ParkZone F-27 Stryker

The ParkZone F-27 Stryker is an electric-powered delta wing foam aircraft designed and distributed by ParkZone, a division of Horizon Hobby of Champaign, Illinois, USA, and sold in countless hobby shops throughout North America as a RTF (ready-to-fly) package.

This aircraft includes a 3-channel radio, with the three channels corresponding to controls for throttle, pitch, and roll axes. The signals for the elevators and ailerons are digitally mixed by the transmitter to control two control surfaces on the rear edge of the aircraft known as elevons, which combine the functions of the elevators and ailerons of traditional aircraft.

The Stryker has no landing gear, and is meant to be landed on soft surfaces such as grass.

The aircraft also has no rudder control. Its need for a rudder is minimized by the aircraft's lack of a landing gear, as there is no need to keep the aircraft perfectly straight while landing in a crosswind. In flight, turns are coordinated by pulling slightly back on the elevator control. When the stick is pulled back in a turn, the elevon on the inside of the turn continues to deflect the airflow while the deflection of the outside elevon is neutralized. Because the elevons are long enough to reach the wingtips, they can induce yaw on the aircraft to induce turns. This elevon yaw can also be used to enter intentional spins and recover from them.

Two models of the F-27 Stryker are in production. The original is the F-27B.

The original F-27B Stryker with its top speed of 50 mph (80 km/h) proved to be popular with those wishing to create high-performance delta wings to the point where many modelers simply purchased the off-the-shelf replacement airframe parts with the intention of adding their own electronics. It is not uncommon for a modified Stryker to reach speeds of 100 mph (160 km/h).

Horizon Hobby responded by creating a vastly improved RTF model right out of the box, dubbed the F-27C and released June 2006, as well as an available factory-assembled ARF sold with the new improvements but less electronics. The F-27C comes factory equipped with an E-flite brushless motor system and lithium polymer battery. Climb performance is drastically increased, and top speed is approximately 80 mph (130 km/h).

Other improvements include a one-piece "Z-Foam" wing which can be repaired with any cyanoacrylate adhesive, a propeller suitable for use with lithium polymer batteries, vented battery and electronics compartments and strengthened elevon hinges. Dual-rate control throws, switchable during flight at the transmitter, allow for either relaxed or aggressive flight. Proper voltage cutoff for lithium polymer use is accomplished by simply removing a jumper on the receiver's printed circuit board.

Like all ParkZone models, the F-27 Stryker comes almost fully assembled and with all necessary equipment, including transmitter batteries. An optional Sonic Combat Module allows dogfighting between similarly equipped aircraft via the receiver's "X-Port" feature.

Common specifications

*Wingspan: 37" (950mm)
*Length: 27" (700mm)
*Flying weight: 21 ounces (580g)
*Operating range: 2500' (762m)
*Landing gear: None

F-27B Specifications

*Motor: Direct drive 480 with flux focus ring, pusher configuration
*Radio system: Three-channel proportional FM
*Operating frequencies: All six allocated to the 27 MHz band
*Trim scheme: Grey fuselage, grey/olive drab/black camouflage, black/grey decals
*Speed control: Proprietary proportional ESC/receiver combination
*Battery: Seven-cell 8.4 V 900 mAh Ni-MH (included); 2100 mAh 3S lithium polymer optional
*Charger: 1.2 A variable rate DC peak detect
*Retail price: US$199.99
*Catalog number: PKZ1200

F-27C specifications

*Motor: 1880Kv direct drive brushless
*Speed control: E-flite 25A brushless
*Battery: Three-cell 11.1 V 2200 mAh lithium polymer
*Charger: Two- to three-cell li-po DC variable rate with balancing
*Radio: 72MHz FM with industry-standard three-wire servos
*Trim scheme: "Tiger Meet" custom paint and decals
*Catalog number: PKZ4200

External link and reference

* [http://www.parkzone.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=PKZ1200 F-27B Stryker home page]
* [http://parkzone.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=PKZ4200 F-27C Stryker home page]
* [http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=308093 ParkZone F-27 Stryker Review at Ezonemag]