Largest RC Planes: Quick Guide and Facts on Flying them
Remote Control Planes (also known as RC planes) are planes that can be animated with the use of remote control. Despite the fact that remote-control planes have been in use for years, new technology has made them more accessible, entertaining, and straightforward to fly.
Some models are small enough to fit in the palm of your hand, while others take a DIY approach by converting a paper airplane into a flyable plane. Beginners and youngsters may learn to fly securely thanks to the preventative precautions and standard guidelines, while experienced flyers can try out tricks and flips.
What Is The Largest Remote Control Airplane?
The largest Remote control airplane is the Boeing 747-400 model Virgin Atlantic. This massive RC Boeing 747-400 is a sight to behold. It is a 1:13 scale model which is extremely big considering it’s an airplane replica. Its size is 17.8 feet long with a wingspan of 16.24 feet.
If you need a guide on model scales, I have an article discussing it in detail. Here is the link: Diecast Model Scale Analysis
This massive RC Boeing 747-400 is a sight to behold. This 1:13 scale model Virgin Atlantic Boeing 747-400 is another of the world’s largest RC planes. With a length of 17.8 feet (5.43 meters) and a wingspan of 16.24 feet (4.95 meters), this RC plane is very impressive.
This 1:13 scale model Virgin Atlantic Boeing 747-400 is another of the world’s largest RC planes. With a length of 17.8 feet (5.43 meters) and a wingspan of 16.24 feet (4.95 meters), this RC plane is very impressive.
The Boeing 747-400 is a Boeing Commercial Airplanes wide-body airliner that is an improved version of the original Boeing 747. It is basically a wider body jet aircraft of the Boeing 747-400. It took off for the first time on April 29, 1988. Boeing is a United States-based aircraft manufacturer.
What’s The Highest A Model Plane Can Fly?
The highest a model plane has flown is 10,607 meters or 34,800 ft which were achieved in 2019. But in theory, a regular RC plane can go as high as 400ft. Lightweight RC planes which are less than 7 kg can even go higher but it is heavily dependent on wind strength.
The reason is that the wind may blow up the RC plane when flew really high since wind is generally stronger the higher you get.
Furthermore, heavier model aircraft have a maximum of 400ft because it uses more power to operate.
A model aircraft weighing less than 7kg may be flown to any altitude, with the only constraint being the need to maintain visual contact and wind strength.
Unless you meet the airspace criteria, the maximum altitude that’s safe for your RC planes is 400ft.
Is A License Required To Operate A Model Plane?
In the United States, you don’t need a license to fly an RC plane recreationally right now. However, depending on where you reside, you may be required to complete an online exam and mark up your model in an attempt for it to be identifiable.
Are RC Planes Hard To Fly?
RC Planes are very hard to fly especially for beginners. That’s why there are crash courses you can have to help you learn how to fly your RC plane. Furthermore, it would also teach you some basic flying regulations so you can avoid crashing and destroying your plane.
You could have a short flight or possibly a crash if you don’t follow some basic flying regulations. To avoid crashing, know the direction of the wind and keep your plane as level as possible.
If you’re flying out of range, keep your plane within range of the radio control. If your plane doesn’t have built-in capabilities to fix this, it can keep flying away from you until the batteries run out.
What Is The Maximum Size Of An RC Plane?
The largest remote control airplane which is the Boeing 747-400 has a length of 17.8 feet (5.43 meters) and a wingspan of 16.24 feet (4.95 meters). However, regular RC plane stores that are more accessible would usually have their largest RC plane to at most 72 inches (6 ft.) based on wingspan.
Can I Fly My RC Plane For An Extended Period Of Time?
RC planes can fly for a long time, but it depends on the size and number of batteries it has. A larger version of this sort of RC plane can often fly for an hour or more, however, a smaller plane will only be able to fly for 10-15 minutes.
What Are Some Of The Largest RC Planes In The World?
Aside from the aforementioned examples, there is a slew of other massive and outstanding RC planes available. Some of the most notable cases are listed here.
1. The Concorde Replica
The 2nd biggest RC plane appears to be a Concorde replica. The model is 6.1ft (1.85m) tall and has a wingspan of 13ft (4m), a length of 33ft (10m), and a length of 33ft (10m). It’s powered by four JetCat P300 Pro engines and cost more than £8,000 to manufacture (about $11,000).
