www.ModelAviation.com May 2012 Model Aviation 65
REVIEW Multiplex funjet ultra
Tom Sullivan
[email protected]
Photos by the author unless noted
Satisfy your
need for speed
What comes to mind when you
think of a foamie? I’m not
sure about you, but I used
to conjure images of a small model,
sometimes made with thin foam, but
certainly not something you would fly
outside in windy conditions.
Not anymore! Allow me to introduce
to you an interesting foamie that will
change your preconceived ideas about
what an electric-powered foam model is
capable of.
When the folks from MA first
contacted me about reviewing the
FunJet Ultra, I recalled flying a friend’s
original FunJet. It was a nice-flying
model with jet looks and a decent
amount of power, but after looking
online and seeing all that Multiplex had
upgraded in this new “ultra” version, I
began to realize that this was not going
to be the typical foamie!
Construction
As you can see from the photo of
the unassembled parts, there are not
many pieces to put together. There are
only seven large, molded foam pieces,
a carbon-fiber wing spar, a molded
tail cone, and a bag of some assorted
small pieces. Rounding out the kit are
a couple of sheets of pressure-sensitive
stickers and the instructions (in five
languages).
One of the biggest features of the
FunJet Ultra is the material used in
molding the foam parts. It is injectionmolded
foam that Multiplex refers to as
Elapor. This is high-density foam, which
is quite strong. These parts seem slightly
heavier than what I’m accustomed to
with other types of molded foam, but
they are quite firm and should prove to
be durable.
The only question I had about the
construction was which glue to use. In
the manual, Multiplex calls out for a
specific brand of glue: Zacki Elapor. Not
having that, I did some research on the
Internet and found that medium CA
glue works well. As for accelerants, there
wasn’t an overwhelming opinion on
regular vs. foam-safe. Because I wasn’t in
a hurry and the parts fit tightly, I choose
not to use any accelerator.
When mounting the motor, be sure
that its leads feed through the plastic
cable retainer. There is a small amount
When landing the FunJet for the first time, you’ll be surprised at how
well it glides. Its clean lines keep the speed up for long, smooth
landing approaches. Flight photos by Jay Smith.
66 Model Aviation May 2012 www.ModelAviation.com
Above: The FunJet Ultra has a low parts
count. Assembling the jet only takes a
couple of hours.
of clearance between the leads and the
outrunner’s case. If the wires are left
loose, the spinning case will rub against
them, cutting through the insulation and
causing a short.
Capping off the radio installation is
the canopy, which doubles as a hatch.
Depending on what brand of battery
you choose, you might have to do some
internal trimming to get it to fit. If you
have to do this, loosely place the battery
in position, and then place the canopy
on top in its approximate position. (It
doesn’t matter if it’s closed all the way.)
Now check the CG, moving the
battery back and forth as needed until
the balance is just right. Using this
technique, you’ll know exactly where
the battery should go. Trace around it,
and then use a hobby knife to trim the
inside of the cockpit area for the perfect
battery fit.
Included in the kit are two sheets
of brightly colored stickers. Whether
you choose to use them, as I did, or
you decide to finish the FunJet Ultra in
another way, be sure to color it so that
it’s easy to tell top from bottom when in
the air. All of that gray makes orientation
impossible without it!
Completed and ready to fly, my review
FunJet Ultra came in at 33 ounces; 2
ounces more than the recommended
weight, but those 2 ounces made no
difference.
Flying
When it came time for the FunJet
Ultra’s maiden flight, I wondered how
hard I’d have to throw it. Taking no
chances, I wound up and heaved it
with everything I had—doing my best
impersonation of an Olympic javelin
thrower.
After it cleared my hand, I jammed
on the power. To my surprise, this fullpower
burst turned the FunJet into a
missile streaking skyward. Had I not
throttled back, I’m convinced it would
have effortlessly climbed out of sight—
the power was simply that awesome.
After I glided down to a more
reasonable altitude and made a couple of
trim passes, I settled in for a few photo
passes. Although he wouldn’t admit it,
I know my photographer had trouble
keeping up with the sheer speed of the
FunJet, although I was only at one-third
throttle!
So after all that excitement, and not
knowing the flight time I could expect,
I decided to work on setting up for
landing. The FunJet takes time to slow to
landing speed and I found myself using
the same amount of sky that I would use
with a much larger model.
It took several tries to get the
approach right, and with a gentle
belly landing, I managed to break
the propeller. Although it was freely
spinning, one of the blades must have
caught the grass just right—or maybe
that’s just wrong.
The propeller is easy to replace in a
minute or so if you have a spare. It’s a
specialized propeller (6.5 x 5 electric)
that I couldn’t find locally, so I ordered
a replacement and a couple of spares. I
recommend getting a few extras—just in
case.
After I had the replacement propeller
installed, it was back to the field to tear
It looks as though it’s going 100 mph just
setting on the bench! Ready to fly, the FunJet
weighs 33 ounces.
66 Model Aviation May 2012 www.ModelAviation.com
Above: The FunJet Ultra has a low parts
count. Assembling the jet only takes a
couple of hours.
of clearance between the leads and the
outrunner’s case. If the wires are left
loose, the spinning case will rub against
them, cutting through the insulation and
causing a short.
Capping off the radio installation is
the canopy, which doubles as a hatch.
Depending on what brand of battery
you choose, you might have to do some
internal trimming to get it to fit. If you
have to do this, loosely place the battery
in position, and then place the canopy
on top in its approximate position. (It
doesn’t matter if it’s closed all the way.)
Now check the CG, moving the
battery back and forth as needed until
the balance is just right. Using this
technique, you’ll know exactly where
the battery should go. Trace around it,
and then use a hobby knife to trim the
inside of the cockpit area for the perfect
battery fit.
Included in the kit are two sheets
of brightly colored stickers. Whether
you choose to use them, as I did, or
you decide to finish the FunJet Ultra in
another way, be sure to color it so that
it’s easy to tell top from bottom when in
the air. All of that gray makes orientation
impossible without it!
Completed and ready to fly, my review
FunJet Ultra came in at 33 ounces; 2
ounces more than the recommended
weight, but those 2 ounces made no
difference.
