Ep 216: Tom’s Home for One Episode—and Ron Bought a Nitro Plane?!

Tom is home and back in the studio with Ron and Dave—but only for this episode during his brief visit. Tom’s wife, Lori, is also there and briefly joins the conversation to settle an argument about exactly how Ron was persuaded to take a day off for their trip to Dynamic Balsa.

The episode begins on a personal note as Dave discusses the loss of his wife earlier that morning. He explains why he still decided to record with his friends and reminds everyone how important it is to spend time with the people closest to them.

Ron recaps his visit to the Illini Jets event at Eli Field, including the strong turnout, impressive turbine aircraft, a massive twin-turbine F-14, and some of the best food the guys have ever seen served at an RC fly-in.

The guys then examine the new Skynetic F-35C Lightning II Micro 30mm EDF Jet. Although its flight performance appears promising, they have plenty to say about its molding, oversized panel lines, painted canopy, unusual underside, and price.

They also preview several upcoming Illinois RC events:

• Horizon Hobby RC Fest — August 29 at Eli Field in Monticello, Illinois

• Streator Fall Scramble Warbirds & Classics — September 10–12 in Streator, Illinois

• SIRS Vintage Fly-In — September 12 near McLean, Illinois

• Illini Warbirds and Classics — September 24–26 at Eli Field in Monticello, Illinois

Finally, Ron and Tom recount their visit to Dynamic Balsa. Ron went looking for servos and a SIG Kavalier, forgot the servos entirely, and came home with an unidentified vintage glow-powered airplane. The guys inspect its K&B engine, old 72 MHz radio equipment, unusual appearance, and chances of successfully returning to the air.

Tom also adds a Slow Ultra Stick to his hangar, while Dave discusses his BluFo, Yak 55, Blue Max, Goldberg Cub, and the restoration of Reggie’s older E-flite Ultimate.

The episode closes with an important maintenance reminder: inspect the nylon clevises, snapper keepers, and other plastic control-linkage components in your airplanes. Heat, age, and dry storage conditions can make these parts brittle enough to fail in flight.

Timestamps

• 00:12 – Tom is home and in the studio for one episode

• 04:04 – A personal update from Dave

• 07:56 – Ron’s visit to the Illini Jets event

• 16:10 – The Skynetic F-35C Micro EDF

• 24:36 – RC Fest and upcoming Illinois RC events

• 35:59 – The SIRS Vintage Fly-In

• 40:17 – Ron and Tom’s trip to Dynamic Balsa

• 47:31 – Ron’s unidentified vintage glow airplane

• 01:01:42 – Tom buys a Slow Ultra Stick

• 01:03:44 – Dave’s building and restoration projects

• 01:06:33 – Inspecting brittle nylon control linkages

• 01:07:34 – Illini Warbirds and Classics at Eli Field