JWN

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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.

JWN

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We already took a look at Saito's new gasoline powered FG-36 4-stroke, but right next to it are three new versions of Saito's mid-sized favorites. The .56, .62 and .72 Control Line engines. These engines come with ultra light weight mufflers and specially designed venturi's which can be adjusted in size to be perfectly matched up to the modelers application.

If you are a modeler who flies models with high current demand due to a large number or high powered servos, the new Spektrum 9-Channel PowerSafe receiver is for you. It has dual 16AWG battery leads with EC3 connectors factory installed. To compliment the new receiver Spektrum has for new 6.0 volt NiMH batteries ranging in capacity from 1450 to 4500 mAh. These batteries have matching 16AWG leads and EC3 connectors so they will plug straight into the receiver. They also have standard pigtail taps installed for charging or checking the batteries between flights.

Spektrum also has a new Dual Voltage Regulator. This device is designed to allow the use of two batteries without worry that one will be drained faster than the other which can result in a possibly unsafe condition. The regulator balances the load across both batteries to minimize voltage drops in high current conditions.

Still looking at the Spektrum table we see the AR6300 DSM2 Nanolite Flite Pack. This flight pack is designed for park flyer airplanes and micro helicopters or any other model requiring high performance yet very light weight radio gear. To put this in perspective, the receiver weighs a scant 2 grams! The flight pack includes four digital programmable servos with JST connectors.

New Sub-Micro servos from Spektrum include the DSP60, DSP60J and DSP75 Super Sub-Micro Digital Programmable servos. The DSP60's weigh 6.0 grams with the DSP60J utilizing the micro JST connector. The DSP75 weighs in at 7.5 grams. These models will be right at home in the growing list of micro airplanes and helicopters available to modelers.

For those who have been waiting for a new top of the line JR radio, look no further than the 12X systems. This radio will be offered in two versions. The 12X2.4 has fully integrated 2.4GHz DSM2 technology while the 12XMV will include both 72mHz and DSM2 modules to allow backwards compatibility with existing 72mHz receivers as well as DSM2 gear. There is no difference in latency between the two systems so concerns about lower performance with the DSM2 module can be put to rest. The new 12X radios use the familiar menu system modelers have come to know from the 9303 series radios but with expanded capabilities to suit modelers who demand a top of the line radio.

And now we finally come to some new models and products for modelers who love surface driven vehicles. Just like airplanes and helicopters, mini and micro size trucks are hot. Losi's new RTR 1/18 scale Raminator features a rugged dual deck aluminum frame to handle the 4WD drive train with a set of massive oil filled composite shocks to keep everything under control.

If you want a smaller truck, Losi has that too. The 1/36 scale Micro-Desert Truck is RTR with lots of high performance features. The differential equipped transmission with slipper delivers the power smoothly and the fully independent suspension will keep the wheels on the ground so control is maintained even over uneven surfaces.

Need a way to get your cars and trucks to the track without carrying armloads of loose gear? Losi track bags are what you need. From the large hard size case to the smaller yet spacious backpack and shoulder bags, there is more places to store tools, parts and supplies than you might first imagine.

If you have an electric car or truck and you have been wanting to convert it to brushless power, the wait is over. Losi's Xceleron brushless motors, ESC's, Li-Po batteries and regulators will provide you with a matched power system that will make your model perform as you have only previously dreamed about. Losi also offers an ingenious Lithium Charger Converter that will allow you to charge Li-Po batteries with your existing battery chargers. This saves not only on money from having to purchase a new Li-Po charger, but the converter is small enough to take up virtually no room in your pit box or bag.

JWN

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Continuing with our coverage, today was the first of two days the show is open to the public. Turn out was quite good with crowds of modelers and their families working their ways down isles to the favorite vendors while finding new ones along the way. New demo's this year include a very large car and truck track setup to showcase the jumping, climbing and towing abilities of various models. I even saw a modeler sitting in a wagon being towed by a 6 wheel drive RC Semi truck. Also new are a pair of robot demo boxes. These boxes are fully enclosed to protect the public as the robots that are turned loose inside are battle bots. These bots were turned loose against old computer printers, word processors, etc. The spinning wheels, blades, chains, hammers and rams sent parts flying in every direction to loud cheers from those watching the action. If you have ever felt the desire to take your frustrations out on a piece of computer equipment, you would surely get pleasure out of this demo. There are also a pair of very large battle bots, of the type many have seen on T.V., which were partially disassembled to show just how much technology and work goes in to building a true heavy weight robotic fighting machine.

