I have seen big RC planes in the past, but this is really getting out of hand. I watch these videos of giant scale RC planes—the one above is 85 percent of the original size !—and I have to wonder what's the point. OK, I know the point: It's awesome, but you may as well build the entire thing.
A Pitts Python biplane at 85-percent scale. It can definitely fly a small kid inside.
Just like any other electronics-based industry, RC has seen enormous
technological advancements in recent years. This is the first of a
series of articles that will serve to explain the basics of RC and
illustrate the scope of its creative possibilities.
The hobby of radio-controlled (RC) cars, boats, and aircraft has long
been a gravitational pull for inventive makers. In fact, being a
do-it-yourselfer was a prerequisite in the early days of RC. Not only
did you have to build your own vehicles, you had to build the radio
equipment too! A lot has changed about RC since then, but it is still a
great avenue for creative minds to put their vehicular ideas and designs
into tangible form.
This is the first of a series of articles that will serve to explain
the basics of RC and illustrate the scope of its creative possibilities.
I recognize that some of you may be completely new to the RC scene, so
I’ll start out with the essential rudiments. Just like any other
electronics-based industry, RC has seen enormous technological
advancements in recent years. For that reason, even those of you with
previous RC experience may want to tune in and see what’s new.
My
goal is to keep the first several guides focused on mainstream RC
equipment and activities. Once everyone is up to speed on the basics,
we’ll start to explore more diverse and advanced topics. Eventually,
I’ll make some excursions to the lunatic fringe of RC (trust me; it’s a
long, strange trip). I think you will be amazed by some of the unique
things folks have come up with, and perhaps be inspired to create your
own innovative designs.
Toy-Grade vs. Hobby-Grade
Before
I dive in to explaining the different types of RC vehicles, I think it
is important to make the distinction between toy-grade and hobby-grade
RC stuff. You can expect just about any RC gadget purchased from Radio
Shack or a big-box store (Target, Wal-Mart, etc.) to be a toy-grade
item. That doesn’t mean it won’t be fun (I own several), but such items
are meant to be disposable. They are not designed to accept
performance-enhancing hop-ups or customizations. When they break, you
may or may not be able to get replacement parts to keep them going.
Keith Sparks is an RC flyer who typically
prefers realistic looking models. He even added a wing-walking Susan
Sarandon (as Mary Beth) to his Curtiss Jenny model inspired by the movie
“The Great Waldo Pepper”.
Hobby-grade equipment will cost you more up front, but it will
perform better and last longer. Obviously, a hobby shop is the place to
go for these items. I still have my first RC plane, and it is in flyable
condition. This poor airplane has been wrecked and repaired several
times during its 30-year life of hard knocks, but the abuse isn’t
evident from a casual glance. It has also been host to all sorts of
radio gear and propulsion systems through the years. My collection also
features several RC cars that are more than twenty years old and still
going strong thanks to periodic maintenance and replacement parts when
needed. This stuff is tough.
My point is not to kick sand in the
face of toy-grade RC stuff…it definitely has its place. The focus of
this series, however, will be on hobby-grade items.
Land Machines
Cars
are an ideal way to get started in RC. I think that all of us have some
experience driving real cars, golf carts, bicycles, scooters, or some
flavor of steerable, wheeled vehicle. With that ingrained experience and
only two basic operations to control (steering and throttle), most
people become competent RC drivers pretty quickly. Additionally, most of
us have access to the necessary open space to operate an RC car…whether
it is your neighborhood street, an empty parking lot, or perhaps an
organized race course.
The Traxxas Stampede is an ideal first RC car because of its toughness and simplicity. (photo courtesy of Traxxas)
RC cars and trucks come in a few standard scales such as 1/12, 1/10, and 1/8, with 1/10 being the most popular. For a first purchase, I recommend 1/10-scale, 2-wheel-drive (2wd) monster truck such as the Traxxas Stampede. The ARRMA Granite and ECX Ruckus appear very similar to the Stampede, although I have no personal experience with either of them. There are numerous versions of these trucks available. Traxxas even offers 4-wheel-drive variants of the Stampede. For the sake of simplicity, I think you should start out with a 2wd version.
