What's under your Christmas tree???

[ghee-grose]

Here's a thread dedicated to posting what you find under your Christmas tree. :rolleyes:

Once the wrapping paper settles and the egg nog is gone, post a little bit about your Christmas joy. :D

[Jim_Marconnet]

My son David, Beth, and my grandson Jackson came over tonight for a great dinner and to open packages :) Jackson, now 1 1/2 years old, had a great time helping open packages and commandeering them as his own. It was so nice to have my Mom here from Illinois with my whole family together at Christmas Eve.

R/C-wise, I got the Cessna 180 RTF http://www.hobbypeople.net/gallery/128309.asp and the BeginAir ARTF http://www.rcuniverse.com/magazine/article_display.cfm?article_id=443 and a $20 gift certificate at HobbyTownUSA.

Some other nice things, of course, but of less interest to the Renegades!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

[Johnnie Paul]

Mrs. Santa passed out a new Slow Stick; LiPo battery pack and charger; and a Spectrum DX6...Now what do I do? :D hehehe

The SS was missing the "stick" portion of the Slow Stick, so I will have to pay Rick a visit when he opens next and get a new one, but until then I will be devouring some instruction manuals.

My son got a Firebird Commander II, but is currently engrossed in his new King Kong for Game Cube...I'll get him outside soon enough ;)

...sorry Todd, I got a similar talking too that morning from Mrs. Santa, but thank you for getting my back, cause she nicely laid all of this new RC stuff in my lap...and was smiling too.

Johnnie

[dee-grose]

I got a pile of servos, a few lipo battery packs, and an Axi 2204/54 motor! I don't guess we'll officially count the pile of planes from Rick's Grand Opening Sale since they didn't get wrapped. :p

And since Christmas is really more about giving....I gave plenty of RC-related stuff myself. Dad and Gary got gift cards to RC Hobbies and Brian got a Stryker fuse/wing to make into a sloper. Sure makes it easy when all the Grose boys are into RC!

Merry Christmas everyone!

Andy

[Moonbeam Six]

Indications are that I must have been a pretty good boy this year. I got a Miss Stik Jr. kit, MP Jet AC22/7-45 brushless motor, two HiTec HS-55 servos, and two Blue Arrow 3.6 gram servos. If I have have been as good as I think I've been, I wouldn't be surprised to find a GWS PT-17 Stearman (ARF) kit under the tree in the morning.

Santa didn't bring it, but I cut out the main parts for a foam Aeronca Champ this afternoon. The span will be around 45 to 47 inches, depending on how I decide to do the center section. I don't think I'll be acquiring any more planes until I build a few of those that have been started and those waiting in their boxes. I guess I'd better hurry, because next Christmas will be here before we know it.

Frank

[ghee-grose]

Yup, us Grose boys racked up on some RC stuff! I also got an Axi 2204, a 400mah 3-cell 20C PolyQuest battery, and 3 Blue Arrow servos. The gift card will come in handy next time I see Rick. :D

Merry Christmas guys... and enjoy the time with your loved ones.

[brn-grose]

I got a Miss Stik Jr kit, a Stryker fuse for slopin, and a Triton charger ! i need to get busy building this winter thats for sure.

Brian

[ghee-grose]

Brian, you're up kinda late aren't you? You haven't forgot to leave Santa some cookies & milk have you?

[Moonbeam Six]

Just as I was hoping, there is a GWS PT-17 Stearman under my Christmas tree this morning. Now, with the RCH Gift Card, I can outfit it.

BRN, Want to make things interesting? How about a new LiPo presented to the one who has his Miss Stik Jr. ready to maiden first? A little friendly family competition might help keep the dust from gathering on either of our boxes. A formation of two Miss Stik Jr's would look nice. A formation of four would look even better.

[brn-grose]

Dad, i'm game.....come on little brothers join in !

[brn-grose]

Yeah Ghee....i was up kinda late.....i called ATL Tracon and found out that Santa was trying to make his rounds in Jasper a little earlier because of the approaching storms. Santa had already stopped by our house by the time we got home around midnight and Brett had to play with his 2 green garbage trucks & his leaf blower. he said "Santa bring me my stuff!".

Brian

[ghee-grose]

I know who will get theirs built first! Dad is used to spending hours and hours on a single plane assembly. If it ain't foam and ready to fly in 2 or 3 hours, I get distracted. :D

[ghee-grose]

Here's what was under the Christmas tree this morning... matching R/C micro cars for Matthew and me! I know I know.... cars... I said it.... censor me if you must, report me to the moderator, kick me out of the forum. :rolleyes:

These little guys will fly!!! We've been racing around on the kitchen floor already! :cool:

[Tram]

I got an Mini Ultra Stick, some "rcstyx" for my transmitter and 4 - 3S 2100 packs.. :D

[Jim_Marconnet]

Here's what was under the Christmas tree this morning... matching R/C micro cars for Matthew and me! I know I know.... cars... I said it.... censor me if you must, report me to the moderator, kick me out of the forum. :rolleyes:

These little guys will fly!!! We've been racing around on the kitchen floor already! :cool:

Pat won two of these Rocket Racers at R/C Hobbies Grand Opening Door Prize drawing. I wrapped them up and put them under the tree. I only have enough batteries to get one going, but it's definitely a hoot in the kitchen floor.