Picking up where we left off at Horizon Hobby last night we find a very good looking model of ProBoat's new PT-109 which is modeled after the boat John F. Kennedy served on during World War II. The scale details present on this RTR boat have to be seen to be appreciated.

Another new ProBoat release is the Blackjack 26 Brushless. This good looking catamaran hull racing boat comes complete with water cooled brushless motor and ESC as well as having the ProBoat 2-channel radio preinstalled and setup. The model is shipped without batteries and charger to allow modelers to decide whether they want to use Li-Po's or NiMH to suit their own personal preference.

Do you like racing catamaran boats but wish for one small enough to race in a swimming pool or small pond? ProBoat has the boat for you too! The Mini-Cat comes fully RTR, including battery and charger, and is available in white, red or yellow. The steerable surface drive running gear promises excellent maneuverability and speed while minimizing maintenance requirements.

Hobbyzone has updated the very popular Zig Zag Racer series with the new Zig Zag Racer 3. In addition to retaining the unique self righting hull design, these models are RTR and come in silver, red and blue. A neat new optional accessory is the bow bumper and ball kit. With the bumper you can play games with other Zig Zag Racer 3's by chasing after and pushing balls across the water in any of a number of fun games. Or, you might even want to use the model and bumper to retrieve other boats or float planes whose engines have died which would otherwise require a row boat or even possibly a cold swim!

The Sport Werks Reaction raises the bar for entry level 1/10 scale glow powered 2WD stadium trucks. The Reaction utilizes an advanced yet simple to use onboard starter motor which allows the modeler to start the engine with the push of a button on the transmitter. What's more, if you run out of fuel, you can use the electric starter motor to power the model back to you instead of having to run across the track to retrieve it!

Want to get into the mini-sized drift car scene? The Sport Werks Tailwhip is the answer. The model is RTR straight out of the box so getting out on the track is quick and easy. If you want to add some bling to your Tailwhip, Sport Werks offers an optional head light and tail light kit.

Not finished yet, Sport Werks has upgrade the popular 1/14 scale Recoil with the Recoil David Spashett Edition. This model includes a lightweight and ultra-stable graphite chassis with aluminum shocks, drive shaft, motor mount, turnbuckles and more to turn the Recoil into a truly competition level mini touring car model

If you have been looking to step up to a pro-class surface radio, the Spektrum DX3R deserves a very close look. This 3 channel radio is built around Spektrum's lightning-quick DSM2 technology while incorporating features not found on most other radios. The graphical interface on the large easy to read LCD screen means the model is both quick and easy to program or switch to another model you can store in the radio's 30 model memory.

Helicopter pilots will want to keep an eye open for the new JR Vibe 500 E. This mini size heli looks great and should be available at your local hobby shop shortly.

If you prefer larger glow heli's, the JR Vibe 50 3D Pro is definitely worthy of your consideration. The model can be configured for either 120 or 140 CCPM control systems and includes a free-floating aluminum shaft driven tail rotor. To handle the very high power of the newest YS and OS 50 class engines, the Vibe 50 3D Pro includes the very robust clutch and drive train from the Vibe 90.

JWN

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Working our way across the isle we see the Traxxas booth. All of their models and accessories are on display for up close examination. Directly in front of the booth is their own indoor dirt track demo area where models are run almost constantly.

Model Shipways/Model Expo have quite a selection of interesting boat models on hand include the two beauties displayed here. While these models are intended for static display, they would surely dress up any office or hobby work shop while being fun to build at the same time.

A123 Racing has their very high performance Hypersonic Li-Po batteries on display. These batteries are designed using special chemistry for high fault tolerance (they are safe) and very high discharge rates of up to 60C in short bursts.

Aero Balsa is right next door with their unique and interesting line of RC auto gyro kits. Offerings includ models designed for either glow or electric, and all are easy to fly in spite of their odd appearance. While auto gyro's look very much like a helicopter, they fly like an airplane. Unlike most airplanes however, an auto gyro can hover motionless in a light breeze and descend vertically much like a helicopter while the pilot controls it like an airplane.

Tiny Brite Lights is here with their Flite Lights. These light weight LED systems can be installed in small airplanes or helicopters to give your model a unique and fun look. They weigh very little so your model will fly the same after installing them as it did before.

K&S Engineering is here again with their full line of metal tubes, sheets and strips that modelers always seem to be in search of for their current project.

Radio Control Models Inc., RAm is here too with their full line of lighting accessories. They make light kits in many different configurations for models of all types. They also produce realistic sound modules to reproduce sounds such as machine guns and Merlin or radial engines.

