[Matt D.]

The turbine powered planes can reach those speeds... Very insane. The first time I saw a model jet turbine was very cool. They run off of propane, the same stuff you use in your grill. To fire the engine they turn on the ignitor and blow compressed air into the turbine to get it spinning. Start adding fuel and the turbine starts spooling up, sounds just like the real thing and is equally as loud. They blow smoke during initial start up and sound like it's going to fall apart, but as soon as they get leaned out and increase the throttle you hear a little boom, the smoke stops and it's the most awesome sound you'll ever hear from something so small. They spin the same amount of RPMs as the turbos in our cars, around 200,000.

The closest thing I've been to a jet turbine R/C plane is what's called a ducted fan. It's a piston engine just like any other R/C engine but it drives a multi-blade fan in the fuselage of the plane, sucking air in and forcing it out in the same direction as a real plane. The ones I've witnessed have been clocked well over 200mph. The fastest plane I've flown was a twin engine plane with a 6' wingspan, it was clocked at just over 100mph. Flying R/C planes is the most relaxing thing I've ever done.