Scale & Motion - RC Crawlers, Micro Upgrades, Model Kits & Scale RC Guides

Modellbau Universe carries thousands of plastic model kits, aftermarket parts, paints and tools, which is great for choice but not always great when you simply want to know what is actually worth building. This guide cuts through the catalogue with a selection of current kits from Airfix, Tamiya, Revell, ICM, Trumpeter and I LOVE KIT, ranging from accessible 1:72 aircraft to large 1:35 military projects.

The FMS FCX18 platform can be approached in three very different ways: buy a stock RTR directly from FMS, buy the same basic crawler through FairRC and build it gradually with BATRAZZI parts and scale accessories, or start immediately with a FairRC Mod RTR that already has much of the custom work done. None of these routes is automatically better — the right one depends on how much of the build you want to choose, install and discover yourself.

FairRC's Mod RTR approach gives RC crawler buyers an interesting alternative to buying a completely stock truck and upgrading every part themselves. The CR18P EVO-V2 Rock Van Red Mod and FCX18S K10 Stepside Mod are both 1:18-scale ready-to-run builds, but they take two very different routes: one prioritises compact trail capability and rugged hardware, while the other combines the FCX18 platform with classic Chevrolet scale style and a much more distinctive custom body.

Wheels and tires are among the few RC crawler upgrades that can change appearance, stance and real trail behaviour at the same time. BATRAZZI offers everything from compact 0.8" and 0.9" setups for micro crawlers to weighted 1.0" beadlocks, larger 1.2" options and full 1.9" combinations for 1/10 platforms such as the FMS FCX10.

The FMS FCX24 K5 Blazer is one of those small crawlers that makes modification feel almost unavoidable. The body already has the right ingredients: classic Chevrolet shape, removable-style SUV character, compact size, trail attitude and enough visual charm to work indoors, outdoors or on a shelf. That is exactly why FairRC’s K5 Mod RTR versions are interesting. They take a proven small-scale platform and turn it into something that already feels customised before the first upgrade order begins.

The Toyota Land Cruiser 80 is one of those RC bodies that makes small-scale crawling feel bigger than it is. The FMS FCX18S LC80 V2 gives buyers a detailed 1/18 Land Cruiser platform with classic trail-truck personality, while the FairRC FCX18S LC80 S Tri-Color V2 Brushless Mod RTR pushes the same idea toward a more upgraded, performance-focused route. Both make sense. The real question is whether you want the cleaner FMS starting point or the FairRC brushless Mod RTR approach. View the FMS FCX18S LC80 V2 at FMS Hobby (affiliate link) View the FairRC FCX18S LC80 S Tri-Color V2 Brushless Mod RTR at FairRC (affiliate link)

A square-body crawler works best when it looks like something you would actually keep driving. The FMS FCX18 Chevrolet K10 V2 and the FairRC FCX18S K10 S Stuntman Mod RTR both sit in that sweet spot: small enough to use almost anywhere, large enough to feel like a proper trail truck, and visually strong enough to photograph, tune and display. The real buying question is simple. Should you start with the stock FMS K10 and build it your own way, or choose the FairRC Mod RTR route and begin with a crawler that already has a stronger custom identity?

The best crawler upgrades are not always the most expensive ones — they are the ones that fix the right problem.

Not every upgrade makes the FMS FCX18 Land Cruiser 80 better. That is the first thing to understand with this 1/18 scale crawler. The FCX18 LC80 already has a strong foundation: scale hard-body presence, useful trail size, portal axles, a two-speed transmission and enough detail to work both as a driver and as a display piece.

If you've settled on the FCX18 platform — and our FCX18 vs FCX24 guide explains why that's often the right call for outdoor trail use — the next decision is which body to put on it. FMS currently offers two officially licensed subjects on the FCX18S chassis: the Toyota Land Cruiser 80 and the Chevrolet K10. Same chassis, same brushless-ready platform, but two very different on-road personalities. View the FMS 1/18 FCX18S Toyota Land Cruiser 80 RTR at FairRC (affiliate link)

FairRC New Arrivals is one of the most useful pages to check if you follow RC crawlers, FairRC Mod RTR builds, BATRAZZI upgrades, scale accessories, parts and RC aircraft updates. Instead of focusing on one single model, this page works more like a rolling snapshot of what has recently entered the FairRC catalogue.