Kondor Model Products - KMP has several very nice looking scale models on display as well as the unique RCV 4-stroke engines in many sizes. RCV engines are well known for their ability to turn very large props for their displacement making them quite popular in scale models where a small prop would look out of place and flight performance suffers as a result.

Empire Hobby has a great looking display with many great looking models, propulsion systems and accessories on hand. Empire distributes very high quality electric helicopters and airplanes along with everything else needed to get them in the air.

If you are looking for hobby tools, Enkay Products Corp. has you covered. Whether you need to turn, bend, cut, grind, measure, grab or look at something very closely, they have a tool to fit your needs.

JWN

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Next we find out way in Great Planes booth. Most modelers will find themselves here first as the booth is located directly inside the convention hall doors, and it is certainly worth a visit. The booth is laid out to help guide you from one area to the next with stops along the way covering their many new products. The first stop is the Duratrax area with a couple of neat new offerings. The Raze ST Truggy is all new and is built for serious action and speed. The installed Supertiger G-27CS will assure the model has impressive speed while the fully adjustable four wheel independent suspension keeps the model under full control on rough tracks.

Also new is the updated Raze 1/8 scale buggy with fresh new graphics and a higher torque steering servo than previously included.

The Evader EXT is designed to get beginners in to the hobby inexpensively with a model that can take repeated abuse without requiring constant repairs. Modelers can expect a street price of about $120.00 for this fully RTR 1/10 scale stadium truck model.

The O'Donnell Z01-B R 1/8 scale buggy may be the most anticipated and speculated model of it's type to ever come alone. Having been in development for over two years, the model is getting closer to being ready for production. Steve O'Donnell still has a few areas he wants to perfect, but rest assured when he says it is ready, it will be an absolutely awesome racing machine. This model is on display to prove it really does exist and the development is nearing completion.

Do you like tanks or have you are you interested in getting started in them? VS Pro offers several great looking models in many different color and camo schemes. With great scale features and rugged construction, these models are fun to operate on their own or to stage battles with your friends and their tanks.

The Heli-Max AXE CP is picking up a minor yet significant upgrade. The new AXE CP-L now includes a 3 cell Li-Po battery and charger for greater performance. This model will replace the existing AXE CP and will be available in mid-November.

Are you a fan of large scale high performance boats? The new Aquacraft Rio 51 includes a water cooled Fuji-Imvac 28cc gasoline engine for dependable high speed while running on economical gas/oil mix fuel. Several features of this boat underscore it's performance nature. First, the model does not have a troublesome clutch between the engine and prop shaft as found on some other models of this type. This means greater reliability and better power transfer to the prop. Second, there is no water pump which also increases reliability. Cooling water is provided by a pick-up tube mounted in the rudder bracket. Another feature incorporated to increase reliability and reduce maintenance is a direct oil feed system for the prop shaft and stuffing box. A small oil reservoir is located in the hull which provides a constant flow of oil to stuffing box. With this system, modelers will no longer have to remove a messy prop shaft to inject lube every few hours of run time.

Great Planes has their new P-40 Warhawk ARF on display along with their very popular and attractive Revolver ARF. The P-40 is a gentle flying warbird with a realistic outline yet sport plane features making it a great every day, or every Sunday, model. The Revolver combines racey home-built looks with smooth handling qualities. Straight out of the box and without modifications, this model can be powered by either electric motor or glow engine with sparkling performance from both.

Next we find two new Top Flite ARF models. The first is the Gold Edition P-51D. This 1/7 scale sport model is very well built and includes aluminum spinner, composite mechanical retracts and flaps. With the addition of a suitable sized engine, a 6 channel radio with 8 servos and just a few hours of time on the work bench, this warbird will be ready to take to the skies.

The other new Top Flite model on display is their B-25J Mitchell ARF. This model is extremely realistic, especially considering it is pre-built and covered. The level of attention given to this model are like nothing you have seen before. The cockpit and nose gunner positions are fully detailed and the guns can be removed by simply unscrewing them to make transportation easier. This is a large model with it's 88.5" wingspan, but transportation won't be an issue with the plug-in outer wing panels and removable tail surfaces.

JWN

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Great Planes has updated their best selling RealFlight simulator with version 4. This new sim adds another dimension of flying to it's long list of firsts - flying from water and float equipped models. Now for the first time in a simulator, you can fly models from lakes with the same realism as noted with their land based cousins. Water splashes from the floats and foamy wakes trail the model as it skims along the surface. Land too hard and you can dig a float time and cartwheel the model just as you can in real life. Waves affect the model while moving and at rest. Also included are 10 new models and 8 new flying sites of which 5 are water based.

