• Wing Span: 83 in (211 cm)
• Wing Area: 521 sq in (3361 cm²)
• Length: 39 in (99 cm)
• Weight: 3.13 lbs (1.4 kg)
• Motor: Speed 600
• 2 Servos, 1 speed control required

Hobby Lobby introduced the Graupner Elektro Junior as an ARF electric sailplane for the R/C beginner. Its design is heavily influenced by the Electro UHU, employing the same molded plastic fuselage. The wing, a modified Eppler 193 airfoil, has been expanded to 83" giving an overall area of 521 sq. inches. With a flying weight of 50 oz we have a reasonable 13.8 oz. per square foot. The kit is packaged in an ample carton with colorful graphics. Multi lingual specifications leave little doubt as to contents of the box as well as the equipment needed to complete the project. The wing panels and tail surfaces were well protected in bubble wrap. The fuselage, hardware package, ply wood parts and push rods were well wrapped for shipment.

Not having put anything remotely resembling an R/C airplane together for the fifteen years, this project was approached with some degree of apprehension particularly after seeing how well the wings and fuselage were built. Rather than taking a chance of messing up the model, the plans and instructions were studied for some while time translating the European English into American. The well annotated parts cross reference to operations made this a relatively easy task even for a total novice in age of instant airplanes. The precision of the die cut lite-ply parts is amazing.

By following the instructions to the infinite detail, the project progressed very quickly. The Graupner Speed motor practically fell into place, as did the Wing-fixing webs and wing attachment, the Accu-platform and servo installation all secured with the vile smelling two part Stabilit Express epoxy. With feeling of accomplishment, the pilot was painted next.

While the paint was drying. the clear canopy was trimmed and prepared for attachment to the cockpit using UHU-hart rather than the UHU Kraftkleber specified. The first small problem occured at this point. The cockpit was not attached to the fuselage according to the instructions but the canopy was glued to the cockpit and allowed to dry before being fitted on the fuselage. The fit between the canopy/cockpit assembly and the fuselage was less than perfect. The rubber band used to hold the assembly in place just did not work properly. A rather simple but crude means of securing the cockpit was devised by employing 4-40 screws that were inserted into tapped holes on the centerline of the fuselage fore and aft of the cockpit. Another cockpit and canopy will be order after successful completion of test flight program.

The installation of the empennage components was accomplished by sawing of the aft tenons. The option of permanently installing the tailplane was chosen as it was recommended for "newcomers". The instructions said to "pull out the elevator hinges and slip the empennage components provisionally in place". There is to pull out any elevator hinges. The Stabilit Express was used for the installation but the last statement in this section called for 1-sec adhesive (CA).

Installing the Bowden cables and control horns presented a small challenge to get them positioned on top of the inside of the air scoops. Trying to thread the inner cable into the clevis farther than the threaded portion resulted in twisting off the cable. Fortunately, a standard DuBro clevis threaded onto the cable very nicely.

From this point on, everything went smoothly. The radio, battery, servos and switch harness presented no challenge in installation. Contrary to normal practice, the ON on position is aft since in a hand launch one might shut the switch off if the OFF position were placed aft. Extra lite ply was added to give a little more for the servo mounting wood screws to engage. Balancing the model presented no challenge since the CG was not off by a noticeable amount.

Finally, the step of "testifying the model" according to the directions arrived. Conveniently, the model was finished on a Friday night. Saturday dawned as a northern tourist nightmare. It was cloudy, rainy and very windy with weather predictions for deteriorating conditions. Even with these conditions, the model was taken to the field. There were not other flyers at the field and the wind was blowing in the 20-knot plus range so the maiden flight was postponed. Sunday was a bright sunny day. It seemed that the whole Flying Gator R/C club was in attendance with wives, children and visiting relatives but again the winds were in the 20-knot plus range blowing directly across the field from the East. A 1/4 scale unlimited pattern airplane had just completed a successful test flight. The Graupner Electro Junior was next after being assembled it on the bench. A Futaba Conquest PCM driving the Graupner Power Switch 20 from the throttle servo position and S148 servos on rudder and elevator made up the guidance and control system. The club hand launched the model into the wind. The Elektro climbed out silently. It climbed higher with no hint of requiring trim adjustment. Two minutes into the flight, the model was at about 200 feet and still on the same heading. The throttle was pulled back which shut down the motor and allowed the 8-4 Graupner folding prop to assume its clean aerodynamic position tucked along side the fuselage. What seemed like an eternity and realistically about 4 minutes, the Electro Junior majestically completed its maiden flight. To avoid further temptation, the wing was quickly unbolted and tucked back into the van.

Subsequently the Electro Junior has accumulated hundreds of flights and is still brought out occasionally for another nostalgic "first flight" as the particular plane of the month is given a rest.