Great Planes F-1 Rocket Evo GP/EP ARF
Written by Tom Sullivan A sport scale model designed to go fast Abridged product review Photos by the author Read the full product review in the February 2016 issue of Model Aviation.
Specifications
Model type: Semiscale ARF Skill level: Intermediate to advanced Wingspan: 52 inches Wing area: 448 square inches Airfoil: Semisymmetrical Length: 44 inches Weight: 6 to 7 pounds Power system: .46-.55 two-stroke; .70 four-stroke; equivalent electric motor Radio: Recommended: four channels; five servos Street price: $179.99Test-model Details
Radio system: Futaba 8FG radio; R617FS Futaba receiver; four S9001 Futaba servos; a Futaba Y harness; and two 9-inch servo extensions Power system: O.S. GGT10 gas engine Propeller: Falcon 12 x 8 Ready-to-fly weight: 5.5 pounds Flight duration: Up to 30 minutesPluses
• Laser-cut balsa and plywood for fuselage construction; balsa sheeted foam cores for the wings. • Includes all control hardware, wheels, fiberglass wheel pants, and cowl. • All control surfaces come prehinged and glued from the factory. • The firewall comes predrilled and includes preinstalled T-nuts.Minus
• The engine-mounting location is described as being in two different locations in the manual.Product Review
I like to think of myself as somewhat knowledgeable about nearly any airplane that’s ever been flown—that was until I was asked about reviewing the F-1 Rocket Evo. Having just reviewed a Radial Rocket, I first thought it was a similar design; however, this kit from Great Planes is quite different. This kit is a semiscale model of the full-scale homebuilt aircraft manufactured by the Team Rocket Aircraft Co. Its all-metal airframe was designed to deliver extremely high performance with a 3,500-feet-per-minute climb rate and a 230-plus-mph cruising speed. Obviously, the review kit won't quite hit these speeds.Nothing but balsa, plywood, and fiberglass is used in the F-1 Rocket Evo’s airframe. It comes with a complete hardware package, including a spinner.
This is a well-constructed model. The entire airframe is assembled from laser-cut balsa and plywood, making it quite lightweight. The MonoKote covering over the airframe and the matching paint of the cowl and wheelpants are eye-catching. The amount of work that was done at the factory should make the airframe assembly a breeze. You need to decide how you’ll power your Rocket. Parts are included for either electric or fuel powerplants. If you go the electric route, laser-cut wood parts are included to build up the motor box that holds the motor in place, basically extending the firewall forward. On the bottom of the fuselage, behind the wing saddle, is a series of cooling exits beneath the covering. Cutting away the covering will open up the vent holes needed to cool the battery and ESC.
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