If you have been looking for new engines from O.S., they are present here at the show. The first one of note is the new FS-A .81 4-stroke. This engine will replace the tried and true Surpass .70 yet will drop straight in to it's place. If you have been flying a Surpass .70 and want a bit more power, the .81 is the easiest way to get it.

For those who have been waiting for O.S. to come out with a big single cylinder 4-stroke, that wait is about to end. The first sample of the FS-200 is here and on display. Though this a 2 cubic inch engine, it is surprisingly small and light weight. It is only very slightly larger and heavier than 1.20 size engines from just a couple of years ago. In addition to it's large displacement, the engine includes a redesigned O.S. Type 8 fuel pump to assure reliable and consistent fuel delivery regardless of aircraft attitude or the fuel level in the tank.

Fuji-Imvac has taken the BT-32 design and created the BT-34. The new engine is lighter than it's predecessor and makes more power. The engine is available in both the simple ATM ignition version and the lighter EI version for those who want maximum performance from their models.

If your interest lies in cars, O.S. has several new engines for you too. The first, and most notable, is the .28 XZ-B Truggy engine. I'm told this engine is a serious piece of engineering that will get up and scream when the throttle is opened up. This engine is expected to be "the" engine for truggy racers across the country and beyond.

Next is the O.S. .21 VG (P). This is a ROAR legal engine designed for applications and conditions where mid-range power is king.

Last from O.S. is the .21 Speed Tuned V-Spec. The engine incorporates a first for model engines, a magnesium head that weighs 15% less than conventional aluminum heads and runs cooler as well. Everything about this engine spells ultra high performance. Features like special coatings on the crank and ceramic bearings to reduce friction as well as a Tungsten weight to improve balance.

Sticking with cars, Futaba has their new 4PK 4-channel 2.4GHz FASST on hand. With features like 2048 resolution, for and aft adjustable throttle trigger, 40 model memory and a large backlit LCD screen, this radio is very much pro-class equipment. Another great feature is the battery. The 1700 mAh NiMH battery will provide approximately 2 hours of run time between charges. That means you will not have to worry about charging your radio between heats as often freeing you up to take care of your car or truck instead.

On the aircraft side, the new T7C transmitter from Futaba is aimed at intermediate level flyers. With 2.4GHz FASST technology, this radio offers the highest performance with features that matter most to the majority of pilots. Things like 10 model memory, assignable switches and functions, programming for helicopters as well as airplanes and a large easy to read LCD screen. The model also includes the new R607FS receiver and digital high-torque servos or standard 3001/3004 models.

Speaking of aircraft, Flyzone has a neat new ducted fan model called the Diablo that can take pilots from beginner to advanced stages with easy to upgrade and swap power pods and wings. Straight out of the box the Diablo is a gentle easy flying model with a single under body ducted fan pod and long wings. Once the modeler becomes proficient with the model, the power pod can be removed and replaced with the optional dual ducted fan unit for greater speed and performance. Once the modeler is comfortable with the increased power, they can install the optional high performance wings which make the model faster, more agile and give it a great jet fighter look.

Last up we see the most recent additions to the Electrifly line of aircraft. The Synapse and L-39 are the most recent jet additions along with the futuristic Seawind EP seaplane and Extra 330S aerobat. The Electrifly models are known for their quality construction, good looks and even better flying charectoristics. Unlike many aircraft manufacturers who only recommend a motor power range, Electrifly provides a list of specific Electrifly motors, ESC's and batteries to outfit your model with to obtain the performance you desire from a modern electric powered model.

JWN

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Today we start off with a couple shots of a few of the many demonstration areas. The first is a large area setup for cars and trucks to show their off their durability, speed and suspensions. There are numerous jumps and obstacles setup as well as clear areas to allow models to run wide open at high speed. On display here are several weight sled pulling models such as the large tractor on the table. This model has a Honda gasoline engine stuffed under the cowl!

Next we see the RCUniverse/Empire Hobby flying cage. This area is where the World Micro Heli Cup is taking place Saturday and Sunday from 2-5pm. There are also indoor flying demonstrations for airplanes and helicopters taking place almost constantly during the rest of the day.

These next three photos are of the battle bot arena. These smallish bots have horizontal and vertical blades which have been put to very good use against defunct computer equipment. The blurred object in the second photo is the printer immediately after being hit by the bot to the right. The vertical spinning blade resembles a lawn edger. The printer flew nearly several feet from this encounter and shed most of it's outer chassis.

