but eventually found a better commodity solution
Swift Stream Robobuddy Wireless Remote Control Vehicle, White https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FZB6NHW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_SLelEbTPWWW8C
However the company just went bankrupt and can't access remotely, so know I'm looking at resurrecting my Hero with an RPi4
http://www.theoldrobots.com/images6/hero3e.JPG