DIY Network

RC HobbyVisions: Boats, Tanks, Helicopters, Toys and Robots From "Special Presentation" episode DHBV-S

In this DIY special Chris Chianelli, host of DIY Radio Control Hobbies, attends the Las Vegas Hobby Expo and gets a first-hand look at some of the latest products and developments from the world of radio-controlled models. The Hobby Expo takes place at Las Vegas' Riviera Hotel and boasts 40,000 square feet of displays and demonstrations -- and more than 350 manufacturers -- of innovative RC products from around the country and around the world.

This segment features boats, helicopters, tanks and more. In fact, HobbyVisions is not solely dedicated to RC models. Other hobbies such as build-it-yourself historic models, giant-scaled model trains, and strange-looking electronic robots as well as a variety of newly developed toys were all featured at the show.

The Villain EX by Traxxas®.

The gang from DIY's amateur-robotics series Robot Rivals were on hand with some -- er -- manmade automated teeshirt-projectile propulsion devices.

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Chris takes a respite from the trade-show floor out at the gondolier fountain at the Las Vegas Venetian Hotel where some electrically powered racing boats are being shown. Some of those include the Caribbean Cruiser® from Megatech (figure A), the MX from Performance Products® (figure B) and the Coastguard Cutter (figure C) from Midwest Products®.

Figure A

Figure B

Figure C

For enthusiasts of military history, Forces of Valor® creates remarkably accurate and detailed die-cast replicas of tanks and military vehicles. On the 1/32-scale model tanks (figure D), for example, the gun turrets actually turn, the tracks roll and the hatches open. They make war replicas from various eras from WWII to present day. They also make a variety scenic dioramas as settings for the pieces.

For those who prefer mobile RC military models, Tamiya displayed electrically operated RC tanks (figure E). These feature digital sound effects and infra-red "guns" that can temporarily immobilize opponent vehicles in simulated combat.

Figure D

Figure E

Figure F

Horobo Llama® (figure F) distributed by MRC is a miniature helicopter with a relatively simple design. Its counter-rotating main rotors make it very easy to fly. This design helps keep the body level and stable at any flight altitude. Since it is tethered to the controller by a cable, the weight of the model can be kept down because no on-board batteries are needed. This also eliminates the problem of radio interference from other models.
On the lighter side of the expo, some of the toys on display included the Supermag® from Plastwood®. This magnetic building set (figure G) can be put together in countless configurations, and is great for all ages.

Bruder Toys® featured functional 1/16-scale trucks (figure H) and other toys built from ABS plastics.

Figure G

Figure I