planes

Some of my purchased models

In this page I’m presenting some of the models that I have bought over the years. Unless otherwise noted I still own and fly them. I’m only showing the ones that I think stand out of the crowd or have a special meaning for me.

Kult Elektro (Tangent)

• Span : 3400mm
• Motor : Kontronik Fun 500-37 with 6.7-1 gearbox
• Battery : 4S 3700mAh
• Flying weight : approx. 4250gram

End of 2007 I bought my first “real” glider. Until then I had almost exclusively flown motor models. Even with my gliders I am not going away from motorized flight completely as all of them have an electric motor to get airborne. Purists will now probably complain that because of this I should remove the word “real” from my opening statement.

The model features a glassfibre fuselage and foam-veneer wings with significant carbon reinforcement. I bought the version with the wings extensively prefabricated and covered with a plastic film with a very nice printed design.

Despite its weight this model is a good thermal floater. For me a good introduction to these larger models. I sold it in 2015 once I had been exposed to a couple of the next models on my list.

Espadita (Jaro Müller)

• Span : 2000mm
• Motor : Kontronik Kyra 400 with 5.2-1 gearbox
• Battery : 3S 1800mAh
• Flying weight : approx. 1300gram as far as I can remember

My introduction to full-composite models. I bought this model in 2009 at the recommendation from a flyingclub member. What a shock ! Immaculate construction and finish, ingenious and perfectly executed technical solutions. The wings feature a fully enclosed actuation system for the ailerons and flaps. As far as I can tell a mature LDS-system before others started using this (note that this model already existed for some time before I bought mine). And even more than that : the servo’s just slide into a pocket in the wing root and automatically connect with the actuation system. Just tighten a small screw to fix the connection. Everything is perfectly prepared for the installation of servo’s and motor, you don’t have to figure anything out anymore.

In flight this model also raised my expectations for the future. A very good glider despite its relatively small size, and very fast when you want to. I must admit that I have neglected this model a bit during recent years because of all the other planes that have come after it. I need to make up for that and get it in the air again soon. Jaro Müller does not list the model for sale anymore. Quite a shame I think, I assume the model was not economically interesting anymore for him.

Cluster 801X (Tragi)

• Span : 3540mm
• Motor : Tenshock EZ1515/15 3770kV with Reisenauer Micro Edition 5-1 gearbox
• Battery : 3S 1800mAh
• Flying weight : approx. 2000gram (without ballast)

The Espadita had me wanting for something bigger so in 2014 I purchased this Cluster. Currently (2020) there is a huge selection of motorized F3J-models (F5J-models) available but at that time choice was still very limited. Because of its F3J origins it is a good floater, but it also has a wide speed range and is able to handle significant G-loads. I am sure it can not compete with the current generation with their thinner profiles and higher aspect ratio wings but for a weekend flyer like me it is still an excellent model. Construction and surface quality of this model are in my view second to none. I have heard this model is not being made anymore, I hope I will be able to enjoy mine for many more years.

Eldorado (Jaro Müller)

• Span : 3093mm
• Motor : Leomotion L3025-2300 with 6.7-1 gearbox
• Battery : 2 x 3S 1600mAh in series
• Flying weight : approx. 2300gram (without ballast)

After having “gotten used” to the Cluster, I felt the need for something with more speed capability. I did not want a hotliner because I wanted to keep good handling at lower speeds. Models that are designed for F3B competition are known for their versatility. Looking around I came across the Eldorado from Jaro Müller. Because I had been so impressed with the Espadita I went ahead and placed my order.

In the previous century Jaro Müller became famous for a couple of models, for example the Ellipse. It seems that his current models are not really competitive any more, at least they so not show up high in the competition rankings. Because of this his models do not seem to get very much attention by the broader public. I think this is a shame because for the non-competition pilot these models are still very good and especially very good value for money.

The Eldorado uses similar technology for the aileron/flap actuation as the Eldorado so that was certainly a bonus in my view. It has a V-tail which I normally don’t like because of the certainty of hitting things and damaging it during transport. But luckily Jaro Müller built in an automatic connection for the elevators/rudders so that installing and removing the V-tail is very easy.

The wing shape is very specific, probably not to everybodies taste. On the other hand you’re not going to confuse it with another model in the air. At first sight such highly tapered tips would make you expect bad habits at low speeds but this is not the case at all. Flying behavior is very predictable and without vices.

The fuselage is relatively bulky compared to current F3B models. For a sports flyer like me this is an advantage as it makes equipment installation less challenging. I wanted a powerful motorization without driving up the amps too much so I went for a 6S-setup by placing two 3S batteries in series behind each other. By attaching them on a thin and flexible glassfibre strip it is possible to slide the pack into the fuselage by bending the strip between the batteries.

Allure (CK Aero)

• Span : 1960mm
• Motor : O.S. F3A reduction geared motor OMR-4043-172
• Battery : 10S 4500mAh
• Flying weight : approx. 4900gram

At the beginning of the 21st century I participated (with limited success) in F3A competitions and had bought and built a couple of planes for this. After a move due to a job change I pulled out of it. In 2016 I decided I wanted such a model again just for sports flying as these models are a real pleasure to fly. Everybody should try one of these once. I went for the Allure because that was the only model I could find (and was readily available) that only has one wing and no canalizer. It is a full composite plane with a very complicated paint scheme, painted on after molding. I am reasonably happy with it but I did have to change the wing incidence to make it behave closer to the way I like it. Always interesting to see that there is not one correct setup, that it depends on the preferences and habits of the pilot.

Elasto (Jaro Müller)

• Span : 3790mm
• Motor : Leopard LC250-30 4040kV with Reisenauer Micro Edition 5-1 gearbox
• Battery : 2 x 3S 800mAh connected in parallel
• Flying weight : approx. 1600gram (without ballast)

When Jaro Müller announced this model I could not resist. The whole wing area behind the main spar has been designed as control surface. There is no hinge line, the upper surface skin bends and the lower surface skin slides in a recess so there is never a gap. 8 servo’s are used to be able to perform a gradual change of the airfoil over the full wingspan for aileron and flap control. Attention to detail and craftmanship are again to a very high standard. The model also flies very well, it takes a bit getting used to. It is incredible to see how slow and graceful such models can cruise around in calm air. I must admit that I am still struggling a bit with the landings. The drag effect of the fully deployed flaps is not as pronounced compared to conventional models so the landings need to be planned and performed more carefully.

GP15 Jeta (Baudis)

• Span : 4300mm
• Motor : Migflight Jetec E-80 impeller with Leo 2200kV motor
• Battery : 6S 5000mAh
• Flying weight : 5970gram (without ballast)

Another model I bought more or less on impulse after I first saw it. I really like the fuselage shape and the high aspect ratio wings with the curved leading edge. I only have had a couple of flights with it up to now so I can not really judge yet. It is a very different plane from what I have flown up to now so I will need some time to get used to it.

I went with an impeller system on this model because I was interested in trying it out and I did not want to spoil that beautiful nose with a propeller this time. The battery is currently only 5000mAh. This is mainly because I have this battery also for another model and did not want to invest yet in a higher capacity battery. It currently needs a bit of ballast in the nose so a bigger battery is on my shopping list.

For take-off I use an own-design cart that is slightly different from what is typically seen. I’ll talk more about this in a separate page. A bungee would certainly be more energy efficient but I never felt at ease with such a system when I used it in the past with other models. Installing a towhook is still on my to-do list.