configuration. One
feature I like about
SR plans is that they
easily fit my building board.
Rather than the usual large rectangular
sheet of paper, the SR plans are double-side
printed on a strip that lays down nicely in a
24 x 48-inch space. It’s not a big deal, but it
is nice.
Assembly: Building either model might
seem to be a time-consuming process, 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. This makes the building
process move rapidly. In addition to helping
the models build quickly, the design of the
parts ensures that everything is straight and
true.
Throw in a comprehensive pictorial
assembly manual, and you find that all of
those laser-cut balsa parts can be
transformed into a Bantam or a Bantam Bipe
framework that is ready for covering in four
to six hours.
Covering and Finish: The ultimate success
of models such as the Bantam is very much
a function of their flying weights. SR
Batteries has provided a kit that produces a
nice, light framework; the rest of the job of
keeping the model light is up to the builder.
SR BATTERIES HAS hit a home run with
the Bantam series. Each model is full of
designer Larry Sribnick’s now-familiar
design innovations. They both fly great
whether your setting is outdoors or indoors.
The option of having one wing or two
makes it that much nicer. If having a
limited-space flyer that “looks right,” is easy
to build, uses an inexpensive and readily
available power system, and flies great
appeals to you, read on.
Kit Contents: SR kits are sold via mail
order. As a result, they are
delivered in nice, triangular mailing
boxes. Opening the boxes reveals a
stash of beautiful balsa-wood laser-cut
parts, laser-cut light 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
Paul Bradley
P r o d u c t R e v i e w
32238 Spinnaker Run, Magnolia TX 77354; E-mail: [email protected]
SR Batteries Bantam
and Bantam Bipe
Both models have classic looks and great flying qualities. The biplane may be better
suited to smaller indoor sites because it can fly a bit slower.
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
November 2003 45
The building instructions recommend using UltraCote Lite as the
covering material. I really like it, so I had no problem taking that
suggestion. Other good lightweight covering materials are available
to those who build smaller Radio Control models, and they would
work well for the Bantam series. It’s a matter of personal choice.
UltraCote Lite comes with the heat-activated adhesive already
applied; that speeds up the covering process a bit compared to a
material selection that requires the builder to apply an adhesive to
the framework.
A single roll of UltraCote Lite will cover either model. Be
mindful of how much excess you allow around components, and you
will have some of the roll left for the remnant bin. A nice tip sheet
that discusses covering is included with the kit. If you are a new
builder, it will be a big help.
Equipment Installation: Installing the motor in the Bantam is
another nice design innovation on Larry Sribnick’s part. The motor
is simply plugged into the model and retained with a screw. This
makes swapping between models easy. It also makes replacing a
broken motor mount a nonevent.
Actually, Larry has designed the mount to be sacrificial in the
event of an “arrival.” With many of our airplanes, there are instances
in which they suddenly stop flying. The motor mount has been
designed to absorb a great deal of the energy that is created when the
model experiences one of those sudden stops. Knowing that this
happens, the kit includes the parts for a spare mount. It’s a
thoughtful touch!
Installing the radio gear is straightforward. A nice servo/receiver
The motor mount’s innovative design allows simple slip-in/slipout
installation and exchange of electric motors.
Besides basic parts, laser-cut assembly guides are provided to
aid in the building process. This one is aligning a former.
Both kits come with high-quality laser-cut balsa and plywood
parts, all required hardware, and great instructions!
There is plenty of interior room for easy installation of the radio
equipment. All of the parts fit perfectly!
Much of the wing is dry-assembled before any gluing, ensuring
that you don’t make any unrecoverable mistakes!
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 then positioned along the shelf that was installed
in the fuselage during its assembly.
Photos by the author
46 MODEL AVIATION
48 MODEL AVIATION
Balancing the model is only 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
Flexibility.
What do you do when your fuel tank installation is a tight fit?
Use a Sullivan Flextank, of course. Flextanks squeeze into all sorts of places. They
can be shaped with a heat gun. And they’ll work with any glow fuel.
