After 28 years, my local HobbyTown USA will be closing towards the end of this month (1/30/21). It was a great place with great memories and a really good on-road racetrack. Rumor has it that NorCal Hobbies is interested in it but not sure if they will keep it a HobbyTown...probably not.

Yesterday I went down there to pick up 2 Traxxas Slash OBA kits and they gave me one of their Tamiya vinyl banners/posters! So I hung it in my garage just now and it sure looks great!!! The Tamiya Hornet was my first hobby grade RC so this made it extra special! Thanks for the memories and banner HobbyTown USA!!!





Here are some pics of their on-road racetrack...


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Today I bought a used Robbe Modelsports Gemini ARF from an RCG member. Total paid was...

$105 (Robbe Gemini)
N/A (Shipping)
N/A (Tax)
$105.00 (Grand Total)

These came in a RTF (apparently for Europe only) and ARF versions. I bought the ARF used from a member on here since these are discontinued and are hard to find.

I've always loved the Air Hogs Storm Launcher and I sold my original SL years ago but found a NIB Orange SL on eBay. Well, I'm now kinda hesitant using it since those are also very hard to find but I came across the Robbe Gemini and from what I saw, the Gemini looks to be a much better flyer. Plus, you can use your own electronics, which is what I'd like to do to my SL. I found a used Gemini so I can save my SL for another day maybe.

At first I tried looking on eBay and found one, damaged, seller from outside USA and wanting a ridiculous $100 shipping on top of the $100 for the Gemini...nope! So then I dug through the classifieds here on RCG and simply sent a PM to some really old classifieds. One guy got back to me and said he sold his but didn't update his thread and the other guy got back to me and said his was still for sale!!! Btw, his original classified is going on 5 years this coming May! So just goes to show...it never hurts to ask!!!

The seller said his requires an Rx, Propeller and Battery. So I'll find out which is the recommended for each to use but the seller is including some servos at no cost, so that's cool.

Here is a link to the RCG review...

So I'll update this blog with pics when I get it...

Instead of making a new thread for the different things I do to my X-Maxx or break (lol - they're adding up), I want to create this blog to keep track of my repairs, issues and other things for my X-Maxx.

I started this in the Traxxas forum here... but that forum isn't as nice as RCG as this gives me complete control of my RC blogs/vlogs and I can edit, delete and basically be my own moderator. So this will be my reliable RC journal for my X-Maxx from now on. Enjoy!

This afternoon I went to my LHS and bought a new axial SCX24 crawler (1/24th scale)! They also ended up having a 10% off sale that was nice since it basically covered the tax - lol! Total paid was...

$119.99 (axial SCX24)
-$11.99 (10% Off)
N/A (Shipping)
$11.06 (Tax)
$119.06 (Grand Total)


Cool story...what was really nice is I was looking for a battery cover for a friend's radio that he lost. I They are discontinued and eBay and Amazon sellers are gouging people for nearly $30-$45 for a $6 part. So I called my LHS to see if they still happen to have one lying around unsold and the owner (Tom) said he didn't but he has several of the radios and I can come and pick up the battery door at no cost! So I did but I wanted to buy something from him to show my appreciation for being so kind and generous so I ended up buying this 'lil guy!


Here are some pics (Unboxing video & run video below)...





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IF-And I Stress IF This Is Legit, I Bought A New Traxxas Slash 4X4 OBA Ultimate Today. Total paid was...

$300.39 (Traxxas Slash 4X4-Ultimate w/OBA)
N/A (Shipping)
N/A (Tax)
$300.39 (Grand Total)

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***EDIT - THIS WAS A TOTAL SCAM***


Just wanted others to know I confirmed this was a scam and the website is Sepratama.com so hopefully others come across this and steer clear! They are a scam, just wish someone would remove their website as I found info on them going back to 2018 & 2019 asking if they were legit...

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I found a website that had a brand new Traxxas Slash 4X4 OBA Ultimate (Part #: TRA68077-24) for only $300.39 shipped (regular price is $589.95). I know, it sounds like a scam and for this reason I called and spoke with a rep at PayPal credit card about scams and found their FAQ section on their website for fraud and I'm completely covered. PayPal credit backed by Synchrony Bank and it offers the same fraud protection as any credit card! So what do I have to lose? Aside from time and energy dealing with having to open a fraud case. But IF this is legit...then this is one of the best deals I've found and I'm going back to buy more stuff!!!!

