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

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, ...