E-flite Draco X 2.0m

[The Sheriff]

It's happening.

https://www.horizonhobby.com/all-new-releases/airplane-new-releases/draco-x-20m-with-smart-bnf-basic-p-efl12550

I'm pleased to see that it will be a larger model.

[xviper]

[xviper]

It's gone from the Horizon site. Hope it wasn't a flash in the pan and they're just adding info. Not that there was much information on that page anyway - no picture, nothing.

[The Sheriff]

Here is a screenshot of a response from Horizon on RCG regarding the "unplanned publishing of Draco" as well as some teasers...

[xviper]

That's too bad but understandable. Thanks for the information. I considered getting the Black Horse Wilga and turning it into a Draco but at a starting price of $700.00 for an ARF, I decided against it. The end result would have been simply much too expensive. I'll be eagerly waiting for Horizon to get this product to market.

[The Sheriff]

I'll be eagerly waiting for Horizon to get this product to market.

You and me, both. I'm very excited for this model. If the STOL performance is excellent even with a crosswind, it has reverse thrust, and a clear canopy it will be an instant favorite for me. I've always liked the Wilga. The Black Horse model is in the middle of my very long wish list. With giant scale non-foam planes I'm getting away from having lots of them and instead focusing on becoming more proficient with fewer models.

[xviper]

Supposed to be some kind of announcement about this Draco tomorrow.

[hilldebrandt]

Pre-order is up on HH website. Looks really cool but the price is out of my budget...

[xviper]

Pre-order is up on HH website. Looks really cool but the price is out of my budget...

I wanted a Draco when this thread first began. Then HH removed it. I was all set to get the Wilga and put giant tires on it. That's a balsa ARF at around $800.00. After all the stuff that goes into it to make it fly, I would be well over 1000 bucks. The price of this Draco is almost a bargain by comparison.

[hilldebrandt]

I wanted a Draco when this thread first began. Then HH removed it. I was all set to get the Wilga and put giant tires on it. That's a balsa ARF at around $800.00. After all the stuff that goes into it to make it fly, I would be well over 1000 bucks. The price of this Draco is almost a bargain by comparison.

You're right, that is a bargain compared to the Wilga! I got notified of the pre-order on Facebook which said to order soon because the first shipment is selling fast and shipping on 4/23. I click on the website and it says next shipment is May...apparently they sold out quick! Not that I was going to order anyway...but maybe someday. I need to fly the ones I have now

[xviper]

The Wilga was a hard sell for me given the end price tag, plus the "back in stock" estimate was too far into the future for me. I understand about the balsa shortage and all but as an end user, understanding the problem doesn't make the problem go away. I had all but given up (and even forgot it was coming one day) on the Draco. I was so glad that it was announced before I pulled the pin on the Wilga, although a balsa one would have been awesome, just like my VQ Twin Otter and C-47 (which didn't cost nearly as much as the Wilga). For sure, the price on the Draco is very high (for a foamie or any plane for that matter), but who knows when I'll be pushing up daisies. I just wish I could be buried with all my favorite planes.

[Oxotnik]

The Draco and its Wilga parentage are beautiful in their oddness. Babies that only mothers could love! My kind of aircraft. I've been iffy on getting a Draco though. I'm a warbirder, and i'm not sure how often I'd fly the Draco, after the newness had worn off. The fact that it's a 2m plane, though, may put me over the edge. I'll probably be crucified for this, but if I get one, I'm seriously thinking about repainting it to mimic the granddaddy of all STOL planes... a Fieseler Storch. Wouldn't a Draco painted to look like a Fi-156 in desert camo be funny as hell?

Dragon Stork...

[Aros]

I dig it! I will have to snag one once the novelty wears off and they are available in stock. Never did feel like I had to be first in line when a new movie came out, lol.

[xviper]

This is one HH product that is supposed to be available a couple weeks after announcement. Should be (I hope) shipping out before end of March. Mine will come via my LHS. Nobody pays till it arrives and can be cancelled so long as it's done before it's shipped.

