Great Planes: Ryan STA-M ARF and Firebat Electric ARF

Model Airplane News, Jul 2002

The Ryan STA is a favorite of modelers, and Great Planes' new military version of the "Golden Age" classic, the STA-M, is sure to become just as popular. This all-wood, MonoKote-covered built-up ARF flies as great as it looks. Great Planes paid attention to details and included a painted-- fiberglass cowl and wheel pants, reinforced nylon engine mount and high-quality Great Planes hardware. This 82-inch-wingspan beauty is capable of scale military maneuvers, weighs slightly more than 10 pounds and has a wing loading of about 23 ounces per square foot. The Ryan requires a .60 to .91 2-stroke or .70 to 1.20 4-stroke engine with a 4- or 5-channel radio and 6 standard servos and costs $499.99.

You have to love the way electric RC embraces exciting new airplane designs such as this Firebat foamie pusher jet from Great Planes. The Firebat looks like a modern jet fighter and features functioning canards that add slow-speed stability. The delta wing with canards adds up to an impressive 342.7 square inches of wing area with a 31.25-inch span for a very friendly 10. 1 ounces/square foot of wing loading.

Another bonus is the room in the fuselage for radio gear: the Firebat is designed to accept standard-size servos. It includes a Speed 400 motor and two props, and it can be built in a couple of hours with simple tools and some epoxy. A deluxe version adds an ESC, an 8-cell, 1100mAh battery and a charger. You'll only need to supply a 3-channel radio, two servos and a servo extension. Street prices: about $55 for the standard kit; $110 for the deluxe.

Great Planes Model Mfg. (800) 637-7660; greatplanes.com.