Plantraco Butterfly RC plane reviewed

When we first caught sight of Plantraco's Butterfly — a remote-controlled plane designed to be flown indoors — we knew we wanted one. Heck, we wanted a whole fleet of them. But at $239 a pop, we had to do our best to keep our credit card safely tucked in our back pocket. Now that it's been reviewed by DistracTech, we're tempted once more. The review confirms everything we hoped — and feared — the Butterfly would be. Yes, it's lightweight, agile and capable of flitting effortlessly around your living room. And, yes, the balsa wood and paper wings are fragile; crash this a few times and you'll be gluing it back together. Of course, that's all the more reason to pick up a fleet, instead of just one.

[mike @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

unless theres a tiny camera on the front... whats the point of this?

[James @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

looks cool, but looks like it would break easily :)

[Mik Ishmael @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Flying indoors...don't knock it. However...if you're REALLY interested in this, there's a whole bunch of folks over at www.ezonemag.com that'll show ya how to make one yourself. Some use infrared technology. Go go over there, hit the forums (discussion) under 'indoor and micro models' Ya want the carbon/film version? Make it yourself.

[fistpittingnork @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

This is a really neat toy assuming you have enough indoor airspace.

$240 is a nice price considering what parts this consists of, though if the company sells the parts seperately it'd be nice to just build your own if you have the know-how.

[PDubNYC @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

If I didn't live in the land of tiny living rooms, I would definitely get one of these things. A tiny camera on it would be very sweet, but I still think it is cool as is.


ps- is a group of airplanes ever called a fleet? I thought that applied to ships and buses/limos, etc... Just curious cause it sounds funny.

[strider_mt2k @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Also check out the indoor RC helicopter that Radio Shmack is carrying now.
It lists for $59.99 and also allows for indoor RC flight that's fun and inexpensive.
IFR
Indoor flight rules, I mean RULEZ!

[Denis @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

I remember making similar planes (I mean, REALLY similar) out of balsa and rice paper when I was a kid in Croatia. We'd use rubberbands to power the propeller (you just wind it and let go). The competitions were to see whose can fly the longest in a large room (usually a hall, like a dining hall or something.) You'd have to balance it just right, make sure it's light enough, and that your rudder is set just right for the room size. That was fun...

[Joe @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

LOL. Ever heard of 'Fleet Week' number 6?

[Nick @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

#7 me too, just not in Croatia. Our plane was called Salsa Balsa (the name, though no wood was recycled for our bridge made of the eponymous wood)

[Justin Bell @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Make it out of carbon fiber? Add a camera? The thing would sink like a stone.

It looks cool, but it's only 2 channels, so no aerobatics or "3D" flying.
I might have to pick on up next time I have money.

[Evan @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

I would love to get designs for something like this, I REALLY don't want to spend that much.

[Ian Wood @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

I love Plantraco's stuff...I have their desktop rover and an older model indoor blimp. Weird company; fun toys.

[PDubNYC @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Yeah, I've heard of fleet wek. That's were all the SHIPS are docked and the sailors flood the city. How does that answer my question?

[josh @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

then there's a "fleet of flying saucers" a la douglas adams...

squadron might be a better term- but I think fleet can apply to any vehicle...

I am ashamed to admit I bought one, but am afraid to fly it in my tiny livingroom (I too live in the land of tiny rooms) and have been thusfar unable to find a local gym or open space big enough...

I turn it on and twiddle the controls though. and it comes with a flight sim so you can practice.

[BB @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Actually, a small group of planes is a Flight. Then you have a Squadron, then a Group. So based on how much these cost, I'd say at best you'd be looking at a Flight.

[__redruM @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

I got this in september after seeing it in engadget, and I'm realllly happy with it. You need a big room, especially at first. I've had most of my fun flying outdoors on a windless day, I had it about 3 stories up and circling over my head.
The hardest part is learning to catch it, cause it doesn't have landing gear, and will easily break if grabbed in the wrong place, but I've had hours of fun with this toy.

[Lee Gibson @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

#1, if you have to ask, you'll never know.

Hint: Your johnson doesn't have a camera on it, and it's possible to have fun with that. Maybe someday you'll learn about that sort of thing.