You may also notice that the Stampede and Granite are available with either brushed or brushless motors. I’ll explain the differences between those types of motors in the future. For now, it will suffice to say that brushless is superior in every way except the price. If you can afford the brushless option, go ahead. But don’t feel bad about buying the low-buck package either. The brushed-motor versions of both trucks claim 30+ mph top speeds !
With
the body removed, you can see what makes the Stampede tick. RC cars of
all types are highly engineered and precise machines. (photo courtesy of
Traxxas)
The main reason that I recommend these types of
vehicles for newbies is that they are at home on all types of terrain,
including the street or your back yard. That’s why they are commonly
called “backyard bashers”. They have big tires, strong bumpers, and lots
of ground clearance so you can glide over, or bounce off of obstacles
that you will eventually learn how to avoid. Of course, you will want to
set up ramps and jump over things too. That’s what they’re made for, so
bring it on.
As hobby-grade cars go, the Stampede and its cousins
are quite simple. That makes them good platforms for learning how to
repair, tune, and upgrade. These trucks come completely assembled, which
may or may not be a good thing. Not so long ago, every RC car began as a
box of loose parts. Beginner cars were judged by the quality of their
parts as well as the clarity of the assembly manual. Personally, I think
there is a lot of benefit to having personally built your truck. In
addition to the satisfaction that comes from transforming a pile of nuts
and bolts into a dirt-slinging wheelie-popper, you are also much better
equipped to troubleshoot the inevitable problems that will pop up down
the road. Regardless of the starting point, you will eventually have
occasion to tear down your truck to replace a part or maybe just sate
your curiosity. So, the lessons will come sooner or later.
A big part of the fun of with RC cars is that they can be extensively
customized. There are actually numerous companies that cater to the
aftermarket needs (ok…wants) of RC drivers. You can buy custom tires
and/or wheels (yes, even spinners), different shock oils, gears,
springs, you name it. Perhaps the most commonly swapped part is the body
shell. Most bodies are vacuformed from very tough, clear polycarbonate
plastic (aka Lexan). You need special paint to bond to the Lexan, and it
is typically applied to the inner surface of the body. The plastic then
acts as a glossy and protective clear coat, so even a simple 1-color,
spray can paint job can look nice. Of course, there are painters who
take the Lexan medium to insane levels of artistry.
Eventually,
you may want to participate in organized RC racing. Just like full-scale
auto racing, there are many different types of RC racing to choose
from: off-road, road course, drag racing, dirt-oval, to name just a few.
The type of racing you choose is likely dependent on what tracks are
available near you. Also akin full-scale auto racing is the level of
refinement seen in RC racing vehicles. Just as you won’t see a top fuel
dragster on the starting grid at the Indy 500, a RC stadium truck would
be totally outclassed at a touring car event. There is certainly some
commonality to be found in the machines used across multiple RC racing
classes, but make no mistake: these are purpose-built, highly refined
racing machines.
The RC car industry shares NASCAR’s philosophy of “Win on Sunday, sell
on Monday.” To that end, there are teams of factory-sponsored RC drivers
all over the world. They participate in local, national, and
international races to earn glory for themselves and boost sales for
their sponsors. Some of the more exceptional drivers have even managed
to make a living at this gig. The point I’m trying to make is that RC
racing can be a very intense, highly competitive hobby; but it doesn’t
have to be. Most racing venues offer sportsman-level classes that are a
bit more relaxed. You can choose the level of commitment that suits your
temperament, budget, and driving skills.
Just like full-scale auto racing, there are many different types of RC
racing to choose from: off-road, road course, drag racing, dirt-oval, to
name just a few.
Sea Machines
RC boats are a close
parallel to cars, with many different styles to choose from. The most
common types are plastic-hulled speedboats that are very quick and
maneuverable. But let’s not forget about sailboats, racing boats,
airboats, scale boats, bb-shooting warships, and even submersible
submarines. If your interests lean nautical, there’s probably an RC boat
to scratch your itch.
