What I would buy if I were starting RC today.
I would have saved hundreds of dollars if I had received better advice when I started flying radio control. This article will tell you how to build high quality, high performance planes that don't break and still fly on a budget. We try to keep things inexpensive and simple. Watch our videos. Read the articles on our web site. We love to fly and think that you will too if you get durable products and good information. Our planes are also designed to handle wind better than most other planes you can buy.
I would have saved hundreds of dollars if I had received better advice when I started flying radio control. This article will tell you how to build high quality, high performance planes that don't break and still fly on a budget. We try to keep things inexpensive and simple. Watch our videos. Read the articles on our web site. We love to fly and think that you will too if you get durable products and good information. Our planes are also designed to handle wind better than most other planes you can buy.
I recommend you start with a polyhedral wing Albatross kit and an Assassin kit from Crashtesthobby.com. You will learn faster if you learn to fly the slower Albatross before you try to fly the Assassin. Both kits are cut from nearly indestructible EPP foam and designed to last. The Albatross likes to fly about 25 mph and the Assassin likes to fly at 70 mph with the same motor, prop and battery. Obviously the slower Albatross with poly wing plane is easier to fly and gives you time to build your reflexes for the Assassin flying wing.
Albatross Kit with Polyhedral Wing CTH Albatross
Assassin Kit CTH Assassin
These are drasticly different planes but both of these kits are designed to use the same motors, ESCs, props, batteries and servos so you don't have to stock a lot of different items. Below are the items all listed at Banggood and a comparison between Hobby King and Banggood. Some of the items come in bulk which saves money. It is a good idea to have a spar motor and props and servos so you can keep flying.
Try this link to learn more about why the Albatross is the best trainer.
http://www.crashtesthobby.com/best-rc-trainer.html
Many things have changed in the last two years. I am updating links because many have changed and some products no longer available or shipping is unreliable. I am trying to put Amazon links because of supply chain problems.
This is a shopping list I made after I had several customers ask for a list from a single retailer.
Amazon links, not always the least expensive but better delivery.
Motor Amazon 2812-1534KV motor
Motor (Best price, from China slow shipping) 2812-1534KV motor
(10X) HK Propellers (Best price) 7x6 APC style propellers
Propellers on Amazon 5X 7x6 APC style
ESC 30A Amazon with plugs 30 amp ESC
Metal gear mini Servos on Amazon 6X MG90 Servos
6 channel Radio/receiver on Amazon FlySky i6 with a iA6B Receiver
Extra Receiver Amazon Flysky i6 (get iA6B receiver)
Charger B6-AC Lipo Charger
Batteries 3S 1300 Lipo 11.1 volt
If you upgrade the motor you also need to upgrade the battery, ESC and servos
Bigger motor 3530-1700 KV motor
ESC 40A Amazon with plugs 40 amp ESC
Propellers on Amazon 5X 7x6 APC style
(10X) HK Propellers (Best price) 7x6 APC style propellers
Prop Saver from Crashtesthobby 5mm prop saver
If you buy ESCs or motors without plugs you will also need plugs.
Bullet Plugs Amazon 10+ pairs
XT60 plugs XT60 Connectors
Hobby King vs Banggood
(3X) Motor EMAX (HK) 2812-1534KV motor (BG) 2812-1534KV motor
(10X) Propellers (HK) 7x6 APC style props (BG) 7x6 APC style props
30 Amp ESC W/BEC (HK) 30 A ESC (BG) 4X 30 A ESCs
Servo MG90 Servos (HK) MG90 servo (BG) 6X MG90 Servos
Radio (HK) Turnigy TGY-i6 (BG) FlySky i6 with a iA6B Receiver
Extra Receiver (HK) iA6 Receiver (BG) IA6B Receiver
Bullet Plugs (HK) 10 pais 4mm (BG) 50X pairs 3.5mm
XT60 plugs (HK) 5X pairs of XT60 plugs (BG) 10X pair XT60 plugs
Charger (copy) (HK) B6-AC Lipo Charger (BG) B6-AC Lipo Charger
(4X) 3S Batteries (HK) 3S 1300 Lipo 11.1 volt (BG) 3S 1300 Lipo 11.1 volt
Albatross Kit with Polyhedral Wing CTH Albatross
Assassin Kit CTH Assassin
These are drasticly different planes but both of these kits are designed to use the same motors, ESCs, props, batteries and servos so you don't have to stock a lot of different items. Below are the items all listed at Banggood and a comparison between Hobby King and Banggood. Some of the items come in bulk which saves money. It is a good idea to have a spar motor and props and servos so you can keep flying.
Try this link to learn more about why the Albatross is the best trainer.
http://www.crashtesthobby.com/best-rc-trainer.html
Many things have changed in the last two years. I am updating links because many have changed and some products no longer available or shipping is unreliable. I am trying to put Amazon links because of supply chain problems.
