MicroScout Foam RC Model Airplane Kit
The MicroScout is a quick building foam micro RC airplane kit that flies like a champ
MicroScout RC model airplane kits
- Foam radio control electric model airplane kit
- Specialized foam construction, unique web video instruction
- Will need to purchase Plantraco radio control set and motor
- Proportional three channel control for rudder, elevator and throttle
- Skill level: Intermediate to advanced
- Flight characteristics: 8 out of 10 (flies quickly!)
- Where to buy: www.plantraco.com
MicroScout kit contents with foam wings and fuselage, carbon fiber fuselage
The MicroScout is a very cool indoor RC model airplane you build from a kit, and one that is a great deal of fun to build and fly. You will truly improve your modeling and flying skills with this innovative kit. Plantraco has a very comprehensive website describing their RC model airplane kits and associated products, and the radio equipment needed to complete the MicroScout.
Note in the picture at left, you will get an RC model airplane kit that must be fully assembled. Plantraco has a great set of videos on their website, that take you through all the steps needed to construct the MicroScout radio control model airplane. Oddly enough, the MicroScout does not require a set of RC aircraft plans. And the building goes quickly. I started on a Saturday morning, and flew that evening. Some difference from the early days of radio control plane primer in the 1930s.
Lightweight magnetic actuators, ideally suited for micro RC model airplane kits control surfaces
Lightweight magnetic actuators, used to move the elevator and rudder, offered by Plantraco. These actuators are an absolute requirement to meet the half ounce weight requirement for the MicroScout micro RC airplane.
This was my very first time working with these tiny radio system components. There are small, but work just fine. The Plantraco videos do a perfect job walking you through their installation on the RC model airplane kits. There are no RC plane plans, just the very well done flash videos on the Plantraco website. I literally built my MicroScout RC model airplanes kits on a Saturday morning, and flew it that evening - first time I had even done this with an RC model airplane kits.
MicroScout RC model airplane kits foam fuselage
The MicroScout RC model airplane kits goes together quickly, and unlike any other model I've built before. Plantraco has thought out the construction process very carefully.
Shown to the right is the RC model airplane kits carbon rod fuselage stick, wing support former and tail surfaces. Holes in support former are for the rudder/elevator actuators of this easy to build RC model airplane kits. A computer RC flight sim can help a lot with learning to master this quick little flyer.
MicroScout magnetic control surface actuators; nose of aircraft is to the right
View of the MicroScout's RC model airplane kits wing installation (simply glued in place), and the two magnetic actuators. This micro RC model airplane kits is a quick, responsive flyer for intermediate to advanced pilots.
The good new is the MicroScout is so lightweight, it is just about impossible to damage in a model airplane crashes.
MicroScout RC model airplanes kits front view
Finished nose section of MicroScout. Note geared electric motor, turning the large, efficient propeller on this radio control model airplane. The square receiver/electronic speed control is just in front of wing leading edge. Note also foam wheels on the lightweight landing gear. Plantraco RC model airplane kits has a unique magnetic system to hold the MicroScout battery in place, and works very well.
Flying the MicroScout RC model airplane
Flight line set up with the MicroScout. The three channel Plantraco transmitter also doubles as a charger for the in flight battery.
MicroScout and Plantraco transmitter
The MicroScout RC model plane flies great. The radio control model airplane is small, and moves right along. Before your first flight, ensure the flight controls are move freely and in the correct direction. Check also you have the full amount of elevator and rudder movement called for in the video. The ParkZone line of RTF foam aircraft make great trainers for this zippy flyer.
The little geared motor provides plenty of thrust. Have a friend do the first hand launch, and anticipate adding some up elevator. The MicroScout is small and flies quickly at full throttle, so plan ahead with an early turn to keep the model in sight.
Indoor flying at a golf dome
The MicroScout is a solid flyer, but not a trainer, or suitable for a beginning indoor RC model airplane. If you are comfortable with the Cessna 210 model airplane at full throttle, you'll be fine taking the MicroScout for a spin.