[TXnMA]

Note the fuel used. It's not correct. It's nitromethane not nitroglycerin

You beat me to it! So-called "hot" model engine (and dragster) fuels are mostly nitromethane. However, nitromethane has been described as "the simplest nitrogen-based high explosive" -- and, packaged with an appropriate oxidizer, is sold as a commercial binary (mix immediately before use) explosive. (Deliberately being vague here...)

Of course, R/C transmitter/receiver/servo combinations have been used by middle eastern terrorists to trigger bombs.

BTW, were any of you FReepers aware that those suspected of bombing the Murrah Building in OKC visited a model shop shortly before the bombing? And that an Iraqi caught an overseas flight from OKC shortly thereafter -- and that his luggage was found to contain "several car radios and other bomb-making materials and tools". (So-described by Italian customs, who discovered them.)

I've often wondered if mis-translation masked the true nature of those "car radios"...

I build models -- and certainly don't advocate shutting down our hobby. OTOH, A good "Heads-up" to model shops across the nation seems in order...

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Of course, nowadays, the terrs seem to favor cell phones for triggering bombs.

Hmmm -- perhaps a computer program that rapidly and repeatedly cycles through all cell numbers, giving each a ring... Might give some terrorists a few nasty surprises...

'-}

[B4Ranch]

A good "Heads-up" to model shops across the nation seems in order...

I wonder how many Iraqis/Muslims own these hobby shops? Are they contributing to their communities the way you and I would expect them to or are we going to see some surprises?

[ItsTheMediaStupid]

Nitrimethane is not classified as an explosive. However it is a monopropellent, but it is not very volitle and difficult to ignite without mixing with air. You can pour some in a bowl and put a match to it and it will put out the match. But you need to be carefull when using it in a hard metal tank. The metal, alkili, and nitro can create a combination which will make the nitro explode with a hard contact such as a crash. Dragracers will wash out their fuel tanks with a mild acid and dry them before filling them up to avoid this.

[spunkets]

"However, nitromethane has been described as "the simplest nitrogen-based high explosive" -

It's not an explosive at all. It's a very high octane fuel that contains some oxidant. The model airplane engine is a diesel. This fuel just allows the engine to work w/o being sensitive to F/A ratio.