Flying
When it came time for the FunJet
Ultra’s maiden flight, I wondered how
hard I’d have to throw it. Taking no
chances, I wound up and heaved it
with everything I had—doing my best
impersonation of an Olympic javelin
thrower.
After it cleared my hand, I jammed
on the power. To my surprise, this fullpower
burst turned the FunJet into a
missile streaking skyward. Had I not
throttled back, I’m convinced it would
have effortlessly climbed out of sight—
the power was simply that awesome.
After I glided down to a more
reasonable altitude and made a couple of
trim passes, I settled in for a few photo
passes. Although he wouldn’t admit it,
I know my photographer had trouble
keeping up with the sheer speed of the
FunJet, although I was only at one-third
throttle!
So after all that excitement, and not
knowing the flight time I could expect,
I decided to work on setting up for
landing. The FunJet takes time to slow to
landing speed and I found myself using
the same amount of sky that I would use
with a much larger model.
It took several tries to get the
approach right, and with a gentle
belly landing, I managed to break
the propeller. Although it was freely
spinning, one of the blades must have
caught the grass just right—or maybe
that’s just wrong.
The propeller is easy to replace in a
minute or so if you have a spare. It’s a
specialized propeller (6.5 x 5 electric)
that I couldn’t find locally, so I ordered
a replacement and a couple of spares. I
recommend getting a few extras—just in
case.
After I had the replacement propeller
installed, it was back to the field to tear
It looks as though it’s going 100 mph just
setting on the bench! Ready to fly, the FunJet
weighs 33 ounces.
www.ModelAviation.com May 2012 Model Aviation 67
up the sky. Learning from my previous
launch, I threw the FunJet into the wind
with a simple, firm throw, which worked
well.
Under full power, I was amazed at
the speed of this little foam airplane.
Multiplex advertises the FunJet Ultra
with speeds of 125 mph. Its speed is
blisteringly fast and it doesn’t have to
dive to reach those speeds. Throw in a
power dive just before a high-speed pass
and ... holy cow! Nothing at my field
that day could compare!
As you might expect, rolls are quick.
Under full power, rolls come in at close
to four per second. They’re not smooth
axial rolls; the FunJet’s design creates
more of a super-tight barrel roll. And for
loops, no problem; make them as big or
as small as you want. It turns in a very
small radius and can dogfight with the
best of them.
At lower speeds it is still quite a quick
and extremely maneuverable airplane.
There’s no tendency to tip stall and it
has quite a nice glide ratio. Inverted
flight requires a little down-elevator to
hold altitude, regardless of the throttle
setting.
Flight times averaged 12 minutes if I
used the throttle economically. Turn up
the wick a bit and times drop to 8 to
9 minutes on average. I would bet that
full-throttle flight would drain the pack
in roughly 6 minutes.
Oh, and one more thing—the sound.
Normally, electrics are noted for their
lack of sound, but not in this case. With
a propeller spinning at roughly 22,000
rpm or more, it does make noise. You
won’t confuse this with the “Hoovervacuum”
sound of an EDF. This is closer
to what a Formula 1 car makes at full throttle. It’s the perfect
sound for its speed!
Conclusion
What a machine! For such a small package, the FunJet Ultra’s
performance is spectacular when combined with the Multiplex
Power Pack. It is designed for intermediate/advanced pilots and
takes up plenty of sky. Although it’s foam, don’t confuse it with
a park flyer. You will need to fly this at a regular RC field.
Right: The canopy doubles as the battery
hatch, which snaps on and off. Depending on
the battery you choose, you may have to trim
the foam for it to fit.
Below: Pushing the model at speeds of more
than 120 mph is a Himax brushless motor. The
motor’s thrust angle can be adjusted using the
screw at the bottom of the mount.
On the underside of the FunJet, the servos
for control surfaces are mounted in the
wing. Plastic covers are taped into position
over each servo to protect them during
landings.
68 Model Aviation May 2012 www.ModelAviation.com
Setting on the bench it looks as
though it’s going 100 mph; up in the air
it’s even faster.
If you’re bored with typical foamies,
take a good look at the Multiplex FunJet
Ultra and consider using the matching
power pack. When you fly one, you’ll be
smiling as much as I!
—Tom Sullivan
[email protected]
MANUFACTURER/DISTRIBUTOR:
Multiplex USA/Hitec RCD
(858) 748-6948
www.multiplexusa.com
www.hitecrcd.com
SOURCES:
JR Radios
(800) 338-4639
www.jrradios.com
Spektrum
(800) 338-4639
www.spektrumrc.com
The photographer had a hard time trying to
capture a great picture of the FunJet during
high speed passes.
Specifications
Model type: Electric-powered pusher jet
Skill level: Beginner builder, intermediate/
advanced pilot
Wingspan: 31 inches
Wing area: 225 square inches
Weight: 31 ounces
Airfoil: Semi-symmetrical
Length: 29.5 inches
Power system: 350- to 800-watt brushless
outrunner motor;
70- to 80-amp ESC
Battery: Three-cell 3200 mAh LiPo
Radio required: Three-channel radio with two
mini servos
Retail price: $109.99 (FunJet Ultra kit);
$124.99 (Multiplex Power Pack)
TEST-MODEL DETAI LS
Motor: Himax HC3514-2980 brushless
outrunner
ESC: Multiplex MULTIcont BL-70 ESC
Battery: E-flite 3S 3200 mAh LiPo
Propeller: 6 x 5.5
Radio system: JR 9503 transmitter, Spektrum
AR6210 receiver; two Hitec HS-
5065MG servos; two 6-inch
servo extensions
Ready-to-fly 33 ounces
weight:
Flight duration: 8 to 10 minutes
PLUSES
• Molded from extremely durable, high-density
Elapor foam.
• Low parts count goes together quickly.
• Canopy hatch firmly locks into place with no
tools.
• Fuselage can accept a variety of LiPo battery
sizes with a slight amount of foam trimming.
• The Multiplex Power Pack is a perfect match
for the FunJet Ultra.
• Motor mount includes an adjustable thrust
angle setting.
• Flight performance is smooth and responsive
at all speeds.
• Easily reaches speeds of 125 mph as tested.
MINUSES
• Exposed pusher propeller can make hand
launching tricky and it’s possible to break the
propeller on landing.
AT A GLANCE....
