Mountain Models Magpie



Building Level
Flying Level

 
Review Patrick Plawner Video Available
Motor GWS EPS350 C Servos 2 x HS55
Speed Controller 20 Amp Batteries 2s 1800mAmp
Channels 3 or 4 (if aileron's version) Flight Time not calculated yet
Propeller GWS 9x7 Gear Box 5.55 GWS

Wingspan  46"
 cm		 Length 34 "
 cm		 Empty weight 20.45 oz
580 gr		 All Up weight 23.6 oz
670 gr
Wing Area 2.875 sq.ft
 dm²		 Wing load 8.2 oz/sq.ft
 gr/dm²		 CG location
from wing edge		 3.93 "
10 cm

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Building This plane is made of EPS. So, you need to
  • Re-enforce and cover the wings
  • Eventually sand the fuselage, if you want to have a nicer look
  • Cover the Fuselage
  • Install servos, tail, rudder, 2 servos and the motor system

It does take 1 full day of work, and for people who don't like to build, it is not fun. I would not consider this ARF. but more ARC.
The good side of the covering is that it makes the structure of the plane virtually indestructible.

The User Manual is very clear, with tips, pictures. Really well done.

The plane comes with the possibility to install or not the landing gear as well as flying with or without an aileron's wing.

As for attaching the wing, the simple rubber band does the job. It would have been a good idea to find a way to "Lock the wing" in the same position, each time you install it on the plane. As for the EPS wings, even covered, too strong elastics will damage the back of the wing, with time.

There is a special hole, ready to host the Receiver and ESC, but nothing made for the battery. You'll need to dig a hole somewhere, hoping it will be compatible with a different battery and CG.

In general, and compared to the best ARF Kits, this is more like an old style where the newcomer will have several occasions to do a mistake, during the building phase, like making sure the rudder is exactly at 90degrees from the elevator, or the motor not with the perfect angle down and to the side or having the wing with a different dihedral than intended. All should have a minor impact but if all are done wrong, not sure what it could be.

Note: I ended up having 7 Oz more than the official weight, on the empty weight, due to Tape and glue I assume. Also, my wing dihedral was more than many others.

 
Take-off Piece of cake. Just throw it against the wind and you're off
Flight behavior Flies well, with an ok flight path. Can be slow or fast, stalls are clean (due to the wing shape, no surprise here). Can do loops from level flight. It is very stable, with no wind and much more nervous and capricious with wind
Landing Very easy. Cut the motor, and let it glide to you
Crash Results I can't see how the plane structure could be damaged, or maybe on the tail if not covered with tape, which is a very strong good point for a trainer plane. On the other hand, with the motor on the front of the plane, high chances are that a front crash will damage the Motor system. Also, the tail is made of weak foam which if not covered might also be damaged
Repairing If ever needed, Epoxy would do great
Other comments Few excellent points on the Magpie
  • Fairly well priced (still need to purchase Epoxy, motor, servos, ESC, receiver and a lot of strong tape)
  • Very strong plane structure, after applying the tape
  • Simple to build. Few possible places for mistakes but most people should do fine if they read the User Manual well
  • Excellent on the Upgrade level. There are not many planes on the market, where you can add landing Gear and wing with ailerons
  • Easy to store at home
  • Easy to carry

This plane could have been excellent. What I think stops it from Excellency is

  • The time required to build it, which for a newcomer might be a source of frustration.
  • The motor in the front is not good, when the plane crashes
  • The Wing could be installed in different manners, between flights, and this would impact the CG, and the overall behavior of the plane
  • EPS is old and fragile. A beginner plane should be made from the strongest material. Adding the tape make it quite strong though.
  • Need for the newcomer to have some tools to build the landing gear easily.
  • The wing shape dihedral varies from one build to the other.

 
Interesting Links
FMS plane  
Pictures

 

Latest Update: Monday, 18 July 2005