Finally we got the ARF version of ESPRIT 600.
I wanted to introduce this model at SEFF show in Atlanta, but the postal service failed. The plane showed up on Monday after the show. The model comes like you can see it with cool decals and all hardware. I have been testing this plane with Mega 22/20/3 and 8cells 3000 NiMH pack and APC-E 8x8 prop. Incredible stabile and predictable flyer.
ESPRIT: white gel-coated fuselage with foam core obechi sheeted wing and plastic canopy. Classic balsa built-up stabilizer and rudder.
Wingspan: 54"
Length: 35.5"
Empty weight: 20 oz.
Wing area: 410sq.in.
Price: $149.00

Esprit how it comes.

Looks interesting. How do the wing halves join ?

Originally posted by modest-master

Wingspan: 54"
Length: 35.5"
Empty weight: 20 oz.
Wing area: 410sq.in.
Price: $149.00

So why compare this to a Kwik-e and claim its better? The two planes aren't even remotely similar.

Kwik-e specs:
Wingspan: 40"
length: 34"
Empty weight (everything including motor, R/C gear, etc. but no battery): 19 oz.
Wing area: 278 sqin
Price: $65

The Kwik-e is a much smaller model, and much lower priced. It is a kit and not an ARF. It flys superbly on a $25 motor.

Hmmm....
Sort of wondering the samething, different class ship all together. Kwik-E is about $100 bucks for the kit motor and prop, kinda of hard to beat that no matter how good this ARF is from Esprit!

John

It just says a lot about how good the Kwik-E is that it's being compared to a $150 gel-coated, obechi-sheeted, airframe-only ARF. I'm looking forward to getting mine built.

Eric

ZB,

NICE plane ......POOR comparison

Suggest you reword your post.

This is more like an ARF Embat than an KWIK-E or Electrostreak.

How about a 22/30/3, 10 CP1700's, and a 9x6 or 10x7 APC "E" prop ?

Ed

Agree with Eric Bjorn - and you'd have to convince me too, that this could approach flying as well as the Kwik-E for that much higher a price.

I'll give you that it is better looking than the somewhat boxy Embat - but how will it fare to smacking down onto grass for a few seasons?

My balsa / ply Embat only needs a re-cover of her scratched belly to look like when she was new - after three years of hard flying and flopping onto grass after every flight. Does thin, lightweight fibreglass have that kind of durability?

Still, you believe the ad, pay the money and take the chance ...

Originally posted by Ed Lyerly
ZB,

NICE plane
How about a 22/30/3, 10 CP1700's, and a 9x6 or 10x7 APC "E" prop ?

Ed

Yes without worrying about the comparison, obechi skinned foam wings and gel coated fibreglass sound pretty good to me. Probably shows how little I know about planes. I have that engine and cell combination (10x6 ) anyhow.

As usual I'd be more interested in a flying report and some ease or otherwise of building notes.

Bit hard to see what the aerofoil is from the photo, wing loading etc. I'm assuming this is a pattern style plane? Or are we talking a racer? Can it be slowed down for landing in small field?

This thing looks a lot like an oversized Nooner (S400, 36" WS)

I must say I do fancy the sleek looks of the esprit - in the same vane as the crossfire. I also like the fact that its 54" so easier to see in the sky and a similar size to most slimmers at my field. But as was said previously its more an embat comparison than esteak /Kwik-E. And with a 600 would apear to be abit underpowered (with 400 to 500 watts might well be interesting tho ). So we need a review asap ideally from someone with recent em/streak/kwik experience - I'd do it but only have overpowered streak experience mark

Originally posted by Dereck
My balsa / ply Embat only needs a re-cover of her scratched belly to look like when she was new - after three years of hard flying and flopping onto grass after every flight. Does thin, lightweight fibreglass have that kind of durability?

I'll happily trade the durability of film covered ply/balsa for gelcoated thin fiberglass ....... whether it flies as well as the proven Embat is the question in my mind.
Ed