Airfix military aircraft kits sit at the centre of classic plastic modelling. From Spitfires and Lancasters to Cold War jets and modern RAF subjects, this is one of the hobby’s strongest links between aviation history, scale detail and display modelling.

The FairRC 1/18 FCX18S LC80 S Tri-Color V2 Brushless Mod RTR takes the familiar Land Cruiser-style FCX18 platform and gives it a sharper technical edge. The shape is still classic expedition truck, but the V2 package moves the model into a stronger brushless trail direction.

The FairRC 1/18 Flatbed Classic Mod RTR takes the familiar FCX18 Chevrolet K10 platform and changes its whole personality. Instead of a standard pickup bed, this version turns the square-body K10 into a small utility-style trail truck with a 3D-printed flatbed, BATRAZZI wheels and tyres, and a more workhorse-focused scale look.

FMS EDF jets sit in one of the most exciting parts of the RC aircraft hobby. They look like jets, sound different from propeller aircraft and offer a faster, more committed flying experience.

FMS is well known among RC hobbyists for scale aircraft, warbirds, EDF jets, crawlers and trucks, but one of the most useful parts of the FMS catalogue is its beginner RC plane range.

The FairRC FCX24M Taco Black Mamba Mod RTR takes the compact Tacoma-style FCX24M platform and gives it a darker, more aggressive visual identity. Where some micro crawlers lean into bright colours or classic trail-truck styling, the Black Mamba is built around a stealth look: glossy black bodywork, a more planted stance and a custom Mod RTR personality straight out of the box.

Airfix figure sets are one of the most charming corners of classic scale modelling. They are not just small plastic soldiers or background accessories. Used well, they can turn a model into a scene, a display base into a story, and a simple kit build into a small piece of painted history.

Pro Acryl paints have become one of the most talked-about acrylic paint ranges in miniature painting, but they are not only useful for tabletop figures. For many scale hobbyists, the range also makes sense for plastic model kits, dioramas, display bases, RC scale accessories, figures, terrain pieces and small detail painting.

Corgi military aircraft models sit in a very different part of the scale hobby from Airfix plastic kits. They are finished die-cast aviation collectibles, designed for display, collecting and historical appreciation rather than cutting, gluing, painting and weathering.

Airfix 1:48 scale aircraft kits sit in a very useful place for scale modellers. They are larger and more visually impressive than many 1:72 aircraft kits, but they are still manageable in size, display space and build complexity.

The FMS FCX18 Land Cruiser 80 is one of the most interesting small-scale RC crawler platforms in the FMS ecosystem. It sits between the compact FCX24 world and larger 1:10 trail trucks, giving builders a crawler that still feels easy to store and carry, but has enough size and presence for outdoor use.

FMS is best known among scale RC builders for crawlers such as the FCX24, FCX18 and FCX10 platforms. If you are comparing the crawler side of the brand first, the FMS FCX Series guide explains how the FCX24S, FCX24M, FCX18S and FCX10 platforms fit together. The monster truck range sits on the other side of the hobby: not slow technical crawling, but big tyres, open-space driving, jumps, slides, wheelies, licensed bodies and higher-speed fun.

There is no other product in the RC hobby quite like a Tamiya 1/14 scale truck. These are not toys, and they are not quite like conventional RC cars either. They are highly detailed, largely metal-chassised assembly kits that, once built, become functional radio-controlled replicas of real European and American commercial vehicles — complete with working lights, authentic cab detail, and in many cases optional multi-function control units that add digitally recorded engine sounds, air horns and gear-change feedback. A finished Tamiya 1/14 Scania on a display shelf is genuinely impressive. The same model running on a flat surface, pulling a loaded trailer, is something else again.

The Hornby LNER Azuma Class 801/2 Railway 200 train pack is a modern OO Gauge model railway release built around one of the most recognisable current-generation trains on the East Coast Main Line. As a limited-edition five-car train pack, it combines contemporary LNER branding, Railway 200 markings and a modern electric multiple unit subject that sits very differently from traditional steam, diesel and classic-era railway models.

Airfix military vehicle kits cover a broad part of the scale modelling hobby, from compact Vintage Classics and beginner-friendly tank kits to larger 1:35 vehicles with more room for painting, weathering and diorama work.

Humbrol is one of the most recognisable names in scale modelling paints and finishing supplies. For many builders, the brand sits naturally beside Airfix plastic kits, model railways, wargaming miniatures, dioramas and traditional hobby work because it covers far more than basic paint colours.

