So... different motor, kinda the same tune.

Affixed my trusty Novak Vulcan to the (now) untrustworthy TP Radon Sport and got overall similar results. The motor cogs a bit on take off and then smooths out afterwards. Also, and this is new, the ESC randomly cuts off and/or refuses to power on.

For the record - running gear are okay. Spur and pinion mesh is just right (little bit of rock, not a lot) and the internals looked okay as well. Did not go as far as tearing down the diff (gear). I suppose that I could put in a known-good ball diff).

Basically, per my friends warning, i'm thinking this ESC got a little too hot during soldering. I'm given to understand that the speed controls are especially vulnerable to failure after many soldering/de-soldering cycles.

I'm now on the look-out for NIB old-stock Novak, unless anybody can suggest another motor brand (not Reedy or Tekin or Trinity or any other soup de jour) to check out. I've heard good things about Maclan and Orion, Hobby Wing too.