Bulkhead too close? Shove it in. Fuselage
too narrow? It’ll go. In fact, this is a good
way to get the most out of the space available.
Plus, Flextanks are very durable. Often
more durable than the plane, if you know
what we mean.
So next time you’re in a jam, try a Flextank. At your dealer now.
One North Haven Street, Baltimore,
Maryland 21224 USA.
www.sullivanproducts.com
Sullivan Flextanks.
S741 12 oz
Shown
balance point. Very slick.
Flying: The Bantam and Bantam Bipe are
nice small-field/indoor flyers. Their classic
looks combined with relaxed flying
qualities add up to 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 give
the aircraft plenty of power.
In fact, after a short period of full
throttle after a hand launch or ROG (riseoff-
ground), you will find yourself pulling
the power back to approximately half
throttle or slightly more. Both models have
gentle handling characteristics and can be
turned tightly. This latter quality makes
them ideal for flying in tight quarters.
Even though both Bantams make great
relaxed flyers, especially if you have a
comfortable open space, they will show
spirited flight if desired. Loops can be
completed from level flight, and with a
little speed build-up dive you can crank in
some rudder to make things interesting.
These models are not intended to be strong
on aerobatics, but a little fooling around can
add some enjoyment to your flying session.
Flight duration with the 190 mAh Ni-Cd
pack is an easy seven minutes. Depending
on your flying conditions, flight time can be
significantly extended with the help of a
passing thermal or two. These little
Bantams seem to be attracted to buoyant
air.
It is fun to watch them gain altitude with
the throttle nearly closed as you work a bit
of lift. Their tight turning ability makes it
easy to stay stable even in the smallest
bubbles of rising air. When you feel that the
models are getting too small as they climb
higher and higher, pull the throttle all the
way back, and down they will come in a
positive, comfortable descent.
Although flying in circles and simple
aerobatics is not for everyone, flying the
Bantams is a nice way to relax—especially
on those rare calm evenings when all you
want to do is enjoy quiet, no-hassle flying.
So far I have only commented on
outdoor flying, but I did have the
opportunity to try both models at an indoor
facility. The place we fly in is the size of a
full basketball court with a little space
around the outside of the court boundaries.
It’s not big, nor is it an overly small
facility.
The biplane is a tad slower and handled
the indoor space well until I started talking
while flying and promptly hit a wall. The
only damage to the model was a broken
motor mount. The monoplane also handled
the indoor space nicely. Because of its
faster speed, I did find myself doing more
yanking and banking than with the biplane.
If you had access to something slightly
larger than a single basketball court-size
indoor venue, the Bantams would be at
home indoors.
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 builder the option of flying
outdoors or indoors. Throw in a classic
look, and you have a wonderful limitedspace
electric-powered model aircraft.
If you are having trouble deciding
which model to build, SR Batteries
offers the two kits in a reduced-price
package deal. The Bantam is $49.95, the
Bantam Bipe is $54.95, and both are
available for $99.95! Why torture
yourself with such a decision? Get ’em
both. MA
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
Edition: Model Aviation - 2003/11
Page Numbers: 45,46,48,50
Edition: Model Aviation - 2003/11
Page Numbers: 45,46,48,50
configuration. One
feature I like about
SR plans is that they
easily fit my building board.
Rather than the usual large rectangular
sheet of paper, the SR plans are double-side
printed on a strip that lays down nicely in a
24 x 48-inch space. It’s not a big deal, but it
is nice.
Assembly: Building either model might
seem to be a time-consuming process, 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. This makes the building
process move rapidly. In addition to helping
the models build quickly, the design of the
parts ensures that everything is straight and
true.
Throw in a comprehensive pictorial
assembly manual, and you find that all of
those laser-cut balsa parts can be
transformed into a Bantam or a Bantam Bipe
framework that is ready for covering in four
to six hours.
Covering and Finish: The ultimate success
of models such as the Bantam is very much
a function of their flying weights. SR
Batteries has provided a kit that produces a
nice, light framework; the rest of the job of
keeping the model light is up to the builder.
