Question: What electric motor, speed control and battery should I use when converting my VMAR ARF to electric or when powering my VMAR Electric ARF?

Answer: This is a rapidly expanding area of RC modeling and there is a wide range of products coming into the market along with some rather dubious claims and some strong opinions about what is good and what is bad. Rather than getting ourselves and our customers in hot water working with third party heresay recommendations we have determined that aside from products that we have tested ourselves we are not able to make recommendations regarding specific electric power systems. In general, you will require an electric motor of comparable power to that produced by the size of engine recommended for your model. You will also require an electronic speed control (ESC), a battery pack, wirning harness, fuse and connectors. A suitable prop will also be required and it will usually be considerably different than they prop you would use on a glow engine.

Although there are many things to consider, if the flying weight remains the same and your electric motor produces similar thrust (power) as engines recommended for your model, you are on the right track. If the weight goes up and the thrust goes down, you are headed for problems and the model will likely not fly.

As of Sept 2005, we have released our VMAR L19 Bird Dog and VMAR Electric Aero Subaru ARF and both of these products have been tested extensively with a battery, motor and speed control system that we are able to recommend and supply. Please see our web site at www.richmondrc.com