ParkZone RC airplanes

For good-value electric RTF 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 Freedom 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 RTF planes

Shown below (roughly in order of beginner suitability) is a selection of currently popular choices from the 'One Box Purchase' 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 Possibly representing a new era of RTF electric flying, the ultra-lightweight Ember is a 3 channel airplane for indoor flying, supplied with a 2.4GHz spread spectrum radio set. This model launches ParkZone's new Etomic range of airplanes. More about the Ember. See it on video.
Vapor Marginally smaller than the Ember, the Vapor is the second of the Etomic airplanes. Perfectly suited to flying in the home, this amazing model can be taken off from the dining table. A real testament to modern-day radio control technology! More about the Vapor. See it on video.
Micro Citabria ParkZone's smallest scale RTF electric rc airplane to date, the Citabria comes with 2.4GHz rc system and is a great choice for anyone with limited space to fly a larger rc plane! More about the Micro Citabria. 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. More about the Radian.
P-51 Mustang This is a great example of a scale electric rc warbird, modeled from one of the most famous WWII fighters. Good attention to detail, including a realistic pilot, makes this P-51 look great in the air. 3 channel to motor, elevator and ailerons make this a very aerobatic airplane. More about the P-51 Mustang. See it on video.
P-51 Mustang BL ParkZone have taken the above P-51 and shaken it up with a new scale livery and powerful brushless outrunner motor for performance to match the real thing! More about the P-51 Mustang BL.
Focke Wulf 190 Another great warbird is this scale FW 190, ready to take on the P-51 in the skies above! Like the Mustang, this Focke Wulf shows great attention to detail and looks as equally impressive in flight. A pilot figure adds to the realism. More about the Focke Wulf 190. See it on video.
Spitfire The most famous fighter of the Second World War, this Spitfire joins the ParkZone P-51 and FW190. Equally as spectacular in the air, the Spitfire 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 RTF choice for when you've got some experience. More about the T-28 Trojan. See it on video.
F4U Corsair Another favorite subject to join the RTF warbird line-up, this is a 4 channel scale RTF 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 most other electric RTFs. More about the F4U Corsair. See it on video.
Messerschmitt Bf-109G Available in just PNP and BNF (not RTF) 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 lloks superb in the air. 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! More about the F27C Stryker. See it on video.

The 'Ultra Micro' ParkZone planes

Leading the way in affordable RTF 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.
At the time of writing, they are...

Sukhoi Su-26m A more advanced micro electric rc airplane, the Sukhoi Su-26m is a fully arobatic 4 channel plane aimed at indoor flying. Not for beginners, yet everyone should have one! More about the Sukhoi Su-26m.
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 P-51.

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, with a polymer outer skin. The 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 all 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 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.

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 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.

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

ParkZone Sukhoi Su-26m.