AquaCraft’s Reef Racer 2 will return to an
upright attitude if you manage to flip it over in the water. Its small
size and maneuverability allow it to be driven in small ponds or pools.
(photo courtesy of Hobbico)
My suggestion for a first boat would be something like the AquaCraft Reef Racer 2 . This little electric-powered runabout is only 15” long, so you can actually run it in a moderately sized swimming pool. The big advantage of the Reef Racer over other boats is that it is self-righting. If you manage to flip it over from a too-sharp turn in rough seas, it will immediately flip right-side up. You can then continue on your way like it never happened.
Just like the trucks I suggested, the Reef Racer is a fully assembled product. You basically just charge the battery and go have fun. In this case, I don’t think you lose much by not building it yourself. With the top hatch removed, you can see the very simple drivetrain and rudder mechanism. If you ever need to perform repairs, it’s all right there.
A big difference between cars and boats is that you have to be much
pickier about where you operate a boat. Obviously, water is a
prerequisite. More specifically, you’ll need a way to retrieve your
vessel if something goes wrong. Short of calling the RC Coast Guard
(which is probably busy tracking down RC drug smugglers), you could use a
row boat, an RC “retrieval” boat (think of it as a waterborne tow
truck), or maybe a tennis ball attached to a fishing pole. Trust me,
it’s no fun watching the water current or prevailing winds carry your
stranded boat into the horizon.
There are different classes of
organized boat racing available. I have to admit that I have never
participated in the racing side of RC boats, but it sure looks like fun.
Some of those boats really move! I don’t think RC boat racing is nearly
as widespread as car racing, so you may have trouble finding organized
events near you. Then again, a race only needs two people. You can
always scrimmage with a buddy at the local pond.
Air Machines
While
I have always enjoyed RC cars and boats, my main interest focuses on
things that fly. In the past several years the possibilities for RC
flying things have expanded dramatically. I think the most significant
change has been the development of practical electric-powered aircraft.
RC models have traditionally been powered by small 2-stroke
internal-combustion (IC) engines. The emergence of high-discharge
Lithium Polymer (LiPo) batteries and efficient brushless motors really
helped electric power escape from the workshops of tinkerers and become a
feasible option for any modeler willing give it a try.
The
arrival of practical electric power was the catalyst for several other
developments in the world of RC flight. Without the vibration inherent
in internal combustion motors, the necessary structures for
electric-powered models can be much simpler and lighter than their
IC-powered brothers. The natural evolution of this new-found freedom has
been the use of inexpensive sheet foam for construction. Often times, a
simple model design can be imagined, built, and flown in the same day.
This sort of low-equity approach has emboldened modelers to really
explore some avant-garde definitions of “airplane”.
The Great Planes Eagle 580 is a good example
of the prefabrication common in most of today’s modern balsa airplanes.
When you open the box, only final assembly steps remain. (photo
courtesy of Hobbico)
While balsa wood models are still very popular, the act of actually
building them is becoming a lost art. Most modern airplane kits are
Almost Ready to Fly (ARF), meaning that the airframe is prefabricated
and covered with a glossy polyester skin (usually in China). All that’s
left is to install your power system and radio equipment, and then go
fly. Ready to Fly (RTF) models allow you to bypass even those basic
steps (except the flying part). You may only have to attach the wing and
add fuel to the tank (or charge the battery).
What was once the mainstream source of RC airplanes (build-it-yourself
balsa kits) is now a cottage industry served primarily by mom-and-pop
outfits. I grew up building balsa airplanes and I still enjoy it on
occasion. There are some modelers who prefer building over flying. It
can definitely be therapeutic. This has been especially true since the
advent of laser cutting, which is used by many kit manufacturers to
create very precise parts that fit together easily. While there are no
budgetary or schedule advantages to choosing a kit over an ARF or RTF
model, you feel infinitely prouder and stand a little taller when an
airplane you’ve built breaks the surly bonds.
