Then really the only issue is dealing with the big (dumb) wires that HK installs on these lipos.

Myself, I'd open it up and get rid of then and install a smaller wire gauge tx type harness.

Have you tried the newer LSD type rechargeable AAs (low self discharge)? Turnigy makes some and I bought 30 or so about a half yr ago. They're much like alkalines in that the only discharge is when you turn them on, there is little self discharge like with ordinary rechargeable NiMhs. The oter good ones are teh ones by Sanyo, called Eneloops.

The rechargeable NiMh companies screwed thenselves when they made that last jump in capacity to around 2500-2900mah. This generation of cell seems to work fine for a while and then starts self discharging at upacceptably high rates. I've just had a dozen 2700s do this after 2yrs useage, they were fine up to that point. My 2300s (older generation AAs) were much much better, those lasted over 7years and many, many charges (well into the 1000+ range).