Electric Flight - September 2013

Pilot Report
ParkZone/Horizon Hobby
Spitfire Mk IX &
P- 40 Warhawk
Micro-sized warbirds, giant-sized fun

By Michael York Photos by John Reid

Specifications Model: Ultra Micro Spitfire Mk IX / P- 40 Warhawk Manufacturer: ParkZone ( parkzone.com) Distributor: Horizon Hobby ( horizonhobby.com) Type: Micro-scale WW II Length: 13. 5 / 13. 6 in. Wingspan: 15. 9 / 15. 8 in. Wing area: 43. 3 / 41.2 sq. in. Weight: 1.65 / 1.6 oz. Wing loading: 5. 4 / 5. 7 oz./sq. ft. Motor req’d: Included Radio req’d: 4-channel DSM2/DSMX compatible Price: $99.99

Highlights
; + Micro-sized big fun
; + Multi-blade propellers
; + No build time
; + AS3X stability system

Gear Used
Radio: JR 10X transmitter (jrradios.
com), DSM2/DSMX AS3X receiver,
micro linear servos (installed)
Motor: 8.5mm geared brushed motor,
speed control on receiver module
(installed)
Battery: 3. 7 150mAh 25C 1S LiPo
(included)
Prop: 4-blade / 3-blade (installed)

My love of model planes started out at an early age when I would spend countless hours building various-sized plastic display kits. I always wished that I could just take one of these planes o; the shelf and go outside to actually see it fly. Back then, the technology didn’t exist to fulfill that dream, but luckily, that is no longer the case. Take ParkZone’s two latest releases of its PKZ series of scale micro planes for instance: the legendary P- 40 Warhawk in Flying Tigers colors and iconic Spitfire Mk IX, arguably one of the greatest WW II fighters ever made.

With wingspans of just 15. 8 and 15. 9 inches respectively, they are not much larger than some of the plastic kits I used to build, and the detail right out of the box is quite incredible and worthy of any display cabinet. ;e best part, however, is that these lightweight warriors are not only pre-built, but can also be flight ready within a few minutes. Both include a 1S 3.7V 150mAh LiPo battery pack and matching AA battery-powered quick charger. BNF means you’re just a transmitter bind away from getting airborne; all you need is a DSM2/DSMX compatible transmitter. ;e thorough instruction manual will guide anyone comfortable with aileron planes from initial setup to post-flight checks.