ParkZone RC airplanes

For good-value electric flying, ParkZone rc airplanes are an excellent choice for anyone looking to either start flying radio control from scratch with something more than a basic model, or to progress up from simpler 1 or 2 channel planes.

ParkZone is one of the more popular rc product ranges developed and marketed by Illinois-based Horizon Hobby, one of (if not the) largest radio control distributors in North America.

The company's HobbyZone range, including the hugely successful Super Cub and Firebird RTF electric airplanes, provides a great way of enjoying some novice-level and low-cost rc flying, but the ParkZone rc airplanes are a step up in terms of size, airplane types and flying capabilities. With a good mix of non-scale, semi-scale and scale airplanes to choose from there is an airplane to suit most pilot's preference.

Browse the entire range of ParkZone planes.

Popular ParkZone RC planes

Shown below (roughly in order of beginner suitability) is a selection of currently popular choices from the range of ParkZone rc airplanes, with a brief description. Click through for more details on each...

Slo-V An elegant looking Slow Flyer, suitable for some relaxing rc flying either indoors or outdoors on calm days. It's a carbon fiber stick based model with easy flight characteristics, but still capable of a loop or two. More about the Slo-V. See it on video.
Ember 2 The ground-breaking original Ember was one of the first RTF ultra micro airplanes and brought indoor flying in to a new era. This is the updated version and still very popular, its 2.4GHz radio system means interference-free flying for all! Also available is the Ember 2 BNF. More about the original Ember. See it on video.
Night Vapor Following on from the original Vapor, this updated version incorporates an LED light system for flying in the dark. Lighter and slower flying than the Ember, this truly is an indoor RC airplane for around the house! Also available is the Night Vapor BNF. More about the (original) Vapor. See it on video.
J3 Piper Cub 3 channel scale model of the most famous trainer in aviation history. Nice and stable in the air means that this Cub makes a perfect scale rc trainer, or it can be made to perform basic aerobatics with its powerful brushless motor. More about the J3 Piper Cub. See it on video.
Super Decathlon A very nice scale model of the famous aerobatic trainer. Brushless motor and Li-Po battery power give this airplane excellent performance, but high wing stability makes it suitable for a first-time rc plane. More about the Super Decathlon. See it on video.
Radian ParkZone's first sailplane based RTF plane, this powered glider makes an excellent alternative to the faster planes. Slope flying and thermal soaring can be enjoyed, or flick the motor on for leisurely powered flight. Also available in PNP form. More about the Radian.
P-51 Mustang BL ParkZone have taken their original Mustang and shaken it up with a new scale livery and powerful brushless outrunner motor for better performance and smoother flying. I have one of these and can give it a big recommendation! Also available is the P-51 BL BNF. More about the P-51 Mustang BL.
Spitfire One of the most famous and feared fighters of the Second World War, this Spitfire is a hugely popular model. Equally as spectacular in the air as the other warbirds of the range, the 'Spit' comes with all the trimmings and is an excellent choice for an electric RTF scale fighter. More about the Spitfire.
T-28 Trojan A larger and more powerful airplane, thanks to the brushless outrunner and Li-Po motor pack combination. The Trojan is a fully aerobatic low-wing scale trainer. Not a first model, but a great choice for when you've got some experience. Now only available in PNP (Plug-N-Play) form, not RTF. More about the T-28 Trojan. See it on video.
T-28D Trojan A variant on the T-28 shown above, this T-28D is only available in Plug-N-Play or Bind-N-Fly form, not RTF. Similar performance to the Trojan above, a very nice plane indeed.
F4U Corsair Another favorite subject to join the RTF warbird line-up, this is a 4 channel scale electric airplane supplied with the latest 2.4GHz DSM2 radio gear. Complete with scale 3-blade prop, the Corsair looks great in the air and outperforms many other electric RTF versions. Also available in PNP form. More about the F4U Corsair. See it on video.
F4F Wildcat A great addition to the ParkZone warbird range, this Grumman F4F Wildcat is available in PNP and BNF only (no RTF) and is 4 channel. Smooth flight characteristics, ideal for intermediate pilots. More about the F4F Wildcat.
Messerschmitt Bf-109G Also available in just PNP and BNF (not RTF) forms, this ME109 is an excellent warbird example, with good scale detailing and great flight characteristics. 4 channel with an easy upgrade option to 5 by creating landing flaps, this WWII legend looks superb in the air and is a popular choice for intermediate pilots. More about the Messerschmitt Bf-109G. See it on video.
F27C Stryker A highly modified Stryker F27B airplane. Powerful brushless motor and Li-Po battery combine to give ballistic vertical performance and level flight top speed of around 80mph. Looks good too! Also available is the Stryker PNP. More about the F27C Stryker. See it on video.
Extra 300 A great addition to the range for the stunt lovers, this fully aerobatic scale plane comes with powerful brushless motor and is capable of all the maneuvers in the right hands! Also available is the Extra 300 PNP. More about the Extra 300 within this website. See it on video.
Habu ParkZone's first venture in to the EDF game, this sleek looking jet is flagship of the range and has proved to be a major success. Even gas turbine jet owners love flying this one, which says it all! Also available is the Habu PNP. More about the Habu within this website. See it on video.