SR BATTERIES HAS hit a home run with
the Bantam series. Each model is full of
designer Larry Sribnick’s now-familiar
design innovations. They both fly great
whether your setting is outdoors or indoors.
The option of having one wing or two
makes it that much nicer. If having a
limited-space flyer that “looks right,” is easy
to build, uses an inexpensive and readily
available power system, and flies great
appeals to you, read on.
Kit Contents: SR kits are sold via mail
order. As a result, they are
delivered in nice, triangular mailing
boxes. Opening the boxes reveals a
stash of beautiful balsa-wood laser-cut
parts, laser-cut light 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
Paul Bradley
P r o d u c t R e v i e w
32238 Spinnaker Run, Magnolia TX 77354; E-mail: [email protected]
SR Batteries Bantam
and Bantam Bipe
Both models have classic looks and great flying qualities. The biplane may be better
suited to smaller indoor sites because it can fly a bit slower.
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
November 2003 45
The building instructions recommend using UltraCote Lite as the
covering material. I really like it, so I had no problem taking that
suggestion. Other good lightweight covering materials are available
to those who build smaller Radio Control models, and they would
work well for the Bantam series. It’s a matter of personal choice.
UltraCote Lite comes with the heat-activated adhesive already
applied; that speeds up the covering process a bit compared to a
material selection that requires the builder to apply an adhesive to
the framework.
A single roll of UltraCote Lite will cover either model. Be
mindful of how much excess you allow around components, and you
will have some of the roll left for the remnant bin. A nice tip sheet
that discusses covering is included with the kit. If you are a new
builder, it will be a big help.
Equipment Installation: Installing the motor in the Bantam is
another nice design innovation on Larry Sribnick’s part. The motor
is simply plugged into the model and retained with a screw. This
makes swapping between models easy. It also makes replacing a
broken motor mount a nonevent.
Actually, Larry has designed the mount to be sacrificial in the
event of an “arrival.” With many of our airplanes, there are instances
in which they suddenly stop flying. The motor mount has been
designed to absorb a great deal of the energy that is created when the
model experiences one of those sudden stops. Knowing that this
happens, the kit includes the parts for a spare mount. It’s a
thoughtful touch!
Installing the radio gear is straightforward. A nice servo/receiver
The motor mount’s innovative design allows simple slip-in/slipout
installation and exchange of electric motors.
Besides basic parts, laser-cut assembly guides are provided to
aid in the building process. This one is aligning a former.
Both kits come with high-quality laser-cut balsa and plywood
parts, all required hardware, and great instructions!
There is plenty of interior room for easy installation of the radio
equipment. All of the parts fit perfectly!
Much of the wing is dry-assembled before any gluing, ensuring
that you don’t make any unrecoverable mistakes!
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 then positioned along the shelf that was installed
in the fuselage during its assembly.
Photos by the author
46 MODEL AVIATION
48 MODEL AVIATION
Balancing the model is only 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
Flexibility.
What do you do when your fuel tank installation is a tight fit?
Use a Sullivan Flextank, of course. Flextanks squeeze into all sorts of places. They
can be shaped with a heat gun. And they’ll work with any glow fuel.
Bulkhead too close? Shove it in. Fuselage
too narrow? It’ll go. In fact, this is a good
way to get the most out of the space available.
Plus, Flextanks are very durable. Often
more durable than the plane, if you know
what we mean.
So next time you’re in a jam, try a Flextank. At your dealer now.
One North Haven Street, Baltimore,
Maryland 21224 USA.
www.sullivanproducts.com
Sullivan Flextanks.
S741 12 oz
Shown
balance point. Very slick.
Flying: The Bantam and Bantam Bipe are
nice small-field/indoor flyers. Their classic
looks combined with relaxed flying
qualities add up to 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 give
the aircraft plenty of power.
In fact, after a short period of full
throttle after a hand launch or ROG (riseoff-
ground), you will find yourself pulling
the power back to approximately half
throttle or slightly more. Both models have
gentle handling characteristics and can be
turned tightly. This latter quality makes
them ideal for flying in tight quarters.