TCE Inc. is the manufacturer for the popular E-Sky brand of electric helicopters and simulators. Their friendly staff is on hand to answer questions, provide support and possibly even send you home with a new model.

Redcat Racing has a large display of their varied RC car and truck line. They offer both glow and electric powered models along with a full line of parts and accessories. They even have prepackaged upgrade packs where popular upgrades are packaged together on a single card instead of requiring the modeler to purchase every item separately.

Topgan Helicopters has a well rounded line of small electric helicopters. One could start with their most basic model as a trainer and move up to progressively more responsive 3d aerobatic models as their skills improve.

The Max Amps team is here too ready to answer questions and help modelers pick the best Li-Po battery to match their particular application needs.

XXX Main is here with their colorful assortment of RC car body decals as well as paint masks to help you create that unique body you've been wanting to make. They also offer videos to help expose the "secrets" used by the pros to make the stunning bodies commonly seen at shows such as the iHobby Expo and in magazines.

Get Organized offers a great looking line of storage options for smaller models. Though they appear to be geared mostly to static display models, mini and micro RC cars and trucks would be equally at home on one of these easy to setup shelf systems.

JWN

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Airtronics is here under their new importer and distributor Global Hobby. While the line has been a little stagnant recently, there are lots of great new items on the list for release in the not too distant future. On the Global Hobby side of of the booth wee find a great variety of all things RC including the large new, and very good looking, P-51B Mustang in Tuskegee markings on the left.

Thunder Power RC is here with their well respected high performance line of Li-Po batteries, chargers and ESC's. Also present is their just released Extreme 450 electric helicopter. This model is capable of performing any maneuver you are, and probably many you are not!

Next we find Novak. These guys are pioneers of high performance electric car and truck motors and ESC's. Whether you run brushed or brushless setups, Novak has a solution to make your model perform like no other. Take a look at their line of brushless motors and ESC's.

Fusion Motorsports is right across the way with the full line of NovaRossi racing engines and accessories. Known the world over for ultra high performance, these engines show up in the winners circle time and time again due to extremely high quality materials and tight tolerance manufacturing processes.

Tensho Model Co. Ltd. is an OEM manufacturer for several large well known RC airplane companies. Though they do not sell direct to consumers, this is a chance to get an up close look at some of the models, motors and radios they produce as well as talk to them about those very same products. They are very friendly and have been having a great time at the show.

Sapac Models is directly across the isle with their line of good looking models. They have several new foam EDF models on display including a Eurofighter that comes complete with the armament shown attached to the model.

The very well known Walkera company is here with their RC helicopters and airplanes. Walkera produces so many different models in various sizes that one would be hard pressed to become bored with just their line even after several years of flying them exclusively.

Blue Groove RC Concepts offers a line of accessories aimed at the RC car enthusiast. There are lots of good looking items here.

XTREME RACING is here again with their continually growing line of carbon fiber upgrade parts for many popular RC cars and trucks. From small suspension parts to complete chassis plates, XTREME RACING's goal is to make your car more stable while shedding excess weight to get around the track faster in pursuit of the checkered flag.

webdr

VERY good coverage thread. Im liking Aquacraft's new gasser.

SunShyne

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awesome pics!

laddy

Does anyone have any photos of Miniature Aircrafts new 450 size heli?

Kmot

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Any more close-up photos of the various r/c planes, boats, motors, etc?

P-51B

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Any new radios from Hitec/Multiplex on display?? (2.4 ????)

DadsToysBG

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I may have missed them, but i didn't see a booth for HiTech. Dennis

P-51B

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Thanks

JWN

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Sorry, but no 2.4GHz gear from either Hitec or Multiplex at this time.

Miniature Aircraft did not have a booth at this year's show.

Kmot

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Hitec was booth # 2022 according to the exhibitor list.

JWN

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Picking up where we left off, we next make a stop at the Model Rectifyer booth. MRC carries a full line of all things RC including boats, cars, airplanes and helicopters as well as accesories for all of them. They also have their very well done flight simulator, Reflex. On display was their full line of Hirobo helicopters with models ranging from basic trainer models all the way up to their twin rotor Chinook and Tow Cobra. New for this year to MRC is the Ultrafly line of electric powered RC airplanes. Though made by the same company, these are not the same models you may have seen in your hobby shop a year or more ago. These models are constructed from fully laser cut balsa and plywood. The quality of these models is as good as it gets. Ultrafly also has their own line of brushless motors and ESC's to make powering one of their kits an easy decision. Last but not least we see the Team Academy line of RC cars and trucks. These models are continueing to evolve and encorporate many features found only on much more expensive "pro" level models.