This is a shopping list I made after I had several customers ask for a list from a single retailer.
Amazon links, not always the least expensive but better delivery.
Motor Amazon 2812-1534KV motor
Motor (Best price, from China slow shipping) 2812-1534KV motor
(10X) HK Propellers (Best price) 7x6 APC style propellers
Propellers on Amazon 5X 7x6 APC style
ESC 30A Amazon with plugs 30 amp ESC
Metal gear mini Servos on Amazon 6X MG90 Servos
6 channel Radio/receiver on Amazon FlySky i6 with a iA6B Receiver
Extra Receiver Amazon Flysky i6 (get iA6B receiver)
Charger B6-AC Lipo Charger
Batteries 3S 1300 Lipo 11.1 volt
If you upgrade the motor you also need to upgrade the battery, ESC and servos
Bigger motor 3530-1700 KV motor
ESC 40A Amazon with plugs 40 amp ESC
Propellers on Amazon 5X 7x6 APC style
(10X) HK Propellers (Best price) 7x6 APC style propellers
Prop Saver from Crashtesthobby 5mm prop saver
If you buy ESCs or motors without plugs you will also need plugs.
Bullet Plugs Amazon 10+ pairs
XT60 plugs XT60 Connectors
Hobby King vs Banggood
(3X) Motor EMAX (HK) 2812-1534KV motor (BG) 2812-1534KV motor
(10X) Propellers (HK) 7x6 APC style props (BG) 7x6 APC style props
30 Amp ESC W/BEC (HK) 30 A ESC (BG) 4X 30 A ESCs
Servo MG90 Servos (HK) MG90 servo (BG) 6X MG90 Servos
Radio (HK) Turnigy TGY-i6 (BG) FlySky i6 with a iA6B Receiver
Extra Receiver (HK) iA6 Receiver (BG) IA6B Receiver
Bullet Plugs (HK) 10 pais 4mm (BG) 50X pairs 3.5mm
XT60 plugs (HK) 5X pairs of XT60 plugs (BG) 10X pair XT60 plugs
Charger (copy) (HK) B6-AC Lipo Charger (BG) B6-AC Lipo Charger
(4X) 3S Batteries (HK) 3S 1300 Lipo 11.1 volt (BG) 3S 1300 Lipo 11.1 volt
For The Grim Reaper, Titan, Pinata and Storm Chaser I recommend:
3530-1700 kv motor - Banggood
3530-1700 kv motor - RCtimer
7x6 APC style prop
standard sized servos
40 amp ESC
1800 to 2200 mA lipo for Titan and Pinata
2200-4000 mA lipo 30+ C battery for the Grim Reaper and Storm Chaser.
Why do we recommend these component parts over others?
Crashtesthobby's goal is to make RC something everyone can afford. We manufacture EPP foam planes that fly well and can survive better than other types of planes. The size of planes we recommend are less expensive to buy and to set up.
All of the components we are suggesting are available from many retailers so you can compare prices and read reviews. These parts are simple and well proven with thousands of customers. You can find these parts on Amazon and on Ebay. Many of the different hobby shops sell them too.
3530-1700 kv motor - Banggood
3530-1700 kv motor - RCtimer
7x6 APC style prop
standard sized servos
40 amp ESC
1800 to 2200 mA lipo for Titan and Pinata
2200-4000 mA lipo 30+ C battery for the Grim Reaper and Storm Chaser.
Why do we recommend these component parts over others?
Crashtesthobby's goal is to make RC something everyone can afford. We manufacture EPP foam planes that fly well and can survive better than other types of planes. The size of planes we recommend are less expensive to buy and to set up.
All of the components we are suggesting are available from many retailers so you can compare prices and read reviews. These parts are simple and well proven with thousands of customers. You can find these parts on Amazon and on Ebay. Many of the different hobby shops sell them too.
Motor EMAX 2812-1534kv - This is an inexpensive, lightweight motor, it allows you to fly both fast or slow.
7x6 APC style props - This is a stiff prop that is quiet and inexpensive and works well with the 2812 motor.
30 Amp ESC W/BEC - This is a good sized ESC with a BEC to use with the above prop and motor.
Servo MG90 Servos - Metal gear servos can take more abuse. These are light, inexpensive and reliable.
Radio Flysky i6 - The best radio for the price. 20 model memory. Uses 4 AA batteries but the batteries last.
The Turnigy from HK is a rebrand of the same radio. I prefer the iA6B receiver on the Flysky radio.
Extra Receiver iA6B - The B receiver design has the plugs in the end which are easier to install in planes.
Bullet Plugs 3.5mm - Used to connect the ESC to the motor. You will also need heat shrink tubing.
XT60 plugs - Used to connect the battery to the ESC. If you wire them backward you will kill your ESC.
