or so electronic unit. SO, the servo can be an all in one drive package! I had planned to use one servo for my radar drive, but it did not work out do to the mast I am using.
My turrets and gun directors are directly coupled to GB servos using their shaft adapters.
While the radio will send signals to control switches on my beast, I need actual switches on board for the circuit controls. I am very partial to Action Electronics switches available for the Component Shop in the UK. The have a variety of type and capabilities.
Radars are a special case with me. I feel that they need to rotate. I have tried several ways of doing it and much depends upon how and where the radar is mounted. For some reason, warship designers insisted on sticking them way up on a long pole.๐คฃ I=The hard part for me is the speed of rotation. WW@ radars rotated VERY slowly AND were reversible. Unless I run a shaft up my mast I have to settle for slightly fast rotation speed. I settled on the latter because far enough out and no one will see the radar anyhow! There are readily available 6mm planetary gear head motors. They come in various output ratios, hence speeds. They run on 3 volts and will turn on 1 volt. They draw about .04 amps. I mounted a couple on the ends of my "long poles".
All the lighting is LED. It can be done numerous ways. I am also using LEDS to indirectly light some lights by using a semi clear plastic to carry the light. That can be seen on my Fletcher build in the bulkhead lights.
There are as many threads on smoke units for boats as there are boats. I'm lazy! I am using Harbor Models smoke units, LARGE ones( cause I can). I have wired them some what differently. I want to be able to controlt eh smoke output( it is in the directions) so I am using an ESC to do that. But, I found that the units still smoked even with the control in neutral. To manage them I added an electronic switch unit,(see above), that will turn the power to the ESC on and off as I desire. There is also a switched fan function so that I can control the forced draft.
As we add more and more to our boats we find that we have multiple voltages to have to deal with. I use 12 v SLA batteries as a 12 v supply. I deal with different voltages with BUCK converters. Essentially, variable voltage regulators that you set the output voltage of. They are very inexpensive.
First photo is transmitter,
Second is GB servo, third are 6mm gearhead motors