Saw a Discovery Channel (?) program featuring a chap in Germany who had a turbine-powered model. I agree, it was sex on a stick.
The same program showed various other large-scale models, and it was quite obvious that the control systems used are quite different to what you will find on full-sized aircraft - the models are a lot more advanced. I suppose that's because the models don't have to go through the airworthiness certification procedure and innovation can proceed driven by the technology rather than legislation. I got the impression that if full-scale helos were able to use that technology, they would be a lot easier to fly.