The iHobby Expo 2007 is underway and the RCUniverse.com staff is on site to cover the action. We'll be posting still photo and video booth coverage of the vendors and their products. The video interviews will take a couple of days to edit but we'll link to them from this thread as soon as they are ready. A quick walk through revealed there are quite a lot of new items on hand. Some are small and some are large. All appear to be well engineered with a lot of thought put into their design.

Knowing there were several new items at Horizon Hobby's booth, that was my first stop this morning. Once there I realized I slightly underestimated how many new items there were! The first thing I saw when I arrived was the soon to be released E-flite Blade 400 helicopter. This is a full aerobatic, 3D ready electric helicopter that is Ready to Fly. It will include the new Spektrum DX6i 2.4 radio utilizing DSM2 technology. Note, this is a full range radio. It will not be restricted to park flyer use or other types of flying requiring limited range. The DX6i will also be available separately for those looking for an easy to use 6 channel DSM2 radio but have been concerned about range limitations with the earlier DX6.

Part of Horizon's display is an elevated RC car track complete with 1/4 pipe and jump. Mini and Micro size cars and trucks were being demo'd all day long showing that the models not only drive well but are durable as well.

The Hangar 9 Frenzy is a new 3D aerobatic sport model. The large model has over sized control surfaces for extreme aerobatics but is also just as capable of performing smooth pattern like maneuvers as well. It can be powered with 2 or 4 stroke or even electric power.

If you've been looking for a gasoline burning 4-stroke, but were having a difficult time finding one that was not an aftermarket conversion, your look is over. Saito is releasing the FG-36. This is in essence an FA-220 with a Walbro pump carb and factory installed electronic ignition. At 36cc, this engine will be a natural choice for large models without requiring huge amounts of costly glow fuel to satisfy it's thirst.

Hangar 9's new B-25J Mitchell is here and it looks very nice. Designed for glow or electric power, the model should be a sweet flying warbird with it's large wing and modest weight. Included are lots of scale details such as scoops, guns, turrets and more.

Hanging from the center of the booth way up high is another new Hangar 9 offering. The Mike McConville designed Sukhoi SU-26MM is a perfect match for DA-85 engine. With plug in wings and stab, the UltraCote model is easy to transport and handle at the field.

Slightly smaller, but just as good looking is the first of the E-flite Platinum Series ARF's. The AT-6 Texan 25e is engineered to be as scale as true to scale as possible. With the exception of the rudder, which was fabric covered on the full size aircraft, the entire model is fully sheeted. The tail surfaces are airfoiled and the wing includes scale split flaps. And, the wing is built retract ready for specially designed Robart units with prebent struts.

Another new Hangar 9 model is the Pitts Model 12 15e. The model is designed by international aerobatics champion Quique Somenzini and looks very nice. I tried to talk the Horizon crew into letting me take the model home for a quick review, but they declined. I'll be watching for this one to hit the hobby shop shelf soon!

Continueing with E-flite we see the new Taylorcraft 450. This model just begs to be taken out and flown on a lazy day. Lots of wing area and light weight promise this to be a smooth and gentle flying model.

Shifting gears back to helicopters, E-flite has yet another new release - scale helicopter bodies for the Blade CX. These bodies are so new that the two on display were the first chance several of the Horizon staff had to take a look at them. The lightweight bodies are easy to install on the helicopter and the paint work looks to be very nice and scale like.

Last up from Hangar 9 are their new Helmet-Head pilots. Available fully painted or in plain white, these lightweight fiberglass pilots will add a sporty look to your model without a lot of unnecessary extra weight.