My thoughts about field boxes had changed quite a bit over the last 25 years. I used to think that whoever brought the most to the field, and had the latest fancy gadgets won. Not any more. Too much of a pain. To much junk. To many gadgets to burn out, corrode, and leak. To many wires to chop up with the prop. I have discovered that a hand pump works just as good and lasts longer than any electric pump I've had. I've got a portable glo driver that is going on 4 years of weekly hard flying and is still going strong...wires to a power panel not needed. I have also learned that a properly inspected and maintained airplane at home makes for very few repairs at the field. In the past, 9 times out of ten I lugged half my shop to the field every time I flew, and didn't need any of it. I've also realized that if I am local flying, a Tx case is just one more thing to have to load and lug around. So, now all I unload from my car is a very simple flight box with the bare essentials for an afternoon of flying. It makes life much easier at the field and on the flightline. I do have another metal tool box in my car with spare props, plugs, repair equipment, small hardware, etc...etc...etc...but it stays in the car unless needed. The only time I use my Tx cases is when I travel to competitions and pile stuff into the car for a long trip. All I did for the flight box I use now is set out the essencial stuff I figured I needed for the field, and built a very simple flight box to hold it all. It's worked out really great, and now (Strictly personal preference) I wouldn't do it any other way.

The reason I've brought this up is in no way to put down guys who build beautiful field boxes, and are willing to bring them to the field. Some of these are ingenous works of craftsmanship, and to some flyers, this is an enjoyable extension of our great hobby. But...many beginners see this and feel they have to have it all too, and very often spend tons of money they don't have for stuff they really don't need.