HPI Racing Brama 10B RTR 4WD Overview

Zero — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 03:00:00 -0600

All components of the RTR kit

One of the latest releases from HPI Racing is the Brama 10B RTR 4WD buggy. This 1/10th scale is designed for low maintenance and has a good price for a 1/10th-scale 4WD. Unlike Hot Bodies, which is the racing division for HPI Racing, this car is more for the novice or sportsman as an entry-level 4WD RC car. It claims good durability, but has extensive use of mostly nylon/composite plastic components. Some seem very durable, but this car probably would need some upgrades for serious off-road competitive racing. For fun in the neighborhood and just getting started, it looks like a great choice and has some great features.

Tough Nylon Front Bumper

HPI Racing Brama 10B RTR 4WD 1/10th scale buggy is a sharp looking RC vehicle. It has some nice features for an entry level 4WD buggy. Based on the E10 chassis, this vehicle should have great handling characteristics. The video on the HPI Racing website shows the vehicle handling nicely and taking curbs and jumps with ease. Being a RTR, you just need to install the AA batteries in the transmitter, charge the vehicle's battery and your ready to run. One feature I really like, is the enclosed 4WD drive shaft, as they claim it helps protect from rocks and loose dirt getting into the drive train and slowing you down. This will keep your car running great in the harshest conditions. It has oil-filled shocks, ball bearings in the drivetrain, a nice tub chassis, a double wishbone suspension, good shock adjust abilities and much more. With a low street price, this should be a great buggy to get started in 1/10th scale 4WD.

Shaft Driven 4WD

For more information, check out the HPI website.

Great Planes Cherokee Sport-Scale ARF Airplane Overview

Zero — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 03:00:00 -0600

Great Planes Cherokee Sport-Scale ARF is a 60 in model which could be rigged with either glow or electric power. This scale model is ideally suited to those interested in a scale-looking low wing model and is a great step-up after your first trainer. Being an ARF, they claim 4-6 hours of assembly and your off to the field. This model will perform the basic aerobatic maneuvers and should be an ideal first low wing airplane for the serious RCer.

The cockpit area lifts off providing access to the electrics

Construction features and details on this model are no in short supply. Great Planes has a real winner on their hands with both a great looking scale plan in the Cherokee ARF as well as what should be a good performer when using electric or nitro propulsion. Great Planes explains all the great features on their website, but some of the highlights include: a bolt-on wing and tail for easy assembly and transport, tricycle landing gear, fiberglass wheel pants look great while providing low drag, and with a 5 channel radio you can even operate the included flaps. You will need at least a 4 channel radio (5 channel for the flaps), servos, and electric or nitro power to complete this model.

Specifications

Can be fitted with Electric or Glow power

Wingspan: 60 in (1520 mm)
Wing Area: 606 in² (39 dm²)
Weight: 6.75-7.25 lb (3.1-3.3 kg)
Wing Loading: 26-28 oz/ft² (79-85 g/dm²)
Length: 46 in (1170 mm)
Requires: 4+ channel radio system (5-channel required for operational flaps) w/4-7 standard servos
Electric Power Requirements:
- ElectriFly™ RimFire™ 42-50-800 Out-runner Brushless Motor (GPMG4700);
- ElectriFly Silver Series SS-60 Brushless Electronic Speed Control (GPMM1850);
- 18.5V 3200mAh LiPo battery (GPMP0622 or GPMP0623);
- propeller (10x5E or 11x5E)
Glow Power Requirements:
- 2-stroke .40-.46 cu (7-7.5cc) or 4-stroke .52-.56 cu in (8.5-9.2cc) engine

All the components of this ARF

For more information, check out the Great Planes website.

Century Swift 3D 6-Channel 2.4Ghz RTF Overview

Zero — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 03:00:00 -0600

The complete package

Swift has produced an excellent 30 size electric ready to fly helicopter. This is a fine model and has been test flown and ready for the experienced 3D flyer or with training gear would be an excellent choice for the first single blade helicopter. Similar to other 30 size models on the market, but it also includes a 2.4Ghz 6-channel radio which will provide awesome Spread Spectrum technology so you don't need to worry about someone on the same frequency taking out your heli. With a length of 105 cm, this is a good size to get started and Century Helicopters produces some nice quality models so you are backed by a company with good access to parts for repair. This is critical for any helicopter flyer.

Century Swift 3D 6-Channel 2.4Ghz RTF

As far as the details and construction, this isn't an all graphite model; but being a ready-to-fly helicopter it has good quality. Also, for a beginner composite plastic parts are much more forgiving in a crash and many new pilots make the mistake by trying to learn on a fancy graphite model that is much more expensive to repair.

