Periscope

Radio Control Boat Modeler, Jun 2003

WHAT'S NEW AND NOTEWORTHY ON THE WATER

INTERACTIVE TOY CONCEPTS

Blade 1W-X Snowmobile

COLD WEATHER CUTTING EDGE!

The RC Boat Modeler offices were hit pretty hard this past winter. What is a hardcore RC boater to do when the water freezes, and you can't get your regular high-speed fix? One solution that we had a lot of fun with was this Blade 1W-X RC snowmobile from Interactive Toy Concepts. The Blade looks pretty scale up close and on the snow; it has an independently sprung front suspension and a full-length rubber track for dig-in traction. The Blade comes with a 2-channel transmitter, 8-cell Ni-Cd battery and a wall charger. Obviously, a snowmobile should be designed for outdoor use, and the Blade is, but it comes with a spare set of blades with built-in rollers for indoor use on carpet as well. Best of all, the Blade won't use up all your boating allowance before your pond thaws out" it costs just $99. Interactive Toy Concepts (866) 214-2220; interactivetoy.com.

Billing Boats and Futaba

Zeeschouw fishing vessel and 6XAS radio Scale goodies from Great Planes

Billing Boats has thoroughly revised the Zeeschouw-a 1/22-scale model of an early 20th century Dutch fishing boat. The kit now features laser-cut parts and streamlined instructions for a faster, more precise build. The new version looks better than ever and is easier to assemble, earning it an "advanced beginner" skill designation. The Zeeschouw is 19.7 inches long and carries a street price of $90.

Scale models need a good scale radio, especially if you're planning to run a few power accessories. Futaba has the perfect choice: the 6XAS Surface System. This surface version of the 6XAS is now available in 75MHz and retains many of the features that made the original so popular, including 6-model memory, PCM modulation, all-channel servo-reversing and 2-channel dual rates. The 6XAS comes with the R138DP receiver, two S3004 ball-bearing servos, transmitter and receiver Ni-Cds and a charger, all for a street price of $250.

Billing Boats; distributed by Great Planes Model Distributors Co.

(800) 682-8948; bestrc.com/billingboats.

Futaba; distributed by Great Planes Model Distributors Co. (800) 682-8948; futabarc.com.

MRC/ALTECH Academy Sea Dagger and Supreme F-1 Outboard Racer

FAST ELECTRICS FOR ANY OCCASION

Whether you like inboards or outboards, monohulls or tunnels, one motor or two, Altech has you covered in the fast electric world. The Supreme F1 is a 1/10-scale outboard tunnelhull equipped with a 540 motor running through a flexible shaft-drive system for speed and maneuverability in keeping with the tunnelhull tradition. The hull is one-piece molded ABS and comes with all necessary hardware, so it's a snap to build.

The Sea Dagger takes a different approach to speed-after all, if one motor is good, two are better! The 32-inch-wide V-hull is designed for stability and good looks, while the adjustable trim and single-screw, gear-reduction, inboard/outboard drive allows optimizing for handling and water conditions. All hardware is included, and you should be able to assemble the boat in 3 hours.

All you'll need to supply for both the Supreme Fl and the Sea Dagger are a 2-channel radio, two servos and batteries-not bad for an expected retail price under $120.

MRC/Altech (732) 225-6144; modelrectifier.com.

RACELINE DIGITAL

VINYL HULL GRAPHICS

Get the inside line on style

Custom paint jobs are great if you have the time, money and expertise to spare. The other 99 percent of us usually have to settle for decals, and all too often, that compromise shows in the model's finish. But what if you could get the look of a custom paint job without the hassle or expense? Cheer up; you can, from Raceline Digital. These folks have a huge variety of vinyl graphics packages that blow away any decal set (and more than a few custom paint jobs!). They're easy to apply and won't sink your bank account. Raceline Digital has dozens of CAD-designed and digitally cut graphics schemes on its website, and you can mix and match from more than 70 colors! Custom designs are offered as well, and they're every bit as stylish and sophisticated as those you see on full-size boats. No wonder; full-size boat graphics is where the Raceline Digital folks got their start. But the technology and craftsmanship that go on the big boats works just as well for models, and if those graphics can stay on a 100mph-plus offshore racer, they'll surely stay on your RC pride and joy. Whether you have a favorite boat that could use a little more "show" to match its "go, "or you just feel like blowing the competition out of the water at your next concours event, give the gang at Raceline Digital a call. Model graphics packages up to 50 inches cost just $68.95.

Raceline Digital (905) 987-4775, racelinedigital.com.

DYMOND MODELSPORTS BLUE DYMOND

A seafaring gem

Dymond Modelsports is well-known in RC aircraft circles for high-quality, high-performance model planes, and we're thrilled to report that the company has expanded into boats, and not by just dipping a toe in the water-these folks are diving in! The Blue Dymond is a mammoth 51-- inch, hand-laid fiberglass hull that comes fully gelcoated in white. Designed from the outset for gas power, it can be ordered fully assembled with a pull-start, air-cooled 25cc gas engine, driveline and double rudder in place. This setup even includes a 1/4-scale rudder servo and a stand for $695. If you already have an engine in dry dock, you can order the hull alone for $249 and outfit it to your personal specifications. Either way, the Blue Dymond is going to be the jewel of your boat collection.