What was once the mainstream source of RC airplanes (build-it-yourself
balsa kits) is now a cottage industry served primarily by mom-and-pop
outfits.
The Multiplex FunJet Ultra typifies the
tough, easily-built, molded foam models that are very popular today.
This little guy easily reaches triple-digit speeds in flight. (photo
courtesy of Hitec RCD USA)
A different breed of ARF/RTF model is dubbed “foamy”, for obvious
reasons. These airframes are made of injection molded foam of various
types. They are typically light and very durable. It is not uncommon to
be able to smack one into the ground without causing any damage. That
capability is a pretty big confidence builder for pilots who are still
unsure of their flying skills.
It is often said that helicopters
do not fly; they beat the air into submission. While it is obviously
meant to be tongue-in-cheek, the saying alludes to the difficulty of
flying traditional RC helicopters. Even with gyros and stabilization
systems, these helis can be difficult to build, fly, and maintain. There
is no question that they are complex machines and more than a bit
intimidating to most rookies. Coaxial electric helicopters (identified
by their two contra-rotating main rotors) came along several years ago
and introduced a much smaller, lighter, and easier-to-fly alternative.
Coaxial helicopters like the Blade CX2 were embraced by wannabe rotary-wing pilots (the CX2 is still a great choice) and many new models were soon available. For many of these pilots, the CX2 was a gateway helicopter that eased their transition to the bigger, more complex machines. These days, there are countless helicopter models intended for flyers with all levels of experience (or inexperience).
Multi-rotor aircraft are exploding in popularity, mostly due to their relative ease of control and ability to haul cameras.
Somewhere during the genesis of electric helicopters, multi-rotors hit the scene in a big way. These aircraft are rotary-wing flight in its simplest form. The only moving parts are the rotors. While the required electronics can be somewhat complex to understand, turnkey options are available too. My quad article provides much more info on these models, so I won’t rehash any more of it here.
While I recommended specific car, boat, and helicopter models for beginners, I hesitate to do so for airplanes. Very few people successfully learn to fly RC airplanes on their own. You have to acquire a lot of unintuitive skills to become a competent RC pilot, and that means getting help from an instructor. Most instructors have their own idea about what constitutes a good first airplane, and all of them are probably legitimate choices (hint: NONE of them will suggest the 100mph stealth fighter you covet…don’t bother asking). Rather than possibly contradict what your future instructor may tell you, my best advice is to seek out a local club and inquire about flying lessons.
The Traxxas DR-1 is a mini-sized coaxial
helicopter (notice the two main rotors). Such simple and easily-flown
models introduced many rookie flyers to the basics of flying helicopters
(photo courtesy of Traxxas)
When you visit a RC flying field, you will probably see a large variety of aircraft types and flying styles. Some flyers prefer to mimic full-scale airplanes and helicopters in both appearance and performance. There are very prestigious competitions in that arena. Other flyers revel in making their RC aircraft gyrate in ways a “real” airplane or helicopter could never dream of. Those guys compete with each other too. Most RC pilots, however, are “Sunday flyers” who fly a mix of models and simply enjoy the thrill of outsmarting gravity (usually).
Real airplanes can’t hover in place (yet) but many RC airplanes can !
Coming Up
This completes my broad-brush
overview of RC vehicles. I hope that you now have a better understanding
of the breadth and depth of off-the-shelf RC gadgets. I’ve really done
my job if you’re already “what if”-ing an innovative RC project for
yourself. As I mentioned before, the RC hobby is constantly evolving (I
really should have written this article in pencil)…and that’s one of the
great things about it. Even if this information isn’t timeless, you
should have a better idea of what you’ll see when you walk into your
local hobby shop. Maybe you already know what you will be carrying when
you walk out. In my next piece, I will introduce the finer points of RC
radio systems and cover the different propulsion options that you can
choose from.
