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!

The contents of a P6 kit contained within numbered bags arrayed on a table top

airframe - contents

Kit contents

You’ve mulled it over, decided a Pantera P6 is right for you, and pulled the trigger to build yourself one. While you wait, questions include, what have I let myself in for?

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.

Close up of four sets of 600-class helicopter blades

airframe - blades

Selecting a set of blades for your 600-class model may seem confusing. Ranging from $20-120, in order of increasing price, materials include wood, fiberglass, and carbon fiber. Our advice if you're new is start off with a set of woodies.

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.

Seesaw labeled to show the effect of tuning

Airframe - flybar tuning

Flybar head

Whether your model relies on a hybrid-gyro (mechanical 2-axes gyro for the head plus single-axis for the tail) or 3-axis FBL-gyro, the model flies the same. Here's how-to fine tune the mechanical gyro like a pro!

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.