Alien Aircraft Gadget
 

I received this kit from Model Airplane News after they accepted one of my Tips &Tricks. Although I have seen ads for Alien Aircraft in various magazines, I had not built one. The kit consists of high quality balsa, instructions and hardware. The build was enjoyable and straight forward.
I modified the wing mounts and a few others things. The maiden flight did not reveal any surprises other than how much fun this plane is to fly. I love taking a box sticks, adding some time and then flying it!

Has anyone else built this little bipe?

Build thread: www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php

RE: Alien Aircraft Gadget
 

Looks great! Nice job. <div>What's the spans &amp; weight?</div>

RE: Alien Aircraft Gadget
 

<div>Thanks!</div><div>
</div>Wing span is 28.33"; wing area is 231.8 sq". <div>RTF weight with 2s1000 is 11.4oz. </div>

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=1912156Callie Graphics made custom "Gadget" decals for under $10!

I know this is an old thread, but I am considering this for a night flyer. I want to add some LED strip lights. Does this design behave well enough for this task? I guess I am hoping that it can fly fairly slowly, and land easily. Thanks for any info.

VG - yes to both questions. The Gadget is a very docile, three-channel plane. It handles wind very well, it will fly slow if you want it to and the landings are very predictable. Of course, a lot of this depends on how you chose to set up the motor, prop and battery. My set up works well for me and the flying I do with it.
It is funny that you mention the LEDs...I have thought about them too. As you can see from the photos, I covered my Gadget with translucent film. When I fly it at dusk you can see the glow from the Rx. This got me thinking about adding a 7.4v light system. I wish I would have thought of it during the build.
Post pics if you do it!!

Thanks for the reply. Never thought of night flying, until one evening a friend showed up at my flying site. I happened to be camping there that night. He had a night flying plane he designed. It was mostly foam, and the lights he used were just stuck on the top and bottom of the wings. Then a strip on either side of the fuse. It was a blast, and much easier than I ever imagined! The lights actually illuminated the runway when you landed. It was no problem at all. I have seen these lights at the Hobby Lobby website, but they are out of stock and have been for a long time. The lights might be the hard thing to track down. I am sure I can come up with something. Might be kinda cool to just cover it clear, and use the lights to add the color? Then just paint the fuse and tail. (all the solid wood)

Very cool ideas. I was at Grayson Hobby's showroom a couple of weeks ago and they had some 11.1v LED strings ... I didn't ask if they had something I could use with my 2S system on this plane but I'm sure it's out there.
Good luck with the lights. You'll love the kit either way.

Cool. I will go for it. Should be able to throw it together in no time after all of the big projects I have been doing lately! I would like a simple, inexpensive project to throw around the sky.

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=1913137

Very nice! The Gadget will be a relaxing build for you...no doubt.

Thanks. Yes, relaxing is nice sometimes.

Added micro tailwheel
 

My original build opted for a tail skid that worked well initially but grew tiresome when trying to take off or land on pavement..which is 95% of my flying. I found a Dubro micro tailwheel that looked terrific and fashioned it to fit the Gadget. I love the look and now the ground handling is beautiful. Made a ten into an eleven!