Seagull Curare-Style F3A Green (10-15cc / 6S) 1.62m / 64in (w/ Electric Retracts)

1. Leap back in time to 1975 the end of the Vietnam War, the rise of Margaret Thatcher, the release of Spielberg’s blockbuster Jaws and the death of Spanish dictator Francisco Franco and in the model flying world you’ll witness headlines for Hanno Prettner’s Tournament of Champions win. It was a competition that not only bagged the 24 year-old Austrian pilot a prize pot of $10,000, it put the Curare on the map, opened the eyes of the R/C world to a design whose flying qualities were pure, and helped promote F3A aerobatic competition flying and the pilots who excelled at it to celebrity status.

As designs go it’s a biggie and that’s why Seagull’s interpretation will appeal so much. Harking back to a time before computer transmitters, mixing functions and digital trim compensation, the Curare uses pure aerodynamics and good design to ensure neutral longitudinal stability, a harmonised, locked-in control response and a performance-driven power to weight ratio.

Boasting a build quality, finish and flight envelope that will make you grin, Seagull’s version of this classic aeroplane is not only light and strong, its retro-inspired choice of colour schemes is massively appealing. Moreover, it’s quick to assemble and it flies like it’s on rails. Pure aerobats don’t get much nicer or easier to fly and we haven’t even mentioned the practicality of its 2-piece plug-in wings, plug-in tailplane halves and sensible overall size. You’re going to absolutely adore