Even though both Bantams make great
relaxed flyers, especially if you have a
comfortable open space, they will show
spirited flight if desired. Loops can be
completed from level flight, and with a
little speed build-up dive you can crank in
some rudder to make things interesting.
These models are not intended to be strong
on aerobatics, but a little fooling around can
add some enjoyment to your flying session.
Flight duration with the 190 mAh Ni-Cd
pack is an easy seven minutes. Depending
on your flying conditions, flight time can be
significantly extended with the help of a
passing thermal or two. These little
Bantams seem to be attracted to buoyant
air.
It is fun to watch them gain altitude with
the throttle nearly closed as you work a bit
of lift. Their tight turning ability makes it
easy to stay stable even in the smallest
bubbles of rising air. When you feel that the
models are getting too small as they climb
higher and higher, pull the throttle all the
way back, and down they will come in a
positive, comfortable descent.
Although flying in circles and simple
aerobatics is not for everyone, flying the
Bantams is a nice way to relax—especially
on those rare calm evenings when all you
want to do is enjoy quiet, no-hassle flying.
So far I have only commented on
outdoor flying, but I did have the
opportunity to try both models at an indoor
facility. The place we fly in is the size of a
full basketball court with a little space
around the outside of the court boundaries.
It’s not big, nor is it an overly small
facility.
The biplane is a tad slower and handled
the indoor space well until I started talking
while flying and promptly hit a wall. The
only damage to the model was a broken
motor mount. The monoplane also handled
the indoor space nicely. Because of its
faster speed, I did find myself doing more
yanking and banking than with the biplane.
If you had access to something slightly
larger than a single basketball court-size
indoor venue, the Bantams would be at
home indoors.
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 builder the option of flying
outdoors or indoors. Throw in a classic
look, and you have a wonderful limitedspace
electric-powered model aircraft.
If you are having trouble deciding
which model to build, SR Batteries
offers the two kits in a reduced-price
package deal. The Bantam is $49.95, the
Bantam Bipe is $54.95, and both are
available for $99.95! Why torture
yourself with such a decision? Get ’em
both. MA
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
Edition: Model Aviation - 2003/11
Page Numbers: 45,46,48,50
configuration. One
feature I like about
SR plans is that they
easily fit my building board.
Rather than the usual large rectangular
sheet of paper, the SR plans are double-side
printed on a strip that lays down nicely in a
24 x 48-inch space. It’s not a big deal, but it
is nice.
Assembly: Building either model might
seem to be a time-consuming process, 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. This makes the building
process move rapidly. In addition to helping
the models build quickly, the design of the
parts ensures that everything is straight and
true.
Throw in a comprehensive pictorial
assembly manual, and you find that all of
those laser-cut balsa parts can be
transformed into a Bantam or a Bantam Bipe
framework that is ready for covering in four
to six hours.
Covering and Finish: The ultimate success
of models such as the Bantam is very much
a function of their flying weights. SR
Batteries has provided a kit that produces a
nice, light framework; the rest of the job of
keeping the model light is up to the builder.
SR BATTERIES HAS hit a home run with
the Bantam series. Each model is full of
designer Larry Sribnick’s now-familiar
design innovations. They both fly great
whether your setting is outdoors or indoors.
The option of having one wing or two
makes it that much nicer. If having a
limited-space flyer that “looks right,” is easy
to build, uses an inexpensive and readily
available power system, and flies great
appeals to you, read on.
Kit Contents: SR kits are sold via mail
order. As a result, they are
delivered in nice, triangular mailing
boxes. Opening the boxes reveals a
stash of beautiful balsa-wood laser-cut
parts, laser-cut light 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
Paul Bradley
P r o d u c t R e v i e w
32238 Spinnaker Run, Magnolia TX 77354; E-mail: [email protected]
SR Batteries Bantam
and Bantam Bipe
Both models have classic looks and great flying qualities. The biplane may be better
suited to smaller indoor sites because it can fly a bit slower.
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
November 2003 45
The building instructions recommend using UltraCote Lite as the
covering material. I really like it, so I had no problem taking that
suggestion. Other good lightweight covering materials are available
to those who build smaller Radio Control models, and they would
work well for the Bantam series. It’s a matter of personal choice.
