Review of the Radian 3 channel PNP

My Radian arrived yesterday so I place this as a review post.
What was I looking for in my next aircraft? A larger plane as most in my hanger are micro indoor flyers. A slow, long- flying, relaxing plane that is capable of some speed and aerobatic maneuvers. It must be easy to transport and be easy to assemble at wherever I was going to fly using a minimum of tools. Cost less than $300.00.
I had narrowed my choices to the Hobby King AXN (4) channel, the Hobbyzone Radian Pro (6) channel two meter power assisted glider. And finally the Hobbyzone Radian (3) channel two meter power assisted glider.
The Hobby King AXN looked like a fun build, ordering the fuselage with mounted motor and all the servos and bits needed for completion priced out around $150.00. Although it is a (4) channel flyer, and I have very little experience with aileron control it was ruled out on the transportation note. The vehicle I use is a four door sedan. The AXN is a glue together construction (i.e.) wings glue into the fuselage as well as the tail feathers. This plane would be very difficult to transport and if I were to bring passengers, impossible.
The Hobbyzone Radian Pro has all the bells and whistles anyone could ask for. A full (6) channel flyer, throttle, rudder, elevator, aileron, flaps and crow. This can be mixed to reflex and camber. Priced as a bind and fly for just under $250.00. I found this choice very tempting it could be stored and transported in the original packaging using minimal tools a Phillips screwdriver and needle nose pliers. Assembly required plugging in the wing servos securing the wing to fuselage with screws and fixing the horizontal stab and control wire install the battery and fly. I watched reviews and spoke with owners of the Radian Pro to get their thoughts. The things that I found that eliminated this aircraft from my choices were way too much to do as I was looking for a relaxing flight and my lack of experience with aileron control. I think with more experience in aileron control I would have made this my choice.
This leaves me with my choice, the Hobbyzone PNP Radian (3) channel two meter wingspan power assisted glider. With an AR400 full range receiver delivered in (7) days total, $203.00. This plane is perfect for my needs. It is easy to assemble/disassemble no glue required; it fits back into its original box for transport and storage. A minimum of tools are required, a small Phillips screwdriver and a wrench to tighten the propeller A MUST CHECK pre and post flight the motor has a brake that may cause loosening of the propeller retaining nut. The wings fit into the fuselage with a carbon spar and lock together using a dove tail lock molded into each wing half.

The canopy is held in place with magnetic catches as is the receiver servo access hatch located on the bottom.


The elevator slides thru the vertical stab and is secured with tape. The only control linkage that needs connecting is on the horizontal stab using the supplied pushrod keeper.
On a 5/5 scale;
Fit and finish of this plane. 5/5.

Design. 4/5 Attention to the control horn pushrod geometry is lacking, and a better way of securing the horizontal stabilizer to the craft could have been designed in.


Flight Characteristics. 5/5+. This airplane is a flyer, control is predictable and smooth. Its climb rate is fantastic, coupled with its glide rate the plane does not want to land. Choose a LARGE area to fly and watch for Thermals she will fly away.

certainly is a pretty little thing.
And a very nice, well balanced review too Walrus.

A really good review.

It always seems odd that on many ARTFs they produce a beautifully streamlined fuselage but then seem to forget aerodynamics when it comes to the rudder and elevator linkage.

A superb review Walrus. Congrats on that one mate

Garry

Should have bought the Fun Cub

The Beard wrote: Should have bought the Fun Cub

I have the Super Cub LP (3)ch. It is another good flyer. I think eventually I will modify it to be a (4)ch the fourth being ailerons.

Im a real fan of the Mpx Fun Cub because it has so mant attributes but Ive worn mine out.

i removed my elevator control horn and moved it in closer to where the control rod naturally falls- also the tilt of the rudder was corrected by repositioning the control rod up a mil or two..also the supplied connectors are inferior and should be replaced by dubros or something more robust- the stock ones supplied are a known weak spot.. the horizontal stabilizer has a built in up decalage of almost 3 degrees- this is why it may loop on a full throttle launch- Paul Naton has some awesome mods for this plane on youtube... but it does fly great out of the box-- if you lessen the decalage it will fly faster and smoother but the center of gravity must be shifted back to give the correct angle of attack - that is the real purpose of the 3 degrees of decalage, to set angle of attack of main wing and also plane will pull out of a dive on its own- I know this plane intimatly and will try and help if u have any questions- however you appear to understand all you really need to know and a good review says I...

You forgot to click "Insert" on the picture Scott ... edited it for you... hope you don't mind.