Charger (copy) B6AC - Multifunction charger that is adjustable. Make sure you get the right wall plug. You may need to solder on XT60 connecters to be able to charge your batteries. Look Here.
3S Batteries 1300 mA 11.1 volt - Always a challenge to find good batteries. Pulse and Graphine brands have more power but many other good batteries are out there. Look for batteries with a C rating of at least 30. Try to find batteries that already have the XT60 plugs attached.
7x6 APC style props - This is a stiff prop that is quiet and inexpensive and works well with the 2812 motor.
30 Amp ESC W/BEC - This is a good sized ESC with a BEC to use with the above prop and motor.
Servo MG90 Servos - Metal gear servos can take more abuse. These are light, inexpensive and reliable.
Radio Flysky i6 - The best radio for the price. 20 model memory. Uses 4 AA batteries but the batteries last.
The Turnigy from HK is a rebrand of the same radio. I prefer the iA6B receiver on the Flysky radio.
Extra Receiver iA6B - The B receiver design has the plugs in the end which are easier to install in planes.
Bullet Plugs 3.5mm - Used to connect the ESC to the motor. You will also need heat shrink tubing.
XT60 plugs - Used to connect the battery to the ESC. If you wire them backward you will kill your ESC.
Charger (copy) B6AC - Multifunction charger that is adjustable. Make sure you get the right wall plug. You may need to solder on XT60 connecters to be able to charge your batteries. Look Here.
3S Batteries 1300 mA 11.1 volt - Always a challenge to find good batteries. Pulse and Graphine brands have more power but many other good batteries are out there. Look for batteries with a C rating of at least 30. Try to find batteries that already have the XT60 plugs attached.
From another article I wrote...
I know that choosing a first plane can be confusing where we sell a variety of specialized planes.
If this is your first plane get an Albatross poly wing and put a 2812-1534 motor on it with a 7x6 prop and 25+ amp ESC and MG90 servos. You can fly with 3S batteries from 1300 to 3000 mA. I usually fly with 3S-2700 mA batteries and can get half hour flight times if I am not doing aerobatics. Your flying speed on the Albatross poly wing is from 10-30 mph.
If you are looking for a flying wing you need to decide how big of a wing you want to fly. Locally the EPP Grim Reaper is very popular first flying wing. It is a bigger wing and easier to see and not so sensitive to the controls as the 40" class wings. The air speed with this set up is from about 20-80 mph.
We do sell a lot of 40" wings. I personally have at least 10 of this size of plane flying. In this group I recommend you start with the Assassin or the Rebel S-16% with a 2812-1534 motor on it with a 7x6 prop and 25+ amp ESC and MG90 servos. I fly with 3S batteries 1300 mA. Pulse battery brand is my favorite. These planes are the toughest planes you can buy and can take a lot of abuse. Airspeed is from about 20 mph to 75 mph and that speed is what makes them a good intermediate level sport plane that is a lot of fun.
Notice that the recommended motor, ESC and radio set up for the Albatross that flies 10-30 mph is the same for the Assassin and Rebel that fly at 20-75 mph.
If you want to enter the world of speed use the Grim Reaper set up above on the Assassin or Rebel with a good 1300-1800 3S battery ...... but this is not for first time flyers. (Hehehehe)
I know that choosing a first plane can be confusing where we sell a variety of specialized planes.
If this is your first plane get an Albatross poly wing and put a 2812-1534 motor on it with a 7x6 prop and 25+ amp ESC and MG90 servos. You can fly with 3S batteries from 1300 to 3000 mA. I usually fly with 3S-2700 mA batteries and can get half hour flight times if I am not doing aerobatics. Your flying speed on the Albatross poly wing is from 10-30 mph.
If you are looking for a flying wing you need to decide how big of a wing you want to fly. Locally the EPP Grim Reaper is very popular first flying wing. It is a bigger wing and easier to see and not so sensitive to the controls as the 40" class wings. The air speed with this set up is from about 20-80 mph.
We do sell a lot of 40" wings. I personally have at least 10 of this size of plane flying. In this group I recommend you start with the Assassin or the Rebel S-16% with a 2812-1534 motor on it with a 7x6 prop and 25+ amp ESC and MG90 servos. I fly with 3S batteries 1300 mA. Pulse battery brand is my favorite. These planes are the toughest planes you can buy and can take a lot of abuse. Airspeed is from about 20 mph to 75 mph and that speed is what makes them a good intermediate level sport plane that is a lot of fun.
Notice that the recommended motor, ESC and radio set up for the Albatross that flies 10-30 mph is the same for the Assassin and Rebel that fly at 20-75 mph.
If you want to enter the world of speed use the Grim Reaper set up above on the Assassin or Rebel with a good 1300-1800 3S battery ...... but this is not for first time flyers. (Hehehehe)
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