Radio Controlled Lightning Models
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Really Old "Member"
Joined: May 1999
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From: Kennesaw, Ga. USA
Radio Controlled Lightning Models
Evening All:
This is a rather unusual message, but I do try to help when I can and when I can't I still try.
We just opened up our new HobbyTown USA two weeks ago and it is an overwhelming success.
We moved from a traditional store layout of around 7000 sq ft, which was already large, to a former 8 screen movie theatre with over 30000 sq ft. It is not your fathers hobby store, to steal a line from Oldsmobile.
And, the volume is far beyond our wildest dreams.
That is good, and that is bad in the sense that several of you have asked about the various Lightning packages we offered over the last year or so.
This sort of side business was very time consuming insofar as I had to make a lot of special deals with suppliers, had to do all the e-mail stuff as well as telephone calls etc. and keep my RC guys busy building a ton of vehicles. It was a labor of love so to say, but really ate up the time.
At this point, I will not be able to even obtain the inventory I need to satisfy the business I have at the store, let alone do a lot of side business with f150online members.
So, may I offer the following advice to those of you who wish to replicate your real Lightnings with an RC vehicle.
1. Vehicle:
Tamiya has an excellent, very true to original replica of the 99/00 Lightning.
It is very easy to build and the instructions are pretty foolproof.
The costs vary, but you can get it in the $90 to $100 range almost anywhere and that includes the chassis, body, motor and mechanical speed control.
2. Radio
I would suggest a Futaba 2 channel controller which can be obtained for $60 to $80.
3. Battery/Charger
A typical sport battery will cost about $20, a base charger around $40.
4. Mods
By all means get an electronic speed control to replace the mechanical one. Prices range from $45 to whatever you wish to spend up to $150, but a really nice one will set you back about $80.
A 1700 mh battery goes for about $35 and gives better power and run time. For the enthusiast, a nickel metal hydride 2000 mh battery is definitely the way to go but you need a charger that goes for about $135 to handle it.
A good modified stock motor goes for around $30 and a really hot one is $10 to $15 more but your run time will suffer. The NMH battery will help with the run time.
A complete bearing kit to replace the plastic bushings in the axles and trannie is from $35 to $45 depending on brand and quality.
My own personal RC Lightning has all the high line stuff mentioned above plus some better tires and would go out the door to a customer for about $375 exclusive of building costs and paint.
You should be able to obtain all of the stuff I mention from any competent hobby retailer in your home town or from etailers such as Tower Hobbies or similar sites or
by mail order.
I will, on the other hand, be ready, willing and able to offer advice through this board or via e-mail if you have any questions as to what to buy for your RC Lightning. May take a day or so, but I will do my best.
Bill
------------------
99.5 Lightning
Build #247
PSP Chip/Filter
Bassani full system
White/normal options
Tamiya 1/10 scale Bolt
Several old trucks/cars
Thunder & Lightning
Rag Doll Cats
E-mail MOSTOYSINC@AOL.com
Kennesaw, Ga. (Atlanta)
This is a rather unusual message, but I do try to help when I can and when I can't I still try.
We just opened up our new HobbyTown USA two weeks ago and it is an overwhelming success.
We moved from a traditional store layout of around 7000 sq ft, which was already large, to a former 8 screen movie theatre with over 30000 sq ft. It is not your fathers hobby store, to steal a line from Oldsmobile.
And, the volume is far beyond our wildest dreams.
That is good, and that is bad in the sense that several of you have asked about the various Lightning packages we offered over the last year or so.
This sort of side business was very time consuming insofar as I had to make a lot of special deals with suppliers, had to do all the e-mail stuff as well as telephone calls etc. and keep my RC guys busy building a ton of vehicles. It was a labor of love so to say, but really ate up the time.
At this point, I will not be able to even obtain the inventory I need to satisfy the business I have at the store, let alone do a lot of side business with f150online members.
So, may I offer the following advice to those of you who wish to replicate your real Lightnings with an RC vehicle.
1. Vehicle:
Tamiya has an excellent, very true to original replica of the 99/00 Lightning.
It is very easy to build and the instructions are pretty foolproof.
The costs vary, but you can get it in the $90 to $100 range almost anywhere and that includes the chassis, body, motor and mechanical speed control.
2. Radio
I would suggest a Futaba 2 channel controller which can be obtained for $60 to $80.
3. Battery/Charger
A typical sport battery will cost about $20, a base charger around $40.
4. Mods
By all means get an electronic speed control to replace the mechanical one. Prices range from $45 to whatever you wish to spend up to $150, but a really nice one will set you back about $80.
A 1700 mh battery goes for about $35 and gives better power and run time. For the enthusiast, a nickel metal hydride 2000 mh battery is definitely the way to go but you need a charger that goes for about $135 to handle it.
A good modified stock motor goes for around $30 and a really hot one is $10 to $15 more but your run time will suffer. The NMH battery will help with the run time.
A complete bearing kit to replace the plastic bushings in the axles and trannie is from $35 to $45 depending on brand and quality.
My own personal RC Lightning has all the high line stuff mentioned above plus some better tires and would go out the door to a customer for about $375 exclusive of building costs and paint.
You should be able to obtain all of the stuff I mention from any competent hobby retailer in your home town or from etailers such as Tower Hobbies or similar sites or
by mail order.
I will, on the other hand, be ready, willing and able to offer advice through this board or via e-mail if you have any questions as to what to buy for your RC Lightning. May take a day or so, but I will do my best.
Bill
------------------
99.5 Lightning
Build #247
PSP Chip/Filter
Bassani full system
White/normal options
Tamiya 1/10 scale Bolt
Several old trucks/cars
Thunder & Lightning
Rag Doll Cats
E-mail MOSTOYSINC@AOL.com
Kennesaw, Ga. (Atlanta)