Punisher - What do I need?

[LardVader]

Gents,

After for some advice from you kindly folks.

What should I consider essential purchases for a first time punisher owner and general RC newbie?

Battery packs/charger - do I go lipo?
2 replacement servos - best to replace these out of the box I understand?
New air filter?
Covers for pull start, clutch and airfilter?
fuel filter? Do I need one out of the box?
Anything else?

At this point I'm not interested in tools and I think a new exhaust will have to be a later purchase.

Thank you for your patience :)

[CAR-KILLER]

i recon battery as i wont come with it unless you can convince the shop to stick it in for free seeing as you are buying a new buggy ( worth a try)

servos are upto the job but upgrade in the future

kill switch killer bee is supposed to be one of the best

and covers for the pull start (see here for the cheaper version http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110465318611&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT#ht_1316wt_1165) and filter the standard filter is ok for now the hpi baja filter is used alot


i made up a set of side wings to stop the crud from flicking of the front tires up into the shell

side skirt thread here
http://www.nutechracingforum.com/vb/showthread.php?t=695&highlight=side

[Pipeous]

Get some mesh like this http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/4/Auto/AutoBodyRepair1/AutoBodyFillers/PRDOVR~0475813P/Bondo%252BSeld-Adhesive%252BBody%252BPatch.jsp and use some jb weld. jb pieces of the mesh over the fan holes at the bottom of the motor casing. just don't fill motor mount holes etc. this will keep small rocks from getting into he fan/flywheel and ripping them apart... also a cheap alternative for doing the pull start. I glue that inside too. hpi baja air filter and outerwears is good protection and lots of volume for air flow, a good pipe like the jet pro or vrc.

I use a lipo but you'll have to get creative fitting one. I am converting my radio to lipo now too.. nothing wrong with a good nmh pack, but even nmh packs can suffer from memory effect if you don't cycle. lipos like to just be topped up. running a higher voltage lipo with a bec provides a steady voltage always... which is good if you charge once in a while but there won't be a warning the steering slowing down when it's getting low. and lipos now cost so much less

[Mexxan]

+1 on Pipeous - If you go to Halfords they sell just the right mesh (It'll be near the filler / sanding section) I use that and a good flexible glue.

The killswitch stated is ESSENTIAL - wouldn't run a 1/5th without one. A lot safer than any inbuilt radio failsafe.