Edition: Model Aviation - 2012/05
Page Numbers: 65,66,67,68
Edition: Model Aviation - 2012/05
Page Numbers: 65,66,67,68
www.ModelAviation.com May 2012 Model Aviation 65
REVIEW Multiplex funjet ultra
Tom Sullivan
[email protected]
Photos by the author unless noted
Satisfy your
need for speed
What comes to mind when you
think of a foamie? I’m not
sure about you, but I used
to conjure images of a small model,
sometimes made with thin foam, but
certainly not something you would fly
outside in windy conditions.
Not anymore! Allow me to introduce
to you an interesting foamie that will
change your preconceived ideas about
what an electric-powered foam model is
capable of.
When the folks from MA first
contacted me about reviewing the
FunJet Ultra, I recalled flying a friend’s
original FunJet. It was a nice-flying
model with jet looks and a decent
amount of power, but after looking
online and seeing all that Multiplex had
upgraded in this new “ultra” version, I
began to realize that this was not going
to be the typical foamie!
Construction
As you can see from the photo of
the unassembled parts, there are not
many pieces to put together. There are
only seven large, molded foam pieces,
a carbon-fiber wing spar, a molded
tail cone, and a bag of some assorted
small pieces. Rounding out the kit are
a couple of sheets of pressure-sensitive
stickers and the instructions (in five
languages).
One of the biggest features of the
FunJet Ultra is the material used in
molding the foam parts. It is injectionmolded
foam that Multiplex refers to as
Elapor. This is high-density foam, which
is quite strong. These parts seem slightly
heavier than what I’m accustomed to
with other types of molded foam, but
they are quite firm and should prove to
be durable.
The only question I had about the
construction was which glue to use. In
the manual, Multiplex calls out for a
specific brand of glue: Zacki Elapor. Not
having that, I did some research on the
Internet and found that medium CA
glue works well. As for accelerants, there
wasn’t an overwhelming opinion on
regular vs. foam-safe. Because I wasn’t in
a hurry and the parts fit tightly, I choose
not to use any accelerator.
When mounting the motor, be sure
that its leads feed through the plastic
cable retainer. There is a small amount
When landing the FunJet for the first time, you’ll be surprised at how
well it glides. Its clean lines keep the speed up for long, smooth
landing approaches. Flight photos by Jay Smith.
66 Model Aviation May 2012 www.ModelAviation.com
Above: The FunJet Ultra has a low parts
count. Assembling the jet only takes a
couple of hours.
of clearance between the leads and the
outrunner’s case. If the wires are left
loose, the spinning case will rub against
them, cutting through the insulation and
causing a short.
Capping off the radio installation is
the canopy, which doubles as a hatch.
Depending on what brand of battery
you choose, you might have to do some
internal trimming to get it to fit. If you
have to do this, loosely place the battery
in position, and then place the canopy
on top in its approximate position. (It
doesn’t matter if it’s closed all the way.)
Now check the CG, moving the
battery back and forth as needed until
the balance is just right. Using this
technique, you’ll know exactly where
the battery should go. Trace around it,
and then use a hobby knife to trim the
inside of the cockpit area for the perfect
battery fit.
Included in the kit are two sheets
of brightly colored stickers. Whether
you choose to use them, as I did, or
you decide to finish the FunJet Ultra in
another way, be sure to color it so that
it’s easy to tell top from bottom when in
the air. All of that gray makes orientation
impossible without it!
Completed and ready to fly, my review
FunJet Ultra came in at 33 ounces; 2
ounces more than the recommended
weight, but those 2 ounces made no
difference.
Flying
When it came time for the FunJet
Ultra’s maiden flight, I wondered how
hard I’d have to throw it. Taking no
chances, I wound up and heaved it
with everything I had—doing my best
impersonation of an Olympic javelin
thrower.
After it cleared my hand, I jammed
on the power. To my surprise, this fullpower
burst turned the FunJet into a
missile streaking skyward. Had I not
throttled back, I’m convinced it would
have effortlessly climbed out of sight—
the power was simply that awesome.
After I glided down to a more
reasonable altitude and made a couple of
trim passes, I settled in for a few photo
passes. Although he wouldn’t admit it,
I know my photographer had trouble
keeping up with the sheer speed of the
FunJet, although I was only at one-third
throttle!
So after all that excitement, and not
knowing the flight time I could expect,
I decided to work on setting up for
landing. The FunJet takes time to slow to
landing speed and I found myself using
the same amount of sky that I would use
with a much larger model.
It took several tries to get the
approach right, and with a gentle
belly landing, I managed to break
the propeller. Although it was freely
spinning, one of the blades must have
caught the grass just right—or maybe
that’s just wrong.
The propeller is easy to replace in a
minute or so if you have a spare. It’s a
specialized propeller (6.5 x 5 electric)
that I couldn’t find locally, so I ordered
a replacement and a couple of spares. I
recommend getting a few extras—just in
case.
After I had the replacement propeller
installed, it was back to the field to tear
It looks as though it’s going 100 mph just
setting on the bench! Ready to fly, the FunJet
weighs 33 ounces.
66 Model Aviation May 2012 www.ModelAviation.com
Above: The FunJet Ultra has a low parts
count. Assembling the jet only takes a
couple of hours.
of clearance between the leads and the
outrunner’s case. If the wires are left
loose, the spinning case will rub against
them, cutting through the insulation and
causing a short.
Capping off the radio installation is
the canopy, which doubles as a hatch.
Depending on what brand of battery
you choose, you might have to do some
internal trimming to get it to fit. If you
have to do this, loosely place the battery
in position, and then place the canopy
on top in its approximate position. (It
doesn’t matter if it’s closed all the way.)
Now check the CG, moving the
battery back and forth as needed until
the balance is just right. Using this
technique, you’ll know exactly where
the battery should go. Trace around it,
and then use a hobby knife to trim the
inside of the cockpit area for the perfect
battery fit.
Included in the kit are two sheets
of brightly colored stickers. Whether
you choose to use them, as I did, or
you decide to finish the FunJet Ultra in
another way, be sure to color it so that
it’s easy to tell top from bottom when in
the air. All of that gray makes orientation
impossible without it!
Completed and ready to fly, my review
FunJet Ultra came in at 33 ounces; 2
ounces more than the recommended
weight, but those 2 ounces made no
difference.
