Over the summer I bought 2 Venom Gamblers for my son and I to race around the yard and park. While testing mine after some mods one day, I ran through a very small stream of water, like from a garden hose, and shortly after there was smoke and the ESC was dead. Venom sent me 2 replacement ESC's (free of charge) because I mentioned I bought 2 Gamblers. I replaced mine, but left my son's alone to see if the same problem came up.

If you have ever seen the Gambler's promo video, they drive it in snow. I decided today is the day to test that out. We tried just driving in the yard, but on any upwards incline (and some flat areas) we couldn't get enough traction to have any fun. I'm thinking little snow tires or chains might fix that. So we went out to the back alley where we could race up the blacktop and then cut over into some snow covered grass and plow down a hill and over some piles. It was fun and my truck was packed with snow (see the attachment). Happily, there were no problems this time. However, my son's truck started to not respond and ESC started smoking after about 5 minutes. I have the replacement in the basement, so it is no big deal. It should only take 15 minutes to replace and I have everything I need to replace it.

Besides that, it was fun to take the trucks out in the winter. The cold had a noticeable effect on the performance and the snow packed around everything didn't help. The motor was cold to the touch by the time I had it back on the stool (I didn't want a wet truck on the bench with other projects I am working on). But we were just seeing if we could run them in the snow. Mission accomplished.

I have been looking at the BNF E-Flite UMX Gee Bee v2's for a few months now and all the sudden the price drops like $80? My wife didn't even try to talk me out of getting one when I told her I was picking one up after work today because of the price drop and how big the price drop is. She does appreciate a good sale. The only condition was I have to take my son with me to get it. Not a problem as he loves the LHS and can fly an mCX2, mQX and HZ Champ along with drive a Venom Gambler and Traxxas Blast with no help. Not bad for 7.

Too bad it is so cold out.Phoenix has a Gee-Bee Z in it. I guess I will try and get some sim time in while waiting for a break in the weather.

Well there was not much flying until New Years Day when there was the first of many indoor fun flies at a local sports dome. My LHS, Time Flys Hobbies, seems to have partnered up with the dome and have been getting in one day a week for flying or racing for only $10 per pilot/driver. They are a lot of fun. Unfortunately after my first fun fly the stomach flu of death literally put me down for a week.

I stopped by the LHS over the weekend with some gift certificates and ended up leaving with a Hobby Zone Champ. One of the other guys at the store talked me out of this one a while ago because it is 3 channel, but Ray talked me back into it and I am glad he did. This is the perfect little plane to share with my kids. Plus now that I have flown a plane, I feel more confident about taking the jet that has been sitting in my basement for 3 months out for a test flight.

Of course while I was typing this the phone rang and my daughter is sick and needs to be picked up. So much for getting out for a quick flight after work. Oh well.

Here are 2 recent flying vids:

Callum and the Hobby Zone Champ - 1/12/2013 (3 min 33 sec)

Time Flys Hobbies Fun Fly 1/1/2013 (4 min 2 sec)

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