Features

Powerful 550 sized outrunner motor
High speed tail mounted servo
heading lock gyro
nicely integrated tail system
eCCPM control geometry
Thrust bearing supported blade grips
2.4 GHz control radio
1700-1800 rpm for blades - easy for beginners to control

Specifications

Century Swift 3D 6-Channel 2.4Ghz RTF

Main Rotor Blades: 520mm
Tail Rotor Diameter: 21cm
Length: 105cm
Height: 34.4cm
Weight: 1.56kg
Speed Control: 75/95 Amp
Motor: 1440kV
Battery: 4S Li-Po 20C/30C
Pinion: 10 tooth
Head Speed: 1600 - 2100 RPM
Radio System: Elite 2.4GHz 6 Channel
Flight Time: 12-15mins
Charger: Standard AC Wall Charger

For more information, check out the Century website.

CEN Racing 1/8th GSR 5.0 Nitro Monster Truck Overview

Zero — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 03:00:00 -0600

The GSR 5.0 on the dirt

Light-weight 23 mm hex 6 spoke wheel with super soft all terrain tire

This is one monster truck ready and willing to tear-up the track. CEN Racing claims a 2nd Place finish at the 2007 Monster Truck Nationals and their website exclaims that they were the only truck that didn't break in the A-main finals. Sporting a 5.0 cc Corsa engine and a 2-speed transmission, this truck is claims to reach speeds of about 45 mph. That is some Monster truck.

The CEN Racing 1/8th GSR 5.0 Nitro Monster Truck is loaded with some nice features which makes the claim of durability very believable. It has features like the Corsa 5.0 cc engine, a two speed transmission, Aluminum chassis, Aluminum shock towers, a protected radio box, "MTM" metal brake system which sports 4 disc brakes, and much more.

Downforce Racing Wing

Additional Features:

New super stiff shock springs to launch your GSR off ramps and dirt jumps!
Light-weight 23 mm hex 6 spoke wheel with super soft all terrain tire
Light-weight composite two piece tuned pipe
All new racing wing and wing mount with adjustable down-force! Provides added stability while jumping and traction at high speeds.
Powerful and durable rear exhaust 5.0cc Corsa engine with tons of power!
Newly designed body scheme that comes pre-painted and decaled.
Heavy duty Metal to Metal Brake system for superior stopping power.
Extremely lightweight composite drive-train for reduced rotating mass
Equipped with easy to use Allen hex screws
Machined one-piece engine mount with cooling fins suitable for most big block engines
Front and rear racing differentials with super hard steel gears for extreme durability.
Dual Vertical Chassis design that provides ultra rigid support
High impact skid plate bumpers to improve durability (front and rear)
Hardened steel 8 mm constant velocity axles
Heavy duty spindles and caster blocks with alloy wheel hubs
Protected radio box and battery case
Oil filled shocks with functional reservoirs to absorb all types of terrain.

Specifications:

The GSR 5.0 on the dirt

Length: 22.4 inch / 570 mm
Weight: 12.5 lbs / 5.7kg
Engine: CORSA 5.0 engine
Width: 16.5 inch / 420 mm
Wheel size: 3.7inch / 94 mm
Transmission: 2 Speed Forward
Ground clearance: 3.15 inch / 80 mm
Tires: 6.2inch / 157 mm
Drive System: V Shaft Driven, 4 wheel drive
Overall Height: 9.84 inch / 250 mm
Wheelbase: 15.63inch /397 mm
Radio System: FM Digital Spec Radio
Fuel tank capacity: 220 cc
Chassis type: Dual VPC (Vertical Plate Chassis)
Differential type: Sealed 6-Gear Differential

For more information, check out the CEN Racing website.

Carl Goldberg Products Protege ARF Airplane Overview

Zero — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 18:13:52 -0600

Carl Goldberg Products Protege ARF Airplane

The Carl Goldberg Products Protege ARF Airplane is a great ARF for the beginning flyer ready for their first trainer. Maybe you have flown some park flyers with the sailplane like wings and now your ready for some training at your local field but want something already assembled - well this would be a great choice. You will need to install the engine, radio and make all the adjustments; but after that you will have a quality balsa plane that most instructors will enjoy flying as well.

At 71.5" in wingspan, this plane gives you the size you need as a beginner or immediate to keep track of the orientation. This is important for many flyers since even experienced flyers sometimes loose the orientation during maneuvers or when the plane gets a bit out of sight. This model has nice hardware included as well as features quality balsa construction. You will enjoy this airplane as you advance and who knows it may remain a favorite for years to come. Check out all the specifications and details on Carl Goldberg's website.