Flying
When it came time for the FunJet
Ultra’s maiden flight, I wondered how
hard I’d have to throw it. Taking no
chances, I wound up and heaved it
with everything I had—doing my best
impersonation of an Olympic javelin
thrower.
After it cleared my hand, I jammed
on the power. To my surprise, this fullpower
burst turned the FunJet into a
missile streaking skyward. Had I not
throttled back, I’m convinced it would
have effortlessly climbed out of sight—
the power was simply that awesome.
After I glided down to a more
reasonable altitude and made a couple of
trim passes, I settled in for a few photo
passes. Although he wouldn’t admit it,
I know my photographer had trouble
keeping up with the sheer speed of the
FunJet, although I was only at one-third
throttle!
So after all that excitement, and not
knowing the flight time I could expect,
I decided to work on setting up for
landing. The FunJet takes time to slow to
landing speed and I found myself using
the same amount of sky that I would use
with a much larger model.
It took several tries to get the
approach right, and with a gentle
belly landing, I managed to break
the propeller. Although it was freely
spinning, one of the blades must have
caught the grass just right—or maybe
that’s just wrong.
The propeller is easy to replace in a
minute or so if you have a spare. It’s a
specialized propeller (6.5 x 5 electric)
that I couldn’t find locally, so I ordered
a replacement and a couple of spares. I
recommend getting a few extras—just in
case.
After I had the replacement propeller
installed, it was back to the field to tear
It looks as though it’s going 100 mph just
setting on the bench! Ready to fly, the FunJet
weighs 33 ounces.
www.ModelAviation.com May 2012 Model Aviation 67
up the sky. Learning from my previous
launch, I threw the FunJet into the wind
with a simple, firm throw, which worked
well.
Under full power, I was amazed at
the speed of this little foam airplane.
Multiplex advertises the FunJet Ultra
with speeds of 125 mph. Its speed is
blisteringly fast and it doesn’t have to
dive to reach those speeds. Throw in a
power dive just before a high-speed pass
and ... holy cow! Nothing at my field
that day could compare!
As you might expect, rolls are quick.
Under full power, rolls come in at close
to four per second. They’re not smooth
axial rolls; the FunJet’s design creates
more of a super-tight barrel roll. And for
loops, no problem; make them as big or
as small as you want. It turns in a very
small radius and can dogfight with the
best of them.
At lower speeds it is still quite a quick
and extremely maneuverable airplane.
There’s no tendency to tip stall and it
has quite a nice glide ratio. Inverted
flight requires a little down-elevator to
hold altitude, regardless of the throttle
setting.
Flight times averaged 12 minutes if I
used the throttle economically. Turn up
the wick a bit and times drop to 8 to
9 minutes on average. I would bet that
full-throttle flight would drain the pack
in roughly 6 minutes.
Oh, and one more thing—the sound.
Normally, electrics are noted for their
lack of sound, but not in this case. With
a propeller spinning at roughly 22,000
rpm or more, it does make noise. You
won’t confuse this with the “Hoovervacuum”
sound of an EDF. This is closer
to what a Formula 1 car makes at full throttle. It’s the perfect
sound for its speed!
Conclusion
What a machine! For such a small package, the FunJet Ultra’s
performance is spectacular when combined with the Multiplex
Power Pack. It is designed for intermediate/advanced pilots and
takes up plenty of sky. Although it’s foam, don’t confuse it with
a park flyer. You will need to fly this at a regular RC field.
Right: The canopy doubles as the battery
hatch, which snaps on and off. Depending on
the battery you choose, you may have to trim
the foam for it to fit.
Below: Pushing the model at speeds of more
than 120 mph is a Himax brushless motor. The
motor’s thrust angle can be adjusted using the
screw at the bottom of the mount.
On the underside of the FunJet, the servos
for control surfaces are mounted in the
wing. Plastic covers are taped into position
over each servo to protect them during
landings.
68 Model Aviation May 2012 www.ModelAviation.com
Setting on the bench it looks as
though it’s going 100 mph; up in the air
it’s even faster.
If you’re bored with typical foamies,
take a good look at the Multiplex FunJet
Ultra and consider using the matching
power pack. When you fly one, you’ll be
smiling as much as I!
—Tom Sullivan
[email protected]
MANUFACTURER/DISTRIBUTOR:
Multiplex USA/Hitec RCD
(858) 748-6948
www.multiplexusa.com
www.hitecrcd.com
SOURCES:
JR Radios
(800) 338-4639
www.jrradios.com
Spektrum
(800) 338-4639
www.spektrumrc.com
The photographer had a hard time trying to
capture a great picture of the FunJet during
high speed passes.
Specifications
Model type: Electric-powered pusher jet
Skill level: Beginner builder, intermediate/
advanced pilot
Wingspan: 31 inches
Wing area: 225 square inches
Weight: 31 ounces
Airfoil: Semi-symmetrical
Length: 29.5 inches
Power system: 350- to 800-watt brushless
outrunner motor;
70- to 80-amp ESC
Battery: Three-cell 3200 mAh LiPo
Radio required: Three-channel radio with two
mini servos
Retail price: $109.99 (FunJet Ultra kit);
$124.99 (Multiplex Power Pack)
TEST-MODEL DETAI LS
Motor: Himax HC3514-2980 brushless
outrunner
ESC: Multiplex MULTIcont BL-70 ESC
Battery: E-flite 3S 3200 mAh LiPo
Propeller: 6 x 5.5
Radio system: JR 9503 transmitter, Spektrum
AR6210 receiver; two Hitec HS-
5065MG servos; two 6-inch
servo extensions
Ready-to-fly 33 ounces
weight:
Flight duration: 8 to 10 minutes
PLUSES
• Molded from extremely durable, high-density
Elapor foam.
• Low parts count goes together quickly.
• Canopy hatch firmly locks into place with no
tools.
• Fuselage can accept a variety of LiPo battery
sizes with a slight amount of foam trimming.
• The Multiplex Power Pack is a perfect match
for the FunJet Ultra.
• Motor mount includes an adjustable thrust
angle setting.
• Flight performance is smooth and responsive
at all speeds.
• Easily reaches speeds of 125 mph as tested.
MINUSES
• Exposed pusher propeller can make hand
launching tricky and it’s possible to break the
propeller on landing.
AT A GLANCE....