Heading down the main isle we find Himoto Racing. RC car and truck enthusists had a great time visiting here as there were cars and trucks of all kinds on hand.

JWN

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Picking up where we left off, we next make a stop at the Model Rectifier booth. MRC carries a full line of all things RC including boats, cars, airplanes and helicopters as well as accessories for all of them. They also have their very well done flight simulator, Reflex. On display was their full line of Hirobo helicopters with models ranging from basic trainer models all the way up to their twin rotor Chinook and Tow Cobra. New for this year to MRC is the Ultrafly line of electric powered RC airplanes. Though made by the same company, these are not the same models you may have seen in your hobby shop a year or more ago. These models are constructed from fully laser cut balsa and plywood. The quality of these models is as good as it gets. Ultrafly also has their own line of brushless motors and ESC's to make powering one of their kits an easy decision. Last but not least we see the Team Academy line of RC cars and trucks. These models are continuing to evolve and incorporate many features found only on much more expensive "pro" level models.

Heading down the main isle we find Himoto Racing. RC car and truck enthusiasts had a great time visiting here as there were cars and trucks of all kinds on hand.

Twisted Industries is next down the way. They produce the very cool Kaizen 18 and a host of accessories and hop-ups to go along with it.

Almost next door we find Smartech. With models ranging in size from very small all the way up to 1/5 scale, they have cars and trucks of every type and description.

DN Power was around the corner with their line of Li-Po, Li-Ion and NiMH batteries and chargers. They also produce an impressive line of brushless ESC's from 10-120A. And once you have your electric power plant configured and charged, they can help you out with whatever wiring needs you may have with wire, connectors, jacks, etc.

Team Associated is our next stop. Though I did not manage to get a picture of it, they had their new Mini MGT 3.0 on display. This 1/10 scale little brother to the MGT 4.6 SE shares a lot of features with the larger model including transverse mounted engine, 8 oil filled shocks, rugged extruded aluminum chassis and 2 speed transmission.

JWN

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Near the center of the show floor was Team Molzer Mowery Racing. Sorry for the poor photo but the awning on the trailer made getting a good photo nearly impossible with a single flash unit. But, the trailer was setup, and used, as a work shop all weekend long. It was not uncommon to peak inside and see one of the guys working on a car with a full host of tools and parts at their disposal. These guys spent a large part of the show doing demo's on the large track located right next to their booth. They ran everything from the mini's to the giant scale models and had a lot of fun with every one of them.

Sky Model Designs had a whole host of ARF models on display and for sale. They ran special show pricing on the models displayed for unbelievable low prices. The .40 size biplane on the floor was tagged at $68.00 as it sat. The Discus sailplane against the rear wall had a price tag of $186.00! That's a 3 meter model with fully sheeted wings and a fiberglass fuse. And these were not worn out factory test models. These were brand new models assembled for this show. Modelers did not hesitate to grab them up. It was not uncommon for a model to be sold within minutes of a price being pasted on it. At the end of the day Sunday, the only models remaining in the booth where those which had not had price tags placed on them. Getting back to the models, they had several very interesting EDF jets including a functional swing wing F-14 Tomcat. Yes, the wings swing and can be actuated in flight.

Hobby Engine had a lot of neat looking surface models on display. They had quite a few earth moving type models and a good variety of boats. All of their models are RC including the cranes in the back ground. The boat models ranged from small sport models to larger yachts. They even have a racing sailboat modeled after a Volvo Open 70 complete with dagger boards and twin rudders.

Hitec/Multiplex is next. The Multiplex line of electric models keeps expanding and being updated with newer and better models. Hitec had their full line of radio gear for aircraft and surface vehicles present as well. The Hitec line has really come a long way from their humble beginnings. They now have servos suitable for every size and type of RC model including robots. It does not matter what type of model you are building or outfitting. Hitec has a radio system or components to make it perform to it's fullest potential.

AA Portable Power Corp had their line of batteries and chargers. They are a joint venture of several battery and charger manufacturers. They offer a full range of hobby batteries and chargers as well as batteries for other electronic devices such as digital cameras, cell phones and portable computers.

True RC had their line of Li-Po batteries, chargers and accessories on display and for sale. They also had some very good deals on ARF models at very attractive close out prices.

Power Line Hobby Distributors was right across the isle with several really nice looking electric powered scale models including a pair of Fokker DR-1's. The workmanship of both the structure and covering was very nice and the models were all very light for their size.

