Mine was not a hobby grade but it was my first when I was a kid. It was a Tyco Rebound. I wish I still had this thing!
The first hobby grade was a 1/10 scale nitro buggy when I was 14. Got it off a buddy brand new. He had no idea how to use it and neither did I. I don't remember what it was and I don't have it anymore since I put it into the side of my parents house at pretty much WOT. No failsafe, I figured that one out years later. It looked a ot like those cheap 1/10 scale 4x4 buggies that sell on eBay or by NitroRCX by Exceed RC.