As someone who has run several gallons of fuel through Cox reedies, I understand just how much FUN it is to run them.  I also enjoy small airplanes and hope to do some indoor flying someday soon.  I have been working with Brodak to develop some new electric power systems.  They are now available:

* Brodak #BH-1830 Consists of a Baby Clown ARF plus the electric power system (motor, battery, ESC, timer & prop) plus a charger/balancer, it also includes .008 x 42' lines and a handle for $159.99.  This is the system demo-flown at the Brodak Fly-In last June, and at Randy Ryan's backyard cook-out in August.

* Brodak #BH-1832 is the power system, charger and battery tray (sans Baby Clown, handle & lines).  You can use this to power what ever 1/2A airplane you have on hand, the package sells for $109.99

* All of the individual components are also available separately.  On the Brodak website, click on "Electric" on the menu that runs down the LH side of the page then walk through the subsequent menus to see what's there...

The systems are designed to be very simple plug-&-play.  They should be great for newbies or someone who wants a 1/2A size bird available when the grandkids come calling.  (My Addie turns 2 this March, SHe's gonna spend a week with us this summer.  Its about time to start her CL lessons I think!)  Charge it up, plug it in, push the start button & fly...

The throttle/timer is pre-set and runs for 3 minutes - about the same as a Golden Bee.  The motor weighs 1/2 of what a Golden Bee weighs, so you have to be a little mindul of CG incuding sliding the battery forward a ways - it might work fine in a set-up designed for an OK Cub?  The long-nosed Wizard (Brodak remake of the old CG kit) balances easily, the Stuntman 23 (another Brodak update of CG kit) was a little tail heavy, I spaced the motor out then made it a soft mount.  One nice little advantage: I have a couple of the Brodak sheet balsa airplanes ready to fly with NO finish on them!  Saves a little weight, enables decoration with a magic marker.

It is probably less than 100 watts. A 2s pack gives you ~8V and these things are probably pulling less than 10 Amps (or 80 watts input power. Output is ~70% of that.

On the other hand they are turning 6+ inch props. On my Norvel true 1/2a 049, I am running cutdown 5-3 props )~4.75x3.

Dennis,
I just tried the search function on the Brodak web to locate  BH 1832 (the power package). It said no match found. I'm sure it's there or will be soon.
The power kit includes a battery-charger-timer-speed control-motor an on/off switch?
How long does it take to charge the battery?
Are additional batteries in stock?
Do you think the unit would fit into a Black Hawk Models Hollow Log model?

Thanks Doc. I think I'll make an electric Golden Hawk for our Michigan Musciano Contest.

IDoc-- I don't know. But the idea is worth doing

Frank,

I have to applaud Brodak for putting together a turnkey power package. That said this may not be what you will want for a competition setup -- I believe they list it as a "Sport" package. In any case you can pick up extra batteries at much less expense from China (Hobbyking.com for instance). All you need are the specs. I have had good luck with both Rhino and Zippy brand batteries.

In any case do give electric a try and feel free to pick the minds of the folks on the "Gettin All AMP'ed UP" forum here on Stunt Hanger.

John

John,
Frank is a real old timer in electric---he was "been there, done that,..pfui....", and now back again.

What is the power level of this system.  After doing some research, for 1cc competition, I find that 145 watts maximum power output is equivalent.  Until proven otherwise, that is the limit we will use in our 1cc contests.  That applies to multi-motor applications where the sum of all motors is limited to the 145 watt level.  The thinking here is that, although twin .051 gas engines are allowed, the ease of use of twin electrics requires no advantage over a single motor.

It's good to be the King!

Larry,

We need to chat about this.

Stan

August 28th & 29th are the scheduled Kalamazoo Musciano Contest dates.
You guys can consider me comitted to building the Electric Golden Hawk.
I've been around a lot of electrics lately with the Adamisins, Rick and Bob all 100% converted to electric. The power package Denny set up for Brodak's will haul a hollow log model with ease.
It will be interesting to see if an electric model will be considered legal for competition at a Musciano Event.

Well Frank,
Even if it doesn't pass muster for the Musciano event  , it still is legal to have fun!

Here's another data point for 1/2 E power.

I built an imitation Baby Flite Streak (see photo below) not from a kit or plans just eyeballed.

I use a Himax 2812-850 motor with an APC 9x6 pusher prop on 3 cells. It draws 8A or less at say 11 V. That's 88 Watts input. It flies very well and I can get 2 Two minute flights out of a 910mah battery with plenty left over I could probably get a third flight too but I never push it).

no need for apologies John. We're all in this together.
I'm just along for the ride on the electric stuff. All the other guys took the time to figure it out.