MS Composite had several nice looking foam 3D parkflyers as well as AXI motors, Webra engines, small helicopters and accessories of all kinds.

MinnFlyer

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And I am frantically downloading and editing videos of the show, so we should have them on line soon!

JWN

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Today we start out with a look at EMP. EMP manufactures a full line of electric model power components including brushless motors, ESC's, motor mounts, props, prop hubs and spinners, and tools. The Neodym line of brushless motors encompass the entire range anyone might need from the very smallest in and out runners to a gigantic 60mm outrunner and everything in between. If you cannot find the perfect motor for your project in the Neodym line, you didn't look very close! In addition to the motors, EMP has motor mounts to solidly affix them to your model. Once mounted however, you are going to need a means to attach a prop and they have this covered as well. Prop hubs in various sizes are here as are spinners for both fixed blade and folding blade props, which they also carry. Don't forget their light weight machined aluminum servo arms. With the business end of your model squared away, you won't want your model to have mushy response due to flexing arms. Last but certainly not least, EMP's new tool sets will be a welcome addition to any modelers flight box and work bench. Most tool sets have multiple bits which store inside the machined aluminum handle. Additionally, the tips of the tool bits are magnetized to keep screws and fasteners disappearing to unknown places when they are dropped.

Equipage was right across the isle and they have some very nice looking model RC boats featuring all wood hulls and decks. They have several power boats reminiscent of the old Chris-Craft line as well as several very nice looking sail boats including an impressive schooner. All of the models are hand built on special jigs and feature fiberglass on plank construction. Models finished in varnish are double planked with fiberglass applied to each layer of planking. Models with painted finishes are planked, fiberglassed and then faired with a hard and strong filler material before being primed and painted. The cockpit areas are upholstered in soft vinyl with scale like stitching. All hardware and deck fittings are included to outfit the model to a fine scale like appearance. Sails on the sailboats are reassembled and finished ready to be bent to the mast and boom. These models are ARR in that radio gear and power plants are required to complete. But with the prices listed on the models, you will be able to have one of these beauties on the water for less than some comparable boats cost just for the kit.

A skip down the way finds RC Accessory. They are the authorized US importer and distributor of the very well engineered Bantam e-Station computer controlled battery chargers and accessories. The Bantam line of chargers are held in high regard around the world and most are capable of charging all types of batteries commonly used in RC hobbies today.

JWN

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Thunder Tech Racing, long known for their Clodbuster parts, accessories and hop-ups has items for other popular electric monster trucks.

Technosports Inc. has managed to merge RC monster trucks and paint ball guns to create an entirely new sport. The gun mount and turret turn side to side as well as elevate so targeting your opponent is quick and easy.

Sig Mfg, long known for great flying RC airplanes has two new WWII warbirds this year and neither are models that are seen very often. The first is their Messerschmitt Bf-109 which has been designed with electric power in mind from the beginning. The model features scale panel lines and markings. Access to the flight battery and radio gear is a simple matter of removing the canopy/hatch which is retained by a very strong magnet. This is a large model compared to most electric airplanes and is comparable in size to a typical .40 - .60 glow powered model. Next on display is the new P-51B Mustang. Complete with flaps and retracts, this model will certainly stand out on the flight line. Recommended power for this model is .60 - .90 size glow engines, but the display model had a Saito 1.00 under the cowl.

Maxx Products was here again with their ever expanding line of brushless motors, ESC's and accessories for electric powered aircraft. Of special interest this year were their new ducted fan systems for EDF jets.

Assurance RC, distributors of the Align RC line of aircraft were at the show with several of their T-Rex line of helicopters. Also available though not on display this year are RC airplanes, motors, ESC's and accessories.

Kokam America was one of the forerunners in the run to make Li-Po battery technology available to the mainstream RC hobbyist. Their batteries are recognized as some of the best available. They were on hand to help modelers pick the perfect power source for their hobby application.

TeamGoNads was on hand with their line of RC car, truck, helicopter and boat accessories and hop-ups.

Electric Model Systems carries and sells a full compliment of RC related items and had a strong stream of customers all weekend long buying parts, accessories, glue and other essentials.