UltraCote Lite comes with the heat-activated adhesive already
applied; that speeds up the covering process a bit compared to a
material selection that requires the builder to apply an adhesive to
the framework.
A single roll of UltraCote Lite will cover either model. Be
mindful of how much excess you allow around components, and you
will have some of the roll left for the remnant bin. A nice tip sheet
that discusses covering is included with the kit. If you are a new
builder, it will be a big help.
Equipment Installation: Installing the motor in the Bantam is
another nice design innovation on Larry Sribnick’s part. The motor
is simply plugged into the model and retained with a screw. This
makes swapping between models easy. It also makes replacing a
broken motor mount a nonevent.
Actually, Larry has designed the mount to be sacrificial in the
event of an “arrival.” With many of our airplanes, there are instances
in which they suddenly stop flying. The motor mount has been
designed to absorb a great deal of the energy that is created when the
model experiences one of those sudden stops. Knowing that this
happens, the kit includes the parts for a spare mount. It’s a
thoughtful touch!
Installing the radio gear is straightforward. A nice servo/receiver
The motor mount’s innovative design allows simple slip-in/slipout
installation and exchange of electric motors.
Besides basic parts, laser-cut assembly guides are provided to
aid in the building process. This one is aligning a former.
Both kits come with high-quality laser-cut balsa and plywood
parts, all required hardware, and great instructions!
There is plenty of interior room for easy installation of the radio
equipment. All of the parts fit perfectly!
Much of the wing is dry-assembled before any gluing, ensuring
that you don’t make any unrecoverable mistakes!
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 then positioned along the shelf that was installed
in the fuselage during its assembly.
Photos by the author
46 MODEL AVIATION
48 MODEL AVIATION
Balancing the model is only 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
Flexibility.
What do you do when your fuel tank installation is a tight fit?
Use a Sullivan Flextank, of course. Flextanks squeeze into all sorts of places. They
can be shaped with a heat gun. And they’ll work with any glow fuel.
Bulkhead too close? Shove it in. Fuselage
too narrow? It’ll go. In fact, this is a good
way to get the most out of the space available.
Plus, Flextanks are very durable. Often
more durable than the plane, if you know
what we mean.
So next time you’re in a jam, try a Flextank. At your dealer now.
One North Haven Street, Baltimore,
Maryland 21224 USA.
www.sullivanproducts.com
Sullivan Flextanks.
S741 12 oz
Shown
balance point. Very slick.
Flying: The Bantam and Bantam Bipe are
nice small-field/indoor flyers. Their classic
looks combined with relaxed flying
qualities add up to 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 give
the aircraft plenty of power.
In fact, after a short period of full
throttle after a hand launch or ROG (riseoff-
ground), you will find yourself pulling
the power back to approximately half
throttle or slightly more. Both models have
gentle handling characteristics and can be
turned tightly. This latter quality makes
them ideal for flying in tight quarters.
Even though both Bantams make great
relaxed flyers, especially if you have a
comfortable open space, they will show
spirited flight if desired. Loops can be
completed from level flight, and with a
little speed build-up dive you can crank in
some rudder to make things interesting.
These models are not intended to be strong
on aerobatics, but a little fooling around can
add some enjoyment to your flying session.
Flight duration with the 190 mAh Ni-Cd
pack is an easy seven minutes. Depending
on your flying conditions, flight time can be
significantly extended with the help of a
passing thermal or two. These little
Bantams seem to be attracted to buoyant
air.
It is fun to watch them gain altitude with
the throttle nearly closed as you work a bit
of lift. Their tight turning ability makes it
easy to stay stable even in the smallest
bubbles of rising air. When you feel that the
models are getting too small as they climb
higher and higher, pull the throttle all the
way back, and down they will come in a
positive, comfortable descent.
Although flying in circles and simple
aerobatics is not for everyone, flying the
Bantams is a nice way to relax—especially
on those rare calm evenings when all you
want to do is enjoy quiet, no-hassle flying.
