No, bolting trainer halves doesn't sound good to me. Sounds like something more to go wrong. Did you use the rubber grommets in the servo mounts to reduce the vibration damage? the Rx needs to be wrapped in foam (and battery) for vibration protection too. Go to the radio Mfg web page and download appropriate manual if you don't have one and it should show proper techniques. Why not start charging now, it won't hurt anything? Hey guys, does JR have a site or does he need to go to Hobbico or something? I don't know, help me out on this. Ni-Cads are shipped fully discharged by law so you have to bring them up from nothing with your trickle charger. A quick charger would do it faster but why be in that big of a rush for the first time(it might also be hard on a new battery, again I don't know). Since you are dealing with used (unknown quality) radio batteries, keep a good eye on them. Monitor them prior to every flight until you know their condition and behavior pattern.

Good flying,
Bruce