Whatever you choose, think carefully about just how you will be spending your time with your new hobby and balance this against your current level of experience. Here is just a taste of the options open to you.
On-Road vehicles.
On-road cars are undoubtedly the most popular type of radio controlled vehicle. The standard for on-road radio controlled cars is the 1/10 scale model, although 1/8 scale models are also commonly seen. With the recent influx of micro and mini rc cars, there are now also a number of hobby quality on-road cars as small as 1/18 scale.
Both electric and nitro radio controlled cars come in on-road versions, and can be purchased either ready to run or as self-build kits. Built and geared for speed, on-road radio controlled cars should be your choice if you plan to race your cars.
Off-Road vehicles.
If you want to be able to run your radio controlled cars just about anywhere, you'll definitely need the rugged construction of an off-road vehicle. These sturdy cars and trucks will handle hills, uneven terrain, jumps and even sand. Available in two or four-wheel drive versions, off-road vehicles can be driven in your back yard, a vacant lot or just about anywhere you like.
Like their on-road counterparts, off-road radio controlled cars can be purchased ready to run or as self-build kits and there is a wide range of both electric and nitro cars, as well as trucks, for you to choose from.
Although they are not the fastest cars available, off-road rc cars are durable, rugged and can be run practically anywhere.
Buggies.
These durable little vehicles are powerful enough to handle on and off-road terrains with speeds of up to 60 mph and are becoming increasingly popular. Although buggies can be great fun, for a wide choice of models, you will need to buy your buggy as a self-build nitro kit and this can be a lot to handle for the beginner.
Airplanes.
Radio controlled flyers also feature amongst the most popular and exciting of rc vehicles. Electric and ready-to-run versions are the most accessible for the beginner, though of course there are nitro and self-build kits available to allow for growth and customization.
Radio controlled airplanes are extremely light weight, and can be made to fly at very low speeds. The electric versions are also quiet enough to be run in a school yard, which makes them a great option for the newcomer to the radio controlled scene. If you wish to include competition as a main element of your new hobby though you should be aware that there are many fewer competitions run for rc airplanes than there are for rc cars.
Helicopters.
Though perhaps a little too complicated the beginner, radio controlled helicopters are both exciting and challenging to fly. They are normally run on gas, and can be great fun for the more experienced hobbyist.
Boats and Watercraft.
Available in both electric and nitro powered versions, radio controlled boats are normally only available in kit form and the need for waterproofing adds an additional level of difficulty. As a result, boats and other watercraft are not recommended for beginners but, once you become familiar with the workings of radio controlled vehicles, you will find boats and other watercraft possibly the most fun of all to build and race.
Although it is very much a personal choice, the newcomer would be best advised to start with ready-to-run, on-road electric radio controlled cars and, once he is familiar with the basic art of running and racing rc cars, he can then move up in stages towards his preferred model.
You have been flying model airplanes for sometime now and have mastered how to fly many of these models. You have also learnt how to make many complicated maneuvers and now you feel that you are a master of your game. Now, the question is what to do next? You need not worry. You can start flying you model airplane again, and keep making the same moves, which by now seem to be old. But, that is life. Keep moving!
Well, its time you discover something new. What about model airplane combat? Yes, you can discover a new thrilling experience of taking part in a model airplane combat. This is one of the oldest sports in the model airplane world. The sport is even more popular these days, since the spirit of competition is growing more and more and flyers want to continually prove their superiority in flying these planes. So, better planes are made for such combats and competitions are being organized even on the international level. There are two main bodies that organize these competitions. They are the National Sports Combat Club (NSCC) and the Radio Control Combat Association (RCCA).
The contestants in this combat sport try cutting a long streamer tied on the rear of their opponent's plane and their opponents try to do the same. They have to cut these streamers using their propellers or wings. There are various categories, which have been created to make the sport more interesting. These categories are mostly based on the material used to make certain model planes and the types of planes involved. All these models fly together and involve themselves in midair battle, to prove to the opponents, who is the real master of the game. Some of these include Slow Survivable Combat (SSC), Open Classes, and Scale categories. You can't compete with someone, unless one is from the same category as yours. There are other rules, which must be followed, which also involve aspects like the engine size, the weight of the plane, the shape of the fuselage, the propeller size and so on.
The rules are not actually meant to test the superiority of the plane, but to test the skill of the pilot. The pilots gain points for various achievements. The obvious one is of course cutting the streamer of the opponent. But, this will also depend on the remaining length of the streamer after the planes land down. If your opponent has a shorter streamer, then it's better for you. The way you cut the streamer also matters. The more you engage your opponent, the more you get points. If you are not aggressive, while in the air, points are deducted. There are also some safety guidelines, which should not be crossed over, for which you may end up losing points. All these rules make the game more interesting. So, stretch your wings and conquer the skies!
Both William Hazelhurst & Victor Epand are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
William Hazelhurst has sinced written about articles on various topics from Recreation and Sports, Hobbies for the Family and Medical Insurance. For more information on and to pick up a free copy of our beginner's guide please visit NitroRadioControlledCars.com today.. William Hazelhurst's top article generates over 49500 views. to your Favourites.
Victor Epand has sinced written about articles on various topics from Shopping, Trucks and Interest. Victor Epand is an expert consultant for model planes and model helicopters. You can find the best marketplace for model planes and model helicopters by visiting the best sites for. Victor Epand's top article generates over 11100000 views. to your Favourites.