On deeper thought that spinner does look like a very old style I think I remember, could be wrong.

Just how quickly do your batteries die? Tx batteries will last the same amount of time whether the sticks are moving of not. The rx battery life will be shorter with the servos moving and even shorter in the air when they have to push against airflow over the control surfaces. That is why you need to monitor Rx batteries with an ESV or similar method.
You say the Tx batteries die. How are you determining this? Meters on Tx, servo movement, Oija board (sorry, had to throw that in)