Hey guys,

Future Model has released a 48" scale Katana EPP plane. I absolutely love Katanas and had been hoping for quite some time that a manufacturer would produce a 48" EPP Katana. The wait is over. I have flown my Katana more than a dozen times now (as of 13 May 2013) and I really love it . I also have a Future Model 47" Sbach EPP plane that I really love .

You can buy this plane from BestValueRC. See the following links:
http://www.bestvaluerc.com/shop/shopexd.asp?id=401
http://www.bestvaluerc.com/shop/shopexd.asp?id=402

Here are my videos. My flying style is freestyle 3D with lots of fast and high energy moves.

Future Model 48" Scale Katana EPP - More Fun Times (5 min 37 sec)

130506 future model katana 01 (2 min 22 sec)

Future Model 48" Scale Katana EPP - Third Flight in the Wind (3 min 9 sec)

Here are some videos from Ollie in China. Ollie's flying style seems to be a mix of pattern and 3D.

Future Model 48" scale Katana EPP - Ollie flying in China #1 (4 min 8 sec)

Future Model 48" scale Katana EPP - Ollie flying in China #2 (4 min 25 sec)

Future Model 48" scale Katana EPP - Ollie flying in China #3 (4 min 23 sec)

Wow! I am stunned by the apparent lack of interest for this product. What gives?

Here's a photo of the pretty Kat knife edging.

I like... in fact I love it.

Nice plane but man that KE photo makes me realise how lucky we are to have the flying sites we have.

Originally Posted by Mr Kamikaze

Nice plane but man that KE photo makes me realise how lucky we are to have the flying sites we have.

Yes, very true.

Nice model Scott, but at that size and full fuse, personally I would rather go with balsa.
When it comes to foamies, I prefer profiles due to their flying characteristics and ruggedness plus they are now available at this size with the Telink ExtraVaganza and RC Factory SBach. The full fuse foamie doesn't seem to be that popular in the UK, quite possibly that is different elsewhere?
And yes, how lucky are we with our flying sites?, the rubbish in the KE photo looks awful.

Mike

48" seems to be a good break point for foam/built up fuse to balsa, I've found models like the winner extra seem really good at this size although they are not full fuse more a semi fuze foam style.

I think the fact that there is already an Edge, Slick and Sbach in this 48" size this part of the market is covered.

Originally Posted by docbrew

I think the fact that there is already an Edge, Slick and Sbach in this 48" size this part of the market is covered.

I agree. I'm excited about it but I think the Edge, Slick and Sbach have stolen the full fuse EPP thunder so to speak. They are becoming a new standard in what we expect out of 3d EPP planes, so I think that would attribute to the lack of discussion here.

It looks like a nice addition to the WM line of planes and good overall for the budding full fuse EPP plane market. I'm looking forward to seeing some more pics and videos.

Originally Posted by Mike Smart

Nice model Scott, but at that size and full fuse, personally I would rather go with balsa.
When it comes to foamies, I prefer profiles due to their flying characteristics and ruggedness plus they are now available at this size with the Telink ExtraVaganza and RC Factory SBach.

+1
For roughly the same amount or little extra money, I would rather go with balsa plane. TH planes are great and i own severel of them including the Extravaganza but profile is not for everyone and on that case i would recommend all epp full fuse from Epphobby.com, their frames are rigid, flys great and very durable.
I have flown hybrids, sold some and have the last 2 listed for sale.
Other than hybrids being different and new, IMO there is no point on getting hybrid plane. Thought we fly epp more for their durability and VaModels planes have served me better for that purpose plus they fly great

Reminds me of my Katana CST. That was the first one of these full fuse planes that I owned. Can't believe its been four years ago.

CST Katana (3 min 21 sec)

Originally Posted by Mr Kamikaze

Nice plane but man that KE photo makes me realise how lucky we are to have the flying sites we have.

+ 1...Somebody needs to get out ther with a backhoe and bury that crap.

Originally Posted by rc4u

+1
For roughly the same amount or little extra money, I would rather go with balsa plane. TH planes are great and i own severel of them including the Extravaganza but profile is not for everyone and on that case i would recommend all epp full fuse from Epphobby.com, their frames are rigid, flys great and very durable.
I have flown hybrids, sold some and have the last 2 listed for sale.
Other than hybrids being different and new, IMO there is no point on getting hybrid plane. Thought we fly epp more for their durability and VaModels planes have served me better for that purpose plus they fly great

Interesting - in the other threads, there seems to be a growing number of folks giving up their 48" balsa's in favor of these hybrids. It seems as soon as folks start moving to 50+ inch balsa's, the flight characteristics become different enough between them and the 48" planes that they start offloading their 48" planes except for a beater for practice. With the hybrids, you get a more rugged practice plane, and IMO they are closer to the 50"+ balsa's than the 48" balsa's in terms of speed of maneuvers and sensitivity. The profile EPP's don't come close to the characteristics of the balsa's - still great planes, but not for practicing for balsa plane maneuvers (pop tops, tumbles, etc.).

Just an observation from following the various 3D threads. I haven't gotten to this stage yet - still love how wildly my 48" balsa planes tumble (EF MXS, 3DHS buck and a half, 3DHS Extra). However, they don't always go out to the field with me while my hybrids do.