I was actually gonna start a thread about this very subject, but decided against it.

I basically started from scratch with turbines. Meaning, I had to buy all new equipment because very little from the prop world, save some tool and misc. field equipment, can be used.

I also bought, what I would consider, to be top of the line everything. I only like to buy an item once. I bought a 10X a coupla years ago because of this very reason and now it's paying off.

I definitely could have done things cheaper.

I bought:

Bobcat XL (kit, retracts, blah, blah, blah)
Jetcat P-120
All JR radio equipment
Jersey Modeler fuel can
2 fire extinguishers
Another Orbit battery charger
Walcom spray gun
Not decided on batteries, as much as $250 for duralites though..
Some special tools
paint (!)

All said and done I think I have 8K in it. A lot of those items will not have to be bought again for a long time or can also be used on my next model. I know I went overboard but what the hell. I definitely think it can be done for under 4K. I really like the looks of the PCM av8r. The cost can be managed by buying things in stages instead of all at once.

People often say "don't fly a model you can't afford to crash", which should be "don't buy anything you can't afford".

Jet modeling is the pinnacle of the hobby...it's great to be joining those at the top.

BTW DR is correct about the bling-bling...it's only fair

Bob