Take to the streets with FTX’s new Banzai drift chassis. Modeled
around the hugely popular FTX Vantage and Carnage platform, the Banzai
brings Japanese drift styling to the entry level Ready-To-Run arena.
Featuring
a 4wd shaft driven design with front and rear metal-geared
differentials, the Banzai is 99% complete from the box. Blue anodized
aluminium components add a little style to the chassis along with the
functionality of oil filled adjustable shock absorbers, front CVA
universal driveshafts, ball bearings, adjustable suspension turnbuckles
for tuning and a centre drive slipper to protect the transmission.
A
waterproof electronic speed control, servo and receiver allow for use
in a wide range of conditions and the 2.4ghz radio provides interference
free signal no matter where you are.
Topped off and
finished with an S15 style pre-printed drift body and a hard compound
drift tyre on scale finish wheels, the Banzai is the perfect
introduction to sideways street action !
The
fantastic-looking Heng Long German Panther RC BB Firing Tank 3819-1
Smoke and Sound is the latest addition by Heng Longs amazing series of
remote control battle tanks available in the market.The Heng Long German
Panther 3819-1 1:16 RC Battle Tank is a truly awesome replica of the
actual size German tank.
The German Panther tank is a very fearsome tank during World War II
as it has more powerful gun penetration, better armour, and faster speed
and can handle rough terrains.This remote control model tank is a great
collectors item and a popular choice among RC tank hobbyists and
enthusiasts for its solid specs at an affordable price.
Key Features
100% factory assembled and ready to run
(RTR) RC tank kit
Realistic suspension system
Shoots Airsoft BB Bullets
Machine-gun sound and cannonball soundWith sound and smoke
Maximum side turning angel of turret (left or right) with approximately 320-degree
Maximum climbing gradient thats changeable on different road surfaces with approximately 35-degree
Maximum vertical turning angel of gun (up or down) with approximately 30-degree
High strength wheels and caterpillar
Full function control: can go high-speed forward, backward, high-speed backward and spin
Technical Data
1:16 scale German Panther Tank
Product Size: 52 x 24 x 20cm
Plastic Type: ABS
Product Colour: hunter green
Specifications
Scale: 1:16
Frequency: 27/40 mHz
Battery: 7.2v-1700mAh
Rechargeable battery with AC-DC Adaptor
Control distance: 80-100 meters
Charging time: 1.5-2 hours
Playing time: 30-40 minutes
Maximum firing Range of Motor Air Gun:Approximately 25 meters (with hop-up system)
100% built Heng Long German Panther 3819-1 1:16 RC Battle Tank
Remote control7.2v-1700mAh
Rechargeable battery with AC-DC Adaptor
English Manual for users
Recommended Users
Users 14 years old and up
Required to Run
RC battery pack for the RC tank (included)
8 AA batteries for controller (not included)
- See more at: http://giantred7.com/heng-long-german-panther-3819-1-1-16-rc-battle-tank.html#sthash.Ezr77es2.dpuf
The
fantastic-looking Heng Long German Panther RC BB Firing Tank 3819-1
Smoke and Sound is the latest addition by Heng Longs amazing series of
remote control battle tanks available in the market.The Heng Long German
Panther 3819-1 1:16 RC Battle Tank is a truly awesome replica of the
actual size German tank.
The German Panther tank is a very fearsome tank during World War II
as it has more powerful gun penetration, better armour, and faster speed
and can handle rough terrains.This remote control model tank is a great
collectors item and a popular choice among RC tank hobbyists and
enthusiasts for its solid specs at an affordable price.
Key Features
100% factory assembled and ready to run
(RTR) RC tank kit
Realistic suspension system
Shoots Airsoft BB Bullets
Machine-gun sound and cannonball soundWith sound and smoke
Maximum side turning angel of turret (left or right) with approximately 320-degree
Maximum climbing gradient thats changeable on different road surfaces with approximately 35-degree
Maximum vertical turning angel of gun (up or down) with approximately 30-degree
High strength wheels and caterpillar
Full function control: can go high-speed forward, backward, high-speed backward and spin
Technical Data
1:16 scale German Panther Tank
Product Size: 52 x 24 x 20cm
Plastic Type: ABS
Product Colour: hunter green
Specifications
Scale: 1:16
Frequency: 27/40 mHz
Battery: 7.2v-1700mAh
Rechargeable battery with AC-DC Adaptor
Control distance: 80-100 meters
Charging time: 1.5-2 hours
Playing time: 30-40 minutes
Maximum firing Range of Motor Air Gun:Approximately 25 meters (with hop-up system)
100% built Heng Long German Panther 3819-1 1:16 RC Battle Tank
Remote control7.2v-1700mAh
Rechargeable battery with AC-DC Adaptor
English Manual for users
Recommended Users
Users 14 years old and up
Required to Run
RC battery pack for the RC tank (included)
8 AA batteries for controller (not included)
- See more at: http://giantred7.com/heng-long-german-panther-3819-1-1-16-rc-battle-tank.html#sthash.Ezr77es2.dpuf
Description
The fantastic-looking Heng Long German Panther RC BB Firing Tank 3819-1 Smoke and Sound is the latest addition by Heng Longs amazing series of remote control battle tanks available in the market.The Heng Long German Panther 3819-1 1:16 RC Battle Tank is a truly awesome replica of the actual size German tank.
The German Panther tank is a very fearsome tank during World War II as it has more powerful gun penetration, better armour, and faster speed and can handle rough terrains.This remote control model tank is a great collectors item and a popular choice among RC tank hobbyists and enthusiasts for its solid specs at an affordable price.
Key Features
100% factory assembled and ready to run
(RTR) RC tank kit
Realistic suspension system
Shoots Airsoft BB Bullets
Machine-gun sound and cannonball soundWith sound and smoke
Maximum side turning angel of turret (left or right) with approximately 320-degree
Maximum climbing gradient thats changeable on different road surfaces with approximately 35-degree
Maximum vertical turning angel of gun (up or down) with approximately 30-degree
High strength wheels and caterpillar
Full function control: can go high-speed forward, backward, high-speed backward and spin
Technical Data
1:16 scale German Panther Tank
Product Size: 52 x 24 x 20cm
Plastic Type: ABS
Product Colour: hunter green
Specifications
Scale: 1:16
Frequency: 27/40 mHz
Battery: 7.2v-1700mAh
Rechargeable battery with AC-DC Adaptor
Control distance: 80-100 meters
Charging time: 1.5-2 hours
Playing time: 30-40 minutes
Maximum firing Range of Motor Air Gun:Approximately 25 meters (with hop-up system)
Gun shell: 6mm BB shell6m/m Ball bullet 80-100 pieces
Load of shells: Approximately 40 shells
Whats in the box?
100% built Heng Long German Panther 3819-1 1:16 RC Battle Tank
Remote control7.2v-1700mAh
Rechargeable battery with AC-DC Adaptor
English Manual for users
Recommended Users
Users 14 years old and up
Required to Run
RC battery pack for the RC tank (included)
8 AA batteries for controller (not included)
The
fantastic-looking Heng Long German Panther RC BB Firing Tank 3819-1
Smoke and Sound is the latest addition by Heng Longs amazing series of
remote control battle tanks available in the market.The Heng Long German
Panther 3819-1 1:16 RC Battle Tank is a truly awesome replica of the
actual size German tank.
The German Panther tank is a very fearsome tank during World War II
as it has more powerful gun penetration, better armour, and faster speed
and can handle rough terrains.This remote control model tank is a great
collectors item and a popular choice among RC tank hobbyists and
enthusiasts for its solid specs at an affordable price.
Key Features
100% factory assembled and ready to run
(RTR) RC tank kit
Realistic suspension system
Shoots Airsoft BB Bullets
Machine-gun sound and cannonball soundWith sound and smoke
Maximum side turning angel of turret (left or right) with approximately 320-degree
Maximum climbing gradient thats changeable on different road surfaces with approximately 35-degree
Maximum vertical turning angel of gun (up or down) with approximately 30-degree
High strength wheels and caterpillar
Full function control: can go high-speed forward, backward, high-speed backward and spin
Technical Data
1:16 scale German Panther Tank
Product Size: 52 x 24 x 20cm
Plastic Type: ABS
Product Colour: hunter green
Specifications
Scale: 1:16
Frequency: 27/40 mHz
Battery: 7.2v-1700mAh
Rechargeable battery with AC-DC Adaptor
Control distance: 80-100 meters
Charging time: 1.5-2 hours
Playing time: 30-40 minutes
Maximum firing Range of Motor Air Gun:Approximately 25 meters (with hop-up system)
100% built Heng Long German Panther 3819-1 1:16 RC Battle Tank
Remote control7.2v-1700mAh
Rechargeable battery with AC-DC Adaptor
English Manual for users
Recommended Users
Users 14 years old and up
Required to Run
RC battery pack for the RC tank (included)
8 AA batteries for controller (not included)
- See more at: http://giantred7.com/heng-long-german-panther-3819-1-1-16-rc-battle-tank.html#sthash.Ezr77es2.dpuf
The
fantastic-looking Heng Long German Panther RC BB Firing Tank 3819-1
Smoke and Sound is the latest addition by Heng Longs amazing series of
remote control battle tanks available in the market.The Heng Long German
Panther 3819-1 1:16 RC Battle Tank is a truly awesome replica of the
actual size German tank.
The German Panther tank is a very fearsome tank during World War II
as it has more powerful gun penetration, better armour, and faster speed
and can handle rough terrains.This remote control model tank is a great
collectors item and a popular choice among RC tank hobbyists and
enthusiasts for its solid specs at an affordable price.
Key Features
100% factory assembled and ready to run
(RTR) RC tank kit
Realistic suspension system
Shoots Airsoft BB Bullets
Machine-gun sound and cannonball soundWith sound and smoke
Maximum side turning angel of turret (left or right) with approximately 320-degree
Maximum climbing gradient thats changeable on different road surfaces with approximately 35-degree
Maximum vertical turning angel of gun (up or down) with approximately 30-degree
High strength wheels and caterpillar
Full function control: can go high-speed forward, backward, high-speed backward and spin
Technical Data
1:16 scale German Panther Tank
Product Size: 52 x 24 x 20cm
Plastic Type: ABS
Product Colour: hunter green
Specifications
Scale: 1:16
Frequency: 27/40 mHz
Battery: 7.2v-1700mAh
Rechargeable battery with AC-DC Adaptor
Control distance: 80-100 meters
Charging time: 1.5-2 hours
Playing time: 30-40 minutes
Maximum firing Range of Motor Air Gun:Approximately 25 meters (with hop-up system)
As
big fans of Quadcopters, we couldn’t resist when we saw this beauty.
The Hubsan X4 FPV Quadcopter is our first Quadcopter fitted with a
camera, allowing you to get a direct feed from the Quadcopter straight
to the transmitter. Perfect for outdoors, you can soar above trees and
rooftops, seeing what it sees, all thanks to the massive 4.3 inch LCD
screen. Once you’ve landed from your epic flight adventure you can
instantly playback your recorded footage on the remote without the need
of a computer or laptop.
Set in a lightweight durable airframe,
the Hubsan X4 FPV Quadcopter boasts the latest in 6-axis flight with
adjustable gyro sensitivity for super stable flight - even outdoors.
This nifty Quadcopter works on a 2.4GHz frequency so can be flown at the
same as others. As the camera works on 5.8GHz frequency this ensures
there is no interference. The built in camera records at 0.3 megapixels
with a resolution of 640 x 480. The live feed is replayed to the screen
on the transmitter, all over an impressive range of approximately 100
metres. All video footage can be saved onto a micro SD card in the
transmitter with up to 16GB of storage. Four bright LED lights are set
around the Hubsan X4 FPV for late night flying and four rubber feet
protect it from any rough landings.