Edition: Model Aviation - 2012/05
Page Numbers: 65,66,67,68
www.ModelAviation.com May 2012 Model Aviation 65
REVIEW Multiplex funjet ultra
Tom Sullivan
[email protected]
Photos by the author unless noted
Satisfy your
need for speed
What comes to mind when you
think of a foamie? I’m not
sure about you, but I used
to conjure images of a small model,
sometimes made with thin foam, but
certainly not something you would fly
outside in windy conditions.
Not anymore! Allow me to introduce
to you an interesting foamie that will
change your preconceived ideas about
what an electric-powered foam model is
capable of.
When the folks from MA first
contacted me about reviewing the
FunJet Ultra, I recalled flying a friend’s
original FunJet. It was a nice-flying
model with jet looks and a decent
amount of power, but after looking
online and seeing all that Multiplex had
upgraded in this new “ultra” version, I
began to realize that this was not going
to be the typical foamie!
Construction
As you can see from the photo of
the unassembled parts, there are not
many pieces to put together. There are
only seven large, molded foam pieces,
a carbon-fiber wing spar, a molded
tail cone, and a bag of some assorted
small pieces. Rounding out the kit are
a couple of sheets of pressure-sensitive
stickers and the instructions (in five
languages).
One of the biggest features of the
FunJet Ultra is the material used in
molding the foam parts. It is injectionmolded
foam that Multiplex refers to as
Elapor. This is high-density foam, which
is quite strong. These parts seem slightly
heavier than what I’m accustomed to
with other types of molded foam, but
they are quite firm and should prove to
be durable.
The only question I had about the
construction was which glue to use. In
the manual, Multiplex calls out for a
specific brand of glue: Zacki Elapor. Not
having that, I did some research on the
Internet and found that medium CA
glue works well. As for accelerants, there
wasn’t an overwhelming opinion on
regular vs. foam-safe. Because I wasn’t in
a hurry and the parts fit tightly, I choose
not to use any accelerator.
When mounting the motor, be sure
that its leads feed through the plastic
cable retainer. There is a small amount
When landing the FunJet for the first time, you’ll be surprised at how
well it glides. Its clean lines keep the speed up for long, smooth
landing approaches. Flight photos by Jay Smith.
66 Model Aviation May 2012 www.ModelAviation.com
Above: The FunJet Ultra has a low parts
count. Assembling the jet only takes a
couple of hours.
of clearance between the leads and the
outrunner’s case. If the wires are left
loose, the spinning case will rub against
them, cutting through the insulation and
causing a short.
Capping off the radio installation is
the canopy, which doubles as a hatch.
Depending on what brand of battery
you choose, you might have to do some
internal trimming to get it to fit. If you
have to do this, loosely place the battery
in position, and then place the canopy
on top in its approximate position. (It
doesn’t matter if it’s closed all the way.)
Now check the CG, moving the
battery back and forth as needed until
the balance is just right. Using this
technique, you’ll know exactly where
the battery should go. Trace around it,
and then use a hobby knife to trim the
inside of the cockpit area for the perfect
battery fit.
Included in the kit are two sheets
of brightly colored stickers. Whether
you choose to use them, as I did, or
you decide to finish the FunJet Ultra in
another way, be sure to color it so that
it’s easy to tell top from bottom when in
the air. All of that gray makes orientation
impossible without it!
Completed and ready to fly, my review
FunJet Ultra came in at 33 ounces; 2
ounces more than the recommended
weight, but those 2 ounces made no
difference.
Flying
When it came time for the FunJet
Ultra’s maiden flight, I wondered how
hard I’d have to throw it. Taking no
chances, I wound up and heaved it
with everything I had—doing my best
impersonation of an Olympic javelin
thrower.
After it cleared my hand, I jammed
on the power. To my surprise, this fullpower
burst turned the FunJet into a
missile streaking skyward. Had I not
throttled back, I’m convinced it would
have effortlessly climbed out of sight—
the power was simply that awesome.
After I glided down to a more
reasonable altitude and made a couple of
trim passes, I settled in for a few photo
passes. Although he wouldn’t admit it,
I know my photographer had trouble
keeping up with the sheer speed of the
FunJet, although I was only at one-third
throttle!
So after all that excitement, and not
knowing the flight time I could expect,
I decided to work on setting up for
landing. The FunJet takes time to slow to
landing speed and I found myself using
the same amount of sky that I would use
with a much larger model.
It took several tries to get the
approach right, and with a gentle
belly landing, I managed to break
the propeller. Although it was freely
spinning, one of the blades must have
caught the grass just right—or maybe
that’s just wrong.
The propeller is easy to replace in a
minute or so if you have a spare. It’s a
specialized propeller (6.5 x 5 electric)
that I couldn’t find locally, so I ordered
a replacement and a couple of spares. I
recommend getting a few extras—just in
case.
After I had the replacement propeller
installed, it was back to the field to tear
It looks as though it’s going 100 mph just
setting on the bench! Ready to fly, the FunJet
weighs 33 ounces.
66 Model Aviation May 2012 www.ModelAviation.com
Above: The FunJet Ultra has a low parts
count. Assembling the jet only takes a
couple of hours.
of clearance between the leads and the
outrunner’s case. If the wires are left
loose, the spinning case will rub against
them, cutting through the insulation and
causing a short.
Capping off the radio installation is
the canopy, which doubles as a hatch.
Depending on what brand of battery
you choose, you might have to do some
internal trimming to get it to fit. If you
have to do this, loosely place the battery
in position, and then place the canopy
on top in its approximate position. (It
doesn’t matter if it’s closed all the way.)
Now check the CG, moving the
battery back and forth as needed until
the balance is just right. Using this
technique, you’ll know exactly where
the battery should go. Trace around it,
and then use a hobby knife to trim the
inside of the cockpit area for the perfect
battery fit.
Included in the kit are two sheets
of brightly colored stickers. Whether
you choose to use them, as I did, or
you decide to finish the FunJet Ultra in
another way, be sure to color it so that
it’s easy to tell top from bottom when in
the air. All of that gray makes orientation
impossible without it!
Completed and ready to fly, my review
FunJet Ultra came in at 33 ounces; 2
ounces more than the recommended
weight, but those 2 ounces made no
difference.