The following is a somewhat non sequitur observation, so don't waste your time on it if you're too busy.
The 2 threads over on the other forum has already had the usual number of rabid participants. Everywhere from guys who set their alarm clocks to go off early so they could hear and see the official HH announcement on it to ....................... the odd nutball who gets himself banned for posting about how he hates the thing and anybody who loves it. Some who complain bitterly about why the announcement didn't happen as promised, only to discover they're clocks weren't set right for the given time zone. Imagine a few who bitch and complain because they can't pre-order the thing via PayPal or pay for this one in installments. Really, if they can't afford it, should they really buy one? And then there's the guy who has to wait for his government Covid cheque before he can buy it.
I haven't seen this kind of feeding frenzy since the last new, big jet from Motion.

[Aros]

RCG: Where The Inmates Run The Asylum.

(I tease, I tease, actually there's a lot of great folks who are members).

[mshagg]

From an Aussie perspective my heart sank when I saw the USD price. But it has actually been floated here for 900AUD (around 700USD, a reasonable margin considering the logistics involved) and restrained compared to what we usually cop from horizon (i.e. V1200 retails for almost $600USD locally!).

[Wild Man]

I Pre Ordered a Draco 2.0 m wing span .They finally posted it on the Horizon site this week First shipment to be here Mid April. Gear has actual shocks front and rear. and the esc is reversible, meaning you can back it up has 17 LED lights and many other cool features I for one can not wait for it to arrive I could care less what people have said about this type plane How it flies and what it can do will depend on the Pilots ability. I fly every type High wings, Low wing Bi- planes War birds Twins quads EDF's of all sizes singles and twins Pylon racers and so on, Large or small I will fly them all. to many planes not enough time LOL!!!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukMtDMVS_X0&t=7s

[Griffon Wings]

Dang it ! I did pre order it too . Was few years without getting a plane from “ them “ , feel dirty, sorry Motion, but this one i had to do it.
I would rather another mig-29 or so , but , this for me on grass field will work great , year around .
Definitely i will get the umx too,once out...

[SanExup]

I have to laugh a little. It's like we are a support group of enablers. I too swore off HH and don't have a local hobby shop. I wish this were a flightline/freewing motionrc plane, it would contribute to my apparent trend of eventually owning all of the planes they offer.

The Eflite Draco does look like a super fun plane to own and fly. With that landing gear, the lights, the wing design, it looks like a fairly solid airframe, design and production. The ultimate stol plane to have. A plane capable to land in a truck bed.

I really hope this is a sign of a continuing contribution to the development of better suspension for rc planes. I'm curious to see if the system works how it looks. If they truly deaden the bounce.

I agree, a Storch from Flightline with suspension and thrust reversing would be fun to fly. Maybe with optional modern bush wheels though.

[Wild Man]

I have to laugh a little. It's like we are a support group of enablers. I too swore off HH and don't have a local hobby shop. I wish this were a flightline/freewing motionrc plane, it would contribute to my apparent trend of eventually owning all of the planes they offer.

The Eflite Draco does look like a super fun plane to own and fly. With that landing gear, the lights, the wing design, it looks like a fairly solid airframe, design and production. The ultimate stol plane to have. A plane capable to land in a truck bed.

I really hope this is a sign of a continuing contribution to the development of better suspension for rc planes. I'm curious to see if the system works how it looks. If they truly deaden the bounce.

I agree, a Storch from Flightline with suspension and thrust reversing would be fun to fly. Maybe with optional modern bush wheels though.

MRC is not the only Dealer for great flying Planes FMS and E-Flite also have great flying planes and many others too. I for one have many from different manufacturers. I try not to get tied down to being a groupy for just flightline, freewing, and motionrc planes there are others that are just as nice if not better. So Keep on wishing. Maybe some day they will come out with a great Bush plane like the Draco, One Bush Plane I enjoy the most right now is the Legacy Aviation 84" Turbo Bushmaster,That I have $1,800.00 invested in with the Fiber glass floats that is $1,200.00 more then what I will have in the Draco at just a meager $600.00 invested in. Like they say the only difference between men and boys is the price of their toys. Some day i would love to have and Fly the turbine jets but I can only wish I guess my pockets are not that deep. I have flown a few turbines at different Air show's around the country they are great to fly but I believe they would become rather Boring after awhile I prefer to fly planes that have a wide envelope of flight characteristics they seem to be the ones I never get tired of flying,