SPECIAL SECTION MODEL AIRPLANE NEWS GEAR GUIDE

Those of you who have been reading Model Airplane News faithfully through the years know we’re big believers in history and tradition. History is the cornerstone of the scale-modeling hobby after all, and the tips and techniques pioneered and passed on by veteran RC’ers pave the way to success for those who follow. One tradition Model Airplane News has established is contained in the following pages: our annual Gear Guide. It is the single largest and most diverse collection of airplanes, gear, and support equipment that we produce in MAN throughout the year, and it is the go-to source of product information for all skill levels and budgets. No wonder then that it is our most popular issue of the year and one that many of you will come back to over and over in the coming months as a reference resource. This year’s guide has more than 99 individual products spanning the entire spectrum of RC—from aerobatic aircraft to Z-bend pliers and everything in between. There is cutting-edge tech as well as tried-and-true favorites— virtually anything you might need to get in the air and enjoy the best that RC has to offer. Turn the page and let’s take a look!

E-flite V900 $180, $160 Item nos. EFL7450, EFL7475

The V900 model is the fastest prop-driven E-flite airplane yet. Right out of the box, it can reach top speeds of up to 120mph on 4S, or 100+mph on 3S, without the need for upgrades or prop changes. It’s easy to look good and to fly fast with the V900. e-fliterc.com

Great Planes Bird of Time 3m EP ARF $220 Item no. GPMA1053

Electric power launches the Bird of Time EP to soaring heights in seconds, with no extra equipment, for superior thermal and duration soaring. Enjoy relaxing 3-meter sailplane flight with fast ARF assembly and unprecedented convenience. greatplanes.com

Flyzone Micro C-47 Skytrain Electric RTF $160 Item no. FLZA2330

Just before D-Day, the United States put thousands of paratroopers behind enemy lines. To do it, the Army picked the C-47, a version of the DC-3 with all the frills and creature comforts taken out and nothing but seating for two dozen paratroopers aboard. This model version, complete with invasion stripes, is designed to look as if it’s ready to drop its troops and turn for England. You can get yours as an all-inclusive RTF version. flyzoneplanes.com

Great Planes PT-19 Sport Series Glow/EP ARF $160 Item no. GPMA1212

PT-19s turned thousands of raw recruits into combat-ready fighter pilots for WW II. Now, this iconic titan of the air is ready to send you into the clouds as well. It’s not a trainer, but pilots with a little time behind the sticks will love the way it handles in the air. Plus, much of the assembly is already completed for you. Put it in the air and experience the “Cradle of Heroes” today. greatplanes.com

Flyzone Micro DC-3 Airliner Electric RTF $160 Item no. FLZA2320

DC-3s were the saving grace of the commercial aviation industry. For the first time, rapid, long-distance air travel was comfortable, economical, and accessible for a wider number of passengers. These beautiful birds blazed trails for future airliners, and they’re still flying today. Fly the classic bird that put more Americans in the air than ever before as an all-inclusive RTF. flyzoneplanes.com

Great Planes Tori 2m Electric Sailplane Item nos. GPMA1818, GPMA1819 Prices vary

It’s made for extended soaring, bringing you a little closer to the clouds. A folding prop powers you to soaring heights. Independent aileron servos provide the control authority you need for precise control. In ARF or Rx-R versions, Tori is the way to experience thermal soaring. Don’t miss out. greatplanes.com

Hangar 9 Ultra Stick 10cc ARF $230 Item no. HAN2345

The Hangar 9 Ultra Stick 10cc ARF lets you fly sport, high-speed, aerobatic precision and 3D, all in the same flight. A modernized model of a proven design, this robust platform is ready to accept a wide range of power systems, from gas to electric. hangar-9.com

Rage R/C Spirit of St. Louis Micro RTF Item no. RGRA1100 $100

The Rage R/C Spirit of St. Louis provides smooth yet capable flight performance (either indoors or outdoors in light winds) that’s ideal for sport or expert pilots. This RTF aircraft comes fully assembled with everything needed to fly included in the box. Even the AA batteries needed to power up the transmitter are included, so you can be making your maiden flight on this amazingly detailed, historic airplane within minutes of opening the box. ragerc.com