Flying
When it came time for the FunJet
Ultra’s maiden flight, I wondered how
hard I’d have to throw it. Taking no
chances, I wound up and heaved it
with everything I had—doing my best
impersonation of an Olympic javelin
thrower.
After it cleared my hand, I jammed
on the power. To my surprise, this fullpower
burst turned the FunJet into a
missile streaking skyward. Had I not
throttled back, I’m convinced it would
have effortlessly climbed out of sight—
the power was simply that awesome.
After I glided down to a more
reasonable altitude and made a couple of
trim passes, I settled in for a few photo
passes. Although he wouldn’t admit it,
I know my photographer had trouble
keeping up with the sheer speed of the
FunJet, although I was only at one-third
throttle!
So after all that excitement, and not
knowing the flight time I could expect,
I decided to work on setting up for
landing. The FunJet takes time to slow to
landing speed and I found myself using
the same amount of sky that I would use
with a much larger model.
It took several tries to get the
approach right, and with a gentle
belly landing, I managed to break
the propeller. Although it was freely
spinning, one of the blades must have
caught the grass just right—or maybe
that’s just wrong.
The propeller is easy to replace in a
minute or so if you have a spare. It’s a
specialized propeller (6.5 x 5 electric)
that I couldn’t find locally, so I ordered
a replacement and a couple of spares. I
recommend getting a few extras—just in
case.
After I had the replacement propeller
installed, it was back to the field to tear
It looks as though it’s going 100 mph just
setting on the bench! Ready to fly, the FunJet
weighs 33 ounces.
www.ModelAviation.com May 2012 Model Aviation 67
up the sky. Learning from my previous
launch, I threw the FunJet into the wind
with a simple, firm throw, which worked
well.
Under full power, I was amazed at
the speed of this little foam airplane.
Multiplex advertises the FunJet Ultra
with speeds of 125 mph. Its speed is
blisteringly fast and it doesn’t have to
dive to reach those speeds. Throw in a
power dive just before a high-speed pass
and ... holy cow! Nothing at my field
that day could compare!
As you might expect, rolls are quick.
Under full power, rolls come in at close
to four per second. They’re not smooth
axial rolls; the FunJet’s design creates
more of a super-tight barrel roll. And for
loops, no problem; make them as big or
as small as you want. It turns in a very
small radius and can dogfight with the
best of them.
At lower speeds it is still quite a quick
and extremely maneuverable airplane.
There’s no tendency to tip stall and it
has quite a nice glide ratio. Inverted
flight requires a little down-elevator to
hold altitude, regardless of the throttle
setting.
Flight times averaged 12 minutes if I
used the throttle economically. Turn up
the wick a bit and times drop to 8 to
9 minutes on average. I would bet that
full-throttle flight would drain the pack
in roughly 6 minutes.
Oh, and one more thing—the sound.
Normally, electrics are noted for their
lack of sound, but not in this case. With
a propeller spinning at roughly 22,000
rpm or more, it does make noise. You
won’t confuse this with the “Hoovervacuum”
sound of an EDF. This is closer
to what a Formula 1 car makes at full throttle. It’s the perfect
sound for its speed!
Conclusion
What a machine! For such a small package, the FunJet Ultra’s
performance is spectacular when combined with the Multiplex
Power Pack. It is designed for intermediate/advanced pilots and
takes up plenty of sky. Although it’s foam, don’t confuse it with
a park flyer. You will need to fly this at a regular RC field.
Right: The canopy doubles as the battery
hatch, which snaps on and off. Depending on
the battery you choose, you may have to trim
the foam for it to fit.
Below: Pushing the model at speeds of more
than 120 mph is a Himax brushless motor. The
motor’s thrust angle can be adjusted using the
screw at the bottom of the mount.
On the underside of the FunJet, the servos
for control surfaces are mounted in the
wing. Plastic covers are taped into position
over each servo to protect them during
landings.
68 Model Aviation May 2012 www.ModelAviation.com
Setting on the bench it looks as
though it’s going 100 mph; up in the air
it’s even faster.
If you’re bored with typical foamies,
take a good look at the Multiplex FunJet
Ultra and consider using the matching
power pack. When you fly one, you’ll be
smiling as much as I!
—Tom Sullivan
[email protected]
MANUFACTURER/DISTRIBUTOR:
Multiplex USA/Hitec RCD
(858) 748-6948
www.multiplexusa.com
www.hitecrcd.com
SOURCES:
JR Radios
(800) 338-4639
www.jrradios.com
Spektrum
(800) 338-4639
www.spektrumrc.com
The photographer had a hard time trying to
capture a great picture of the FunJet during
high speed passes.
Specifications
Model type: Electric-powered pusher jet
Skill level: Beginner builder, intermediate/
advanced pilot
Wingspan: 31 inches
Wing area: 225 square inches
Weight: 31 ounces
Airfoil: Semi-symmetrical
Length: 29.5 inches
Power system: 350- to 800-watt brushless
outrunner motor;
70- to 80-amp ESC
Battery: Three-cell 3200 mAh LiPo
Radio required: Three-channel radio with two
mini servos
Retail price: $109.99 (FunJet Ultra kit);
$124.99 (Multiplex Power Pack)
TEST-MODEL DETAI LS
Motor: Himax HC3514-2980 brushless
outrunner
ESC: Multiplex MULTIcont BL-70 ESC
Battery: E-flite 3S 3200 mAh LiPo
Propeller: 6 x 5.5
Radio system: JR 9503 transmitter, Spektrum
AR6210 receiver; two Hitec HS-
5065MG servos; two 6-inch
servo extensions
Ready-to-fly 33 ounces
weight:
Flight duration: 8 to 10 minutes
PLUSES
• Molded from extremely durable, high-density
Elapor foam.
• Low parts count goes together quickly.
• Canopy hatch firmly locks into place with no
tools.
• Fuselage can accept a variety of LiPo battery
sizes with a slight amount of foam trimming.
• The Multiplex Power Pack is a perfect match
for the FunJet Ultra.
• Motor mount includes an adjustable thrust
angle setting.
• Flight performance is smooth and responsive
at all speeds.
• Easily reaches speeds of 125 mph as tested.
MINUSES
• Exposed pusher propeller can make hand
launching tricky and it’s possible to break the
propeller on landing.
AT A GLANCE....
