LiPo battery safety
How to charge, store, transport and dispose of LiPo batteries safely in the UK, how to spot a puffed pack and what to do if one catches fire.
9 guides
RC electronics explained
Every electric RC model has the same chain: battery, speed controller, motor, receiver and servos, all controlled from your transmitter. These guides explain each part, how to choose it and how to keep it safe.
LiPo batteries explained
What 2S, 1300mAh and 45C actually mean, how to choose the right LiPo for your model, which connector to use and how to make packs last longer.
NiMH vs LiPo batteries
NiMH and LiPo compared for RC cars, planes and helicopters: power, weight, safety, charging and cost, and how to switch an older model to LiPo.
Best LiPo chargers
Balance chargers worth buying in 2026 for helicopters, planes and cars, which features matter, and why the charger is the wrong place to save money.
RC transmitters explained
Protocols, channels, model memory and the features that matter for helicopters, planes and cars, and how to choose a radio that will grow with you.
Converting a 35MHz model to 2.4GHz
Got a 35MHz helicopter in the loft? Why 2.4GHz replaced it, which receiver and radio to swap in, and how to get an older model flying again.
RC servos explained
How servos work in RC models, digital versus analogue, what speed and torque figures mean, sizes, and the signs a servo is failing.
ESCs and brushless motors
How speed controllers and brushless motors work, what kV and amp ratings mean, governor and drag brake settings, and how to match them to your model.
Gyros and flybarless units
What heading-hold gyros, flybarless controllers and plane stabilisers do, rescue and stabilisation modes, and the setup steps that matter most.
How the parts fit together
Whether it's a micro helicopter, a foam trainer or a 1/10 buggy, an electric RC model is built from the same handful of parts:
- The battery stores the energy. Almost everything now runs on LiPo, which needs careful charging and storage. Start with LiPo battery safety, then LiPo batteries explained to decode the label. If your model came with NiMH, NiMH vs LiPo explains whether to switch, and our best LiPo chargers covers the one piece of kit you shouldn't skimp on.
- The speed controller (ESC) takes power from the battery and drives the motor at the speed you ask for. It often powers the receiver too. See ESCs and brushless motors.
- The motor turns the propeller, rotor or wheels. Brushless motors are now standard in hobby-grade models.
- The receiver picks up commands from your transmitter. The radio you choose decides which models you can fly or drive, so read RC transmitters explained before you buy. Older 35MHz models can be brought back with a 35MHz to 2.4GHz conversion.
- Servos move the steering, control surfaces or swashplate. RC servos explained covers sizes, speeds and the signs one is failing.
- Gyros and flybarless units keep helicopters stable and give beginner planes their safety modes. See gyros and flybarless units.
What differs between helicopters, planes and cars
The parts are the same, but the priorities differ. Helicopters need precise, fast servos and a governor to hold rotor speed. Planes care most about weight, so every gram of battery and servo matters. Cars need tough, waterproof electronics and a strong steering servo, and are where NiMH packs still turn up most.
For the vehicle-specific guides, head to RC helicopters, RC planes or RC cars. New to the hobby altogether? Getting started is the place to begin.