Multiplex Easystar

Latest Video. Multiplex Twister running on a 4s lipo on the stock motor and fan. Also fitted with a gyro.

Latest Video. The new Twin Boom Easystar takes to the skies. A fantastic performer with awsome power and performance.

Latest Video. New custom made camera mount on the Multiplex Easystar.

Top Rated. This Eurosport Typhoon came down a little too hard at Aberystwyths annual RC show.

Click the thumbnail below for more Easystar pictures

Easystar Fake
Winner of the rcgroups best fake photograph contest.

The Easystar is without doubt my favourite plane in my collection. It might not be built from nice balsa or composite materials, or have a lovely scale look in the air, but it fly's superb. On the stock setup, which uses a 400 size brushed motor, the EZ can perform most manoeuvres, but on a brushless setup it can become a different plane all together. I've even tried rocket propulsion, which was also quite successful.

Building is easy and straight forward, and by following the instructions, you can't go far wrong.
I have only done a couple of modifications which I find help. One is to strengthen the stock wing spar with a solid carbon one. This helps in reducing any wing flex on high G manoeuvres. The other is to place my ESC on top of the fuse instead of inside the cockpit. This helps in keeping it cool, but also stops any interference which may occur if the ESC and RX are to close. I've done quite a few modifications to my Easystars including a Ducted Fan, Rocket assist, Floatplane, Biplane and have just recently finished my Stumpy Easystar. Check out the latest news below for more information.

WINGSPAN
WEIGHT
FUNCTIONS
SERVO'S
ESC
MOTOR
BATTERY
PROP

1370mm
820g AUW
R/E/Throttle
2x Hitec HS-81
Multiplex 37 Amp
Himax 2825/2700
3s1p 2500 lipo
APCE 5.5x4.3

For more information regarding the Easystar, why not join in the discussion at RCGroups. You'll find setup's, photo's and more video's, as well as building tips, paint schemes and loads more.
Click the link on the left to go to the RCGroups 'Multiplex Easystar and sometimes more' forum.

The Easystar makes a great AP ( Aerial Photography ) plane.
I use a Nikon 3700 digital camera. It's a 3.2 mega pixel camera which shoots great video @ 640x480 30fps. It weighs in at 150g, so getting the CG right on the plane is a bit of a no go. Considering the extra weight in the nose, she still fly's really well. Apart from giving her a harder throw on launch and keeping up a little more speed on landings, she fly's just like a normal Easystar. If anybody is thinking of what plane to start AP on, then the Easystar is my advice.

Click here for more information on the AP Easystar

Since I've never owned a floatplane, I thought it was about time I did. I purchased a set of Multiplex MiniMag floats and mounted them onto the Easystar using two carbon rods and a few cable tie's. Trying to get the CG right whilst positioning the floats as not to have the tail sit in the water was a little tricky, but I managed to reach a compromise. The Easystar performed great, although the extra drag from the floats did slow her down a little. There was a little mishap which we'll say no more about...ahem.

After chatting with some of the guy's at RCGroups, there was talk of whether the Easystar could be shrunk down a little. I decided to take up the challenge, and removed 380mm (15inch) from the wingspan and 180mm (7inch) from the tail length. I secured both the wings and tail with carbon rods, and once the control rods were shortened she was ready for the off. She really flew well, being a little faster and having a superb roll rate, even using the stock rudder. Check out the latest HD vid.

Having a few spare sets of Easystar wings, I thought it would be a good idea to build up a biplane EZ. I got four 12" lengths of balsa, and glued them into both sets of wings using normal cyano. I kept the top wing about 2 to 3 inches ahead of the bottom wing, simply because it looked better, and fixed up my HET 2W EDF motor and Wemotec Mini Fan 480. I had to enlarge the rudder to about twice the size to help steer a little sharper, but its a simple mod to do, and it fly's superb.

Who said you can't put rocket motors on an Easystar. I placed a D-type rocket to the underside of the EZ, and had the ignition connected to a remote switch which was fed directly from the flight battery. I placed 4 layers of tin foil to the underside to protect it from any heat, which seemed to work well. I've now used the rockets for an assisted take-off, still needs a little work. Check out the in-flight rocket vid on the right and the rocket assist take-off video can be found here.....Rocket Assist take-off.

Update...P38 style EZ is here
I've recently completed the new Twin Boom P38 style EZ. Built up from three Easystars, I'm running a single Faigao brushless motor with a 4.4:1 gearbox, and a Graupner 13x7 carbon folding prop. I've installed ailerons which will also be used as flaperons, and I've enlarged both rudders. She has a 74" wingspan and an AUW of just over 1700g. I'm hoping to use this Easystar as my new AP/AV platform, which will hopefully include Panasonics new HDC-SD5 HD camcorder. Check out the latest video.

I was after some new ideas for modifying the Easystar, and the boys on RCGroups came up with quite a few neat designes. Here's the Swept Wing EZ designed by Hypoxic. The wings were cut at around 45 degrees and secured in place using two carbon rods. The CG had to be moved back by over 20mm, and I used my 3s 1500 lipo instead of my usual 3s 2500. Once launched, I knew this was going to be a fun bird to fly. There's a little wing rock but considering she's still rudder/elevator controlled she fly's like a real jet. The glide is pretty poor, but that was to be expected. This is a keeper, and more vids will be coming soon.

The one draw back with the Easystar is motor replacement. By gluing the motor in, its pretty difficult, although not impossible, to remove the motor. I decided to change the layout, and used a 28mm pipe clip instead of the stock nacelle. I cut part of the foam away, and then secured a wooden block using Epoxy so that I could screw the clip down. Take a look at the video to see how much easier it is now to change motors. I've recently done this mod on my Swept Wing Easystar and it performs really well.