Carl Goldberg Products Flight Boxes Overview

Zero — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 04:09:50 -0500

The Electro Tote with Quick Chill Batter Cooler

The Quik Chill Battery Cooler

The Carl Goldberg Products has announced some nice new products for handling your organizational and storage needs at the field. The first is the Electro Tote which is a great box for the electric flyer. This box even features the new Quik Chill Battery Cooler to keep those hot LiPo in top condition. They also announced the Super Hold'em which is a great holder for your airplane wing as you do service or get ready for that next flight.

The Carl Goldberg Products Flight Boxes feature wood construction and they come in kit form so you are able to paint or cover to your own color choices. No electronics are included except for a fan and banana plus for the QuiK Chill Battery Cooler. The website has all the complete information. Take a look and get better organized as you prefer for your flights at the RC field.

Lots of storage space

Features of the Electro Tote:

2 Power panel compartments accept most popular brands.
4 sliding drawers for wrenches, connectors, and other items.
Customized compartment for drivers, props, glues and other items.
Large battery compartment for storage and transporting.
Includes Quik Chill Battery Cooler™ compartment
Includes cooling fan, banana plugs, and female adapters
Removable top tray great for carrying your transmitter.
Decals included
All laser cut parts

The Super Hold'em

Features of the Super Hold'em:

Decals included
Length adjusts from 13¼” to 26½"
Cradle adjusts from 2½” to 7½”
All laser cut parts

Carl Goldberg Products 67" Edge 540 ARF Airplane Overview

Zero — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 17:46:50 -0500

Carl Goldberg Products 67" Edge 540 ARF

The Carl Goldberg Products 67" Edge 540 ARF Airplane is an exciting 67" aerobatic nitro plane. The website has a great video showing the awesome performance and looks of this plane. As an ARF you will be flying it quickly and with Carl Goldberg quality you know you will have a excellent results.

Built for a 4-stroke 1.2 size engine, but you could also use a .6 to .9 2-stroke, the Carl Goldberg Products 67" Edge 540 ARF Airplane is a good choice for an advanced weekend flyer or the serious 3-D pilot. The plane has been built with laser cut parts and features an all-wood airframe. It also has aluminum landing gear, fiberglass cowl and fiberglass wheel pants.

The video below comes from the official website where you can also take a look at the instruction manual which shows all the components you will need to complete the model.

Specifications

Wingspan: 67"
Wing Area: 854 Sq. In.
Fuse Length: 64"
Flying Weight: 8-9 lbs.
Power: 2-stroke .60-.90 or 4-stroke .90-1.20
Radio:
4 - Channel Radio
6 - Servos

Team Associated Factory Team RC8T Overview

Zero — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 03:51:31 -0500

Team Associated Factory Team RC8T

Rear Suspension of RC8T

Based on the Factory Team RC8 Buggy, the new Factory Team RC8T 1:8 scale “truggy” is sure to be a hit in the gas powered truck racing circuit. Team Associated has come a long way from the the on road designs of their past such as the RC150 and the RC 500 onroad cars. Now, these RC marvels have features that enable them to track quickly in off road conditions, and tear up your local RC dirt track. The new RC8T has capabilities that Team Associated describes as allowing the car to “experience unparalleled and effortless ‘pop’ as they launch from the jumps.” And they describe the “key design elements” that are in this new truggy to include: strength, durability, maximum corner speeds and rough track handling. This new gas RC truck/buggy is sure to be a winner.

Construction and Required Equipment

2 Channel Servo set-up for throttle and steering

The Team Associated Factory Team RC8T has the looks and quality to be one of your favorite RC cars. It has excellent design heritage since it is based on the RC8 which gives you a proven design. The main differences in the new RC8T compared to the RC8 are that the RC8T: is an unassembled kit versus an assembled kit for the RC8, has “big bore” shocks with 4mm gold shock struts, and CVAs without rubber boots (see the website for complete details and comparisons). Assembling the RC8T will require: a .21 or .28 class rear exhaust engine, 2 channel radio (fm/pcm recommended), receiver, 2 servos, 4.8v to 6V receiver battery pack, muffler and components to assemble, fuel, glow starter, starter box, lexan-specific spray paint for the unfinished body and basic RC modeling tools. The truggy features a strong aluminum chassis in black anodization. This is one nicely made and looking RC model that sure to be a favorite of most race truck enthusiasts.

Model Specifications:

Front Suspension of RC8T ready for action.