I used to race R/C cars 20 years ago. These cars, out of the box, have better performance than what I used to build and race. Those were the days!.... Back when I knew it all and had no kids!

[Mars Flyer]

As predicted, I'm the proud owner of a Lazy Days balsa and covering park flyer 3 channel ARF.

http://www.ecsvr.com/wrc/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=8&subcat=58&cat=Park+Flyer+ARF

It is my first all-balsa plane and it has classic old-timer looks. It came with motor, ESC, 8 cell 650 mAh KAN NiMH pack, and servos. I also got a Hitec Electron 6 receiver to go in it. It is mostly assembled already and I'm cycling the battery. I've been taking pictures along the way and will probably do a mini build thread. My major mod will be replacing the cheesy control rods with Dubro micro hardware.

I also have a GWS C-47 (military DC-3) twin engine full-house ARF. I'll have to decommission another plane for parts and it will take a little longer to get it ready to fly.

Rob

[Fyrwalker]

here's what santa put under the tree :D . now all i need is to get the gymswallow plans, some ca and i'll be ready to build.

[Moonbeam Six]

Randy,

I can't help you with the CA, but you can download GymSwallow plans from:

http://www.tdmsoftware.com/majewski/rcstuff/swallow.html

You will love the GymSwallow.

Congratulations on the bandsaw.

Frank

[FlyH2O]

Ho Ho Ho!
I must have been a good boy this year. I found a Tuff Planes 48" P-51D Mustang slope bird in my stocking. I don't think I'll be able to wear that poor little stocking again! :D

Larry O

[ChromeDome]

I must have been a good boy also. Mrs. Santa put some RC gear under the tree. :p I’ve always wanted to fly floats at Braham Springs, but that is very near the RCRC field. Also I’d like to try some AP of our church on Airport Road but that is near RCRC also. The Spektrum radio solves all that. I was flying on one side of a large field earlier this month and decided to put up the Cub on channel 40 for a little sunset cruise. It turned out that mrbisset had joined me on the other corner of the field and neither of us noticed that the other was flying. When I turned on my transmitter it shot him straight down. :( Sorry Caleb. To my knowledge this is the only time I’ve done that, but the Spektrum will prevent it happening again. I’ve never had much trouble with glitchin’ and twitchin’ except when I forgot to put up the antenna. :D Notice that the Spektrum solves that also.

It comes with four nice looking servos. that are the exact size and weight as the Hitec HS55. The receiver is more suited to a cabin airplane mounting than on a SS. The Hitec Feather is long and narrow and has the connectors pointed out one end. Perfect to velcro on a SS fuselage. The Spektrum is squared off and has the connectors coming off normal to the mounting plane. Not as handy for a SS but nice if there is a proper cabin. Note the short antennas on the receiver—nice for a parkflyer size. Maybe I can receive the cordless phone on it also.

Mrs. Santa did not find a micro RC airplane in stock at RCHobbies (except for the Rookie that she thought I would not like) or at TRUS or Target. So my son and I have to be satisfied with our old ZipZap cars for now. Valentine’s Day is coming, and I bet Mrs. Santa would love a micro RC airplane for that occasion.

[ChromeDome]

Mrs. Santa does not agree with “You can’t have too many airplanes or cameras” but she got an Aiptek MPVR for me anyway. :p It shoots video at 640x480 pixels and 30 fps and is nicely streamlined for AP. Video quality looks just like the CVS OTU camera wihen the CVS is reset at the same resolution. I also intend to try a helmetcam mount with it for videoing stuff like aerobatics practice. If the maneuver works, put it on the web for the world to see. If it doesn’t, hit delete. No one will ever know. Fast mountain descents on a bicycle might be interesting also.

[Tram]

Whacha flyin aerobatics in?

[ChromeDome]

Whacha flyin aerobatics in?
Oops. I didn't make it clear that it is model aerobatics, not full size although that would really be fun. I intend to try shooting video from the ground. It will be aerial photography style without actually seeing the viewfinder. Just point and hope. The cam only has a 4x zoom so will have a pretty wide field of view even zoomed. I do intend to try a full size bicycle video though.

[Tram]

Ahh.. :)

[UAGrad2001]

Well I finally get to play with my new Optic 6 and Slowstick. It has been sitting under the tree calling to me ever since RC's big sale. I got everything to setup my Slowstick as well, except batteries because I plan on using my ABC batteries. My wife is having minor surgery Tuesday and I have the whole day off to take care of her. While she is sleeping I plan on beginning the assembly of my Slowstick.

