Lame hobby?
I know not too many people are into flying R/C anymore, but I didn't know it was actually considered "lame," by mainstream standards. Cool dragon plane though, it was in the AMA magazine a while back.... http://www.cracked.com/quick-fixes/3-lame-hobbies-that-somehow-became-awesome/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=fanpage&utm_campaign=new+article&wa_ibsrc=fanpage&fb_source=message
Posted on: 9/4/2012 3:30 PM by Author "Tommygun" in the forum "The Clubhouse"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11217504

RE: What size of RC planes do you like?
Well in the past I would've said .60-.90 sized, 2 stroke that is. For a favorite, only flying considered, that's probably still true. But the truth is that after becoming a dad I just don't have the time anymore to make the 25 minute drive out to the AMA field, and I have a ballfield next to my house which I can fly the Parkzone EPO planes. Would you call those 400 size? I guess by default, the electric T-28 sized range plane is now my new favorite, since otherwise I don't fly at all.
Posted on: 8/23/2012 8:38 PM by Author "Tommygun" in the forum "The Clubhouse"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11204089

RE: beware of easytiger models??????????
[quote]ORIGINAL: dant-RCU Sorry, but it begs the question: With all of the negative press this guy has on these forums PLUS the three that you cited - and you STILL placed an order with him? Really? Dan [/quote] That's what I keep wondering. I guess they're just so desperate to save a buck that they're willing to take a chance on him.
Posted on: 7/27/2012 1:46 PM by Author "Tommygun" in the forum "The Clubhouse"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11171510

RE: Pattern 60's- 70's
Well they sort of have brought them back, not only are the two biggest hobby companies offering reproduction ARFs (Tower's Dirty Birdy, Horizon with their Phoenix 7) but there's the World Models Intruder, and now some German company offering a Curare ARF. http://www.der-schweighofer.at/en/product/91651/curare_60_hanno_prettner_edition_ep_gp_arf_green_yellow_orange_1640_mm_08_2011 Then there's all the short kits. Obviously they won't bring every single one of them back, but I'd say we've got a better selection than we did 7 years ago.
Posted on: 7/26/2012 7:09 PM by Author "Tommygun" in the forum "The Clubhouse"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11170678

RE: going to fly again after 4-5 yr sabbitcal - help getting my planes airworthy again
The fuel lines are probably the weakest link of all, they can swell and cause running problems, in addition to developing cracks and pinholes, which will make you pull your hair out and scream as you try to diagnose running problems. I would always flush the tank out with denatured alcohol, then fill back up with fuel, and just run it in the backyard for a bit prior to going flying. Another thing you need to watch out for with electronics is your switch harness. For some reason when left plugged into the battery, they develop a nasty habit of getting this "black wire rot," where the negative wire copper oxidizes and becomes a poor conductor, eventually causing a power loss and crash.
Posted on: 7/22/2012 8:21 AM by Author "Tommygun" in the forum "Beginners"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11164425

RE: Are all RC forum's activity in decline?
I've been on RCU for about 10 years now, and have seen a real decline in both civility, and general knowledge among users. As multiple people here have alluded to, it's almost impossible to ask any kind of question without some little twerp chiming in with "there's a search function, why don't you use it." It seems like every other post eventually turns into trying to piss eachother off- it's all about bashing others now. I don't recall it being as bad back in the early days; seemed like people were just more helpful. AND, they actually knew things. You post a question here now, and often all these people look at it, (views count) but won't respond since nobody actually knows the answer. Or, they just don't want to get involved. Additionally, and I can't quite put my finger on it, but there's just something about RCGROUPS that seems more "electric friendly" than RCU is, maybe it's my imagination. And that's the way people are going these days. Neither forum feels "right" for seriously discussing helicopters though, I think I tend to prefer runryder or or helifreak. I dunno, maybe you're right and the hobby is dying, at least in the US anyway. Seems like there's still quite a bit of interest in other countries, so that's probably part of what's keeping all the cool new RTF releases coming.
Posted on: 6/20/2012 12:31 AM by Author "Tommygun" in the forum "The Clubhouse"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11124765

RE: 1960's receivers
These guys http://www.radiosouthrc.com/ claim to be able to fix any RC equipment out there.
Posted on: 6/18/2012 1:47 AM by Author "Tommygun" in the forum "The Clubhouse"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11122065

RE: Tower Hobbies not doing their discounts anymore?
[quote]ORIGINAL: DavidAgar I do wish they would not tease us with pictures and descriptions in the Tower Talk magazine and not have a date when it is going to be available. I really want one of those Carl Goldberg Electric Chipmunk. Dave [/quote] Where are you seeing one of those, I've been all through their website and Tower Talk and couldn't find it.
Posted on: 6/15/2012 3:58 PM by Author "Tommygun" in the forum "The Clubhouse"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11119591

