The Mini Popwing

Delta Wing EPP Foam Plane by NitroPlanes

Ever since I started RC planes I've been intrigued by the flying wing style planes. The simplicity and performance of the design of a delta wing with elevon controls is what really interested me. Just like with a standard fixed wing aircraft, I decided to start small and work my way up.

I chose to start with the Mini Popwing by NitroPlanes. This is a 600mm wide EPP foam weighing in at only 100 grams. It is a very responsive little plane, allowing me to fly it with reckless abandon and still recover easily. If I had put one of my other planes in a hard full throttle dive, like I did this one, they would have snapped the wings off. The EPP foam is super strong, not stiff, but has some flex which gives it it's strength. You could about fold the wing in half and still not break it. So if you're looking for a fun little plane that you can beat up and put right back up in the air again, then this little Mini Popwing is for you. At the time of purchase, it was only $60 and only needed a small 2s battery and receiver. The build itself was about 1 hour, installing servos, gluing some foam and screwing on the motor.

My first flight was a success, even ending in a mid-air catch landing. The flying style is "yank and bank", meaning there is no rudder control, so you fly it with just aileron and elevator control.