The checkout process was pretty much the same when I selected PayPal for my payment method and it listed...Continue Reading

Traxxas has discontinued all the OBA (On-Board Audio) Slash trucks and I was able to locate one of each (2WD, 4X4 & 4X4-Ultimate) from different locations! ***UPDATE*** I ended up calling the hobby shops the next day and it turns out the hobby shop selling the 4X4 & Ultimate OBS Slash trucks didn't have either one. He looked through his inventory but said he must of sold them and needed to update his website - darn! Figured it was too good to be true! The other hobby shop selling the 2WD OBA-White confirmed they do have it so at least I have this one coming to me! Tracking estimates delivery to be 12/2. Total paid was...

$269.95 (Slash 2wd w/OBA - White)
N/A (Shipping)
N/A (Tax)
$269.95 (Grand Total)

$439.95 (Slash 4X4 w/OBA - Color TBD)
N/A (Shipping)
N/A (Tax)
$709.90 (Grand Total)

So get this, eBay emailed me this morning (11/24) about another Slash 2WD OBA-White that sold for $369.99+$61.05 shipping! So this is nice to know that I can flip this truck for some profit now but if I wait a little longer I might even get more for it or I can part it all out to make the most profit, so we'll see!

I've always liked the OBA sound and I use to own a Slash 2wd Robby Gordon edition that I ended up converting to OBA myself back in 2016 and documented it here...) I really enjoyed that truck but I was able to sell it and parted out some it (i.e., Robby Gordon orange body) along with other stuff and made a very decent profit so I'm hoping I can do the same again!

I'll update this blog with anything else I end up doing which is why I love this blog btw! I get to keep track of my RC escapades over the years!

Here are some stock pics from Traxxas...

2WD OBA...




4X4 OBA...

I know...I'm late to the party on this one but I had my eye on it when it first came out but I decided to buy the Traxxas X-Maxx instead at that time (NO regrets btw! Love the X-Maxx!!!). Total paid was...

Total paid was...

$729.95 (UDR Truck)
$34.99 (Traxxas Link Bluetooth Module)
N/A (Shipping)
N/A (Tax)
-$5.00 (Rewards Discount)
$759.98 (Grand Total)


So today I bought the FOX edition, Orange/White (TRA85086-4-FOX) online from www.beachrc.com/!!! Beach RC had 1 left and since my LHS didn't have it in stock and Traxxas is out of stock with no ETA, I just didn't want to wait months for it to show up. I tried ordering the parts for the "open diff mod" (Part #'s 8577 & 8581) but they didn't have them so maybe I'll get these from eBay. I think initially I'll keep everything bone stock to get a feel for the truck and then start figuring out what I might consider changing, although I do feel I'll be wanting to replacing the metal spool with an open diff sooner than later to help minimize the truck from tipping over.

I'm still trying to figure out the best battery situation I want to use such as using a single 6S battery using the jumper connector vs. dual 3S so I'll update ya on that.

So after doing some research with cross shopping several other trucks such as...

1. Losi Super Baja Rey 2.0 8S
2. ARRMA MOJAVE RTR 6S (V1)
3. ARRMA MOJAVE RTR 6S (V2)
4. ARRMA MOJAVE EXB Roller 6S

...I decided the UDR is the one for me! I can't wait to get it and I'll update ya when I do with more pics you've already seen but not of my unique UDR!

P.S. Plus I ordered some X-Maxx parts with my UDR to finish some stuff on my X-Maxx. So now I feel I'll have the best of both worlds...a basher with the X-Maxx and scale desert/trophy truck with the UDR! Can't wait!!!!

This afternoon, around 1:26pm PST, I bought a 2nd Great Planes PT-40 but this is the original PT-40 that came out around 1987 I think (whereas version 2, the MKII came out around 2008). Total paid was...

$206.50 (Plane)
$30.59(Shipping)
$16.47 (Tax)
-$2.17 (eBay Bucks credit)
$251.39 (Grand Total)

This eBay listing was NIB (New In Box) but it was set as Auction about 1 week ago starting around $15 (no reserve). There were quite a few bidders and of course it drove the price up but I've wanted this plane for a long time now, just to keep for nostalgic reasons. Especially since this is technically the plane I viewed in the two videos I had as a kid and I wanted to buy it back then but I felt building it would have been a little more than I was ready for. So now I have that chance again! USPS shows the delivery date 10/20 but USPS lately has been VERY unreliable so we'll see...