So far I have only commented on
outdoor flying, but I did have the
opportunity to try both models at an indoor
facility. The place we fly in is the size of a
full basketball court with a little space
around the outside of the court boundaries.
It’s not big, nor is it an overly small
facility.
The biplane is a tad slower and handled
the indoor space well until I started talking
while flying and promptly hit a wall. The
only damage to the model was a broken
motor mount. The monoplane also handled
the indoor space nicely. Because of its
faster speed, I did find myself doing more
yanking and banking than with the biplane.
If you had access to something slightly
larger than a single basketball court-size
indoor venue, the Bantams would be at
home indoors.
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 builder the option of flying
outdoors or indoors. Throw in a classic
look, and you have a wonderful limitedspace
electric-powered model aircraft.
If you are having trouble deciding
which model to build, SR Batteries
offers the two kits in a reduced-price
package deal. The Bantam is $49.95, the
Bantam Bipe is $54.95, and both are
available for $99.95! Why torture
yourself with such a decision? Get ’em
both. MA
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
Edition: Model Aviation - 2003/11
Page Numbers: 45,46,48,50
configuration. One
feature I like about
SR plans is that they
easily fit my building board.
Rather than the usual large rectangular
sheet of paper, the SR plans are double-side
printed on a strip that lays down nicely in a
24 x 48-inch space. It’s not a big deal, but it
is nice.
Assembly: Building either model might
seem to be a time-consuming process, 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. This makes the building
process move rapidly. In addition to helping
the models build quickly, the design of the
parts ensures that everything is straight and
true.
Throw in a comprehensive pictorial
assembly manual, and you find that all of
those laser-cut balsa parts can be
transformed into a Bantam or a Bantam Bipe
framework that is ready for covering in four
to six hours.
Covering and Finish: The ultimate success
of models such as the Bantam is very much
a function of their flying weights. SR
Batteries has provided a kit that produces a
nice, light framework; the rest of the job of
keeping the model light is up to the builder.
SR BATTERIES HAS hit a home run with
the Bantam series. Each model is full of
designer Larry Sribnick’s now-familiar
design innovations. They both fly great
whether your setting is outdoors or indoors.
The option of having one wing or two
makes it that much nicer. If having a
limited-space flyer that “looks right,” is easy
to build, uses an inexpensive and readily
available power system, and flies great
appeals to you, read on.
Kit Contents: SR kits are sold via mail
order. As a result, they are
delivered in nice, triangular mailing
boxes. Opening the boxes reveals a
stash of beautiful balsa-wood laser-cut
parts, laser-cut light 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
Paul Bradley
P r o d u c t R e v i e w
32238 Spinnaker Run, Magnolia TX 77354; E-mail: [email protected]
SR Batteries Bantam
and Bantam Bipe
Both models have classic looks and great flying qualities. The biplane may be better
suited to smaller indoor sites because it can fly a bit slower.
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
November 2003 45
The building instructions recommend using UltraCote Lite as the
covering material. I really like it, so I had no problem taking that
suggestion. Other good lightweight covering materials are available
to those who build smaller Radio Control models, and they would
work well for the Bantam series. It’s a matter of personal choice.
UltraCote Lite comes with the heat-activated adhesive already
applied; that speeds up the covering process a bit compared to a
material selection that requires the builder to apply an adhesive to
the framework.
A single roll of UltraCote Lite will cover either model. Be
mindful of how much excess you allow around components, and you
will have some of the roll left for the remnant bin. A nice tip sheet
that discusses covering is included with the kit. If you are a new
builder, it will be a big help.
Equipment Installation: Installing the motor in the Bantam is
another nice design innovation on Larry Sribnick’s part. The motor
is simply plugged into the model and retained with a screw. This
makes swapping between models easy. It also makes replacing a
broken motor mount a nonevent.
Actually, Larry has designed the mount to be sacrificial in the
event of an “arrival.” With many of our airplanes, there are instances
in which they suddenly stop flying. The motor mount has been
designed to absorb a great deal of the energy that is created when the
model experiences one of those sudden stops. Knowing that this
happens, the kit includes the parts for a spare mount. It’s a
thoughtful touch!