However, it is far from the only massive RC plane on the market. Take a look at this incredible RC model of a B-50 “Superfortress” from WWII.
2. RC Airbus A-380 Airliner
The model Airbus A-380 RC plane was built in over 5,000 hours and measures 16 feet (4.8 meters) long with a wingspan of 17 feet (5.3 meters). It is driven by a pair of JET CAT P 120 Je 12kp Standschub engines and has a 2.6-gallon fuel tank that burns through 0.3 gallons per minute. Peter Michel, the creator, spent almost eight months constructing it out of styrofoam and balsa wood.
3. Antonov An-225 Model In 1:16 Scale
This 1:16 scale model of the enormous Antonov AN-225 is another massive RC plane. The total model weighs 206lb (93.5kg) and has a wingspan of 19.8m and a length of 17ft (5.3m).
The aircraft is powered by a combination of Behotec JB-180 and 90er EDF 6s engines that produce roughly 104lb (47kg) of thrust.
4. RC Fokker DR1 2:3 scale
This 65 percent scale Fokker DR1 triplane is another really massive RC plane. This RC plane, designed and built by Steve Carr, is rather spectacular.
The plane has a 16-foot (4.8-meter) wingspan and is propelled by a scale model 550cc engine that Carr constructed himself. To fly, this RC plane requires four Multiplex receivers and thirteen Hitec 44kg servos.
5. RC Plane from Aeto Telemetry that is 1/2 Size of an H1 Racer.
This half-scale H1 Racer RC plane, designed and produced by Aero Telemetry, is another of the world’s largest RC planes. The plane is mostly made of composite materials, including unique hydraulics.
A 360cc two-stroke two-cylinder 30hp engine powers this massive RC plane. Engineers working on the project were forced to create a custom exhaust system and modify the carburetor to get more power out of it.
6. The RC Stearman N2S-4 In 1:3 Scale Is Extremely Lovely.
Elimay421, a YouTuber, has created a 1:3 scale Stearman N2S-4 RC plane. This RC plane, which is powered by a Seidel UMS ST 7-250B, sounds as wonderful as it looks. During the 1930s and 1940s, over 10,000 were built for the US Navy. The real plane was a biplane that was designed to be used as a trainer.
7. RC Boeing 747-400 Is A Wonder To Behold.
A 1:13 scale model of the Virgin Atlantic Boeing 747-400 is the world’s largest RC plane. This RC airplane took 2,000 hours to build and measures 17.8 feet (5.43 meters) long with a wingspan of 16.24 feet (4.95 meters).
The RC aircraft weighs 150 pounds (68 kilograms) and is powered by four engines that produce 30.9 pounds (14 kilograms) of thrust. It even features retractable landing gear that may be used while flying.
8. Pitts Python Biplane Is Nearly As Large As Its Real-life Counterpart.
The size of this 1:8 scale model of a Pitts Python biplane is just about, but not quite, the same as the genuine thing. Gregg Hayfield designed and built this RC plane, which took him 5 years to complete from start to finish.
It was developed from the ground up and features a 650cc flat twin engine with a 64-inch (163cm) 3-blade propeller often found on microlights. This RC plane weighs roughly 305 pounds in total (138kg).
That’ll do it for today, RC lovers. We aim for authenticity, so do let us know if you know of any larger RC planes out there. Who knows, maybe we’ll include it in this list.
Conclusion
The majority of RC planes have safety systems that can prevent them from colliding. On a single charge, most planes can last up to 30 minutes at best, although most only last 8 to 20 minutes.
A shorter range is sufficient if you plan to keep your plane in a small area, such as your yard. Takeoff, landing, and even aerobatics can all be done with just one button on some models.
An RC plane will only be able to fly for 10-30 minutes.
The exception being the massive RC Boeing 747-400 is one of the world’s largest RC planes. This model can fly for an hour or more.
It weighs 17.8 feet (5.43 meters) and has a wingspan of 16.24 feet (4.95 meters) The world’s largest RC plane appears to be a Concorde replica.
