by sunny on March 6, 2010
The RC10T4 platform has belted out numerous national championships (seven, to be exact), and with the Team Associated RC10T4.1, the company has brought the same fetching engineering qualities into an off-road racing truck. While featuring many parts right out of the RC10T4 Team kit, it adds a new 2.4 GHz XP3-SS 3-Channel radio system and SHV1504 MG metal gear steering servo.
Available as a ready to run vehicle, it features an Interceptor-T polycarbonate body that's completely finished out of the box. The paint scheme and decals are very appealing, making for an attractive-looking truck that you won't be ashamed to show off, whether in your friends' backyards or around the tracks.
Molded composite chassis with set screw antenna tube lock serves as the RC10T4.1’s foundation and base. According to Team Associated, the strategically-placed chassis components allow for optimal center of gravity, providing the truck with good stability and maneuverability while driving.
A factory-installed Reedy 3300kV brushless motor should give this truck ample power for casual races, which they paired with an XP SC450-BL brushless ESC. The 2.6:1 ratio gearbox comes with sealed gear differential, dual-sided adjustable slipper clutch and rubber-sealed ball bearings. Other notable features include a battery strap with twist-lock thumb knobs, rugged steel turnbuckles and aluminum shock bodies with molded pre-load clips.
If you're in the market for a fully-assembled truck with a championship pedigree, the Team Associated RC10T4.1 RTR sounds like an awesome pick. Released just at the start of the year, it's priced rather fairly at $399.
Specifications
Scale: 1:10
Power : Electric
Length: 390mm
Width: 316mm
Track: 270mm
Weight: 1756g
Wheelbase: 288mm
Internal Gear Ratio: 2.6:1
Drive: 2WD
by sunny on March 1, 2010
A favorite among airshow fans during the 1960s, the The Great Planes Zlin Z-526 Akrobat resurrects the popular Czech plane in all its flying glory. Like its full-scale inspiration, the single-seater model is designed for one thing: to thrill audiences with its sporty aerobatic prowess.
While putting ARFs together is always daunting, this particular plane was engineered for convenient assembly. Note the difference between "convenient" and "easy." This is, by no means, a breeze, but it could have been harder. For our purposes, we used a 4-stroke .52 engine, although you do get a wide choice for the kit (2-strokes and Outrunner brushless are also accepted).
The Great Planes Zlin Z-526 Akrobat is a roughly 1/7th scale, so it's quite a big plane (58-inch wingspan). That makes it perfect for outdoor aerial shows, since people on the ground can spot its on-air antics easily.
Up in the air, the good looks pave the way for even better flight. The plane is absolutely fast and smooth. Crank the left stick forward and you'll see it streak like a straight-aimed missile. Handling shows a lot of neutral tendencies, so there's plenty of room to innovate for aerobatic flyers. It's not as precise as 3D competitors would probably hope for, though, so keep that in mind.
Seldom do you find a Zlin plane modeled. It's especially rare to see one with full aerobatic qualities as Great Planes has done with Zlin Z-526 Akrobat. Throw in the not-so-difficult assembly plus excellent flight speed, and it's an easy call if you're ever considering getting one. Yep, get it now.
Specifications
Wingspan: 58 in (1470 mm)
Wing Area: 633 in² (40.9 dm²)
Weight: 6-6.75 lb (2695-3005 g)
Wing Loading: 22-24 oz/ft² (66-74 g/dm²)
Length: 52 in (1320 mm)
Requires: 4-5 channel radio w/4-5 servos; 2-stroke .46-.55 cu in (7.5-9.0 cc) or 4-stroke .52-.70 cu in (8.5-11.5 cc) engine; OR RimFire? 42-60-480kV outrunner brushless motor, 60A brushless ESC & (2) 11.1V 3200mAh 20C LiPo batteries
by sunny on February 27, 2010
Just released early this year, the Hobby Lobby Super Scale F-16 looks like one mean RC plane. Massive and detailed, it's a gorgeous rendition of the legendary jet fighter currently serving in the military of over 25 countries.
It's an ARF, so it comes with most the parts you will need to take your plane to the skies and begin shooting down enemies. Okay, the latter will require plenty of imagination, but the flying part sounds like an absolute thrill. You'll need to add radio, servos and battery to get it up.
How big is the thing? If you have a kid in grade school, the Super Scale F-16 is probably bigger. With a flying weight of 35 oz, it has a 28.33-inch wingspan, 43.5-inch length and a total 160.75 square inches of wing area. Yep, it's huge.
The set comes with mostly injection-molded plastic parts (such as the inlet scoop, scale landing gear legs and wheels), some hard plastic components (fins and missiles) and plenty of articulated detail. Based on the photos, assembly may prove harder than Hobby Lobby makes it out to be. It looks worth it, though. Hardware details include pin-type hinges, engineered nose wheel steering and carbon rod reinforced wings.
Top features include a 2600 Kv Outrunner brushless motor, an 80mm-diameter ducted fan, 45-amp speed control and an eight-blade impeller. The canopy and the base form the battery hatch, which are held steadfastly in place by earth magnets, making access to the battery easy. For realistic enjoyment, the jet comes armed to the brim, with AGM missiles, AIM missiles and reserve drop fuel tanks.
While there's no mention of how it performs on the official site, the Hobby Lobby Super Scale F-16 looks way badass. Recommended for intermediate model pilots, price is an affordable $260.
Specifications:
Length: 43-1/2"
Wingspan: 28-1/3"
Flying Weight: 35 oz.
Motor: Outrunner Brushless (2600 Kv) Included in Kit
Ducted Fan: 80mm Ducted Fan with 8-blade impeller (Dynamically Balanced) Included in Kit
Speed Controller: 45A Programmable ESC pre-connected with Genuine Deans Ultra Conns
Type of Build: ARF - Almost Ready to Fly
Skill Level: Intermediate
US $8.49