I already have an engine for it too which is a NIB O.S. MAX .40-FP which is the original engine recommended in the manual and in the videos I watched as a kid! Just awesome!!! By they way, I even recorded the eBay auction on my PC and took screenshots of the listing so I can look at this years down the road of finally buying the PT-40.

***NOTE***
I started a thread for this plane when I purchased it earlier this year (5/28/20) and since I have several updated posts within that thread (i.e., engine, books I bought that are for this plane or feature this plane), I kept that entire blog together which has many more details on this plane. I think this will be easier to keep all the dates/timelines organized. It can be read here...


So here are the pics from the eBay listing and of course I'll post my own pics along with an unboxing video when it arrives later this month! Is it really going to be October already!?

This afternoon, around 2:45pm PST, I bought the COX 049 CESSNA 182 SKYLANE off eBay! Total paid was...

$150.00 (Plane Kit)
$26.30 (Shipping)
$11.96 (Tax)
$20.00 (1x PayPal Credit Promo Discount)
$168.26 (Grand Total)

This listing was NIOB (New In Open Box) and includes everything with it. It had a Buy It Now price of $169.99 but I offered $150 and it was accepted. eBay shows the estimated delivery date 7/2.

As far as nostalgia goes, I never owned this plane but I always REALLY liked the look of it! In fact, in my unboxing video for my COX R/C E-Z Bee, I noticed it included the original COX folded catalog - which for that time (around 1988) this Cessna hadn't come out yet but the catalog said it's "coming soon" and in my video I even say how I would have bought this plane instead of my E-Z Bee if it was available.

I've seen others on eBay going for more money than this BRAND SPANKIN' NEW ONE I just bought! Even now, there is an eBay listing for a used, beat up, missing parts going for $202.75 and the description even says "this kit may not be complete. SOLD AS IS." so go figure but the one I bought is all sealed and even the box looks to be in MINT condition!

So here are the pics from the eBay listing and of course I'll post my own pics along with an unboxing video when it arrives next week in July! Is it really going to be July already!?





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This morning, I bought a 2nd Great Planes PT-40 but this is the original PT-40 that came out around 1987 I think (whereas version 2, the MKII came out around 2008) and I bought this original version 1 from an RCGroups.com member. Total paid was...

$100.00 (Plane ARF Kit, Engine & Radio!)
$Free (Shipping)
$N/A (Tax)
$100.00 (Grand Total)

This is NIB and I wanted this to keep for nostalgic reasons since this is technically the plane I viewed in the two videos I had as a kid and wanted to buy back then but I felt building it would have been a little more than I was ready for. So now I have that chance and I got such a great deal on this as they go for $250+ on eBay! USPS shows the delivery date between TBD...

Here is the original classified ad...

I already have an engine for it too (NIB O.S. MAX .40-FP which is the original engine recommended in the manual and in the videos I watched as a kid!) I'll take pics and do an unboxing video once I get it. Here's a pic from the seller...

Tonight, around 9:45pm PST, I bought the Great Planes PT-40 MK II off eBay! Total paid was...

$94.99 (Plane Kit)
$41.88 (Shipping)
$7.58 (Tax)
$144.45 (Grand Total)

This listing was NIB (New In Box) listed as "Never Opened" from Samson RC Hobby Shop out of Missouri (apparently "Mid Missouri's Largest Hobby Shop". A member on here was selling this same exact plane for $125 but also wanted me to pay shipping so I'd rather buy a never opened plane from a hobby shop. eBay shows the estimated delivery date between 5/11 - 5/19...

So, after all these years, I finally bought the PT-40! I watched videos on how to build and fly this plane (see my blog about it here... and here...) but I never ended up buying it so how about now! eBay was selling the PT-40 ARF for $350! btw so no thank you! Then there was another one that you build like this one selling for $250! So I think I got a steal for less than $150 after shipping and tax! plus the MK II was upgraded with stronger building material and landing gear hardware, etc. otherwise it's the same kit as MK I (red/white).

Here are some pics from the eBay listing and I'll post more when it arrives with an unboxing video...





