Thoughts from the workbench of Radical RC. The online retailer of electronics and kits for radio control aircraft. Dave Thacker shares his thoughts and knowledge of electronics, batteries, kit design and overall enjoyment of the hobby.
Steve also informs me of a pilot doll he found on ebay: Legacy of Valor Wright Brothers Figures. So, more scale detail to come.
Click image to see full size. Thanks for the photo’s Steve!
Interested in this kit? Check it out HERE.
I have a strong conviction; if we want strong trade shows, vendors need to make sure they show people something new at the show. In todays world of instant internet communication, the moment some new product becomes available, it’s announced and the word is spread instantly. Back in the day, there was an extra level of excitment when attending Toledo or any other big trade show. It was you chance to see the newest stuff, your chance to get out a couple months ahead of the magazines. Your chance to know what was going on in our hobby. If you didn’t go, you were left behind, perhaps to be stuck behind the news and technology curve for the entire season.
For a number of years, we’ve worked hard to do our part to show people something new at The Toledo Show. It’s every vendors responsibility to contribute to a healthy trade show future for all of us. Our hobby needs healty magazines, healthy suppliers, healthy hobby shops and certainly healthy trade shows.
If your a vendor at a trade show, I encourage you do the same. Are you really so desparate and hungry you can’t hold back on exiting item a few weeks to do your part to add excitment to your favorite show? Think about it.
A recent meeting with national parks officials sparked my enthusiasm to work on a highly requested project. Sorry, can’t tell you what the meeting was about…….. However, you will see it in the booth at Toledo and you’ll want one. I’m very excited to test it out myself. It is perhaps the coolest thing to come out of our shop.
Radical RC is located at: 5339 Huberville Ave, Dayton Ohio 45431-1250. 937-256-7727
GPS Geeks: Latitude N+39° 47′ 10.62″, Longitude W-84° 6′ 51.61″
Website: Radical RC (http://www.radicalrc.com)
Hours: Mon-Tue-Wed 9-5pm, Thur & Fri 9-7pm, Saturday 10-2pm, Closed Sunday
Booth at ModelRama?: YES
Our shop is directly across from the Airfroce Museum. Almost driectly across from the flag pole. When you exit Woodman Dr (also called Wright Brothers Parkway) onto Springfield Street, the Air Force Museum grounds are on your right. On your left on a parallel road (Huberville Ave) there is a small neigborhood. There are several commercial buildings on this road. Radical RC is one of these buildings. It is a single story 3 unit 3600 square foot block building. There is usually a large white trailer parked in front of or beside the building. There is no sign visible from the street. Just find 5339 Huberville and your there.
What you’ll find: One of the country’s most unique suppliers. You won’t see much of anything from the big two (Horizon or Hobbico). You’ll find all the supplies you need to really build a model airplane and of course all the model electronics we are world famous for. This is a “Flying Machines” shop.
Visual of the Area:
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Maps and Driving Directions:
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Street View:
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“How much I love Radical RC… also Mini Stick fun…”
“Greetings…My name is Mitch, and I’ve been doing business with you folks for the better part of this year. I’m fortunate enough to be able to drive a short distance to the RRC shop. Ever since my first visit, you folks have treated me to fantastic prices, and best of all, priceless advice and knowledge. I live on a disability income, due to a severe back injury, and even despite my limited amount of money, I’m still able to have a fulfilling hobby due to the affordable prices you are able to pass onto your customers. It also helps to have Dick give me his opinion, maximizing my bang for my buck.
I’ve built a RRC intern trainer which was my 2nd RC aircraft, and I’ve just recently upgraded to one of your mini sticks.
First of all, your laser cutting is fabulous. It’s enough to spoil you if you have to go back and build a traditional die-cut or even scratch built plane. Its true, you can actually frame up nearly the whole plane without a drop of glue. The supplied balsa is light and strong as it should be for this ship. The magnet wing hold down is simply genius, and makes battery swap outs painless and quick. Instructions are clear and concise, but once you build one Radical RC kit, you probably won’t need them much honestly. =)
The mini stick is running a Radical RC CDROM brushless motor (1000KV) on a Castle Creations Thunderbird 9 amp speed control, plugged into a Berg 4L receiver. I’m running 3S 800-1025mAh lipos in that little plane, and the performance is fantastic. The 1025mAh pack just BARELY fits in the fuselage, but once it’s in the air, the added weight isn’t very perceptible amazingly enough. With 3 high capacity packs like that, you can fly until your thumbs wear out! I’m no expert pilot or anything, but it’s an absolute riot to flog this little thing around the sky, and with its diminutive size, its opens up a lot of opportunities for new places to fly. The little outrunner swings a 7×6 prop, and it’s not outrageously fast, but it’s got straight up vertical, and will anxiously climb out from just about any attitude. 3 GWS Pico BB’s servos are a nice match for the control surfaces.
My next project might be another Mini Stick on the opposite end of the spectrum. A 12mm inrunner turning tiny props at super high RPMs for ‘blink-and-you’ll-lose-it’ supersonic speed. =)
All in all, I just had to say thanks for all your hard work and dedication to this hobby. I am blessed to be able to know you guys and do business with you.
P.S. I call dibs on the double-size Intern Trainer if they ever make it to production!”
“Mitch”
September 2008
“Hello Dave, I just wanted to send you a quick note thanking you for some advice. I talked to you briefly at the Dayton show. I asked about crimping terminals onto wires with the pin crimp tool. Two or maybe three years ago I bought terminals and the crimper tool from you. I have tried many times to make the crimper work but they would always come out wrong. I kind of gave up since I couldn’t get them to work. You pointed out that the tool has a raised spot to roll the fingers on the terminal into the wire instead of jamming into each other. I had to study the jaw of the tool to see the nub but it is there. I guess my eyes aren’t as good as they used to be. This has made all the difference in the world. Thank you for the help this has been a source of aggravation for me for quite some time. Now they come out perfect every time.
Thanks again, M. Herman”
February 2005
“Hello, I have received my order, and want to say thanks for the prompt service, nice packaging, and great price. It made my day to come home to that kit so soon. I will order again, and I will encourage my friends too.
Regards,
Bra
Spring Grove IL”
August 2004
“The order arrived Saturday, and I must say that I am impressed—once again–with your service. Thanks for being the kind of company you are.
Mel”
August 2004
“Hey Dave, Just wanted to send off a note to praise Chris. My last order was incorrect, and all it took was a call and Chris was making it right.
Thanks for the great service.
Mike Hawker”
March 2004
“Aloha Dave. I received my order on Saturday, thank you. It’s nice to see you handle your orders efficiently and promptly. I really appreciate it!
Best regards,
Al Battad”
March 2004
“Hi Dave, I just wanted to thank you for the help you’ve given me this week. It’s nice to be out flying again with the right equipment.
I also wanted to pass along kudos for your employee “Chris” who took good care of me when you were off to a show. He answered my questions and filled my order in a hurry (using some very good creativity I might add) to get me up and flying within 2 days. I got to fly all weekend due to Chris’ hustle. This is the stuff that will make me continue to buy from you guys.
Thanks,
Dave Kelly”
March 2004