X-Twin Thunderjet takes to the skies
The X-Twin Thunderjet definitely has the looks, and according to the product description below, it also has the brawn to go along with its brain.
This ominous R/C flying machine looks meaner than a cybernetic vulture hearse (whatever that is) and it boasts twin duct-fan engines for serious kick-in-the-tailfin power. You can even vary its speed as it stalks the sky searching for enemy encampments. Or naughty duckie wucks and squirrels. Whatever. Once you get to grips with the controls you’ll be soaring through thin air and pulling off mind-blowing twists and turns. Like its real life USAF counterpart, the sinister Thunderjet looks almost unreal. In fact it reminds us of Firefox, that lethally sophisticated jet from the dodgy Clint Eastwood film of the same name. Unlike Firefox, however, the X-Twin can’t be controlled via thought impulses; you control the action with a twin-toggle, digital proportional transmitter that doubles up as a charging unit for its built-in lithium polymer battery. (20-30 minutes should give flight times of around 5 minutes).
Man, even if the Christmas season is still a good 9 months away, I want my X-Twin Thunderjet and I want it now! £24.95 from Firebox.
TandemZ-1 Micro Chopper

The TandemZ-1 Micro Chopper is not meant for novices as getting the hang of it comes with a rather steep learning curve to it.
For starters the Tandem utilises 3 channels (for up, down, forward and backward movement) and a dual trim system (for pitch and yaw), so novice pilots need not apply. It also boasts a sophisticated gyroscopic mechanism plus unique tilting rotors for additional control. Piloting this baby makes patting your head and rubbing your tummy whilst playing the xylophone with your feet seem about as difficult as pulling down your pants. And that’s what makes it so addictive.
The Tandem might come with a pair of powerful rotors, but they ought to be able to fly for approximately 10 minutes from a normal charge of up to 25 minutes. Sounds like diminishing returns if you ask me. This rescue helicopter retails for £39.95 and comes in red, blue or orange colors.
Top Gun MicroFighter
The Top Gun MicroFighter makes for an interesting gift for kids, and even I myself would not mind finding one of these underneath the Christmas tree this year.
Suitable for advanced level RC Pilots due to its advanced digital throttle and directional control, the Top Gun MicroFighter is capable of performing extreme loops and real-fighter style aerobatics. With the massive levels of thrust offered by it’s twin engine design, advanced take-offs and landings can be achieved. The Micro Fighter has a dual channel digital proportion control allowing up/down, left/right and forward speed control. Powered by a Lithium-Polymer battery, flights of 10+ minutes can be achieved on a single 30 minute charge from the controller.
The Top Gun MicroFighter retails for £29.99.
Laptop Controlled Drifter

This RC car is a laptop controlled drifter project created by Chris over at PyroElectro. The aim of the project was to make an ordinary RC car have the ability to be controlled by a laptop. By using the laptop and a small box attached to a COM port, full control of the car is made possible and of course, automated control is also available too. By using Windows scripting, commands can be sent to the remote control device at the end of the COM port which in turn, sends those signals to the RC car. The car it’s self is untouched and standard.
Continue reading » Laptop Controlled Drifter
Honey, I shrunk the PicoZ MX-1
Guess thin is in, and so are the general sizes of gadgets and gizmos to come. Toys aren’t exempt from this effect too, with the PicoZ MX-1 Extreme being a much smaller version of its big brother and prides itself in being the smallest remote control helicopter in the world.
Currently touted as the world’s smallest remote control chopper, this marvel of micro technology will flatter even the crummiest of pilots thanks to an auto stability system that makes woka-woka-ing around in tiddly rooms a doddle. Just like its bigger PicoZ siblings, the twin-channel Extreme has a crash-resistant polypropylene foam body and features super-wide infra-red control, a built-in lithium polymer battery and adjustable trim control – all this yet it weighs just 7 grams. It really is squintingly small. As ever, the transmitter doubles up as a charger and a normal charge of 20-25 minutes should give flight times of up to 10 minutes.
The PicoZ MX-1 Extreme can be yours (or your child’s, you big little boy, you) for £24.95.
Meccano Spykee Micro
Remember the Meccano Spykee that was seen at CES last year? Well, it still hasn’t been perfected just yet, but a micro version is already ready to rock and roll.
The RC unit controls his forward and spin motion, as well as firing off his three sound effect features, and lighting up his head and base (which looks well cool at night of course). He’s basically your very own pet mini robot and driving him about is curiously addictive. The great thing about his tracks is that his movement is highly effective on any surface, whether it’s a slippery desktop, or a deep pile carpet, he’s really not fussed. His arms and head are articulated, so you can position them into a multitude of anthropomorphic gestures, and his beeping, sirens and various wooshing sound effects are, we imagine, the equivalent of futuristic cyber chatter. Maybe one day all pets will look like this.
Funny how big brother Spykee has not been launched yet while its Mini Me is already rolling about to stores for £19.99.
PicoZ Apache Micro Helicopter
PicoZ has come up with a fair bit of micro helicopters in the past, but this time we have the Apache version to relive war stories from the comfort of your home.
The Apache’s potent micro motors are powered by a lightweight lithium polymer battery, giving flight times of up to 10 minutes from a 30 minute charge. Once you get the hang of the controls you’ll be shocked and awed by this khaki-colored contraption. Speaking of which, you control the airborne action via a twin channel, wide-beam infra-red transmitter that doubles up as a charger. Old-style petrol-driven monsters? No thanks!
Would you purchase a toy for your kid knowing that this will actually end up annoying you? Well, if you think so, then be prepared to part with £19.95.
Santa Infrared Mini RC Helicopter

I guess reindeer don’t quite make the cut for Santa any more as he is sick of flying second class.
Fly Santa right into your living room with this neat 2CH RC helicopter. It is made of a unique material that withstands crashes, and also it is very lightweight. It comes with auto stable and precision speed technology which makes it easier to fly. The Santa Mini RC Helicopter comes with an internal 3.7v 60mAh Li-Poly battery, the newest in RC battery technology. It comes with a full function super wide infrared controller which allows you to go up, down, left, and right. You can even fly with your friends with 3 different frequency bands. This Santa Mini RC Helicopter comes Ready-to-Fly right out of the box, all you need is 6 AA batteries.
The Santa Infrared Mini RC Helicopter can be an (extremely) early Christmas present for $29.95.

