I don't know how many of you know the Aerobird from HobbyZone. Great starter planes.

I keep hearing that you can't use the guts from an Aerobird for any other plane. I don't think that is true. It is just that the people who say this have so little imagination.

OK guys, here is the challenge!

Now, I am not a builder, so I am the wrong guy to try this, but there are lots of smart people out there designing or adapting planes. Some of you may also have Aerobirds. Let's see if you can design, build or adapt a plane using the control board and motor from an Aerobird.

For those who don't know the configuration, I will post a photo here.

Since V-tail mixing is built in and the board is fairly flat, this might go well in a delta wing where you use elevons for control. Maybe something you make from that blue or pink building foam. Perhaps something like a Zagi Fixx type design.

If I ever wreck my Aerobird to the point where I can't fix it and the electronics are still good, I might try this myself.

How about all you smart building types. Could be big money in a plane that can use the guts out of an Aerobird. Heaven knows they are selling enough of them. You could even buy a fuselage for $42, take out the speed 380 motor and the electronics package and throw the body away if you can't find a damaged one to salvage. Still pretty cheap for a receiver, motor, ESC, BEC, low voltage cutoff, two servos and a mixer. Fairly light too.

Let's see who can build one first. Not me, I am no builder. I haven't even started my first ARF, an Electrajet. No time.

Anyone out there have a bashed up Aerobird with a working electronics set who will donate it to this design project?

The challenge is placed. Who has some ideas????

Who, knows, we could produce a whole new plane this way. Call it the Phoenix, the heart of the Aerobird rising from the crashes.