Edition: Model Aviation - 2012/05
Page Numbers: 65,66,67,68
www.ModelAviation.com May 2012 Model Aviation 65
REVIEW Multiplex funjet ultra
Tom Sullivan
[email protected]
Photos by the author unless noted
Satisfy your
need for speed
What comes to mind when you
think of a foamie? I’m not
sure about you, but I used
to conjure images of a small model,
sometimes made with thin foam, but
certainly not something you would fly
outside in windy conditions.
Not anymore! Allow me to introduce
to you an interesting foamie that will
change your preconceived ideas about
what an electric-powered foam model is
capable of.
When the folks from MA first
contacted me about reviewing the
FunJet Ultra, I recalled flying a friend’s
original FunJet. It was a nice-flying
model with jet looks and a decent
amount of power, but after looking
online and seeing all that Multiplex had
upgraded in this new “ultra” version, I
began to realize that this was not going
to be the typical foamie!
Construction
As you can see from the photo of
the unassembled parts, there are not
many pieces to put together. There are
only seven large, molded foam pieces,
a carbon-fiber wing spar, a molded
tail cone, and a bag of some assorted
small pieces. Rounding out the kit are
a couple of sheets of pressure-sensitive
stickers and the instructions (in five
languages).
One of the biggest features of the
FunJet Ultra is the material used in
molding the foam parts. It is injectionmolded
foam that Multiplex refers to as
Elapor. This is high-density foam, which
is quite strong. These parts seem slightly
heavier than what I’m accustomed to
with other types of molded foam, but
they are quite firm and should prove to
be durable.
The only question I had about the
construction was which glue to use. In
the manual, Multiplex calls out for a
specific brand of glue: Zacki Elapor. Not
having that, I did some research on the
Internet and found that medium CA
glue works well. As for accelerants, there
wasn’t an overwhelming opinion on
regular vs. foam-safe. Because I wasn’t in
a hurry and the parts fit tightly, I choose
not to use any accelerator.
When mounting the motor, be sure
that its leads feed through the plastic
cable retainer. There is a small amount
When landing the FunJet for the first time, you’ll be surprised at how
well it glides. Its clean lines keep the speed up for long, smooth
landing approaches. Flight photos by Jay Smith.
66 Model Aviation May 2012 www.ModelAviation.com
Above: The FunJet Ultra has a low parts
count. Assembling the jet only takes a
couple of hours.
of clearance between the leads and the
outrunner’s case. If the wires are left
loose, the spinning case will rub against
them, cutting through the insulation and
causing a short.
Capping off the radio installation is
the canopy, which doubles as a hatch.
Depending on what brand of battery
you choose, you might have to do some
internal trimming to get it to fit. If you
have to do this, loosely place the battery
in position, and then place the canopy
on top in its approximate position. (It
doesn’t matter if it’s closed all the way.)
Now check the CG, moving the
battery back and forth as needed until
the balance is just right. Using this
technique, you’ll know exactly where
the battery should go. Trace around it,
and then use a hobby knife to trim the
inside of the cockpit area for the perfect
battery fit.
Included in the kit are two sheets
of brightly colored stickers. Whether
you choose to use them, as I did, or
you decide to finish the FunJet Ultra in
another way, be sure to color it so that
it’s easy to tell top from bottom when in
the air. All of that gray makes orientation
impossible without it!
Completed and ready to fly, my review
FunJet Ultra came in at 33 ounces; 2
ounces more than the recommended
weight, but those 2 ounces made no
difference.
Flying
When it came time for the FunJet
Ultra’s maiden flight, I wondered how
hard I’d have to throw it. Taking no
chances, I wound up and heaved it
with everything I had—doing my best
impersonation of an Olympic javelin
thrower.
After it cleared my hand, I jammed
on the power. To my surprise, this fullpower
burst turned the FunJet into a
missile streaking skyward. Had I not
throttled back, I’m convinced it would
have effortlessly climbed out of sight—
the power was simply that awesome.
After I glided down to a more
reasonable altitude and made a couple of
trim passes, I settled in for a few photo
passes. Although he wouldn’t admit it,
I know my photographer had trouble
keeping up with the sheer speed of the
FunJet, although I was only at one-third
throttle!
So after all that excitement, and not
knowing the flight time I could expect,
I decided to work on setting up for
landing. The FunJet takes time to slow to
landing speed and I found myself using
the same amount of sky that I would use
with a much larger model.
It took several tries to get the
approach right, and with a gentle
belly landing, I managed to break
the propeller. Although it was freely
spinning, one of the blades must have
caught the grass just right—or maybe
that’s just wrong.
The propeller is easy to replace in a
minute or so if you have a spare. It’s a
specialized propeller (6.5 x 5 electric)
that I couldn’t find locally, so I ordered
a replacement and a couple of spares. I
recommend getting a few extras—just in
case.
After I had the replacement propeller
installed, it was back to the field to tear
It looks as though it’s going 100 mph just
setting on the bench! Ready to fly, the FunJet
weighs 33 ounces.
66 Model Aviation May 2012 www.ModelAviation.com
Above: The FunJet Ultra has a low parts
count. Assembling the jet only takes a
couple of hours.
of clearance between the leads and the
outrunner’s case. If the wires are left
loose, the spinning case will rub against
them, cutting through the insulation and
causing a short.
Capping off the radio installation is
the canopy, which doubles as a hatch.
Depending on what brand of battery
you choose, you might have to do some
internal trimming to get it to fit. If you
have to do this, loosely place the battery
in position, and then place the canopy
on top in its approximate position. (It
doesn’t matter if it’s closed all the way.)
Now check the CG, moving the
battery back and forth as needed until
the balance is just right. Using this
technique, you’ll know exactly where
the battery should go. Trace around it,
and then use a hobby knife to trim the
inside of the cockpit area for the perfect
battery fit.
Included in the kit are two sheets
of brightly colored stickers. Whether
you choose to use them, as I did, or
you decide to finish the FunJet Ultra in
another way, be sure to color it so that
it’s easy to tell top from bottom when in
the air. All of that gray makes orientation
impossible without it!
Completed and ready to fly, my review
FunJet Ultra came in at 33 ounces; 2
ounces more than the recommended
weight, but those 2 ounces made no
difference.
