askJOHN

On what makes them different

Servo motors 101

Wondered about differences between iron-core, coreless, and brushless servos? It's down to the motors - we cut them open on a lathe to show you what’s inside!

Close up photo of ProModeler iron core motor component parts

Why some servos cost twice as much!

Servo motors 102

What's inside your servo motor-wise is what determines torque, speed, and most important to folk, the price. We detail the differences in how they're made.

Returning to RC after a long time can make you feel like Rip Van Winkle!

Getting back in the hobby

Rip Van Winkle; returning to RC

30 years is a long time in the world of technology, and RC has been no exception in advancing at a rapid pace. This how-to brings you up to speed on what you've missed!

Overview of the tools required to assemble amodel helicopter

airframe - tools

Tooling up

Gathering up the tools to build your model helicopter begins with metric Allen and nut drivers. Here we review the contents of an experienced builder's tool box.

Graphic labeling the three axes of motion for a helicopter

airframe - hybrid gyros

Heads up

Before someone took 3 single-axis gyros and combined them in one to create the first 3-axis gyro, helis used a mechanical gyro for pitch-and-roll, plus a single-axis gyro for tail rotor.

history - hughes 500

Hughes 500

Do thoughts of flying an airborne hot rod leave you cold? If that's the case then this brief photo-driven history and background regarding the Hughes 500 won't fly.