RE: Micro Beech Baron project
If you can wait a bit, I'm thinking there's a really good chance that at some point, HH will probably release an AS3X UMX brushless twin, it's almost inevitable. I know that sounds hard to do, but it would probably be worth the wait! You could still build the plane in the meanwhile...
Posted on: 6/8/2012 5:07 AM by Author "Tommygun" in the forum "Electric Indoor & Micro RC Flight"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11111048

RE: have to share room with WIFE..........
[quote]ORIGINAL: pmerritt These guys sure talk big with a keyboard in hand while little lady is in the kitchen is probably making you an antifreeze burger.  Have fun as you sit there typing insulting messages about them to your buddies.  Enjoy life when the glaucoma sets in, the balsa glue has worn out and the monokote won't stay ironed on any longer wondering why your last trimester of life is so lonely.  When that little lady has found her a real man that knows the priorities of buidling a long term relationship and placing those priorities in order, you'll be missing that special someone to hold hands with and rock on the porch with as the two of you reminence the good old days.    Married almost 30 years to this wonderful lady that knows my love for this hobby the answer is, wife/relationship first, hobby second.  If you've forgotten the raincoat, it's wife 1, kids 2, hobby (probably never).   For the guy with one room neediing to share with the spouse, it's called time management.  When she's in there, you watch tv, mow the yard, get on RCU and window shop, change the car oil.  While she's occupying that room, make her a nice cup of tea, take her a little snack, put a flower on her table.  I bet the next time you want to go flying, she'll help load the SUV!  When her favorite reality tv is on and the room is empty, the room is yours.  When the lights go out, you'll have one more day with the only thing in llife that matters. Enjoy life, it's way to short.    [/quote] +1, couldn't agree more! Congrats on making it 30 years! I've pretty much given up most forms of building since my wife and I had our first child- she needs me upstairs spending time with her and being a father- not down in my man cave building, only occasionally coming topside to eat dinner. I've gone more with RTF stuff just so I can stay flying. (And people wonder why they're so popular these days?) Wouldn't change a thing though, it's just a hobby. As I get older I continue to wind down my level of involvement with R/C to spend more time with my family. I always thought the posts where you see guys getting divorced over model airplanes were really sad, please work hard to not let that happen if you ever think you could be heading that direction.
Posted on: 6/8/2012 5:01 AM by Author "Tommygun" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11111042

RE: What Do YOU Want This Year from HH?
UMX Deuces Wild or Z foam/UMX Phoenix 7 Pattern Ship.
Posted on: 6/3/2012 12:54 PM by Author "Tommygun" in the forum "Electric General Discussion"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11104906

RE: Dirty Birdy ARF
This is fantastic, I'm very happy they decided to release the DB. The only thing is, the powerpackage I have available is an OS .91FX, piped. It's supposed to drop into the same space a .61, so that shouldn't be an issue. So the only thing preventing that would be the fuel tank situation? I've never had luck with header tanks for some reason, but I guess that's the only solution?
Posted on: 4/25/2012 12:57 AM by Author "Tommygun" in the forum "Classic RC Pattern Flying"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11055791

RE: Ultra micro jets
Personally, I'm planning on going with the Mig, even though I'd prefer the Sabre as a model. The main reason is the Mig offers the AS3X 3 axis gyro, which should make the Mig a really smooth flyer. Also, the Mig looks more scale, as it appears Eflite put more R&D into this model and was able to keep the nose inlet more true in appearance- it's not a "flying toilet paper roll" as someone else put it. Additionally, the Eflite fan unit appears more robust than the one in the Sabre, somehow it seems like it has more in common with the larger EDFs. If you have Spektrum, you won't have to deal with the big goofy adapter on the back of your TX to make the Mig work as you would the Sabre. Overall, I think you're getting more for the money with the Mig. The only downside is nobody really knows when the thing will actually be available, and batteries have a proprietary plug, but this is easily remedied with some snips and a soldering iron. Or just buy Eflite battery packs.
Posted on: 4/22/2012 8:24 PM by Author "Tommygun" in the forum "Electric RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11052937

