Author: Kyle Hilson

Kyle Hilson is the founder and chief editor of SwellRC, a hands-on RC car enthusiast who’s spent over a decade testing, tuning, and reviewing remote control cars for every skill level. Known for his genuine, data-backed approach, Kyle combines technical expertise with real-world experience to help hobbyists make smarter buying and upgrade decisions.
Illustration: VTOL RC planes – SwellRC RC Airplanes guide

VTOL RC Plane: Models Compared and How They Work

Home › Guides › RC Airplanes › VTOL RC planes RC Airplanes A VTOL RC plane takes off and lands vertically like a drone, then tilts its motors (or switches motors) to fly forward on its wing like a plane. A flight controller handles the tricky transition. Current examples are the ZOHD Altus VTOL (980
Continue Reading
Illustration: E-flite UMX airplanes – SwellRC RC Airplanes guide

UMX Airplanes: E-flite Ultra Micro Planes Explained and Compared

Home › Guides › RC Airplanes › UMX airplanes RC Airplanes UMX is E-flite’s (Horizon Hobby) range of ultra-micro RC airplanes: small, light models, mostly under about 750 mm span, sold Bind-N-Fly (BNF) to work with Spektrum DSM transmitters. Most have AS3X stabilisation, which smooths out wind so they fly like larger planes, and many
Continue Reading
Illustration: Black Horse RC Planes – SwellRC RC Airplanes guide

Black Horse RC Planes: Vietnamese Balsa ARF Warbirds, Trainers and Jets

Home › Guides › RC Airplanes › Black Horse RC Planes RC Airplanes Black Horse Model is a Vietnamese manufacturer, based in Ho Chi Minh City and founded around 1999, that builds ARF (almost ready to fly) balsa model airplanes. Its range covers semi-scale trainers, aerobatic planes, scale models such as the Wilga, giant-scale warbirds
Continue Reading
Illustration: Smyths Toys RC Helicopters – SwellRC RC Helicopters guide

Smyths Toys RC Helicopters: What They Sell and How to Choose

Home › Guides › RC Helicopters › Smyths Toys RC Helicopters RC Helicopters Smyths Toys, the toy retailer in the UK, Ireland and parts of Europe, sells a range of remote control helicopters aimed at children and beginners. Most are small indoor helicopters with coaxial rotors or gyro stabilisation, USB charging and simple two-stick remotes,
Continue Reading