Think carefully before choosing it if: your first priority is maximum tyre clearance, extreme articulation or unrestricted parts interchangeability with FCX24S models. Compatibility should always be checked against the exact FCX24M body and chassis version.

FMS Hobby and FairRC have become two of the most important names for scale RC buyers who want more than a basic toy-grade vehicle. FMS covers a broad world of RC cars, crawlers, trucks, aircraft, accessories and parts, while FairRC builds a more specialised vertical around FMS-based crawlers, Mod RTR vehicles, BATRAZZI upgrades, scale accessories and platform-specific parts.

FairRC has become one of the more distinctive names in the RC crawler market, not simply because it sells vehicles, but because it has positioned much of its catalogue around the build culture behind the platforms it supports. This guide looks at the FairRC ecosystem from an editorial buyer’s perspective, covering stock RTR crawlers, in-house-modified Mod RTR builds, BATRAZZI upgrade parts, 3D-printed scale accessories and the wider parts catalogue that supports small-scale crawler builds.

Remote-controlled heavy equipment has become one of the more serious corners of the RC hobby — machines built to replicate the function of real construction vehicles, not just their appearance. At the centre of this market are two very different approaches: LESU's fully hydraulic, predominantly metal excavators are built for adult hobbyists who want real hydraulic fluid pressure driving real cylinders, and Huina's alloy excavators and dump trucks are positioned at a more accessible entry point with mechanical actuation and a lower barrier to ownership. This guide covers what separates them and which direction makes sense depending on what you want from the hobby.

A good RC crawler build is not only about adding every upgrade available. It is about deciding what kind of realism you want.

FMS Hobby is a well-established name in RC, producing airplanes, cars and trucks across a wide range of scales and skill levels. For scale RC and crawler enthusiasts, FMS has built a strong catalogue of compact crawlers, trail trucks, licensed bodies, upgrade parts and larger ground vehicles aimed at different types of hobby use.

The FMS FCX range can be confusing at first glance. FCX18, FCX24 and FCX24M all sit in the small-scale crawler world, but they do not always appeal to the same type of builder.

A rock crawler that struggles on the trail almost always has the same underlying issue: the suspension is not set up to keep all four wheels in contact with the terrain. Most RTR crawlers ship with shocks and springs tuned to survive shipping and look correct in photos, rather than to maximise articulation on broken ground. Understanding a handful of suspension fundamentals — droop, preload, shock oil and spring rate — is what separates a crawler that climbs confidently from one that lifts wheels and loses traction at the first uneven section. Image Credit: FairRC / BATRAZZI View the BATRAZZI Oil-filled Aluminium Shocks for FCX24 at FairRC (affiliate link) This guide covers what each of these settings actually does and how to approach tuning them on a typical RTR crawler platform. Why Suspension Tuning Matters More on a Crawler Than a Basher On a basher or short-course truck, shocks exist mainly to absorb impact from jumps and rough terrain at speed. On a crawler, their jo...

Building a plastic model kit is only half the process. The finish — how the model looks once assembled, painted and weathered — is what separates a completed kit from a display piece. This guide covers the paints, tools and hobby supplies worth knowing about for plastic model kits and dioramas, organised by category and sourced from verified retailers.

Building a plastic model kit is only the first part of the process. The kit itself — whether a 1:35 tank, a 1:24 car or a 1:144 Gunpla mobile suit — is the starting point. What separates a finished model from a finished display piece is the detail work: photo-etching, carbon fibre decals, painted interiors, proper tools, and quality paints. This guide covers the specialist retailers whose products make that difference, with verified categories and affiliate links across four partners who cover different parts of the plastic model building ecosystem.

(Reviewed and updated on June 13, 2026) The FMS 1:10 Canyon RS is one of the most ambitious large-scale trail crawlers in the current FMS range. It combines a bold concept-style body, portal axles, selectable differentials, a two-speed transmission and a detailed ready-to-run layout aimed at scale RC drivers who want more than a simple trail truck. Image Credit: FMS Hobby

Introduction The FMS 1/10 Canyon RS is a scale RC crawler aimed at hobbyists who want a larger, more substantial trail truck with realistic proportions, a hard body, portal axles and ready-to-run usability. It sits in a different space from the smaller FCX24 and FCX18 platforms, offering a true 1/10 scale presence for outdoor trail driving, display and scale-focused RC use. This buyer’s guide looks at the Canyon RS as a practical RC crawler: what it offers, where it makes sense, who should consider it and how it compares with smaller FMS crawler platforms.