RE: My suggestion to increase pattern participation
As a would-be noob, I've dabbled with the idea of entering classic pattern, but don't really know where to start. The idea sounds cool, but strangely out of reach at the same time. The local club field (NJ Pinebarons) doesn't really do competitions that I'm aware of, and I've never flown competitively. I enjoy flying pattern aircraft, and practice some of the manuavers you mention, but really have no idea if they're 100% correct by a judges standards. I just have fun flying the planes as I enjoy the way they handle. Instead of a whole class, (or possibly in addition to?) how about say, a non-judged, practice orientation sequence where someone toying with the idea can "try out?" At least to see if they're good enough to bother going any further. My apologies if such a program already exists, but I've never heard of one. Other things that would increase participation would be to have a "park pattern" class, where scaled down electrics are used, then people can go on to join the big guys if they like it.
Posted on: 4/22/2012 8:16 PM by Author "Tommygun" in the forum "RC Pattern Flying"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11052928

RE: STOLEN MOWER! THIEVES!
Yet where I grew up, that's what everyone went to school for, because of the money. Even though that profession adds NO real value to society.
Posted on: 4/22/2012 3:57 PM by Author "Tommygun" in the forum "The Clubhouse"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11052638

RE: RC Plane Guys Are Cheap!
I'm an airplane guy, and extremely frugal, although I'll pay the money for good components so I only have to buy them once, vs buying junk several times. I agree with avoiding used engines, radios, or batteries, since failures of these components can cost you an airplane, thereby negating any savings. I just don't buy new things very often, and really do research before buying "the next big thing." If it's used I haggle with a vengence- I fight for my money. The airplane hobby can be done pretty cheap if you're handy with repairs, or can build. Once you have a good radio and power package, the airplanes can be either bought used for a fraction of their cost new, or built from scratch if you know how. Cars/boats in comparison need to be upgraded and repaired with machined or molded parts, which are often expensive. Used cars/boats don't seem to depreciate as much as airplanes do either, forcing one to shell out more for used. I've heard this argument before, that airplane guys are cheap. Probably. That may be because many are older, often more educated, have financial goals, are more focused about things like taking care of their families, retirement, saving, investing, college funding, paying off mortgages, etc. The airplanes are just a hobby- one that is a distraction from accomplishing other goals. Car people are typically younger, and not too concerned about a lot of the financial consequences yet. Many are obsessed with it to the point that it's all they do and spend money on. Some people I've run into who were also RC plane enthusiasts: airline pilots, mechanical engineers, a general, local business owners. These people are usually VERY money aware, and will not overspend their entertainment budget, or risk higher priority goals. Hence the perceived "cheapness."
Posted on: 4/20/2012 1:11 PM by Author "Tommygun" in the forum "The Clubhouse"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11050138

RE: Minnflyer (AKA Mike Buzzeo) has unexpectedly passed away
Oh man, that is sad. I never met him, but it feels like I've known him on RCU forever. I still can't believe we won't see his animated 3d Extra avatar keeping trolls at bay here anymore. Does anyone have details on the service yet, or is it private?
Posted on: 4/12/2012 9:21 AM by Author "Tommygun" in the forum "The Clubhouse"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11038976

RE: Auto Pilot and the death of R/C
Anyone actually biting off on this troll is a moron. Saraholt is probably just someone's girlfriend trying to be funny, she has a whopping 3 posts. Not surprisingly, the anti-ARF crowd is jumping all over this. I bet you all believe in "chemtrails" too. [8D]
Posted on: 3/25/2012 11:05 AM by Author "Tommygun" in the forum "The Clubhouse"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11014312

Are any of you guys in NJ?
Hi all, I'm not currently in warship combat, but inherited a scratch built 1/90th scale USS Mitchner destroyer about 20 years ago. The ship needs some restoration though, and the deck is falling apart since the original builder made it out of balsa, instead of hard wood. I'd like the opportunity to look at some comparable ships, just to get ideas on how they're supposed to be put together, how to add details, decals, paints, what electronics to use, ask some questions, obtain some pointers, etc. I realize we have resources here on the forum, but nothing beats seeing another ship up close. Are there any meets coming up, or anyone with large collections in the Philly/NJ area? Thanks.
Posted on: 3/19/2012 7:59 AM by Author "Tommygun" in the forum "RC Warship Combat"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11006836

Anyone had to make their own replacement battery cover?
I have an older RC vehicle in need of the slide and snap battery cover, of course none are available on ebay or wherever else. I was thinking of replacing it with a piece of G10 or aluminum cut to fit. The issue is the snaps, since that's kinda hard to mold in. Has anyone else developed a work around to that? The goal here is to still maintain as stock a look as possible.
Posted on: 3/18/2012 7:43 AM by Author "Tommygun" in the forum "Toy-Grade RC Products"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11005333