ParkZone Conscendo Advanced 1.5m $150, $130 Item nos. PKZ8150, PKZ8175

The ParkZone Conscendo Advanced 1.5m sport motor glider features a 3S LiPo–compatible power system paired with a sleek and capable design that makes hitting max altitude to soar—or sport fly and perform aerobatics— easy and fun. parkzone.com

Rage R/C Super Cub 750 RTF $120 Item no. RGRA1105

The Rage R/C Super Cub 750 is a great way to build your RC flying skills. It’s made out of durable EPO foam to survive rough landings, plus it’s the perfect size (750mm span) for easy transport. A key feature of this 4-channel aircraft is the PASS (Pilot Assist Stability System) software, which allows the performance envelope of the airplane to expand as your flying skills advance. Everything required is included in the box. ragerc.com

Rage R/C Beechcraft D17 Staggerwing RTF $130 Item no. RGRA1109

The Rage R/C Beechcraft Model D17 “Staggerwing” faithfully captures the character of the original D17, with scale features that include a highly detailed radial engine, a full symmetrical airfoil wing design with rib details, flying wires, an authentic scale trim scheme, flaps, and retracts. Everything required to fly this 20-inch wingspan beauty is included in the box. ragerc.com

Rage R/C Tempest 600 EP RTF $90 Item no. RGRA1108

The Tempest 600 EP 3-channel RTF is produced out of durable EPP foam and features the PASS (Pilot Assist Stability Software) system, which allows the performance envelope of the airplane to expand with your flying skills. Features a highly visible, attractive trim scheme with everything included in the package, including a 2.4GHz transmitter, a convenient USB charger, and two powerful 3.7V 300mAh LiPo batteries for extended flying time. ragerc.com

Tower Hobbies Slow Ride 3D EP ARF $150 Item no. TOWA2042

Gary Wright’s passion and dedication to RC flight shines through with the all-out 3D performance of the Tower Hobbies Slow Ride EP ARF. It’s the only plane designed and developed for high-level, super-slow 3D maneuvers. Large control surfaces and short, direct linkages provide seamless, complete control over every flight. towerhobbies.com

Tower Hobbies Vista Grande EP Sailplane ARF 100 in. $170 Item no. TOWA2045

If you’ve flown 2-meter sailplanes and want to try a larger EP model, the Vista Grande has many advantages. With a 100-in. span wing, it handles well in wind, responds gently to control input, and improves visibility. Bold stripes on the wing bottom also help you follow orientation. Electric power eliminates the need for a hi-start, tow plane, or large launch area. towerhobbies.com

E-flite Maule M-7 1.5m $270, $250 Item nos. EFL5350, EFL5375

The E-flite Maule M-7 1.5m park flier is an officially licensed tribute to the full-scale STOLcapable design, which includes an abundance of detail, LED lights, flaps, rugged landing gear, and an optional-use float set so that you can conquer any terrain. e-fliterc.com

FMS F-16 70mm ducted fan PNP $228 Item no. FMS005P-GRY

The molded-foam construction shows lots of detail and a smooth matte finish. Assembly time is about one hour due to the low parts count and beautiful fit. The fan unit includes an outrunner motor that provides lots of thrust, and access is simple: Just remove two screws and the entire middle section of the main duct can be removed—great for those who want to hop this one up or simply need easy access for maintenance and blade balancing. fmsmodel.com

FMS BAE Hawk 80mm PNP $350 Item no. FMS099P

With a single-piece wing, preinstalled ball links, and just six screws to complete assembly, the BAE Hawk gets in the air quickly and offers excellent performance, while features like the CNC-machined shock-absorbing landing gear add durability to the Hawk’s list of attributes. There’s plenty of scale detail too, thanks to gear covers, panel lines, a pilot figure, bright LED lights, and a removable fuel tank. fmsmodel.com

FMS F7F Tigercat 1700mm PNP $550 Item no. FMS098PBLU

The 1700mm Tigercat pools the best features from FMS’s classic works. The multiconnect wing system eliminates wiring problems, making it easier to install quickly. Features include a locked-rotor mode E-retract system with overcurrent protection, a scale CNC metal landing gear set, and twin 4250KV440 outrunner motors with twin 60A ESCs providing surging power for scale aerial combat maneuvers when coupled with a 6S 5000mAh 45C battery. fmsmodel.com

