Product Review
32238 Spinnaker Run, Magnolia TX 77354 E-mail: [email protected]
Paul Bradley
SR Batteries Bantam and Bantam Bipe
Pros:
- Completeness and quality of kit contents
- Detailed photo-documented assembly manual
- Structural design
- Precision of parts
- Flying qualities
- Appearance of both models
Cons:
- None noted
SR Batteries has hit a home run with the Bantam series. Each model incorporates designer Larry Sribnick’s now-familiar design innovations. They both fly great whether you’re setting is outdoors or indoors. The option of having one wing or two makes the series especially versatile. If you want a limited-space flyer that looks right, is easy to build, uses an inexpensive and readily available power system, and flies well, read on.
Kit Contents
SR kits are sold via mail order and are delivered in triangular mailing boxes. Inside you’ll find laser-cut balsa parts, light laser-cut plywood, quality hardware, vinyl decals, clear hinge tape, pushrod material, computer-drawn plans, and a complete 44-page pictorial assembly manual.
If you order both models at the same time, only one set of plans and one assembly manual are included; the plans and manual are laid out to handle either Bantam configuration. One feature I like about SR plans is that they easily fit my building board. Rather than the usual large rectangular sheet, the SR plans are double-side printed on a strip that lays down nicely in a 24 x 48-inch space. It’s a small convenience, but a nice one.
Assembly
Building either model might seem time-consuming, but both go together surprisingly quickly. The precision of the laser-cut parts combined with a well-thought-out structural design allows construction to move at a fast pace. When building each wing panel, you fit almost all of the parts together before adding any adhesive, which speeds the process and helps ensure everything is straight and true.
The comprehensive pictorial assembly manual means those laser-cut parts can be transformed into a Bantam or Bantam Bipe framework ready for covering in four to six hours.
Covering and Finish
The ultimate success of models such as the Bantam depends heavily on flying weight. SR Batteries provides a kit that produces a nice, light framework; keeping the model light is up to the builder.
The instructions recommend UltraCote Lite as the covering material. I used it and liked the results. UltraCote Lite has the heat-activated adhesive already applied, which speeds up covering compared to materials that require separate adhesive. A single roll will cover either model; be mindful of excess around components and you’ll likely have some left for the remnant bin. A helpful tip sheet about covering is included with the kit and will be a big help to new builders.
Equipment Installation
Installing the motor in the Bantam is a clever design element. The motor plugs into the model and is retained with a screw, making swaps and replacements easy. The motor mount is designed to be sacrificial in the event of an abrupt stop, absorbing much of the energy when the model suddenly stops flying. The kit even includes parts for a spare mount.
Installing the radio gear is straightforward. A servo/receiver mount is provided in the laser-cut plywood parts. You mount the servos and receiver to the supplied mount to form a "brick." This radio-gear brick is positioned along the shelf installed in the fuselage during assembly. Balancing the model is simply a matter of installing the motor, slipping the battery into position, taping the pushrods to the fuselage in their proper positions, then sliding the radio brick along the rails until everything balances at the designated balance point.
Flying
The Bantam and Bantam Bipe are excellent small-field/indoor flyers. Their classic looks combined with relaxed flying qualities make for a great package. Both models were flown on an SR Batteries seven-cell 190 mAh Ni-Cd pack. Seven cells combined with the GWS DX-A motor system and a GWS 9 x 4.7 propeller provide plenty of power.
After a short period at full throttle after a hand launch or ROG (rise-off-ground), you will typically pull back to about half throttle or slightly more. Both models have gentle handling characteristics and can be turned tightly, making them ideal for flying in tight quarters.
While not designed as aerobatic machines, they will show spirited flight if desired. Loops can be completed from level flight, and with a little speed-build dive you can mix in some rudder for interest. Flight duration with the 190 mAh Ni-Cd pack is an easy seven minutes; flight time can be significantly extended with the help of a passing thermal or two. These little Bantams seem attracted to buoyant air and will gain altitude with the throttle nearly closed when worked into lift. Their tight turning ability makes it easy to stay within small bubbles of rising air. When they climb too high, pull the throttle back and they will descend in a positive, comfortable way.
I also flew both models indoors at a facility about the size of a full basketball court with a little space around the edges. The biplane is a tad slower and handled the indoor space well until I made an error and hit a wall; the only damage was a broken motor mount. The monoplane, being faster, required more aggressive control input. If you have access to an indoor venue slightly larger than a single basketball court, the Bantams will be very at home.
Recommending the SR Batteries Bantam-series kits is a no-brainer. You get great wood, quality hardware, and a comprehensive pictorial assembly manual. The finished models fly great and offer the option of outdoor or indoor flying. With a classic look and limited-space capability, these are wonderful electric-powered model aircraft. If you can’t decide which to build, SR Batteries offers both kits in a reduced-price package: the Bantam is $49.95, the Bantam Bipe is $54.95, and both are available for $99.95.
Specifications:
- Wing area: Monoplane, 210 square inches; biplane, 380 square inches
- Length: 24 inches
- Weight with seven-cell 190 mAh battery pack: Monoplane, 8.0 ounces; biplane, 8.8 ounces
- Controls: Throttle, elevator, rudder
- Construction: Laser-cut balsa with a few light-plywood parts
Manufacturer:
SR Batteries Box 287 Bellport NY 11713 (631) 286-0079 www.srbatteries.com
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
