E-flite Alpha 450 trainer
The E-flite Alpha 450 is a conventional high wing trainer based on the nitro-powered Hanger 9 Alpha Trainer, a very popular rc airplane for beginners to the hobby.
At 48 inch wingspan it is smaller than its gas powered cousin but the 450 size brushless outrunner motor provides enough power to put this plane into the 'sport' category as well as basic trainer. In other words, the E-flite Alpha 450 is quite capable of some aerobatics, such as rolls and loops.
Available as ARF and PNP, there's not much to do to get the Alpha 450 airborne. The ARF version will let you choose your preferred components while the Plug-N-Play one is equipped with E-flite's trusted Park 450 motor and 25A brushless ESC. An 1800 - 2100mAh 11.1V 3S li-po motor battery pack is recommended for either version.
Above, the ARF version E-flite Alpha 450
It's a great sign that electric trainers like this are appearing. Hobbico's NexStar Select EP was one of the first such trainers to appear, being based on its gas powered NexStar Select 46 cousin, and continues to sell well. Anyone wanting to start off with a proper four channel trainer would do well to buy one of these airplanes, particularly if you're starting with electric but thinking of moving over to nitro in the future.
Aside from the flight characteristics of electric rc trainers like these, their construction also closely resembles gas planes and so they make a good introduction to balsa/ply built radio control planes.
E-flite Alpha 450 specs & features
These include...
- Wingspan: 48.5 in (1230mm)
- Overall Length: 40 in (1015mm)
- Flying Weight: 28-29 oz (790-820 g)
- Motor Size: Park 450
- Approx. Flying Duration: 15-20 minutes
- Steerable nose-wheel
- Aluminum landing gear
See both versions of the E-flite Alpha 450 in detail.
Related pages
Electric rc airplanes - an overview of electric planes.
Electric trainers - a few examples of popular electric trainers.
ARF rc airplanes - an overview of Almost Ready To Fly planes.
PNP rc airplanes - an overview of Plug-N-Play planes.