JWN

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Here we find Innovative Designs. Their line of Scorpion brushless motors and X-Caliber Li-Po batteries are making strong inroads in these highly competitive areas of the hobby. Their newest line of brushless outrunner motors boast 90%+ efficiency ratings making them some of the most efficient motors available on the market. This is even more impressive considering their prices are considerably lower than many "budget" motors of the same size. In addition to being very efficient, these motors utilize superior quality wiring and magnets rated to 180 degrees C. What this means is it is very unlikely you will damage a Scorpion motor even if run hot. Even though the motors are less likely to be damaged by heat, they all have angled vents machined into the end bell which effectively creates a built in cooling fan for the motor. Motor sizes range from 22 - 40mm and 110 - 2000W. Once you pick out a motor, you'll need a way to get power to it and that is where the Scorpion ESC's come in. Every ESC includes a programming card. That alone will save you money as most other manufacturers sell their programmers as a separate add-on. If that isn't cool enough, how about a remote control programmer? That's right, you can program many of these ESC's with a remote control. This means you will not have to dig the ESC out of your model to make changes to it. Simply turn on the programming switch on the ESC and enter the changes with a convenient hand held remote control. When you are finished, flip the switch again and you are ready to go. The newest ESC's are also able to be updated with new firmware via a computer interface. Last on their list is their line of X-Caliber Li-Po batteries. The batteries are offered in the Black, Red and White-Knight series to correspond with different maximum discharge rate and have capacities of 250 - 4400mAh.

Innovative Hobby Products was there with an impressive line up of large scale RC cars and trucks. How about that giant Humvee painted up like the American Flag!

Corally USA is next down the isle with their world class on-road RC cars.

Vantage was on hand with their line of suspension parts and hop-ups for RC cars and trucks. Check out that stretched T-Maxx with their fully carbon fiber chassis and suspension.

Mercury Adhesives was there with their line of scientifically engineered CA adhesive solutions. These adhesives are engineered for specific applications to provide the greatest performance and superior strength. If that's not good enough, how about a never clog cap unlimited warranty?

Four Pi. Inc. was present with their line of RC airplane kits, ARF's. glue, hardware, video tapes, books, and rubber powered planes.

RCer International produces a full line of RC airplanes and helicopters along with power systems and accessories. Their pre-painted helicopter canopies were very nice and showed a high degree of craftsmanship.

Sure Flite has long been known for their line of easy building and great flying scale RC airplanes. Now they have expanded into the electric side of the hobby with their own line of Li-Po batteries and chargers aimed at high performance models.

JWN

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Continuing where we left off we now stop at EMax. EMax produces an impressive line of brushless electric motors, batteries and accessories. Their products are all well engineered and manufactured with high quality materials and components.

Next up we find Axial Racing's booth. Along with their ever expanding line of engines, truck bodies, wheels, tires and other accessories, their new AX10 Scorpion was on display with it's own rock climbing/crawling track. The AX10 comes straight from the factory ready to tackle the toughest of rock crawling challenges.

Pro-Line was at the show with their full line of car and truck bodies. Pro-Line offers a very wide variety of bodies in all of the popular sizes and types of vehicles.

Up next is Midwest Products. They were showcasing their many and varied list of building materials and accessories. Midwest has long been known for selling some of the very best quality balsa and plywood available in the hobby industry. In addition to their woods, Midwest recently introduced a new foam building material as an alternative to Depron so commonly used by foamie airplane builders. CellFoam 88 is a rigid yet lightweight foam board that is stated to be more durable than Depron but just as easy to work with. Midwest even has several foamie suitable plan sets available for free download from their website. Not to be out done by the foam and wood products, Midwest is also known for their very nice boat kits. They have kits for both RC and static models and all are typical Midwest quality, which means they are top notch!

Merlin Glow Plus was on hand with their popular and efficient glow plugs. They offer plugs in several heat ranges but they have taken a different approach at naming them. Instead of the sometimes confusing number system where some manufacturers make hotter plugs with higher numbers, some with lower numbers, or even a few whose plug naming convention makes no reasonable sense, Merlin has gone to color coding. Red = Hot. Green = Medium. And Blue = Cold. How much easier and easier to understand can it get? Add to this their plugs are cost effective and long lasting and they have a real winner on their hands.

Parma PSE was just around the corner with their line of RC car and truck bodies. As usual, they had their body painting demo setup where modelers could learn the secrets of painting show quality bodies and see how easy it really is.

If you are a fan of RC car drag racing, you will have wanted to stop by RJ Racing's booth. This company has produces several very well engineered drag racing cars. They offer both funny cars and rail dragsters with several options for both types of model.

Right next door we find Sullivan Products. Long known for quality RC airplane model and field accessories, Sullivan also has quite a few high quality RC car accessories. Their Tiger Drive starting systems for cars and boats are easy to install and even easier to use. With a Tiger Drive, you can convert just about any .12 - .30 size 2-stroke engine to use an easy to tote drill start.