Installing the radio gear is straightforward. A nice servo/receiver
The motor mount’s innovative design allows simple slip-in/slipout
installation and exchange of electric motors.
Besides basic parts, laser-cut assembly guides are provided to
aid in the building process. This one is aligning a former.
Both kits come with high-quality laser-cut balsa and plywood
parts, all required hardware, and great instructions!
There is plenty of interior room for easy installation of the radio
equipment. All of the parts fit perfectly!
Much of the wing is dry-assembled before any gluing, ensuring
that you don’t make any unrecoverable mistakes!
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 then positioned along the shelf that was installed
in the fuselage during its assembly.
Photos by the author
46 MODEL AVIATION
48 MODEL AVIATION
Balancing the model is only 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
Flexibility.
What do you do when your fuel tank installation is a tight fit?
Use a Sullivan Flextank, of course. Flextanks squeeze into all sorts of places. They
can be shaped with a heat gun. And they’ll work with any glow fuel.
Bulkhead too close? Shove it in. Fuselage
too narrow? It’ll go. In fact, this is a good
way to get the most out of the space available.
Plus, Flextanks are very durable. Often
more durable than the plane, if you know
what we mean.
So next time you’re in a jam, try a Flextank. At your dealer now.
One North Haven Street, Baltimore,
Maryland 21224 USA.
www.sullivanproducts.com
Sullivan Flextanks.
S741 12 oz
Shown
balance point. Very slick.
Flying: The Bantam and Bantam Bipe are
nice small-field/indoor flyers. Their classic
looks combined with relaxed flying
qualities add up to 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 give
the aircraft plenty of power.
In fact, after a short period of full
throttle after a hand launch or ROG (riseoff-
ground), you will find yourself pulling
the power back to approximately half
throttle or slightly more. Both models have
gentle handling characteristics and can be
turned tightly. This latter quality makes
them ideal for flying in tight quarters.
Even though both Bantams make great
relaxed flyers, especially if you have a
comfortable open space, they will show
spirited flight if desired. Loops can be
completed from level flight, and with a
little speed build-up dive you can crank in
some rudder to make things interesting.
These models are not intended to be strong
on aerobatics, but a little fooling around can
add some enjoyment to your flying session.
Flight duration with the 190 mAh Ni-Cd
pack is an easy seven minutes. Depending
on your flying conditions, flight time can be
significantly extended with the help of a
passing thermal or two. These little
Bantams seem to be attracted to buoyant
air.
It is fun to watch them gain altitude with
the throttle nearly closed as you work a bit
of lift. Their tight turning ability makes it
easy to stay stable even in the smallest
bubbles of rising air. When you feel that the
models are getting too small as they climb
higher and higher, pull the throttle all the
way back, and down they will come in a
positive, comfortable descent.
Although flying in circles and simple
aerobatics is not for everyone, flying the
Bantams is a nice way to relax—especially
on those rare calm evenings when all you
want to do is enjoy quiet, no-hassle flying.
So far I have only commented on
outdoor flying, but I did have the
opportunity to try both models at an indoor
facility. The place we fly in is the size of a
full basketball court with a little space
around the outside of the court boundaries.
It’s not big, nor is it an overly small
facility.
The biplane is a tad slower and handled
the indoor space well until I started talking
while flying and promptly hit a wall. The
only damage to the model was a broken
motor mount. The monoplane also handled
the indoor space nicely. Because of its
faster speed, I did find myself doing more
yanking and banking than with the biplane.
If you had access to something slightly
larger than a single basketball court-size
indoor venue, the Bantams would be at
home indoors.
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 builder the option of flying
outdoors or indoors. Throw in a classic
look, and you have a wonderful limitedspace
electric-powered model aircraft.
If you are having trouble deciding
which model to build, SR Batteries
offers the two kits in a reduced-price
package deal. The Bantam is $49.95, the
Bantam Bipe is $54.95, and both are
available for $99.95! Why torture
yourself with such a decision? Get ’em
both. MA
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