Flying
When it came time for the FunJet
Ultra’s maiden flight, I wondered how
hard I’d have to throw it. Taking no
chances, I wound up and heaved it
with everything I had—doing my best
impersonation of an Olympic javelin
thrower.
After it cleared my hand, I jammed
on the power. To my surprise, this fullpower
burst turned the FunJet into a
missile streaking skyward. Had I not
throttled back, I’m convinced it would
have effortlessly climbed out of sight—
the power was simply that awesome.
After I glided down to a more
reasonable altitude and made a couple of
trim passes, I settled in for a few photo
passes. Although he wouldn’t admit it,
I know my photographer had trouble
keeping up with the sheer speed of the
FunJet, although I was only at one-third
throttle!
So after all that excitement, and not
knowing the flight time I could expect,
I decided to work on setting up for
landing. The FunJet takes time to slow to
landing speed and I found myself using
the same amount of sky that I would use
with a much larger model.
It took several tries to get the
approach right, and with a gentle
belly landing, I managed to break
the propeller. Although it was freely
spinning, one of the blades must have
caught the grass just right—or maybe
that’s just wrong.
The propeller is easy to replace in a
minute or so if you have a spare. It’s a
specialized propeller (6.5 x 5 electric)
that I couldn’t find locally, so I ordered
a replacement and a couple of spares. I
recommend getting a few extras—just in
case.
After I had the replacement propeller
installed, it was back to the field to tear
It looks as though it’s going 100 mph just
setting on the bench! Ready to fly, the FunJet
weighs 33 ounces.
www.ModelAviation.com May 2012 Model Aviation 67
up the sky. Learning from my previous
launch, I threw the FunJet into the wind
with a simple, firm throw, which worked
well.
Under full power, I was amazed at
the speed of this little foam airplane.
Multiplex advertises the FunJet Ultra
with speeds of 125 mph. Its speed is
blisteringly fast and it doesn’t have to
dive to reach those speeds. Throw in a
power dive just before a high-speed pass
and ... holy cow! Nothing at my field
that day could compare!
As you might expect, rolls are quick.
Under full power, rolls come in at close
to four per second. They’re not smooth
axial rolls; the FunJet’s design creates
more of a super-tight barrel roll. And for
loops, no problem; make them as big or
as small as you want. It turns in a very
small radius and can dogfight with the
best of them.
At lower speeds it is still quite a quick
and extremely maneuverable airplane.
There’s no tendency to tip stall and it
has quite a nice glide ratio. Inverted
flight requires a little down-elevator to
hold altitude, regardless of the throttle
setting.
Flight times averaged 12 minutes if I
used the throttle economically. Turn up
the wick a bit and times drop to 8 to
9 minutes on average. I would bet that
full-throttle flight would drain the pack
in roughly 6 minutes.
Oh, and one more thing—the sound.
Normally, electrics are noted for their
lack of sound, but not in this case. With
a propeller spinning at roughly 22,000
rpm or more, it does make noise. You
won’t confuse this with the “Hoovervacuum”
sound of an EDF. This is closer
to what a Formula 1 car makes at full throttle. It’s the perfect
sound for its speed!
Conclusion
What a machine! For such a small package, the FunJet Ultra’s
performance is spectacular when combined with the Multiplex
Power Pack. It is designed for intermediate/advanced pilots and
takes up plenty of sky. Although it’s foam, don’t confuse it with
a park flyer. You will need to fly this at a regular RC field.
Right: The canopy doubles as the battery
hatch, which snaps on and off. Depending on
the battery you choose, you may have to trim
the foam for it to fit.
Below: Pushing the model at speeds of more
than 120 mph is a Himax brushless motor. The
motor’s thrust angle can be adjusted using the
screw at the bottom of the mount.
On the underside of the FunJet, the servos
for control surfaces are mounted in the
wing. Plastic covers are taped into position
over each servo to protect them during
landings.
68 Model Aviation May 2012 www.ModelAviation.com
Setting on the bench it looks as
though it’s going 100 mph; up in the air
it’s even faster.
If you’re bored with typical foamies,
take a good look at the Multiplex FunJet
Ultra and consider using the matching
power pack. When you fly one, you’ll be
smiling as much as I!
—Tom Sullivan
[email protected]
MANUFACTURER/DISTRIBUTOR:
Multiplex USA/Hitec RCD
(858) 748-6948
www.multiplexusa.com
www.hitecrcd.com
SOURCES:
JR Radios
(800) 338-4639
www.jrradios.com
Spektrum
(800) 338-4639
www.spektrumrc.com
The photographer had a hard time trying to
capture a great picture of the FunJet during
high speed passes.
Specifications
Model type: Electric-powered pusher jet
Skill level: Beginner builder, intermediate/
advanced pilot
Wingspan: 31 inches
Wing area: 225 square inches
Weight: 31 ounces
Airfoil: Semi-symmetrical
Length: 29.5 inches
Power system: 350- to 800-watt brushless
outrunner motor;
70- to 80-amp ESC
Battery: Three-cell 3200 mAh LiPo
Radio required: Three-channel radio with two
mini servos
Retail price: $109.99 (FunJet Ultra kit);
$124.99 (Multiplex Power Pack)
TEST-MODEL DETAI LS
Motor: Himax HC3514-2980 brushless
outrunner
ESC: Multiplex MULTIcont BL-70 ESC
Battery: E-flite 3S 3200 mAh LiPo
Propeller: 6 x 5.5
Radio system: JR 9503 transmitter, Spektrum
AR6210 receiver; two Hitec HS-
5065MG servos; two 6-inch
servo extensions
Ready-to-fly 33 ounces
weight:
Flight duration: 8 to 10 minutes
PLUSES
• Molded from extremely durable, high-density
Elapor foam.
• Low parts count goes together quickly.
• Canopy hatch firmly locks into place with no
tools.
• Fuselage can accept a variety of LiPo battery
sizes with a slight amount of foam trimming.
• The Multiplex Power Pack is a perfect match
for the FunJet Ultra.
• Motor mount includes an adjustable thrust
angle setting.
• Flight performance is smooth and responsive
at all speeds.
• Easily reaches speeds of 125 mph as tested.
MINUSES
• Exposed pusher propeller can make hand
launching tricky and it’s possible to break the
propeller on landing.
AT A GLANCE....