I hope everyone had a great Christmas. Remember Jesus is the reason for the season. God bless everyone and happy flying.

[Jim_Marconnet]

..... The Spektrum radio solves all that.......
You just said it all!

I'm so thrilled for you that you got the first Spektrum DX6 that I know of in the Renegades. Thanks for the photos and the impressions so far. We'll be watching and listening to hear how it works out for you. I'm sure it will be great from what I've read so far.

Now if I could just take back some of those :censored: clothes back that I got for Christmas....

[Tram]

I tell you what guys.. those Aero Aces from AirHOgs are the most fun I've had in a while.. I let my sister and my brother'n law fly them and they were flying combat with them in minutes.. :D

[wheatfly]

I got a GWS spitfire I'm pretty excited about. I'm not sure when I will get to build it though.

[dee-grose]

Hey Wheatfly, I got a Spitfire waiting to be built too. I'm planning on putting my Esskay brushless motor ($29 from HobbyLobby) on their. A BP12 from www.balsapr.com would be good too. We need to get our Spits built and flying together soon...there's a pesky Jerry ME-109 that keeps buzzing around up here. We need to send him packin'!

War Eagle!

Andy

[ghee-grose]

Hey Chrome Dome, after seeing you with that bicycle helmet on, my memory jogged a while to a time when I saw a guy resembling you riding one of those reclined bike thingys. Was that you??? :rolleyes:

[wheatfly]

For sure dee. I have two of those 400XT's and was considering putting one on my spit as well. I got them when they were 20 bucks a piece. I've been following a thread on them for a while and they seem to be good motors. Especially for the price.
I had planned on building it with the stock motor first and then putting the brushless on it later. No removable cowl though. :( I have read about people just cutting the nose off and then using rare earth magnets to hold it on. Makes for easier motor access but I haven't decided how I want to do it. Do you know of any recommended mods? I haven't researched the Spit. I submitted three GWS warbirds on my wish list and let my girlfriend pick one. Seems they all have some distinct differences but for the most part they are all good fliers.

[wheatfly]

I think I saw a post elsewhere that TRAM got a spit as well.

[dee-grose]

Wheat, I really haven't read up very much on the Spits. I'm just hoping to build it light so it will fly good. I plan on just doing ailerons/elevator...no rudder. I also want to decorate it up a little so it looks good too. Maybe some invasion stripes.

Those 400XT motors are a pretty good deal I think. I haven't flown mine, but Gary has. His is on his Yak55. Got plenty of punch for that plane. It should be interesting getting that motor to mount in the Spit. Maybe one of those stick-to-radial mounts might line up just right.

Not sure where the Spit is gonna fall on my gotta-get-built list, but it will be near the top of the queue. Maybe we can do a co-operative build thread...

Andy

[wheatfly]

That would be cool. I'm not good at documenting what I do. However I was also thinking very seriously about just doing the aileron/elevator as well. I think keeping it light is the key.

[ghee-grose]

I speak from experience on the "no rudder" issue.... I rarely use rudder on my ME-109. It doesn't knife edge worth crap, I don't have landing gear on it to steer it on the ground, and the extra weight is exactly EXTRA.... so I say it isn't worth installing a servo for an operational rudder.

On the subject of the 400XT.... I've had great use out of mine so far. It's on my Yak 55 that weighs in around 12oz and it will hover around 50% throttle or so. I'm swinging an APC 10x3.8 though. If you prop it for speed, maybe a GWS 8x6 or 9x7, it should hum. :D

Motor mount.... I didn't go "stick mount" with my BP-12. I fashioned a ply firewall and made some custom bracing with foam to firm it up. Gorilla glue is great for this! And for access to the motor/connections I cut a hatch out of the top of the cowling area. I keep it taped in until I need to access the wires. I almost did the "cut out cowling" and hold it on with magnet deal like I think you've seen. I took the simple NOW approach. (maybe I won't have to replace it before the plane is used up) :o


You spitfire guys just bring it on!!! So far I'm flying solo in these skies with my ME-109! :cool:

[Johnnie Paul]

You spitfire guys just bring it on!!! So far I'm flying solo in these skies with my ME-109! :cool:


Dominance in air superiority...

Sounds like a combat challenge, do the Renegades combat at all? :D

[ghee-grose]

We've yet to combat in the way most R/C folks combat (streamers). The only combat I've seen take place is at the slopes... and that's full contact! **very FUN***

I've taken part in some mock combat sessions with Andy, Brian, and fyrwalker on several occasions before using crepe paper streamers attached to our slow sticks. **very FUN** After you guys get good with your slow sticks we might have to try this in the Renegade group. Think about it... 6 slow sticks in the air, gunning for each others ribbon!!!

[isvana]

How did you get on with the 400XT and Spitfire? I was going to try the same thing, but it looks like the 400XT shaft is too short to use the spinner, which would make the plane look odd.

[dee-grose]

Haven't tried the 400XT on my spitfire yet...sorry.