Designed by Pat Tritle, the Piper Vagabond is a 40-inch-span, 4-channel RC park flyer that’s under the 250-gram FRIA limit. Built primarily of balsa, it flies well and delivers 15-minute flights on an 800mAh 2S LiPo (it can also fly on a 400mAh 2S LiPo). Short kit available from ManzanoLaserWorks.com WS: 40 in.; weight: 8.5 oz.; power: Himax 2218-840 outrunner; 4 channels; LD 2; 2 sheets

FEATURES FLIGHT REPORTS
Construction: 1/7-scale Hawker Hind
Build and fly this RAF biplane classic

Seagull Models/Legend Hobby
Van’s RV-8 “Old Crow” By Richard Dery
A fun scale fyer with a wide fight envelope
By Fitz Walker

How To: Combat Conversion
A glow to electric transformation
By Scott H. Kruize

XFly-Models Twin Otter
From land or water, this STOL aircraft delivers fun!
By John Dueck

Feature: Servos 101
Choose the right one for your model
By Ed Rogala

Gallery: Fighting Falcon
Chris “Moe” Gleason’s 1/5-scale F-16

How To: Install Gas Engines
Must-know advice for strong, reliable setups
By John Glezellis

Flight Technique: Perfect Your Takeoffs
Proven advice that works for every type of plane
By David Scott

FEATURED VEHICLES
MAXXED OUT!
We Load Up the Traxxas Mini Maxx With as Many Upgrades as We Can

STEP INTO THE RING
Taking the Fight to the Opposition With Tamiya’s Fighter NXGEN

TACO TIME!
Carisma SCA-1E 2.1 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro Rolling Chassis

SPECIAL PROJECT: BOXWOOD BEAUTY
A Custom Crafted Mini-Me Ford Bronco

FEATURES

FIRST LOOK: HITS DIFFERENT
Pro-Line Racing’s 1/8 Axis Clear Body for Arrma Typhon 223S

UNVEILED
Tamiya USA Takes Us to the Nuremberg Toy Fair 2025

FIRST LOOK: TRICK SPINNERS
Introducing the Traxxas Pro Scale Aluminum Wheel System

FIRST LOOK: WALL CRAWLER
Axial UTB10 Capra 4WS 1:10 4WD RTR

TEST BENCH

SPEKTRUM IXSR 6-CHANNEL TRANSMITTER

KOSWORK 3-LAYER PIT/DISPLAY STAND

FEATURES

Royal Navy Wildcats
Grumman’s carrier-based fighter
excels in His Majesty’s Service
By Clive Rowley, MBE RAF (Ret.)

“Big Juicy”
R.K. Smithley battles the Los Angeles
Wildfires in a DC-10 fire bomber
By Jan Tegler

Hunting the Hunters
Memories of a night intruder pilot
By James P. Busha, as told by James F. “Lou” Luma,
Flying Officer RCAF 418 Squadron, and later First
Lieutenant USAAF 802nd Reconnaissance Group

Tales of the 21
Lethal Cold War icon
By Barrett Tillman

The Gooney Turns 90
Still one of the most important transport aircraft of all time
By Geoff Jones

Vehicle Features
FILL’ER UP
Jada’s Retro Cool 1957 Chevrolet Suburban With
Chevron Gas Pump

AMBITIOUS VISION
The Automodello ONE24 Cadillac Allanté

LIGHTS OUT!
Bburago’s Formula One Mercedes-AMG F1 W14
& Red Bull RB19 Replicas

MAIN SQUEEZE
Johnny Lightning’s 2019 Corvette ZR1 Displays Scale
Precision With Big Performance Presence

ROTARY LEGEND
Jada Toys JDM Tuners 1985 Mazda RX-7 FC

PRECISION RALLY REPLICA
CMC Porsche 904 Carrera GTS Rallye
Monte Carlo 1965

WHOA, THAT’S HEAVY!
GCD DiecastTalk Exclusive 1:64 Toyota
1985 Hilux SR5 Xtracab

FEATURED VEHICLES

SPECIAL PROJECT: MID MOTOR MACHINE.
A Highly-Customized Traxxas Slash 2WD Basher

SUPER Z
Tamiya’s Motul Autech Z TT-02 Super GT Contender

ELEVATING EXPECTATIONS
Tekno Sets the Standard for Truggies With the ET48 2.2

RALLY READY
Carisma GT24 2.0 Subaru Impreza WRC 1999

SPECIAL PROJECT: CAMPTEQ CRAWLER
Trail Buds RC & SBW Team Up for a Custom FMS FCX18 Land Cruiser

FEATURES
FIRST LOOK: CHECK OUT THAT 4X4!
Pro-Line Racing’s 1985 Toyota HiLux SR5 Clear Body for Axial SCX24

GREAT SCOTT!
Are Toy Grade RCs Worth Picking Up? We Examine the Jada Toys
Back to the Future RC Time Machine for Customization Possibilities

FIRST LOOK: AXIAL AXP8 GILAMON 2.2 TRAIL BUGGY
A New Era of Axial Performance

TEST BENCH

PRO-LINE TRACK BAG WITH TOOL HOLDER

FEATURES

Feature: Celebrating Military Aviation
Dino DiGiorgio Sr. Memorial Warbird Rally
By David Hart

How To: Fiberglass a Wing
Tips for producing a smooth surface
By Denny Deweese 30

Flight Technique: Up, Down & All Around
Four advanced aerobatic moves
By John Glezellis 42

Feature: Flight Test Jitters?
Expert advice to ensure success
By Gerry Yarrish 53

How To: Paint Scale Markings
Neat, precise results using Callie Graphics masks
By Ed Rogala

Seagull Models/Legend Hobby Magic Bird
This pylon racer is your ticket for speed!
By Fitz Walker

FMS Avanti 90mm EDF
18th anniversary beauty!
By Andrew Griffith

FEATURED VEHICLES
THE O.G.
Traxxas Bigfoot 4×4 BL-2s: The Legendary
Monster Truck Reimagined in RC Form

BAJA BRILLIANCE
Tamiya Ford Baja Bronco Combines
Off-Road Fun With Classic Style

SPECIAL PROJECT: THE KRAKEN RELEASED!
Todd Moen’s Kraken RC KV5TT Replica
Bryce Menzies Red Bull Trophy Truck

A LEGEND RETURNS
We Welcome Back Team Associated’s
RC10GT Classic Gold Edition
FEATURES

FULL THROTTLE THRILLS
RC Drag Racing Is All About the Rush of Straight-Line Speed

FORTIFIED TO PERFORM
Beefi ng-Up Our Losi Mini-T 2.0 With RPM Upgrade Parts

BONDING THE BEAD
How to Glue RC Tires in 7 Simple Steps

LOAD AND GO
Pit & Hauler Bag Buyer’s Guide

TEST BENCH

PROTOFORM BETTER EDGE SYSTEM