Well, I had a little set-back today as my engine "test bed" model (the 60-size Kyosho ARF) went down today in a big way. This was its maiden flight. Moments after take-off I was suddenly aware that I had no control whatsoever. I had done a radio check before take-off and was able to taxi to position and control throttle and rudder on the take-off run but then almost as soon as it lifted off, I had nothing. It made a large frightening turn off to the right as I yelled out a warning in Japanese and then went down in a tangerine grove behind the field. I think the engine and radio gear (and assorted other bits like the WB wheels I was "breaking in" ) are OK but the ARF is a total write off. [:@]

My best guess is that the Rx battery didn't have a sufficient charge. I had charged it overnight but I've been having some memory problems with the batteries that come with the Airtronics radio. What devices do you all use to charge your Rx batteries and to check their charge? At this point, I'm just blindly trusting that if I plug them in the night before (using the stock charger) that in the morning they'll be charged. I won't do THAT again!

BTW, for what it's worth, the take-off run and (short) climb out felt exactly the same as with the smaller Kyosho Calmato Sports (which I still have). Looks like I'll have to get another test plane (after I confirm that the engine still runs). []