The FCX18 and FCX24 share enough mechanical DNA that comparing them can seem abstract — both run portal axles, two-speed transmissions and universal joint driveshafts. But the differences between the two platforms are more significant than the spec sheet overlap suggests, and they matter in practice. This article covers the three areas where the platforms diverge most meaningfully: motor class, wheelbase and chassis construction. Browse both platforms: FCX18 Series at FMS Hobby | FCX24 Series at FMS Hobby The Transmission — Same Architecture, Different Execution Both platforms use a mid-mounted two-speed transmission with transfer case, delivering power through universal driveshafts to portal axles front and rear. The architecture is the same. What differs is the physical scale of the components — and physical scale in a drivetrain means torque capacity, heat tolerance and gear wear resistance. The FCX18S transmission integrates with the 1312 brushless motor (on the LC80 V2, ...

Ask in any FMS community which 1/24 scale crawler people actually prefer running, and the FCX24M comes up more often than any other variant. It is not the original FCX24, and it is not simply an FCX24S with a different body — the FCX24M is a distinct sub-platform with a new chassis, an extended wheelbase, and a body range that covers some of the most recognisable licensed subjects in the micro crawler segment. This guide covers what the FCX24M actually is, how it differs from the FCX24S, and which specific models in the range are worth your attention. Image Credit: FMS Hobby View the FMS 1/24 FCX24M Land Rover Camel Trophy Edition at FMS Hobby (affiliate link) What the FCX24M Actually Is The "M" in FCX24M stands for the extended wheelbase chassis that FMS developed for wider-cab body subjects — trucks and SUVs where the standard FCX24S wheelbase would produce disproportionate body-to-chassis proportions. The FCX24M Toyota Tacoma, for instance, uses a verified 1...

The question comes up constantly in the FMS community: FCX18 LC80 or FCX24 K5 Blazer? Both run portal axles and a two-speed transmission. Both are officially licensed scale replicas built on the same mechanical philosophy. But put them on actual outdoor terrain — loose gravel, roots, or uneven rock — and the difference becomes clear very quickly. This article explains exactly why, using verified specs from both platforms. Browse both platforms: FCX18 Series at FMS Hobby | FCX24 Series at FMS Hobby Image Credit: FMS Hobby View the FMS 1/24 FCX24M Toyota Tacoma RTR at FMS Hobby (affiliate link) The Specs That Actually Matter Outdoors Both platforms share the same core architecture: a mid-mounted two-speed transmission with a transfer case, portal axles front and rear, universal joint driveshafts, and 4WD. The architecture is identical in principle. What differs is the execution at each scale — and those differences compound significantly on real terrain. The FCX18S LC...

The FMS FCX24S Power Wagon S is currently available in three colour variants — Red, Yellow and Blue — and if you have been considering a 1/24 scale micro crawler, right now is a strong moment to move. The Power Wagon is one of the most capable and well-regarded platforms in the FCX24S range, and the three-colour lineup means there is a version to suit most preferences without any compromise on hardware. This guide covers what the FCX24S Power Wagon S actually is, what separates the three variants, and what you need to know before buying. View the FMS 1/24 FCX24S Power Wagon S at FMS Hobby What Is the FCX24S Power Wagon S? The FCX24S Power Wagon S is the current-generation 1/24 scale crawler built around the classic 1949 Dodge Power Wagon body — one of the most iconic American truck designs ever produced and a natural fit for the scale RC crawler aesthetic. It sits on the FCX24S chassis, which is the revised platform FMS introduced to address the limitations of the original FCX...

Buying an RC crawler is the start of the process, not the end. Whether you are running an FMS FCX24, an FCX18, or a FairRC Mod RTR, the parts and accessories ecosystem around these platforms is where the hobby gets genuinely interesting — and where the visual and performance character of your build becomes your own. FairRC has built one of the most complete accessories catalogues for the FCX24 and FCX18 platforms, covering everything from performance tyres and beadlock wheels through to 3D-printed resin body parts, scale accessories and brushless system upgrades. This guide covers the accessories worth knowing about, organised by category and purpose. Every product is available directly from FairRC's parts catalogue . BATRAZZI Tyres — The Single Most Impactful Upgrade BATRAZZI is FairRC's in-house performance tyre and wheel brand, and it is the first upgrade most FCX18 and FCX24 owners make. The stock tyres on both platforms are capable, but BATRAZZI compounds and tread ...