Model Radio-Controlled Vehicles

History

Building and piloting remote control vehicles is a hobby practiced around the world by children and adults. Most remote control vehicles are controlled by radio signals and the terms "radio control" and "remote control" are used synonymously. Hobbyists often shorten "radio control" and "remote control" to "RC."

Remote controlled vehicles are generally grouped into "toy grade," which are suitable for children and do not require extensive construction, and "hobby grade" which are suitable for adolescents and adults and may require construction and knowledge of specialized techniques.

Radio control technology was discovered by the Italian inventor Guglielmo Marconi in the late nineteenth century. In 1899, Marconi developed the first military applications for radio communication; Morse code messages were sent between naval vessels. By the 1920s, military engineers were using radio signals to control vehicles.

Radio signals are detected by a receiver and then translated into electrical impulses. Electrical signals can then be used to ignite a fuel source or power a motor attached to different components of a machine. Different frequencies may be used to control independent aspects of a vehicle's operation, such as steering and throttle.

Immediately following the invention of aircraft and automobiles, model manufacturers began creating scale models. In 1911, the first miniature engine for an aircraft was created. The miniature engine was featured in the first US model aircraft show in 1914. Early RC planes used motors for thrust, but did not have steering capability.

In 1937, Walt and Bill Good achieved the first successful flight of a steerable RC airplane, "The Big Guff." The airplane, made from fruitwood and fabric, is on display at the Smithsonian Museum in New York City.

Building model planes, or aeromodeling, soon became a popular hobby around the world. The enthusiasm for model planes led to the formation of the first aeromodeling associations. The Academy of Model Aeronautics was founded by the Good brothers in 1936.

Engines designed for model airplanes were adapted by model car enthusiasts to create the first radio controlled automobiles in the early 1960s. RC cars were made exclusively by independent hobbyists until toy companies entered the market in the late 1960s. Most of the first remote control cars were 1:8 scale.

Following the invention of the first helicopter, in 1941, model enthusiasts tried to design radio controlled helicopters. The first successful RC helicopter was build by German hobbyist Dieter Schluter in 1968.

During the 1960s, model engineers also began experimenting with remote control boats. Early RC boats were sail boats that used servomechanisms to move the sail. Subsequent designs used motors or fuel-powered engines for propulsion.

Some hobby class RC vehicles used a specialized type of fuel similar to that used by high performance racing cars. By the early 1970s, some companies were manufacturing electric-powered engines that did not require fuel. Electric engines eventually led to the development of "toy class" RC vehicles.

In the late 1970s, aeromodelers created the first RC jet aircraft with miniature jet turbine engines. At the same time, Japanese model car manufacturer Tamiya released the first off-road RC cars. The Tamiya off-road varieties gave birth to a new subset of the RC hobby.

During the early 1980s, the division between toy and hobbyist models widened as some companies specialized in the toy market and other manufacturers created kits for advanced hobbyists. A proliferation of clubs and organizations for RC enthusiasts led to international conventions and competitions for performance and design of hobbyist class vehicles.

The advent of internet communication in the 1990s led to the growth of an international market for RC hobbyists. By 2000, the growth of internet vendors led to a decline in the number of local RC dealers and engineers. Contemporary RC hobbyists often communicate through chat rooms and internet forums. RC hobbyists also sell RC vehicles internationally.

Types of Remote Control Vehicles

Automobiles

Remote control automobiles come in a variety of sizes and models. Some of the most popular remote control automobiles are 1:12 scale, 1:10 scale and 1:8 scale. Some manufacturers specialize in miniature RC cars, which are 1:18 scale.

Remote control automobile organizations hold races and competitions for speed, design, and off-road capability. Most remote control cars utilize electric engines, but there are some that utilize fuel-powered engines.

Airplanes

Remote control airplanes come in a variety of sizes and models. Gliders utilize remote control for steering but do not have throttle capability. Powered planes use remote controls to operate electric or fuel-powered engines. Thrust can be accomplished by using a rotary engine attached to a propeller or by using fuel-powered turbines for jet propulsion.

Some aeromodelers create RC planes using specifications from full-sized aircraft that have been adapted for the RC medium. Aeromodeling organizations have been formed in many countries and regularly hold competitions for speed, design, and piloting abilities.

Helicopters

Remote control helicopters are generally more difficult to design than remote control airplanes. There are a variety of toy class helicopters available through hobby shops and specialty vendors. Advanced hobbyists have designed helicopters that utilize turbine engines for thrust.

Boats

Remote control boats are available in wind-, electric- and fuel-powered varieties. Manufacturers and independent designers have created a variety of scales, including 1:10, 1:12 and 1:8. There are a number of toy-class boats available through hobby shops and specialty vendors.

Specialty Craft

Some manufacturers have created a number of alternative RC vehicles including blimps, zeppelins, hovercrafts and spacecraft. Hovercrafts have become a popular item in the toy-grade RC market, and generally utilize wind power for thrust. Model zeppelins and blimps have also become popular toy grade vehicles; however, some manufacturers have created realistic, hobby-class floating aircraft. In some cases, hobbyists have bought or constructed RC vehicles that can be controlled wirelessly using a smartphone. Furthermore, advancements have been made in the types of batteries used to power electric RC vehicles, with lithium polymer batteries being used more often as a lighter option that holds voltage for longer.

Model Radio-Controlled Vehicles for Fun vs. Profit

Some RC hobbyists have turned their hobby into a career by building and selling completed RC vehicles. Fully constructed RC vehicles can sell for $50 or for as much as several thousand dollars. Some hobby shops, consignment shops, specialty retailers, and internet vendors allow independent builders to sell RC vehicles.

Some hobbyists create plans for RC vehicles or convert engineering schematics for full-sized vehicles into blueprints for RC hobbyists. Plans for RC projects can sell for $10 to several hundred dollars. Private engineers can sell RC plans over the internet, through sites such as eBay, or through mail-order vendors.

Learning More

Organizations

Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA). <http://www.modelaircraft.org/>

Quarter Scale Auto Club (QSAC). <http://www.qsac.org/>

Remotely Operated Auto Racers (ROAR). <http://www.roarracing.com/>

Books

Boddington, David. Radio Controlled Model Aircraft. Crowwood Press, 2005.

Ellis, Chris. Complete Book of Radio Controlled Models: How to Build and Operate Model Boats, Aircraft, Cars and Trucks. Book Sales Press, 1999.

Harman, Alan. The Basics of Radio Controlled Model Cars. Motorbooks International, 1995.

Schleicher, Robert. How to Build and Fly Electric Model Aircraft. MBI Press, 2005.