ORIGINAL: ChrisS

I'm a newbie and I want to build a decent field box. I'm also a fairly good woodworker so I am going to build it from scratch myself. I have spent some time thinking about what I want the box to do and look like. I have also researched other's boxes. My question is this, do I really need a battery and panel?

No

I use a manual pump for my fuel, a rechargeable glow driver, and I manually start the plane.

Then you really don't need one

So do I need a battery? I don't feel like I need one now. But, I don't want to build a nice box and then decide in a few months that I need/want one later.

Well, you know yourself better than anyone else

Also what type of paint should I use to paint the box. I know it should be fuel proof.

Use PolyUrethane. You can leave that as the finish or paint over it.

Is rustoleum fuel proof? Also, how may of you carry your fuel supply seperate from your field box. This makes sense to me (i.e., no or less fuel on the box and less of an explosion issue by seperating the battery from the fuel). Also, can I recharge a rechargeable glow driver from the power panel (the Hobbico micropanel that tower sells looks like you can). Sorry about all the questions. I'm a newbie and very anxious to learn.

Thank for all the help?