And here are some pics from a 2014 Tower Talk Catalog when they were still selling it...
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This afternoon, around 2pm PST, I bought the COX R/C E-Z Bee off eBay! Total paid was...

$225.00 (Plane Kit)
$0.00 (Free Shipping)
$17.94 (Tax)
$242.94 (Grand Total)

This listing was NIOB (New In Open Box) and included everything with it. It was still more than what I wanted to pay but it was originally listed for $269.99, I offered $175 which was declined, then I offered $200 and they countered with $225. eBay shows the estimated delivery date 4/27.

For nostalgic reasons, this plane was a very special memory for me since it was my very first RC plane ever, so that's why I was willing to pay more for it. However, it didn't end with good memories but I'm hoping I can change that now that I'm older and more experienced in the hobby. Back when I was maybe 11-12 years old, I bought it at my local Price Club (same as today's Costco). My dad and I couldn't get it to start so we took it to a LHS and after trying different fuel, new glow plugs, he couldn't even get it to start so I ended up returning it to the Price Club and I got all my money back. Not sure why I didn't try buying another plane but most likely I was discouraged with the experience as a kid and wasn't patient enough to have to go through that again. Later I ended up buying the Duraplane II which I got to fly once, it crashed, then I bought a proper trainer plane (Royal-Air 20T), joined the AMA and my local flying club and I was flying and having a blast! I was hooked and I've loved flying ever since!...Continue Reading

Late this morning, I bought a Royal Air 20T off eBay. Total paid was...

$150 (Plane ARF Kit)
$14.16 (Shipping)
$12.12 (Tax)
$176.28 (Grand Total)

This happened to be a plane NIB, original packaging and apparently was from an estate sale. eBay shows the delivery date between 4/21-4/28.

This plane was special to me as it was my first plane I trained on after joining the AMA and then my local flying club. I remember having an O.S. .25 engine in it. My flight instructor at that time was great, patient and helped me get it balanced, trimmed out and flying and it flew great! He had a son who was a few years younger than me and was a skilled flyer, flying inverted a few feet off the ground and he was only like 9 or 10 years old. So him and I got along really well. One time, I remember us rigging a plastic cup, inserting a pop sickle stick at the bottom and securing it under the rubber bands that attach the wing to the fuse. Then we would put little rocks in there and flip the plane upside down! Kids up to mischief - lol, good times!!!

One day, I lost signal and it ended up crashing but it wasn't bad at all. So I took it to my neighbor's house (who used to own a hobby shop) and he helped fix it but I ended up leaving it in his garage (my fault) and when I moved away, I forgot it, everything, the flight box, radio, starter, plane.

So now I'm glad I can get this plane again and I'll see how she flies!!! Can't wait and I'll be sure to update my blog...

Here are some pics from the eBay sale...

I'll try to keep updating this post with newer planes so here's my list for now...

Note: The discontinued stuff from Horizon Hobby & Parkzone links no longer work. Up until June/July 2020, they all still linked to the original website listing which was really cool, especially for the older planes but Horizon recently took them all down. So I linked pics of the websites of the Super Cub & Ultra Micro ICON A5 in case HH takes these down too...

Last week, I was trying to think of the first electric RC plane I bought. Then I started thinking of the VERY FIRST plane I ever bought from when I started in RC. So here is my list that I remember, going back to when I first started becoming interested in RC airplanes around the age of 10-11 years old...

I put them in the order I bought them...

01. COX: R/C E-Z Bee (VERY 1st RC Airplane! Bought From Price Club)

02. Duracraft: DuraPlane II

03. Royal: Royal-Air 20T (1st Plane I Trained On After Joining AMA & Flying Club)

04. Hobbyzone: Firebird Commander RTF (1st Electric Plane-Still Own It, Original Box & Everything!)

05. Hobbico: Superstar EP RTF

06. World Models: Super Frontier-40 (Blue) Given to me by my best friend

07. GWS: Pico Tiger Moth ARF Slow Flyer (Still Own It, Original Box & Everything. Hanging In My Office)

08. Parkzone: Spitfire Mk IIB RTF (the P-51 & FW-190 were my friend's planes...)

09. Parkzone: T-28 Trojan RTF

10. Parkzone: F-27B Stryker RTF

11. Unkown Brand: F-15 Eagle RTF (...Continue Reading

Here are some pics of planes I own or owned in the past......Continue Reading