RE: Reasons Why I Like RC Airplanes
They are pretty great. Like that guy said in the latest Model Aviation, the RC planes are more fun to do aerobatics with, as you actually can see the plane going through the maneuver vs being in it, where you just see the terrain go around and around.
Posted on: 3/17/2012 10:20 PM by Author "Tommygun" in the forum "The Clubhouse"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11004990

RE: when/how did you know you wanted children or not?
I was a lot like you when I first agreed to have kids GA. I was mid-thirties, all about hobbies and otherwise saving money. I was heavily into boating, cars, and of course RC stuff. Now I have a beautiful little 2 year old girl. I was scared, just like you at the idea of raising and having a child, and what I would have to give up. (When she kicked for the first time inside her mother, we were on the beach in Hawaii. While it was exciting, my body went into a panic from the stress, I developed uncontrollable twitching so bad I thought I had Parkinsens.) And I have given up some things- I no longer fly large glow planes at the club field, instead I fly electric parkflyers, boating is now sporadic and more about parking and swimming vs wakeboarding. I donated my project car IROC to a local high school auto shop. It's about compromise. But I'd give away everything else if need be. None of that crap matters to me anymore; it's like a "dad switch" got flipped in the delivery room, and I've never looked back. Once I saw that little baby looking up at me, I knew it was going to be okay.Everytime I go get my daughter from my crib in the morning and see how excited she is to see me, she says "Daddy!" and gives me a big hug when I pick her up to change her- right now you have no idea how that feels, you just have to trust that it'll be great. My life is so much more rich and has depth like never before, and I never thought this would be the case. I shudder to think what I'd be if I just continued on my path of playing around like when I was pre-kids- you grow so much personally. You can always go back and do hobbies later in life- just think, the technology will be even better than it is now. But starting a family kinda has time limits, so give it some serious thought before you scrap the idea.
Posted on: 3/17/2012 10:14 PM by Author "Tommygun" in the forum "Off Topic Forum - Planes/Helis"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11004979

RE: Outdated electronics
A lot of those old Radio shack and Sears cars were actually made by Taiyo. They were higher quality RC cars back in the 80's that often had proportional steering (unlike today's cheap New Bright/Fast Lane RC vehicles) This is a good thing, because as long as the proportional stock steering servo has a potentiometer, you can unsolder the stock wiring, and use the circuit board from a more modern Futaba/Hitec/JR/Spektrum style servo instead. This will maintain the stock steering setup; I did it with my Sears Offroad Buggy, and it worked great. The steering is the hardest part, so provided you can overcome this hurdle, everything else is gravy. The ESC is pretty much a no- brainer; just buy a cheap reversible brushed ESC (proportional both ways), cut the wires to the motor, and splice it in. Enjoy being able to use a hobby quality radio (and fully proportional control) with your vintage truck.
Posted on: 3/17/2012 9:22 PM by Author "Tommygun" in the forum "Toy-Grade RC Products"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11004933

RE: Question on location
Yeah, but anytime you buy a new product you should always keep the box for at least the warranty period. Additionally, it's a good idea for when the technology advances and you're bored with the old product, you can simply pack it up and sell it online, recoup some costs for the next toy. Are you that tight on space that the box had to go in the trash right after buying the plane? I don't know why a person would do that.
Posted on: 3/8/2012 9:11 PM by Author "Tommygun" in the forum "Questions and Answers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10992402

RE: If you had to choose which 3 would it be
You forgot MK Blue Angel.
Posted on: 1/24/2012 5:10 PM by Author "Tommygun" in the forum "Classic RC Pattern Flying"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10925906

RE: friends who dont like my hobby
I hate to tell you, but it doesn't get much better as you get older. Partaking in this hobby pretty much makes you a geek in the eyes of many peers. And it seems to be getting even worse, as tolerance for different interests continues to diminish. I've noticed very few people are active in the hobby compared to say, 25 years ago. Watching sports on TV and playing video games are becoming the only socially acceptable forms of pastime in this country nowadays. I think its interesting how RC seems to be more socially acceptable in other countries (such as in Germany and Japan) than it is here, but then again they also tend to accel at science and engineering more, whereas we tend to focus more on our iphones, pop culture, and football. For some reason or other, if you can make or work on things, you're less "cool." Not sure how we got here, but it's a dark place indeed. Just a couple of days ago, I was at one of my kid's friend's birthday parties, and overheard a woman there talking about her husband and his friend buying "expensive" R/C cars. She said, "I told him, you have no idea how gay you guys look." Pretty much sums up what most people think of the hobby. In 25 years of flying/doing R/C stuff, I heard my share of it. Other things I've heard are, -"You should quit playing with RC toys and get a real hobby. You should learn to play guitar instead." -"That's a waste of money, all the money you've spent on that you could've bought a nicer car" -"What are you, 11?" -"Dude, chicks don't like that stuff, you need to do something else." -guy sarcastically sniffs and pushes up imaginary nerd glasses upon learning of my hobby So, I don't really talk about my involvement in RC anymore, or at the very least choose who I share that information with. That works pretty well- there's no real need to advertise it unless you want to open yourself up to ridicule. And it's not because I care what people think, but there are some people who feel you lose credibility as a mature person once learning you "play with toy airplanes/cars, etc."
Posted on: 1/23/2012 6:33 PM by Author "Tommygun" in the forum "RC Car General Discussions"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10924071

