• Wing Span: 64.75 in (164 cm)
• Wing Area: 712 sq in (4594 cm²)
• Length: 52.0 in (132 cm)
• Weight: 6.0 lbs (2.7 kg)
• Engine: .40 - .61 2 - cycle
  (6.5 cc - 10.0 cc 2 - cycle)
  .45 - .53 4 - cycle
  (7.5 cc - 8.7 cc 4 - cycle)
• 4 Servos required

The Easy 2 is classified as a VRTF high wing trainer. It features a flat bottom airfoil with a reasonable amount of dihedral, which gives it stability and the ability to right itself. The instructions are well written and the included diagrams are very well done. The kit contains all the necessary parts to complete the model except for the engine and radio. The only tool required, a Phillips screwdriver, is also included. The kit contains the pre-assembled fuselage, separate left and right wing halves, horizontal stabilizer and vertical fin all of which are covered with a beautiful Goldberg Ultracote finish in 5 colors.

Hangar 9 claims that the Easy 2 can be built in two hours. The kit assembled here took about twelve hours to finish. The instructions have you start by assembling the wing. While installing the aileron servo the ply backing separated from the balsa covering requiring it to be glued with CA. The wooden alignment pin in the wing root also had to be glued. Be sure to add a little CA every wooden joint that you can reach. After discovering those poorly glued parts mentioned earlier, I had very little faith in the assembly. Only one modification was performed to the wing assembly. The kit includes three sizes of rubber bands. Each of which has a different use. The screws that contain the bands which hold the wing together were placed far enough apart from each other to allow for the use of #64 bands allowing the removal of one of the three sizes of bands required.

The next step was radio installation. A device called a Shok-Loc tray is used. This is a clever device made of a flexible plastic. The servos are installed using only the servo grommets. The receiver and battery are held by servo tape and rubber bands to the tray. The bands used here were also changed to #64. Now only one size of band is required. It was felt that there was a bit to much flexing of the tray where the radio/battery was installed so 1 1/2" of foam rubber were placed under the tray. Installation of the battery switch was normal.

Assembly of the linkages was next. All of the linkages came preformed and assembled. This kit was definitely designed for a 2 - stroke engine with the throttle arm in the front right of the engine. It required about 3 hours of assembly time to install a non-binding throttle linkage for the .54 size 4 - stroke used here. While installing the throttle linkage, it was discovered that the engine firewall was separating from the fuselage and required a large amount of CA to repair. Triangle balsa stock was also added for extra strength.

The tail presented a few problems in its own. The pre-drilled holes did not line up so new holes were needed. Also, the wing nuts used did not clear some of the balsa structure and required a bit of cutting.

The landing gear is aluminum and spring steel. The axles were plain bolts and were changed to 5/32" spring axles. The wheels included in the kit were great for a hard surface but no where near enough for a grass field so 3 1/2" wheels were substituted.

The 4 - stroke engine presented its own set of problems. The engine mount uses 2 metal clamps that trap the engine mounting fins. They aligned perfectly with the engines choke rod so some height adjustments were necessary to allow a fit. All other building went without a problem. The preinstalled fuel tank was connected, fasteners were tightened, prop was installed and engine was run in. No control surface movement dimensions were given so they were set based on experience.

The plane flies like a trainer. It is self-righting and flies well. I have used this plane most of the summer and always get comments such as "How good it looks" and "How well it flies and how well it sounds with the 4 stroke engine".

I would classify this plane as an AVRTF, "Almost virtually ready to fly". They could charge me an extra $10 and do a better job of gluing. Check that the assemblies line up. The plane is a beauty and if I stuffed it into the ground today, I would get another tomorrow. The Ultracote really sets this ARF apart. Very well done. Hangar 9 has vision and I would like to see them improve on their top of the line R/C plane models. I can't wait to assemble their Cessna.

The kit includes 2 video tapes; a real time assembly video that you can follow while building and a preview of how to fly the plane and what to expect from it. Again, these very well done. Well done Hangar 9.