FMS Kingfisher 1400mm PNP $220 Item no. FMS103PF

With simple assembly, ease of control, and stability, the Kingfisher is perfect for beginners. Super-convenient bolt-type structure is used on the wings, stabilizers, battery cover, and struts. Three sets of landing gear are included: oversize wheels for grass and gravel, floats for water, and skis for snow and ice. An optional electric towing hook is available for banners and gliders. The plane’s bay is ready for your FPV equipment. The Kingfisher is one plane with endless potential. fmsmodel.com

RocHobby Super Viper 70mm $210 Item no. ROC023P

This inexpensive trainer is excellent for EDF jet beginners. The Super Viper has a scaled navy blue color scheme with bright yellow wingtips for high visibility at a distance. Screw-together construction assures quick assembly, and the button-type canopy design remains secure even during extreme maneuvers. The 70mm 12-blade ducted-fan inrunner KV1850 and a Predator 70A ESC are powerful and resemble a turbine engine sound on 6S batteries. fmsmodel.com

FMS Votec 322 1400mm PNP $350 Item no. FMS101P

Built with a hollow-wing design, carbon-fiber tubes, and preinstalled precision ball links and rods, the Votec 322 delivers enhanced 3D performance. The high-torque 30G servos ensure large control-surface throw for more aerobatic maneuvers. Wingtip side-force generators dramatically improve yaw authority and keep the aircraft “locked in” during knifeedge orientation. The Votec 322 also features a wooden prop for increased strength and efficiency. fmsmodel.com

Skymaster USA Jets Call for packages & Item no. N/A upgrade options

Skymaster PRO ARF Plus and X-Treme ARFs feature scale details not found on other models, with many full-scale schemes available. Skymaster develops some of the finest turbine jet products in the world. Airframes are handbuilt in molds, and the all-composite structures are the strongest and lightest available. Save on shipping with container preorders. chiefaircraft.com

RocHobby F/A-18F Super Hornet 70mm Ducted Fan $270 Item no. FMS100P

RocHobby is proud to bring you this new and highly detailed 70mm ducted-fan F/A-18F Super Hornet. Incorporating many new construction features such as screw-based assembly, preinstalled ball links, and a heavy-duty wing spar, it is quick to assemble. The Super Hornet features rich details, clean lines, CNC-machined shock-absorbed landing gear, and a buttontype canopy hatch. Included are four decal sets that allow you to make your plane stand out. fmsmodel.com

Tower Hobbies Piper Cherokee EP ARF 43.2 in. $100 Item no. TOWA2200

You turn the key, pull the yoke back, and leave the ground—and all your worries—behind. In a Piper, it really is that simple. The Tower Hobbies Piper Cherokee brings that simplicity and that freedom in a form that makes it accessible to RC hobbyists the world over. It’s a balsa-built beauty, and it’s precovered in an envy-inspiring trim scheme from No Coast Design. Take wing. towerhobbies.com

Great Planes Giant Big Stik XL Gas/EP ARF $500 Item no. GPMA1225

The “Stik” design has been a favorite of sport pilots for years. It has been available in different sizes with different power options, and in kit, ARF, and Rx-R versions. Great Planes’ Giant Big Stik XL incorporates everything that has made this iconic aircraft so popular, adding the stability and high visibility of a 96.5-in. wingspan and the option of 55–61cc gasoline or electric power. greatplanes.com

Krill Models Ultimate 300KS $1,339 to $3,195 Item no. KRM-ULT39

Get the new Krill 38% Laser Z-2300 with a 110-in. wingspan for 150–170cc power. Multiple schemes currently available. Also, the 39% 120cc Ultimate 300KS, Extra 330SC (31% to 41% sizes), and Avanti S Jet with electron landing gear are available. Receiver-ready options of the Ultimate 300KS models are available for those who prefer a prebuilt option. chiefaircraft.com

Pilot-RC Balsa Airplanes $349 to $1,599 Item no. N/A

Pilot-RC manufactures the highest-quality balsa planes. No corners are cut when building any of their planes, from 22% up to 40%. Models available include the Extra 330LX and Edge V3 airframes, plus the Extra 330SC, Decathlon, Predator, and Viper Jet. Chief Aircraft features many scale and 3D-printed schemes, or you can order your own custom scheme. Professional building services also available for the pilot on the go. chiefaircraft.com