RE: RC Plane Hobby Is Not Expensive !
This financial guru would disagree- he thinks hobbies are bad. http://www.daveramsey.com/article/do-hobbies-hobble-you/lifeandmoney_budgeting/ I gotta admit, the article really made me feel guilty about spending ANY money on hobbies, and I primarely do parkflyers, but they can add up just like anything else. While I've curtailed hobby spending A LOT since my glow flying days, it still pains me to think what I've spent over the years. I can't bring myself to quit, otherwise I would- it's just too much fun! On the flip side, I think it's dumb that people will balk at anything over $50 for a plane because that's what an Air Hogs goes for at Walmart. We've never had it better price wise, look at prices of planes, engines, radios back in the 70's and 80's, then adjust for inflation!
Posted on: 1/14/2012 5:14 AM by Author "Tommygun" in the forum "Beginners"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10908087

RE: SureFlite clipped wing cub with custom paint
So how much real estate does it use up in flight? Can it be flown as a true "park flyer," say from a big softball field, or do you still need to fly it at an AMA type setting? You using a 2100 (ish) lipo?
Posted on: 1/5/2012 11:31 PM by Author "Tommygun" in the forum "Park Flyers & Backyard Flyers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10894266

RE: SureFlite clipped wing cub with custom paint
Dean, that is awesome. Thank you so much for sharing! It's gorgeous! And all these years, I thought I was the only one familiar with the Sureflite Cub. My father and I tried to get one of these going back in the 80's. It was before I knew how to fly, and he couldn't because of deteriorating eyesight. I still remember when he ordered the plane- it came to the house via UPS in the early 80's, and for some reason the company he bought it from (I think it was Indy RC?) taped a huge sucker (lollipop) to the outside of the box! I wonder if they were telling us something...We went through a lot with this airplane, from learning how to build a foam plane, to painting it. We used this homemade primer, then painted it with bright yellow Black Baron epoxy spraypaint! Needless to say, I had a few holes to fill in where the primer didn't cover well enough to keep the foam from being eaten [:@]. Originally, we powered it with an OS Max .25, the old kind with the strap muffler, and used a heavy Kraft radio for guidance, with rudder, elevator, and throttle only. The day we tried it, (about 6- 7 years after it was delivered [X(]), the plane went about 30 feet along the ground, maybe with 1-2' altitude at most, and torque rolled into the ground, breaking off the nose and tail after the resulting cartwheel. This was fortunate, since I had no idea how to fly an RC plane yet. I repaired it, and then after having so much experience with Tamiya RC cars by then, we decided to make it electric- in the late 80's. I fashioned a direct drive 540 can motor with a cobbled together pinion for a prop adapter, and used a heavy, 3 speed, mechanical Tamiya speed control combined with a big, heavy 7.4 NiCad battery pack from my Tamiya Hotshot car, all the while maintaining use of the heavy Kraft AM radio. Well, actually this combination would get into a slight ground effect in a big school parking lot, but that's about it. No real flight was ever obtained, and the plane was relegated to little more than a taildragger taxi trainer. Because this was my first R/C plane, I've always wanted to get another, but this time use electric technology from 2012, lightweight radio gear with ailerons, and possibly flaps. Combined with all my aquired building/finishing skills, (acrylic paint this time!!) I think it could be a real winner. Unfortunately, like you, I just can't justify the now $90 price tag for a 1970's era EPS plane [:o] Maybe I'll be so lucky one day...
Posted on: 1/4/2012 2:09 PM by Author "Tommygun" in the forum "Park Flyers & Backyard Flyers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10891694

RE: .60 tuned pipe swap to electric power?
That's what I was wondering, sounds like we're not quite there yet. Electric is pretty great, but still has an upper limit. 10 more years maybe...
Posted on: 1/4/2012 1:44 PM by Author "Tommygun" in the forum "Glow to Electric Conversions"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10891668