Scale: 1:8, Nitro, 4WD
Length: 571.5 mm
Weight: 3946 g (no rec. pack or body)
Wheelbase: 375mm
Internal Gear Ratio: 4.3:1

ElectricFly Extra 300S ARF Overview

Zero — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 18:02:03 -0500

Extra 300S by Great Planes Electrifly

Picture showing the included parts in the kit.

Electrifly by Great Planes has available another great foam airplane from the “Flatouts” series called the Extra 300S. This airplane is capable of doing some advanced 3-D aerobatics and since it is a a foamie style model it assembles quickly, is easy to repair in the field and electric propulsion is quick and easy. This park flyer is an idea model for someone who is an intermediate to an advanced pilot ready to try 3D aerobatics. Electrifly also as an optional brushless kit that could be purchased for this model that offers even better performance for you at the field.

Construction and Required Equipment

Nice feature on the prop mount to help prevent damage on rough landings.

The Extra 300S assembles quickly and easily with a quoted time of “2 to 3 hours” from box to flight. The kit comes nicely packages in secured plastic wrap. It includes a brushed motor and gear box as well as a propeller. Needed accessories include the electronics (radio, 2 micro servos, ESC, LiPo battery pack, receiver and charger). The included manual is very detailed and lists all the required tools and accessories recommended for assembly. It aso shows the proper set-up of the control surfaces and balancing the Extra 300S for the best performance. During assembly, the set-up portion is critical for your first successful flight. Don’t rush this part of the process to make sure your model has the best chance of success on it’s first flight. Great Planes Electrifly Extra 300S is fun park flyer and sure to thrill your spectators at the field when you learn all the new 3D aerobatics this plane is surely capable of doing.

Model Specifications:

Wingspan: 35.5 in (915mm)
Wing Area: 207 sq in (13 dm^2)
Weight: 7.5 to 9 oz (215 to 255 g)
Wing Loading: 4.5 to 5.8 oz/sq ft (15 to 18 g/dm^2)
Length 29in (750mm)

Requires: Radio: 4-channel minimum, 3 micro servos, 10A ESC and micro receiver, 11.1V 350-700 mAh LiPo battery, LiPo compatible charger.

Team Associated 10R5 Factory Team Kit Overview

Zero — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 17:06:35 -0500

Team Associated 10R5 Factory Team Kit

Made for 1:10 Scale World GT Class Racing

With the new 1:10 scale onroad race car, the 1:10 scale World GT class racing has just got more competitive. Team Associated has just released a new Factory Team RC10R5. Based on the successful RC12R5 platform, the RC10R5 has some nice new features for your success at the track, including a woven carbon fiber chassis, new factory Team shocks, a “pivot ball-link” chassis allowing for independent adjustment for the car’s handling, an updated active strut front end, just to name a few. The front end design features a foam front bumper and an “active-strut” front end which Team Associated designed to allow for adjusting the caster and the track width. This is a very capable and tunable design which will allow RC racers to tweak their cars just right for their particular track conditions.

Construction and Required Equipment

Clean design and quality construction

The RC10R5 has quality components with Team Associated designers using nice blue-anodized aluminum parts, carbon fiber parts and chassis and strong and efficient gear drive system. The car requires a 2 channel RC radio with surface frequency, batteries, battery charger, ESC (electronic speed control), a RC Electric motor, pinion gear, 1:10 scale car body, and tools as required for assembly. The radio also needs one steering servo. Get ready to step up to 1:10 scale onroad racing with the new Factory Team RC10R5 from Team Associated.

Model Specifications:

Front Servo is mounted low for excellent handling

Scale: 1:10, Electric
Weight: 1.98 lbs
Length: 14.5 inches
Width: 197 mm
Length 33in (840mm)
Wheelbase: 255mm
Internal Gear Ratio: 1:1

Recent Posts By User

HPI Racing Brama 10B RTR 4WD Overview

Great Planes Cherokee Sport-Scale ARF Airplane Overview

Specifications

Century Swift 3D 6-Channel 2.4Ghz RTF Overview

Features

Specifications

CEN Racing 1/8th GSR 5.0 Nitro Monster Truck Overview

Additional Features:

Specifications:

Carl Goldberg Products Protege ARF Airplane Overview

Carl Goldberg Products Flight Boxes Overview

Features of the Electro Tote:

Features of the Super Hold'em:

Carl Goldberg Products 67" Edge 540 ARF Airplane Overview

Specifications

Team Associated Factory Team RC8T Overview

Construction and Required Equipment

Model Specifications:

ElectricFly Extra 300S ARF Overview

Construction and Required Equipment

Model Specifications:

Team Associated 10R5 Factory Team Kit Overview

Construction and Required Equipment

Model Specifications: