Models and Types of Remote / Radio-Control Vehicles

Remote control vehicles are very popular and come in a wide variety of styles. If you're new to RC racing, you might have some questions about what type of car to buy.

The first question to consider is where you plan to race the car. For street racing, an on-road car that has smooth tires will be best. Also called touring cars, on-road cars work well on asphalt, pavement, or carpet. They are designed for speed and usually have a low clearance, which means they'll have trouble on uneven surfaces. They are designed to look like real-life cars, and there are many to choose from. This category also includes the newest style of racing: RC Drifting. These cars are designed to slide around corners, which requires a different driving style.

If you'll be racing on dirt or grass, an off-road radio control truck would be a better choice. These cars have a higher suspension for more ground clearance, letting you race where an on-road car can't. Different types of cars include short-course trucks, rock crawlers, monster trucks, and buggies. With their rough terrain capabilities, these cars offer a completely different driving experience.

Another fun off-road option would be a tank. Like the real-life versions, they are designed for maximum off-road capabilities. One example includes the 1:16 Hobby Engine Leopard 2A5 Premium Label. This ready-to-roll, professionally painted RC tank is modeled after the German Main Battle tank. It uses 2.4 GHz frequency and has electronic speed control. This realistic tank includes a BB firing cannon, sound and lights, full motion, and functional suspension, and you can upgrade it to an infrared battle system. It measures 23.6 inches long, 9.6 inches wide, and 8 inches tall. It includes a 9V 200mA 1.8 VA charger and a 7.2V 800mAh battery. It also requires six AA batteries which are sold separately.

Whatever style of remote control vehicle you choose, you're sure to have hours of enjoyment. These cars are an investment, so you'll want to take care of them properly to ensure a long life. One of the most important things to remember is to keep the car dry unless it was specifically designed for wet racing. Also, make sure to thoroughly clean the car after every outing. Even on-road cars will get a little dirty, and spending a little time cleaning one after the race will help prolong its life.

Using Airbrushes for Modelling

For model airplanes that require painting, or for hobbyists who want to paint over an existing finish, there are a couple of options. Most kits will have small glass jars of paint included, that require the use of a brush to apply. However, a much more smooth application can be achieved if the paint is airbrushed onto the surface of the model. The major benefit of using airbrushing technique is its even overall coating and uniform finish. Model paints tend to leave spots of uneven paint distribution whereas airbrushing gives a much neater professional coverage.

Airbrush Basics

An airbrushing tool is a hand-held cylinder, much like a brush without bristles, and with a small jar attached to it for filling with paint. The "brush" is supplied with air from a compressor, or from compressed carbon dioxide can. The air (or CO2) forces the paint out from the attached jar and through the cylinder. Gentle movements of the hand, combined with finger adjustments to the pressure control wheel, will allow the user to disperse paint evenly and with a finer degree of control than a regular brush might permit.

Airbrushing can allow for a very large surface to be covered in a fraction of the time than traditional paintbrush methods. Along with airbrushing being much faster, it blends colors together seamlessly, so that colors seem to flow into one another without any obvious brush strokes.

Airbrushes and airbrush kits come in both advanced and beginner varieties. For example, the

Types of Paint

Standard Airbrush by Testors is an excellent starter kit. You can also have a look at the NEO Gravity-Feed Dual-Action Airbrush by Iwata, which has a double action trigger. Or, pick up a gift set with the Testors - Amazing Airbrush Gift Set. Airbrushing hobby tools are often very affordable and do not take much time to get started.

There are essentially three types of paint that are used for applying to model aircraft: lacquers, enamels and acrylics. Acrylics are water-soluble and great for indoor use, because there are no harmful fumes associated with its use. Enamels and lacquers are also good and can provide a glossier sheen to the completed work. Be aware that all paints must be used in ventilated areas because their fumes can be dangerous to inhale.

Single vs Double Airbrush


In addition to the paint selections, there are also single and double action airbrushes. Single action, as implied, operates from the single act of triggering the release of the spray. They are simpler and less expensive, and excellent for beginners who are still mastering the airbrushing application technique. However, for different thicknesses of lines, the nozzle must be changed out, or the spray volume can be altered.

Double action allows the artist to mix the paint and air ratios while painting. It operates much like a single action airbrush, but, the air and paint amounts that are dispersed can be controlled while the trigger is pulled back, which allows for more command over the outcome. Double action airbrushes are often used by advanced artists to create more sophisticated effects. While the basics of airbrushing can be learned very quickly, mastery can take years.

Let us know any additional questions you may have in the comments below about painting models, we love to help!

FW 200C-3 Condor Model – A Perfect Prop Plane

Today, the word “prop plane” is more associated with single-engine Cessnas for recreation, then powerful machines of war. However, looking back in history, prop planes were an integral piece of World War II conflict, and the planes produced in this period pushed the limits of engineering, leading to revolutionary advances in aircraft. One of the most iconic planes from this period is the Focke-Wulf FW 200 “Condor”- a German machine referred to as the “Kurier” by Allied Forces.

The FW 200 began as a plane designed to carry passengers by Dr. Rudolf Stuessel of Germany, and was briefly the world’s most modern airliner before being adapted for war. Powered first by four 875 horsepower American Pratt & Whitney engines, it was converted for use with 720 hp BMW engines during World War II. The plane soon became requested by German and Japanese air forces, and the FW 200 was the modelaircraft for later models used by the Luftwaffe. For wartime service, hardpoints were added to the wings, and bays were modified to hold bombs. One of the most successful variants of the FW 200, the C-3, introduced additional hardened steel and structural improvements, and Bramo engines rather than BMW.

The FW 200 was one of the most influential planes in military history, and is a major part particularly of the German attack during World War II. And now, Squadron is proud to announce the addition of an incredibly detailed FW 200C to our selection of model planes.

The FW 200 C-3 model kit from Trumpeter is a 1:72 scale recreation of this historic and influential ship, and contains an exceptional level of detail. A detailed fuselage with radio, fuel cells and bulkheads; allow with separately molded control surfaces and flaps; and single-piece propeller assemblies; all lend this model aircraft an extraordinary level of detail. A well rendered undercarriage with torpedoes; and accurate recreation turrets make this model complete; along with both Soviet and Luftwaffe livery decals.

If you’re looking for a detailed, historic prop plane model, look no further than this exceptional new kit.