Joystick reproduction (RC transmitter)

I'm working on reproducing a pair of Cromemco JS-1 joysticks to display (and let the public play with) at VCF East in September. The one thing I'm missing is a small, panel mount joystick assembly with 5k Ohm pots. I have done a fair amount of googling. New assemblies cost anywhere from $60 to $200 each (I need 2). This is more than I want to spend on this project. I've already spent more on the Hammond enclosures than I really wanted to. It was suggested to me that a used radio control model transmitter might be just the ticket. Googling shows that at least some use 5k pots and they go fairly cheap on ebay. I don't want to end up with a collection of RC transmitters (and end up spending as much as I would have on new joystick assemblies) so my questions for the group are: 1) Anybody have a 2 stick transmitter with known 5k pots they want to sell? 2) If you have an RC transmitter you want to keep, could you open it up and check the pots so I can have a list of models to keep an eye for on ebay? 3) An finally, of course, anybody have a couple of panel mount joystick assemblies with 5k pots they want to sell cheap or work a trade for? Thanks, Bill Sudbrink