numerous reports interesting on various electric designs, kits and products as well as the "how to" articles.
A couple years ago I designed a sport electric as a vacation plane. That meant a bolt--on tail assembly, easily removable main gear and a size which could be packed along with the usual vacation gear. The resulting specs were:
o Low wing ---- span 56 inches
o Wing area 530 inches sguare
o Conventional gear
o Four controls: Elev, rudder, aileron, throttle
o Motor: Astro 15 geared or Model Air Tech M-250 ferrite motor and H--500 belt drive reducer (3.2/1)
o ESC: FX-35
o Battery: 12 cells of 1700 mAh
o Rcvr: FMA 2000 Micro with 250 mAh battery
o Servos: Miniature, not micro
o Covering: Ultracoat
o Canopy and Cowl: Vacuum formed from 0.040 Vivak plastic
o Flying Wt.: 70-73 oz, depending on the motor drive. The ModelAir-Tech unit is 3 oz heavier than a 15G.
o Prop: 12x10 (Master Airscrew wood is best)
o Current draw: 25--28 amps
o Power in watts: 12 cells x 25 amps = 300 watts
o Power/Wt. : 65--68 watts/lb.
The Ampex is very spirited and flies nicely off a grass field. Flight times of 4-5 minutes are usual with some aerobatics and prudent management of the throttle. I've flown it with both power systems and both do a good job.
A footnote on construction:
Both the wing and the fuselage use conventional built--up construction. The only variation is my use of 3/16" foamboard for all formers, occasionally reinforced with 1/32" ply for high load areas. I've used foamboard on my last 3 designs, both glow and electric. The suggestion for foamboard for formers came from Keith Shaw years ago.