Safely stored inside the protective
casing is a 0820 coreless motor and a 3.7V 380mAh li-po battery with
auto safety cut off. This will provide around 7 minutes of flight time
for approximately 30 minutes of charging.
Forget big, bulky remote controls. The best remote control is
already within your reach: your smartphone. You can fly the SmartPlane
with just one hand – simply slide your thumb to go up and down, and tilt
the phone to turn. PhD in aerodynamics: not needed !
FlightAssist™
The SmartPlane is no ordinary toy. It lives, breathes, and
understands your commands – analyzing the situation and automatically
making adjustments and corrections to assist you while flying. But you
wouldn't know if we didn't tell you !
Space-age tech
The SmartPlane works with the latest BluetoothSmart
wireless technology for long range and flight time. Oh, and there is no
cumbersome pairing. Simply hold the phone close to the plane and you're
ready to fly. That's Touch&Go for you !
Gorgeous flying app
Designed for people like you and me.
Stunning airplane cockpit look-and-feel
Bottom half: slide up/down to control engine speed
Top half: artificial horizon that responds to tilt
Gauge dials: Battery level, signal strength, engine power
Fun features: ATC sounds, compass direction
See it in action !
When we introduced the SmartPlane to the authorities from our
very own Bremen airport they were so fascinated, that they made an
exception and let us shoot a TV ad
at the arrival terminal !
A "smart" plane needs smart technology. Traditional Bluetooth
2.1 or WiFi was simply not enough – we went one step ahead and
incorporated the latest
BluetoothSmart standard, with long range (up to 60 m),
and extremely low power consumption – so there's more available for your plane's engine. No clumsy dongles needed !
Touch&Go
With Touch & Go there is no pairing, no waiting!
Simply open the SmartPlane app, touch the plane with your phone, and
you are connected within seconds.
Flying with friends? It's easier than ever to choose which plane
you want to connect to. Pssst: sneakily touch your friend's plane
before they can, and surprise them !
Slow flying
The result of 2 years of aerodynamic optimisation: the SmartPlane flies sloooowly,
and yes that's an advantage! You no longer need laser-sharp reflexes
and
a football field sized area to enjoy flying – your office
hallway is enough. But that doesn't mean you can't do fast maneuvers -
use the wind and throttle lever to your advantage.
Fully proportional rudder
What use is an intelligent plane if you can't control it
precisely? We built-in a 256-level proportional rudder with logarithmic
correction –
the most advanced in its class – so your hand movements get
translated to very natural
turn angles. The FlightAssist™ feature makes full use of this extended range to give you a stable flight without compromising maneuverability.
Powerful LiPo battery
The SmartPlane is powered by a state-of-the-art
Lithium-Polymer battery which weighs just 1 gram. You can enjoy flying
your plane up to 30 min on a single charge
(hint: soar and glide!), and recharge in 15 min
using a standard microUSB cable (included in packaging). Even at full
throttle, the battery lasts at least 5 min and recharging takes under 20
min !
Durable construction
Planes are built for flying, and crashing! So was the SmartPlane. It is built with durable EPP (expanded polypropelene) material which retains its shape
even after being bent. The engine and propeller are offest inside the plane's nose, so any head-on collisions will not
cause severe damage. We've included an extra prop, just in case !
Infinitely expandable. Always up-to-date.
The smartphone advantage
Although the SmartPlane has a little microprocessor of its
own, the real brain behind it lies in the smartphone app. This lets us
continuously improve the plane
by adding more features to the app. For example, the FlightAssist™ feature, which dramatically
improves the flying experience, was added as an app update during development. The possibilities are endless.
Wireless firmware update
We take app updates one step further. Using state-of-the-art
technology,
we can wirelessly push updated firmware to the plane even
after it's out of the factory. This means your SmartPlane is always
up-to-date with the latest bugfixes
and feature enhancements. All you need to do is install the
latest app update. The next time you connect to your plane, it will be
automatically updated.