RC Plane Lab

Tom makes a surprise remote return to the show from his extended deployment in the U.S. Southwest desert. The guys catch up on flying, mishaps, new airplanes, swap meets, repairs, and the ongoing saga of Reggie’s questionable preflight habits. Ron shares the dramatic loss of his X‑Fly Hornet, Dave talks about resurrecting and repainting an F‑16, and Tom confesses to “Tomming” his Turbo Timber into the gravel. The crew also dives into gliders, paramotors, truck upgrades, and future flying plans.

A couple of new releases hit the RC scene, and a day at the field turns into a mix of flying, tinkering, and trailer‑powered success. With a few maiden flights, some quick repairs, and plenty of hangout time, Episode 210 is all about enjoying the hobby and the moments that come with it.

In this episode we talk about the sudden closure of WACO Aircraft Company and what it means for full‑scale aviation fans. Ron goes over the latest trailer upgrades, including the rooftop AC and the new Spektrum S450 charging setup. Dave makes progress assembling Ron’s RACores Yak‑55, and we wrap up with an update on the new Beginner’s Lounge on RCPlaneLab.com.

Head over to https://beginnerslounge.rcplanelab.com!

Tune in to hear how the 2026 Toledo RC Swap Meet and Expo went for the guys!

In this episode, Dave kicks things off with the story behind his April Model Aviation article, “From Trash to Treasure,” and finally shares the full tale behind the project that inspired it.

From there, the guys dive into a wave of new releases hitting the RC world:

Dynam’s E‑2C Hawkeye with its rotating radar dome

E‑flite’s latest lineup — Beechcraft D18/RC‑45J 1.5m, V1200 1.2m, 2m Conscendo, and the new HobbyZone Trojan

Motion RC’s Flightline P‑51

HobbyKing’s Tundra TPX 3D profile plane and the Durafly Brewster F2A Buffalo V2

Banana Hobby’s massive JetRuler 1/9 F‑22 Raptor 2.1m composite turbine jet

The conversation takes a reflective turn as the crew talks about Dumas closing its doors after 75 years — a tough loss for the hobby, especially for fans of their classic rubber-powered airplanes and iconic boat kits.

Then it’s on to swap‑meet season. The guys recap the Eli Swap Meet and why the small shows still deliver some of the best surprises and deals. With Toledo right around the corner, Ron shares the fleet he’s bringing to sell — from the V‑22 Osprey and UMX Beast to the Freewing F‑35, FMS Explorer, and more — and debates whether it’s finally time to pull receivers now that prices have dropped again.