The Ultra-Micro™ ParkZone planes

Leading the way in affordable micro flight, ParkZone's innovative technology found in the Ember and Vapor rc airplanes shown above has been developed further, to allow for some very cool ultra micro 4 channel, fully proportional rc airplanes. Not all are available in RTF form though, some are BNF only.
At the time of writing, they are...

Sukhoi Su-26m BNF A more advanced micro electric rc airplane, the Sukhoi Su-26m is a fully aerobatic 4 channel plane aimed at indoor flying. Not for beginners, yet everyone should have one! More about the Sukhoi Su-26m.
Sukhoi Su-26XP BNF Updated version of the original Suki above, the XP features a more powerful motor, higher capacity cell and bigger control throws. In other words, more fun! More about the Sukhoi Su-26XP.
P-51 Mustang Exactly the same chassis as the Sukhoi, this little warbird is sure to be a big seller. Hopefully more warbirds like this P-51 will follow! More about the Ultra Micro P-51.
J-3 Cub 3 channel scale trainer more suited to the novice than the above two Ultra Micro airplanes. Good scale detail on something so small! More about the Ultra Micro J-3 Cub.

"One Box Purchase"

With all ParkZone rc airplanes, their One Box Purchase motto says it all - no other purchase is necessary to get your new model into the air as ParkZone intends it to be. This is unlike many other RTF electric rc airplane manufacturers, where the batteries for the radio control gear almost always have to be purchased separately for a few extra dollars on top of the cost of the model.

A field charger is standard so that you can charge the airplane's motor battery pack from your car cigarette lighter outlet. The charging time is around 40 minutes; purchasing an extra battery pack is highly recommended (buying from Red Rocket Hobby Shop via this page will get you a free one in many cases!).
With the extra battery, you can enjoy twice the flying time than if you have to wait for one battery to charge between flights.

The majority of ParkZone rc airplanes are constructed from tough but lightweight foam (Z-foam™) which makes them very durable and easy to repair if necessary. The RTF airplanes are complete in every way, other than the very basic wing-fuselage assembly and battery installation.

See the above ParkZone rc airplanes in more detail here.

ParkZone Plug-N-Play™ (PNP) RC airplanes

The rc airplanes shown above are mostly sold as RTF airplanes, where everything that you need is in the box. But for those pilots who either want to use their own radio control gear, or already have a ParkZone transmitter from another purchase, there are some Plug-N-Play (PNP) versions of the planes available.

The PNP airplanes come pre-finished, just as the RTF ones do, but are missing the receiver, transmitter and motor battery pack. All other electronics - motor, ESC and servos - are installed and ready to go. The Plug-N-Play planes are an excellent option if you don't want to start a collection of ParkZone transmitters, and of course are cheaper than their RTF counterpart.

See the ParkZone Plug-N-Play airplanes here (Read more about Plug-N-Play rc airplanes).

Bind-N-Fly™ (BNF) planes

For those using DSM2 compatible 2.4GHz rc systems, the Bind-N-Fly (BNF) versions of the airplanes are available. These are an excellent option and come with a Spektrum receiver, digital servos, motor and ESC all installed. Just provide the DSM2 Tx and a motor battery pack, and you're good to go!

As 2.4GHz becomes more commonplace, Parkzone's BNF rc airplanes are really becoming popular. More and more planes are being sold as Bind-N-Fly models and I'm sure BNF will overtake PNP in terms of popularity soon enough.

See the ParkZone Bind-N-Fly rc airplanes here (Read more about Bind-N-Fly RC).

Do you own or have experience with ParkZone rc airplanes? If so, let us know about them here!