ORIGINAL: thefalcon
... If the 3-in-1 needs the throttle input to function correctly (they call it a mixer/esc/gyro, but I'm not at all sure what it actually mixes), then I'll try a using a 'Y' on channel 3. ...
Can anyone tell me what the advantages/disadvantages of using [link=http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXHHM6&P=ML]this motor[/link] as a direct drive tail might be? Other than being really inexpensive, I believe it will be a drop-in replacement.
***EDIT: retyped to clarify something inadvertently deleted.
The 3-in-1 probably does need the throttle input to function correctly: it mixes the throttle with the gyro to get the output for the rudder motor.
As for that direct drive tail motor, the wording on the web page seems to imply that it was only designed for 6 to 7.2V (also, BPHobbies has a lot of documentation on these types of motors).
The 10.8V NiMH or 11.1V Lipo battery will probably fry it unless
you do something like install some resisters/diodes in series with that tail motor to drop the voltage.