This 1:13 scale model Virgin Atlantic Boeing 747-400 is another of the world’s biggest RC planes. There is a lot of other massive and outstanding RC planes on the market as you can see in the list above.
“Only the things I love”
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So, here are the things I love when taking care of my Diecast Models.
Cleaning the Models
The first we are going to talk about is cleaning the models.
Removing Dust
- Air Brush – For me, this is the best since it not just removes dust but you can use it in painting/clear coating.
- Air Duster – This is a good alternative to Airbrush
- Normal Brush – If you are short on budget, you can use a normal brush. However, make sure that the brush has soft bristles because there are some hard brushes than can cause scratches. That’s why I recommended a good brush that can do the job properly.
Cleaning and Shining Hacks
Well, here are some of my cleaning hacks for removing scratches, oxidation, and so much more.
- Removing Decal Adhesive – Use Goo Gone on those hard-to-remove decal adhesives. It works fast and works like charm!
- Waxing and Polishing – Here is something a lot of people don’t know. Waxing protects the clear coat and paint while polishing shines the model. Instead of buying it separately, use a 2 in 1 to save money. Get this instead.
- Beginner Wax – The wax I recommended earlier is good and provides the best results based on my experience. But a beginner might have a problem especially if they’re not good at applying wax. Solid wax reaching hard to reach surface can be hard to remove. You have two choices here. One is to use a qtips to reach those surfaces, another is to use a liquid wax I recommended.
- Cleaning Wheels, Rubber, Plastic – Do not forget that rubber and plastic surface are quite different, especially in the cleaning process. Just wiping it down won’t do the job. That’s why I use Meguiar’s Vinyl and Rubber Cleaner and Conditioner. Works like charm!
- Make the Wheels Shine! – Making our models look good won’t be complete without tiny details such as shiny wheels! Do not forget this because however small this is, the difference can be as big as night and day.
- Remove Scratches Easily – Tiny scratches are not the end for your model. Here is a simple trick I’ve been using to make my models look scratch-free even without repainting. Use T-Cut.
Painting the Models
Painting Tools
Make sure when you paint models, have these ready.
- Tape – A tape is important if you are painting a straight line. Furthermore, it will prevent your paint to scatter on other parts. I recommend Tamiya Tape since it is really made for models. Furthermore, they stick really well preventing paint splatters.
- Brush (Beginner) – Find a good set of brushes to paint your models. Of course, you can opt for an airbrush but it’s quite expensive.
- Airbrush (Intermediate/Expert) – This will yield a significantly better result than an ordinary brush because you can easily spray the paint evenly. I recommend this if you know what you’re doing.
- Stand(Optional) – Stands are good because it can be hard to manually hold the models while painting. It is optional but in my opinion, the price is well worth it for the comfort it gives.
- Drop Cloths – Drop Cloths will protect your surroundings from the paint.
- Primer – The most common beginner mistake I see is painting models without any Primer. A primer will prevent imperfections such as bubbles or paint not sticking to your models. It is a small price to pay for quality results.
- Clear Coat – A clear coat will protect the paint of your models. This will make the paint last longer. Also, it is the one responsible for making your models shine.
Paints
Of course, you can’t do painting properly without paint. So here are the ones I recommend.
- Acrylic Paint – Good for beginners because it dries quickly. However, it doesn’t produce results as good as enamel paint.
- Enamel Paint – Provides a good quality finish and longer-lasting paint. However, it takes longer to dry and requires expertise to use.
Model Maintenance
Model Storage
- Simple Wood Cabinet – While it doesn’t let you display your models, wooden cabinets are good storage for these models. For one, they are not heat conductors which means that the temperature inside will remain constant and remain cool. Furthermore, they prevent light from reaching the models which can cause oxidation.
- Clear Cabinet with Lock – If you want to display your models, then I recommend this. It closes so dust won’t easily get to your models. I also recommend you don’t put more than 1 model in each compartment since metals are good conductors of heat.
Model Photography
So you want to show off your models to others? Well, I got you covered.
Here is my beginner-friendly model photography tutorial that teaches everything from taking pictures to the editing process.
You will also see me doing hands-on photography in that tutorial.
Here is the link: How to Take Pictures of a Diecast Model or Model Kit | Helpful Illustrated and Video Guide
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